As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2020
Securities Act File No. 333-239577
Investment Company Act File No. 811-23583
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER | ||||
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ||||
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 | ☒ | |||
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. | ☐ | |||
AND/OR | ||||
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ||||
AMENDMENT NO. 1 | ☒ |
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
205 Detroit Street, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado 80206
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(212) 802-8500
(Registrants Telephone Number)
Michael Bell
Primark Advisors LLC
205 Detroit Street, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado 80206
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Gregory C. Davis
Paulita A. Pike
Ropes & Gray LLP
Three Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111-4006
413-315-6300
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☐
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box: ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☐
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
☐ |
when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c) of the Securities Act |
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ |
This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement]. |
☐ |
This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: . ¨ |
☐ |
This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: . ¨ |
☐ |
This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: . |
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
☒ |
Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Investment Company Act)). |
☐ |
Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act). |
☒ |
Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act). ¨ |
☐ |
A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form). |
☐ |
Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act). |
☐ |
Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). ¨ |
☐ |
If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. |
☒ |
New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing). |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED(1) |
PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(1) |
AMOUNT OF REGISTRATION FEE(2)(3) |
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Shares of Beneficial Interest |
$500,000,000 | $64,900 | ||
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(1) |
This registration statement relates to the maximum aggregate offering of $500,000,000 of shares of beneficial interest (Shares) of the Registrant. The Registrant has filed an application for exemptive relief with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) that would permit the Registrant to offer multiple classes of Shares. Class I Shares will be the only class offered for purchase until the Registrant has received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting the Registrant to offer more than one class of Shares. Class II Shares and Class III Shares will not be offered to investors until the Registrant has received such exemptive relief from the SEC. There is no assurance that the SEC will grant such relief to the Registrant. |
(2) |
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
(3) |
A registration fee of $129.80 was previously paid in connection with the Registrants initial filing on June 30, 2020. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date (i) until the Registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or (ii) until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the SEC, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND
Class I Shares
Class II Shares
Class III Shares
Prospectus Dated August 26, 2020
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Fund) is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund operates as an interval fund pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Funds investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation, consistent with prudent investment management.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in private equity investments, including: (i) investments in the equity of private operating companies (Portfolio Companies); (ii) primary and secondary investments in private equity funds managed by third-party managers; and (iii) investments in publicly listed companies that pursue the business of private equity investing, including listed private equity companies, listed funds of funds, business development companies, special purpose acquisition companies, alternative asset managers, holding companies, investment trusts, closed-end funds, financial institutions and other vehicles whose primary purpose is to invest in, lend capital to or provide services to privately held companies. The Fund will also invest in short-term investments, including money market funds, short-term treasuries and other liquid investment vehicles. The Fund will seek to allocate portfolio company exposure across multiple industry sectors, geographies, size, private equity sponsor and vintage year (i.e., the year in which a private equity fund begins investing). The Fund aims to achieve a stable return profile with low to moderate volatility.
The Fund cannot guarantee that it will meet its investment objective. Investing in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. See General Risks and Limits of Risk Disclosure beginning on page 18.
Class I Shares | Class II Shares | Class III Shares |
Total |
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Public Offering Price(1) |
Current NAV | Current NAV | Current NAV | Up to $500,000,000 | ||||
Proceeds to the Fund (Before Expenses)(2) |
Amount Invested
at Current NAV |
Amount Invested
at Current NAV |
Amount Invested
at Current NAV |
Up to $500,000,000 |
(1) |
Foreside Financial Services, LLC acts as the principal underwriter of the Funds shares on a best-efforts basis. Generally, the stated minimum investment in the Fund is $1,000,000 for Class I Shares, $50,000 for Class II Shares and $25,000,000 for Class III Shares, which stated minimum may be reduced for certain investors. See Purchasing Shares below. |
(2) |
Assumes all shares currently registered are sold in the offering. Shares will be offered in a continuous offering at the Funds then-current net asset value (NAV) per Share. The Funds initial offering expenses are described under Fund Expenses. |
This prospectus (the Prospectus) applies to the offering of three separate classes of shares of beneficial interests (Shares) in the Fund, designated as Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares. The Fund has applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer more than one class of Shares. Class II Shares and Class III Shares will not be offered to investors until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the SEC will grant the exemptive order requested by the Fund. The Funds Shares will generally be offered at the net asset value (NAV) per Share on each regular business day. The Fund has registered $500,000,000 of Shares for sale under the registration statement to which this Prospectus relates. The Fund reserves the right to reject a purchase order for any reason.
Shareholders of the Fund (Shareholders) will not have the right to redeem their Shares. However, as described below, in order to provide some liquidity to Shareholders, the Fund will conduct quarterly repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Shares. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Funds Board of Trustees, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Shares at the applicable NAV per Share, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer will be sent to Shareholders at least twenty-one (21) and no more than forty-two (42) days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Shareholders can tender their Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the Repurchase Request Deadline). The date on which the Funds NAV applicable to a repurchase offer is calculated will occur no later than fourteen (14) days after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day if the fourteenth calendar day is not a business day). The Fund expects to make its first repurchase offer in the first quarter of 2021. See Quarterly Repurchase Offers and General RisksRepurchase Offers Risk below and Fundamental Policies in the Funds statement of additional information (the SAI).
In the event that the Fund encounters delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, the Fund may return all or a substantial portion of the proceeds from the offering of Shares in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Funds investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the proceeds from the offering of Shares, including any fees payable to Primark Advisors LLC, the Funds investment adviser.
This Prospectus is not an offer to sell Shares and is not soliciting an offer to buy Shares in any state or jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss. An investment in the Fund is subject to, among others, the following risks:
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Shares are not listed on any securities exchange and it is not anticipated that a secondary market for Shares will develop. |
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You should generally not expect to be able to sell your Shares (other than through the repurchase process), regardless of how the Fund performs. |
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Although the Fund is required to implement a Share repurchase program, only a limited number of Shares will be eligible for repurchase by the Fund. |
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Although the Fund will offer to repurchase Shares from time to time, Shares will not be redeemable at a Shareholders option nor will they be exchangeable for shares of any other fund. As a result, an investor may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her Shares. |
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Shares are appropriate only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment and for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program. |
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Because you will be unable to sell your Shares or have them repurchased immediately, you will find it difficult to reduce your exposure on a timely basis during a market downturn. |
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Shares are speculative and involve a high degree of risk, including the risk associated with leverage. See General RisksLeverage. |
This Prospectus provides important information that you should know about the Fund before investing. You should read this Prospectus carefully and retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund, including the SAI, dated August 26, 2020, has been filed with the SEC. You can request a copy of the SAI and annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund (when available) without charge on the Funds website (www.primarkcapital.com), by writing to the Fund at PO Box 541150, Omaha, NE 68154-9150, or by calling the Fund toll-free at 877-792-0924. You may also call the Funds toll-free telephone number to request other information about the Fund or to make shareholder inquiries. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus in its entirety. You can view information about the Fund, including the SAI and other material incorporated by reference into the Funds registration statement on the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov).
You should not construe the contents of this Prospectus as legal, tax or financial advice. You should consult with your own professional advisers as to legal, tax, financial, or other matters relevant to the suitability of an investment in the Fund.
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You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus and the SAI. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date shown below. Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Foreside Financial Services, LLC (the Distributor) acts as the distributor for the Shares. In addition, certain U.S. institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Fund, purchase orders and repurchase requests placed by or on behalf of their customers, and if approved by the Fund, may designate other financial intermediaries to accept such orders.
The Fund has elected to implement a quarterly repurchase mechanism. Pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to conduct quarterly repurchase offers. The Fund currently intends to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for no less than 5% of its outstanding Shares, at a price equal to the applicable NAV per Share, unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their Shares repurchased. There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Shares when or in the amount that you desire.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Funds shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds website (www.primarkcapital.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you elect, or have already elected, to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically, by calling the Fund at 877-792-0924 or by sending an email to fundinfo@primarkcapital.com, or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Fund, c/o PO Box 541150, Omaha, NE 68154-9150, by telephone at 877-792-0924 or by email to fundinfo@primarkcapital.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with your financial intermediary.
The date of this Prospectus is August 26, 2020.
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5 | ||||
11 | ||||
12 | ||||
12 | ||||
14 | ||||
15 | ||||
17 | ||||
18 | ||||
19 | ||||
34 | ||||
35 | ||||
36 | ||||
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN AND DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN |
36 | |||
37 | ||||
38 | ||||
38 | ||||
39 | ||||
41 | ||||
41 | ||||
41 | ||||
44 | ||||
45 | ||||
52 | ||||
53 | ||||
53 | ||||
54 | ||||
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL |
55 | |||
55 |
4
This is only a summary and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund. Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully read the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, the SAI, and the agreement and declaration of trust of the Fund (the Declaration of Trust).
The Fund |
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Fund) is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the 1940 Act as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 15, 2020.
The Fund is an appropriate investment only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment.
The Fund offers three separate classes of shares of beneficial interest (Shares) designated as Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares. Each class of Shares is subject to different fees and expenses. The Fund may offer additional classes of Shares in the future. The Fund has applied for an exemptive order from the SEC with respect to the Funds multi-class structure. Class I Shares will be the only class offered for purchase until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. |
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Investment objective and strategies |
The Funds investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation, consistent with prudent investment management.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in private equity investments, including: (i) investments in the equity of private operating companies (Portfolio Companies); (ii) primary and secondary investments in private equity funds (Portfolio Funds) managed by third-party managers (Portfolio Fund Managers); and (iii) investments in publicly listed companies that pursue the business of private equity investing, including listed private equity companies, listed funds of funds, business development companies (BDC), special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC), alternative asset managers, holding companies, investment trusts, closed-end funds, financial institutions and other vehicles whose primary purpose is to invest in, lend capital to or provide services to privately held companies (together with Portfolio Companies and Portfolio Funds, Private Equity Investments). The Fund will also invest in short-term investments, including money market funds, short-term treasuries and other liquid investment vehicles (together with Private Equity Investments, Fund Investments). For purposes of this Prospectus, publicly traded private equity vehicles that are structured as pooled investment vehicles are deemed to be Portfolio Funds, and investment managers of such vehicles, along with the lead investors of direct private equity investments, are deemed to be Portfolio Fund Managers.
Asset allocation and investment selection will be guided by the Advisers global rigorous investment analysis, which takes into account changes in the market environment.
The Adviser manages the Funds portfolio with a view towards maintaining sufficient liquidity to comply with the interval fund requirements under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Adviser may make investments and commitments based, in part, on anticipated future distributions from investments. The Adviser also takes other anticipated cash flows into account, such as those relating to new subscriptions, the tender of Shares by investors and any distributions made to investors. See Investment Process Overview below.
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5
The Adviser intends to use a range of techniques to reduce the risk associated with the Funds investment strategy. These techniques may include, without limitation:
Allocating investments and commitments across industry sector, geography, size, private equity sponsor and vintage year (i.e., the year in which a Portfolio Fund begins investing); and
Actively managing cash and liquid assets.
To enhance the Funds liquidity, particularly in times of possible net outflows through the tender of Shares by investors, the Adviser may sell certain of the Funds assets.
The Fund intends to hold liquid assets to the extent required for purposes of liquidity management and compliance with the interval fund requirements under the 1940 Act. Over time, during normal market conditions, it is generally not expected that the Fund will hold more than 10% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents for extended periods of time. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow for investment purposes and to satisfy repurchase requests.
The Fund will limit its investments in Portfolio Funds that are excluded from the definition of investment company under the 1940 Act solely by Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (Private Investment Companies) to no more than 15% of the Funds net assets at the time of investment in order to permit investors who may not qualify as accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), to invest in the Fund. The balance of the Funds investments will be Portfolio Companies, Portfolio Funds that are not Private Investment Companies (i.e., publicly traded private equity vehicles), and cash and cash equivalents. See General RisksRegulatory Risks of Private Investment Companies.
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved or that the Funds portfolio design and risk monitoring strategies will be successful. See Investment Policies. |
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Risk factors | An investment in the Fund involves substantial risks and special considerations. A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund can be found under General Risks, Investment-Related Risks, Special Risks Pertaining to Investments in Portfolio Funds, Risks Related to Portfolio Companies, Risks Related to Secondary Investments and Risks Related to Publicly Traded Securities. | |
Management | The Funds Board of Trustees (the Board, and each member of the Board, a Trustee) has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund. See Management of the FundThe Board of Trustees. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board or the Adviser. | |
The Adviser | Pursuant to an investment management agreement (the Investment Management Agreement), Primark Advisors LLC (Primark or the Adviser), an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), serves as the Funds investment adviser. The Adviser was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 5, 2020. | |
Fund services | The Fund has retained Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (the Administrator) to provide certain fund services, including fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agency and compliance services to the Fund. The Administrator also |
6
supplies certain officers to the Fund, a Chief Compliance Officer and additional compliance support personnel. Fees and expenses of the Administrator are paid by the Fund. The Fund compensates the Administrator for these services and reimburses the Administrator for certain of its out-of-pocket expenses. See Fund Expenses below. | ||
Fees and expenses |
On an ongoing basis, the Fund bears its own operating expenses (including, without limitation, its offering expenses). A more detailed discussion of the Funds expenses can be found under Fund Expenses.
Management Fee. As compensation under the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly Management Fee equal to 1.50% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may but is not obligated to waive up to 0.50% of the Management Fee on cash and cash equivalents held in the Fund from time to time. See Management Fee.
Administration Fee. The Administrator provides the Fund certain administration and accounting services. In consideration for these services, the Administrator is paid a monthly fee at an annualized rate calculated based on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum monthly fee, and certain fixed fees (the Administration Fee). The Administration Fee is paid to the Administrator out of the assets of the Fund and therefore decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Fund also reimburses the Administrator for certain out-of-pocket expenses and pays the Administrator fees for transfer agency and compliance services. See Services.
Shareholder Servicing Fee. The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan with respect to Class I Shares, under which the Fund is permitted to pay as compensation to qualified recipients up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class I Shares (the Shareholder Servicing Fee). The Shareholder Servicing Fee will be paid out of the Funds assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. Class II Shares and Class III Shares are not subject to the Shareholder Servicing Fee. See Shareholder Servicing Plan.
Distribution and Service Fee. The Fund has applied for exemptive relief from the SEC that will allow the Fund, subject to certain conditions, to operate under a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to Class II Shares in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund will be permitted to pay as compensation to the Distributor or other qualified recipient up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class II Shares (the Distribution and Service Fee). The Distribution and Service Fee will be paid out of the Funds assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. Class I Shares and Class III Shares are not subject to the Distribution and Service Fee. Class II Shares will not be offered for sale until the Fund has received the requested exemptive relief from the SEC. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not received the requested exemptive relief, and Class II Shares have not been offered for sale. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the requested exemptive relief. See Distribution and Service Plan. |
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Expense Limitation Agreement | The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to reduce the Management Fee payable to it (but not below zero), and to pay any operating expenses of the Fund, to the extent necessary to limit the operating expenses of the Fund, excluding certain Excluded |
7
Expenses listed below, to the annual rate (as a percentage of the average
If the Adviser waives its Management Fee or pays any operating expenses
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Distributions | Because the Fund intends to qualify annually as a regulated investment company (a RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), the Fund intends to distribute at least 90% of its annual net taxable income to its Shareholders. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions to Shareholders at any particular rate or at all. Each year, a statement on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099-DIV identifying the amount and character of the Funds distributions will be mailed to Shareholders. See Taxes below. | |
Return of Capital | In the event that the Fund encounters delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, the Fund may return all or a substantial portion of the proceeds from the offering of Shares in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Funds investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the proceeds from the offering of Shares, including any fees payable to the Adviser. | |
Purchasing Shares | The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000 for Class I Shares, $50,000 for Class II Shares and $25,000,000 for Class III Shares, and the minimum additional investment in the Fund is $5,000 for each class of Shares. For Shares purchased through a financial intermediary, when determining whether an investor meets the applicable investment minimums, the value of any Shares being purchased may be combined with the value of any Shares of the same class that were purchased or will be purchased by March 31, 2021 for Class III Shares and within six months from the initial purchase for Class I Shares and Class II Shares by any investor through such intermediary, provided such intermediary enters into the requisite letter of intent; provided, however, that the minimum amount purchased by any investor is at least $5,000. The stated investment minimums may be reduced for certain investors. See Purchasing Shares below. |
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anticipated that the Fund will principally recognize capital gains and dividends and therefore dividends paid to Shareholders in respect of such income generally will be taxable to Shareholders at the reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax that are applicable to individuals for qualified dividends and long-term capital gains.
For a discussion of certain tax risks and considerations relating to an investment in the Fund see Tax Reports below and Certain Tax Considerations.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, local, U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences, including applicable tax reporting requirements. |
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Tax reports | The Fund will distribute to its Shareholders, after the end of each calendar year, IRS Forms 1099-DIV detailing the amounts includible in such investors taxable income for such year as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains. Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to the Funds Shareholders even if they are reinvested in additional Shares. | |
ERISA Plans and Other Tax-Exempt Entities | Investors subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and Section 4975 of the Code, including employee benefit plans, individual retirement accounts (each, an IRA), and Keogh plans may purchase Shares. Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the underlying assets of the Fund will not be considered to be plan assets subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code. Thus, it is not intended that the Adviser will be a fiduciary within the meaning of ERISA with respect to the assets of any benefit plan investor within the meaning of ERISA that becomes a Shareholder, solely as a result of the Shareholders investment in the Fund. For additional information, see ERISA Considerations below. | |
Reports to Shareholders | Shareholders will receive an audited annual and unaudited semi-annual report for the Fund. See Reports to Shareholders. | |
Fiscal and tax year | The Funds fiscal year is the 12-month period ending on March 31. The Funds taxable year is the 12-month period ending on September 30. | |
Term | The Funds term is perpetual unless the Fund is otherwise terminated under the terms of the Declaration of Trust. |
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The following table illustrates the expenses and fees that the Fund expects to incur and that Shareholders can expect to bear directly or indirectly.
SHAREHOLDER FEES |
Class I
Shares |
Class II
Shares |
Class III
Shares |
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Maximum Sales Load |
None | None | None | |||||||||
Maximum Early Repurchase Fee (as a percentage of repurchased amount) (1) |
2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||||
ANNUAL EXPENSES (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Shares) |
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Management Fee (2) |
1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (3) |
0.00 | % | 0.25 | % |
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0.00
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%
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Shareholder Servicing Fee (4) |
0.10 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||
Other Expenses (5) |
1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||||
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Total Annual Expenses Before Fee Waivers and Acquired Fund Fees |
2.60 | % | 2.75 | % | 2.50 | % | ||||||
Fee Waiver(6) |
(0.60 | )% | (0.50 | )% | (0.90 | )% | ||||||
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Total Annual Expenses Before Acquired Fund Fees |
2.00 | % | 2.25 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (7) |
0.30 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.30 | % | ||||||
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Total Annual Expenses after Acquired Fund Fees |
2.30 | % | 2.55 | % | 1.90 | % |
(1) |
A 2.00% early repurchase fee payable to the Fund will be charged with respect to the repurchase of a Shareholders Shares at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of a Shareholders purchase of the Shares (on a first in-first out basis). The Fund may waive the early repurchase fee for certain categories of Shareholders or transactions, such as repurchases of Shares in the event of the Shareholders death or disability, or in connection with certain distributions from employer sponsored benefit plans. See Quarterly Repurchase Offers. |
(2) |
The Management Fee is equal to 1.50% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may but is not obligated to waive up to 0.50% of the Management Fee on cash and cash equivalents held in the Fund from time to time. See Management Fee for additional information. |
(3) |
The Fund has applied for exemptive relief from the SEC permitting it to offer multiple classes of Shares, which would allow the Fund to operate under a distribution and service plan (pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act) for Class II Shares. There is no assurance that the SEC will grant the requested relief to the Fund. If approved, the Fund may charge a distribution and service (12b-1) fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class II Shares. The Fund may use these fees to compensate financial intermediaries or financial institutions for distribution-related expenses, if applicable, in respect of clients to whom they have distributed Class II Shares. See Shareholder Servicing Plan and Distribution and Service Plan. |
(4) |
The Fund will charge a shareholder servicing fee up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class I Shares. The Fund may use these fees to compensate financial intermediaries or financial institutions for providing ongoing shareholder servicing in respect of clients holding Class I Shares. See Shareholder Servicing Plan and Distribution and Service Plan. |
(5) |
Other Expenses are estimated for the Funds current fiscal year. Other Expenses include, among other things, professional fees and other expenses that the Fund will bear, including initial and ongoing offering costs and fees and expenses of the Administrator, transfer agent and custodian. |
(6) |
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to reduce the Management Fee payable to it (but not below zero), and to pay any operating expenses of the Fund, to the extent necessary to limit the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses) to the annual rate (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the applicable class of Shares of the Fund) of 2.00%, 2.25% and 1.60% with respect to Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares, respectively (the Expense Cap). For a period ending three years after the end of the month in which the Adviser waives its Management Fee or pays any operating expenses of the Fund pursuant to the Expense Cap, the Adviser may recoup amounts waived or incurred to the extent such recoupment does not cause the Funds operating expense ratio (after recoupment and excluding brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment. The Expense Limitation Agreement will continue in effect through July 31, 2022, and will renew automatically for successive periods of one year thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided by the Adviser to the Fund not less than 10 days prior to the end of the then-current term. The Board may terminate the Expense Limitation Agreement at any time on not less than ten (10) days prior notice to the Adviser, and the Expense Limitation Agreement may be amended at any time only with the consent of both the Adviser and the Board. |
(7) |
Shareholders also indirectly bear a portion of the asset-based fees, performance or incentive fees or allocations and other expenses incurred by the Fund as an investor in the Portfolio Funds. Generally, asset-based fees payable in connection with Portfolio Fund investments will range from 1.00% to 2.00% (annualized) of the commitment amount of the Funds investment, and performance or incentive fees or allocations are typically 20% of a Portfolio Funds net profits annually, although it is possible that such amounts may be exceeded for certain Portfolio Fund Managers. The Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses disclosed above, however, do not reflect any performance-based fees or allocations paid by the Portfolio Funds that are calculated solely on the realization and/or distribution of gains, or on the sum of such gains and unrealized appreciation of assets distributed in kind, as such fees and allocations for a particular period may be unrelated to the cost of investing in the Portfolio Funds. The Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses disclosed above are based on estimated amounts for the Funds current fiscal year. |
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The purpose of the table above is to assist prospective investors in understanding the various fees and expenses Shareholders will bear directly or indirectly. For a more complete description of the various fees and expenses of the Fund, see Management Fee, Shareholder Servicing and Distribution and Service Plan, Fund Expenses, Quarterly Repurchase Offers and Purchasing Shares.
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that all distributions are reinvested at net asset value and that the percentage amounts listed under Annual Expenses remain the same in the years shown. The assumption in the hypothetical example of a 5% annual return is required by regulation of the SEC applicable to all registered investment companies. The assumed 5% annual return is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual performance of Shares.
EXAMPLE
Class I Shares
You Would Pay the Following Expenses Based on a
$1,000
|
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||||||||
$ | 23 | $ | 84 | $ | 148 | $ | 318 |
Class II Shares
You Would Pay the Following Expenses Based on a $1,000 Investment in the Fund, Assuming a 5% Annual Return: |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||||||||
$ | 26 | $ | 90 | $ | 156 | $ | 333 |
Class III Shares
You Would Pay the Following Expenses Based on a
$1,000
|
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||||||||
$ | 19 | $ | 78 | $ | 140 | $ | 306 |
The example is based on the annual fees and expenses set out on the table above and should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the rate of return of the Fund may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return used in the example. A greater rate of return than that used in the example would increase the dollar amount of the asset-based fees paid by the Fund.
The Fund is newly organized and has a limited operating history. Additional information about the Funds investments will be available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports when they are prepared.
The Fund will invest the proceeds from the continuous offering of Shares on an ongoing basis in accordance with its investment objective and strategies as stated below. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest all or substantially all of the net proceeds in accordance with its investment objective and strategies as soon as practicable after receipt of the proceeds, first in more liquid publicly traded securities and short-term investments, then in privately offered securities (including Portfolio Companies and Portfolio Funds) as they become available to the Fund, depending on the amount and timing of proceeds available to the Fund as well as the availability of investments consistent with the Funds investment objectives and strategies, and except to the extent proceeds are held in cash to pay dividends and operating expenses, satisfy repurchase offers or for temporary defensive purposes. See Purchasing Shares. Such proceeds will be deposited in the Funds account with the custodian of the Fund (the Custodian) when received. Delays in investing the Funds assets may occur (i) because of the time typically required to complete private equity transactions (which may be considerable), (ii) because certain Portfolio Funds selected by the Adviser may provide infrequent opportunities to purchase their securities, and/or (iii) because of the time required for Portfolio Fund Managers to invest the amounts committed by the Fund.
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A portion of the amount of proceeds of the offering of Shares or any other available funds may be invested in short-term debt securities or money market funds pending investment pursuant to the Funds investment objective and strategies. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Fund may maintain a portion of its assets in cash or such short-term securities or money market funds to meet operational needs, for temporary defensive purposes, or to maintain liquidity. The Fund may be prevented from achieving its objective during any period in which the Funds assets are not substantially invested in accordance with its principal investment strategies.
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
Investment objective
The Funds investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation, consistent with prudent investment management.
The investment objective of the Fund is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board without the vote of a majority (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Funds outstanding Shares. The Funds fundamental policies, which are listed in the SAI, may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Investment strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in private equity investments, including: (i) investments in the equity of private operating companies (Portfolio Companies); (ii) primary and secondary investments in private equity funds (Portfolio Funds) managed by third-party managers (Portfolio Fund Managers); and (iii) investments in publicly listed companies that pursue the business of private equity investing, including listed private equity companies, listed funds of funds, business development companies (BDC), special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC), alternative asset managers, holding companies, investment trusts, closed-end funds, financial institutions and other vehicles whose primary purpose is to invest in, lend capital to or provide services to privately held companies (together with Portfolio Companies and Portfolio Funds, Private Equity Investments). The Fund will also invest in short-term investments, including money market funds, short-term treasuries and other liquid investment vehicles (together with Private Equity Investments, Fund Investments).
The Fund seeks to earn superior risk-adjusted returns by allocating its investments among the segments and opportunities within the private equity market that the Adviser believes offer the most attractive relative value at a given point in time. The Adviser believes that this investment strategy will capitalize on the diverse, dynamic nature of the private equity industry, resulting in a favorable return pattern relative to funds-of-funds and vehicles that focus solely on a narrow segment of the market, such as publicly traded private equity.
It is intended that the Fund will provide Shareholders with asset allocation services and access to private equity investments that are typically only available to large institutional investors, thereby offering an opportunity to increase the efficiency of portfolios that currently lack private equity exposure.
The principal elements of the Funds investment strategy include (i) allocating the assets of the Fund across the broad private equity market, (ii) well-established sourcing relationships for investment opportunities, (iii) selecting the investments that are believed to offer superior relative value, (iv) seeking to manage the Funds investment level and liquidity and (v) seeking to manage risk through ongoing monitoring of the portfolio.
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Asset Allocation. Just as in public equity markets, asset allocation across private equity market segments is a cornerstone of long-term portfolio performance. The Funds portfolio plan will seek to benefit from long-term allocation of investments through exposure to different industry sectors, geographic markets, investment types and vintage years. |
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Access. In many segments of the private equity market, it is not enough to identify promising investments access is also required. The Fund will seek to provide Shareholders with access to investments through well-established sourcing relationships that may be unavailable to the investing public due to resource requirements, regulatory restrictions and high investment minimums. |
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Rigorous Investment Analysis. Changing market conditions can dramatically affect the attractiveness of different segments within the overall private equity market. Based on its ongoing review of developments in the private equity industry, the Adviser will attempt to identify and overweight the segments that it believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities. |
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Risk Management. The long-term nature of private equity investments requires a commitment to ongoing risk management. The Adviser seeks to maintain close contact with the Funds portfolio companies, and to monitor the performance of individual investments by tracking operating information and other pertinent details. |
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PRIVATE EQUITY MARKET OVERVIEW
Private equity asset class
Private equity is a common term for investments that are typically made in non-public companies through privately negotiated transactions. Private equity investments may be structured using a range of financial instruments, including common and preferred equity, convertible securities, senior debt, subordinated debt and warrants or other derivatives, depending on the strategy of the investor and the financing requirements of the company.
The private equity market is diverse and can be divided into several different segments, each of which may exhibit distinct characteristics based on combinations of various factors. These include the type and financing stage of the investment, the geographic region in which the investment is made and the vintage year of a private equity fund.
Investments in private equity have increased significantly over the last 35 years, driven principally by large institutional investors seeking increased returns and portfolio efficiency. It is now common for large pension funds, endowments and other institutional investors to dedicate several percentage points of their overall portfolios to private equity.
Private equity investment types
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Direct equity investments. Direct equity investments generally involve taking an interest in equity securities issued by an operating company. Direct equity investments generally involve new owners taking a material stake in the target company, frequently a controlling interest, and exercising significant influence on the growth and development of the company through work with the companys management and board of directors. Direct equity investments may vary in duration, but usually are exited within three to seven years. |
In contrast to private equity fund investments (which require a commitment to a largely unknown portfolio), direct equity investments involve specific situations and particular companies. Accordingly, this style of investing offers the greatest degree of transparency and control in portfolio construction and most directly reflects the investors sourcing, underwriting, negotiation and structuring skills. In addition, investing directly is generally the most cost-effective way to make private equity investments, by avoiding the fees and expenses generally associated with investing indirectly through underlying private equity funds.
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Private equity fund investments. Private equity fund investments generally involve making a commitment to contribute up to a certain amount of capital to a private equity fund as and when requested by the funds manager or general partner. The general partner then makes private equity investments on behalf of the fund, typically according to a pre-defined investment strategy and time horizon. The private equity funds investments are usually realized, or exited after a three- to seven-year holding period through a private sale, an initial public offering (IPO) or a recapitalization, and the proceeds are distributed to the funds investors. The funds themselves typically have a duration of ten to twelve years. |
Primary investments (primaries) are interests or investments in newly established private equity funds. Most private equity groups raise new funds only every two to four years, and many top-performing funds may be closed to new investors. Because of the limited windows of opportunity for making primary investments in particular funds, strong relationships with leading firms are highly important for primary investors.
Primary investors subscribe for interests during an initial fundraising period, and their capital commitments are then used to fund investments in several individual operating companies (typically ten to thirty) during a defined investment period. The investments of the fund are usually unknown at the time of commitment and primary investors typically have little or no ability to influence the investments made during the funds life. Because primary investors must rely on the expertise of the fund manager, an accurate assessment of the managers capabilities is essential for investment success.
Primary investments typically exhibit a value development pattern, commonly known as the J-curve, in which the net asset value typically declines moderately during the early years of the funds life as investment related fees and expenses are incurred before investment gains have been realized. As the fund matures and portfolio companies are sold, the pattern typically reverses with increasing net asset value and distributions.
Secondary investments (secondaries) are interests in existing private equity funds that are acquired in privately negotiated transactions, typically after the end of the private equity funds fundraising period. Secondary investments play an important role in a diversified private equity portfolio. Because secondaries allow investors to avoid some of the fees charged by underlying fund managers, secondaries may exhibit little or none of the J-curve characteristics associated with primary investments (as described above). In addition, secondaries typically provide earlier distributions than primaries and may provide valuable arbitrage opportunities for sophisticated investors. The ability to source and value potential investments is crucial for success in secondary investing, and the nature of the process typically requires significant resources. As a result, generally only very large and experienced investors are active secondary market participants.
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Publicly traded private equity investments. Publicly traded private equity investments generally involve publicly listed companies that pursue the business of private equity investing, including listed private equity companies, listed funds of funds, BDCs, SPACs, alternative asset managers, holding companies, investment trusts, closed-end funds, financial institutions and other vehicles whose primary purpose is to invest in, lend capital to or provide services to privately held companies. |
Publicly traded private equity funds are typically regulated vehicles listed on a public stock exchange that invest in private equity transactions or funds. Such vehicles may take the form of corporations, BDCs, unit trusts, publicly traded partnerships, or other structures, and may focus on mezzanine, infrastructure, buyout or venture capital investments. Publicly traded private equity investments may also include investments in publicly listed companies in connection with a privately negotiated financing or an attempt to exercise significant influence on the subject of the investment. Publicly traded private equity investments usually have an indefinite duration.
Publicly traded private equity occupies a small portion of the public equity universe, including only a few professional investors who focus on and actively trade such investments. As a result, relatively little market research is performed on publicly traded private equity companies, only limited public data may be available regarding these companies and their underlying investments, and market pricing may significantly deviate from published net asset value. This can result in market inefficiencies and may offer opportunities to specialists that can value the underlying private equity investments.
Publicly traded private equity investments are typically liquid and capable of being traded daily, in contrast to direct investments and private equity funds, in which capital is subject to lengthy holding periods. Accordingly, publicly traded private equity transactions are significantly easier to execute than other types of private equity investments, giving investors an opportunity to adjust the investment level of their portfolios more efficiently.
Private equity financing stages
In the private equity asset class, the term financing stage is used to describe investments (or funds that invest) in companies at a certain stage of development. The different financing stages have distinct risk, return and correlation characteristics and play different roles within a diversified private equity portfolio. Private equity investments can be broken down generally into three financing stages: buyout, venture capital and special situations. These categories may be further subdivided based on the investment strategies that are employed.
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Buyouts. Control investments in established, cash flow positive companies are usually classified as buyouts. Buyout investments may focus on small-, mid- or large-capitalization companies, and such investments collectively represent a substantial majority of the capital deployed in the overall private equity market. The use of debt financing, or leverage, is prevalent in buyout transactions particularly in the large-cap segment. Overall, debt financing typically makes up 50-70% of the price paid for a company. |
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Venture capital. Investments in new and emerging companies are usually classified as venture capital. Such investments are often in technology and healthcare related industries. Companies financed by venture capital are generally not cash flow positive at the time of investment and may require several rounds of financing before the company can be sold privately or taken public. Venture capital investors may finance companies along the full path of development or focus on certain sub-stages (usually classified as seed, early and late stage) in partnership with other investors. |
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Special situations. A broad range of investments including private debt instruments, infrastructure investments and distressed debt/turnarounds may be classified as special situations. The Funds special situations investments may be in senior and subordinated direct debt investments, such as mezzanine direct investments, which are typically comprised of subordinated debt or preferred stock, possibly in combination with warrants on the companys common stock. The value drivers and cash flow characteristics of special situations investments are frequently distinct from those of other private equity investments, complementing a buyout and venture capital portfolio. |
No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program of the Fund or any Portfolio Fund will be successful, that the various Portfolio Funds selected will produce positive returns or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
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Portfolio planning
The investment process begins with portfolio planning, which is designed to provide a framework for the Funds long-term allocation across various dimensions of the global private equity market, such as: (i) direct equity, private equity fund and publicly traded private equity investments; (ii) buyout, venture capital, mezzanine, distressed investments and other special situations; and (iii) investments focused in North America, Europe, Asia and/or emerging markets. The portfolio plan also provides for allocation over vintage years and with respect to individual investments. It is expected that through such allocation, the Fund may be able to achieve more consistent returns and lower volatility than would generally be expected if its portfolio were more concentrated.
Rigorous investment analysis
The second step of the investment process is to analyze changing market conditions and their effect on the relative attractiveness of different segments within the overall private equity market. This rigorous investment analysis is based on general economic developments, such as business cycles, credit spreads, equity multiples, IPO opportunities, deregulation, and changes in tax or securities law. In addition, variables specific to particular industry sectors and the overall private equity market are typically evaluated. Based on the outcome of this review, the Adviser will attempt to identify the market segments that it believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities at the relevant time.
The Advisers investment analysis is intended to serve as a guide for tactical capital allocation decisions within the framework of the portfolio plan. Due to the long-term nature of private equity investments, it is generally not practical to dramatically re-allocate a portfolio over a short period of time. Accordingly, the actual allocation of Fund Investments may deviate significantly from the general relative value views of the Adviser at a particular point in time.
Investment selection
In the final step of the investment process, the Adviser seeks to invest the Funds capital allocated to each segment in the highest quality investments available. Opportunities are typically sourced through a network of existing relationships with private equity managers and investors across the globe and subsequently evaluated individually by the Advisers investment professionals using a structured selection process. See Due diligence and selection of investments. As investment opportunities are analyzed, investment professionals seek to evaluate them in relation to historical benchmarks, current information from the Advisers existing private equity portfolios, and against each other. This comparative analysis can provide insight into the specific investments that offer the greatest value at different points in time in the various segments of the private equity market.
Due diligence and selection of investments
Primarks investment team follows a structured process to source, evaluate, select and monitor investments for the Fund. The Advisers investment professionals are involved throughout the process and draw on their significant investment experience, resources and market insights. See Management of the Fund. The Advisers investment committee is responsible for the portfolio plan and for final investment decisions.
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Deal sourcing. The Adviser typically identifies prospective investments from multiple sources, the most important of which is a global network of relationships across the private equity industry. Built through the investment activities of the Advisers portfolio management team, this network has a historically proven track record of generating high volumes of deal flow. In particular, the Adviser believes the scope of its portfolio management teams investment activities provides a competitive advantage for deal generation, enabling it to access attractive opportunities in local markets around the world. |
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Pre-selection. The initial screening process for investment opportunities is typically based on a confidential information memorandum or an introductory meeting. For opportunities that pass the Advisers minimum requirements, a due diligence deal team is assigned to evaluate the opportunity in detail. |
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Due diligence. The due diligence process involves a detailed analysis of various aspects of each opportunity, including both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Various tools and databases are used to better understand market trends, potential return scenarios and/or the historical or anticipated sources of value creation for an investment. Evaluations are generally based on information such as industry dynamics, competitive positioning, financial analysis, comparable analysis, interviews with key personnel, on-site visits, reference calls, third-party consultant reports and/or track record analysis. The investment committee reviews the conclusions of the due diligence analysis and may decline the opportunity, request additional information, or approve subject to tax and legal due diligence. |
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Tax and legal assessment. In conjunction with the commercial due diligence process, the tax treatment and legal terms of the investment are considered. Based on this analysis and the findings of external professional advisers, the Advisers internal legal and investment teams seek to negotiate the terms and conditions of the investment. After resolving all open issues and negotiating terms, a final investment recommendation is prepared and presented to the investment committee, which finally approves or declines the investment. |
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Portfolio risk monitoring. Post-investment, the Adviser seeks to monitor the Funds portfolio through regular interaction with the companies and, where relevant, the private equity sponsors represented in the portfolio. This interaction facilitates on-going portfolio analysis and a proactive approach to addressing any new opportunities or issues that may arise. |
Portfolio and liquidity management
The Adviser manages the Funds portfolio with a view towards maintaining sufficient liquidity to comply with the interval fund requirements under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Adviser may make investments and commitments based, in part, on anticipated future distributions from investments. The Adviser also takes other anticipated cash flows into account, such as those relating to new subscriptions, the tender of Shares by Shareholders and any distributions made to Shareholders. To forecast portfolio cash flows, the Adviser utilizes quantitative and qualitative factors, including historical private equity data, actual portfolio observations and qualitative forecasts by the Advisers investment professionals. See Investment process overviewPortfolio planning.
The Adviser intends to use a range of techniques to reduce the risk associated with the Funds investment strategy. Such techniques may include, without limitation:
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Allocating investments and commitments across industry sector, geography, size, private equity sponsor and vintage year (i.e., the year in which a Portfolio Fund begins investing); and |
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Actively managing cash and liquid assets. |
The Fund expects to hold liquid assets to the extent required for purposes of liquidity management and compliance with the interval fund requirements under the 1940 Act. Over time, during normal market conditions, it is generally not expected that the Fund will hold more than 10% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents for extended periods of time. To enhance the Funds liquidity, particularly in times of possible net outflows through the tender of Shares by Shareholders, the Adviser may sell certain of the Funds assets on the Funds behalf.
The Fund will limit its investments in Portfolio Funds that are excluded from the definition of investment company under the 1940 Act solely by Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (Private Investment Companies) to no more than 15% of the Funds net assets at the time of investment in order to permit investors who may not qualify as accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act to invest in the Fund. The balance of the Funds investments will be Portfolio Companies, Portfolio Funds that are not Private Investment Companies (i.e., publicly traded private equity vehicles), and cash and cash equivalents. Please see General RisksRegulatory Risks of Private Investment Companies for additional information on the risks of the Funds investment in Private Investment Companies.
There can be no assurance that the objectives of the Fund with respect to liquidity management will be achieved or that the Funds portfolio design and risk management strategies will be successful. Prospective investors should refer to the discussion of the risks associated with the investment strategy and structure of the Fund found under General risks, Investment-Related risks, and Limits of Risk Disclosure.
Borrowing by the Fund
The Fund may borrow money to pay operating expenses, including, without limitation, investment management fees, or to purchase portfolio securities, to fund repurchase of Shares or for other portfolio management purposes. Such borrowing may be accomplished through credit facilities or derivative instruments or by other means. The use of borrowings for investment purposes involves a high degree of risk. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to borrow for any purposes if, immediately after such borrowing, the Fund would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of less than 300% with respect to indebtedness. The 1940 Act also provides that the Fund may not declare distributions or purchase its Shares (including through repurchase offers) if, immediately after doing so, it will have an asset coverage of less than 300%. The foregoing requirements do not apply to Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests unless such Portfolio Funds are registered
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under the 1940 Act. The Board may modify the borrowing policies of the Fund, including the purposes for which borrowings may be made, and the length of time that the Fund may hold portfolio securities purchased with borrowed money. The rights of any lenders to the Fund to receive payments of interest or repayments of principal will be senior to those of the Shareholders and the terms of any borrowings may contain provisions that limit certain activities of the Fund.
Temporary and defensive strategies
The Fund may, from time to time in its sole discretion, take temporary or defensive positions in cash, cash equivalents, other short-term securities or money market funds to attempt to reduce volatility caused by adverse market, economic, or other conditions. Any such temporary or defensive positions could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Fund may, in the Advisers sole discretion, hold cash, cash equivalents, other short-term securities or investments in money market funds pending investment in order to fund anticipated repurchases, expenses of the Fund or other operational needs, or otherwise in the sole discretion of the Adviser. See Use of Proceeds.
The following are certain risk factors that relate to the operations and terms of the Fund. These considerations, which do not purport to be a complete description of any of the particular risks referred to or a complete list of all risks involved in an investment in the Fund, should be carefully evaluated before determining whether to invest in the Fund. For purposes of this section, risks that are applicable to Portfolio Funds and Portfolio Fund Managers also apply to publicly traded private equity vehicles and their associated portfolio managers, respectively.
The Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss. An investment in the Fund is appropriate only for those investors who do not require a liquid investment, for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program, and who fully understand and are capable of assuming the risks of an investment in the Fund.
No Operating History. The Fund was formed on June 15, 2020. The Fund is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that the Fund will not achieve its investment objectives and that the value of Shares could decline.
Unlisted Closed-End Structure; Liquidity Limited to Quarterly Repurchases of Shares. The Fund has been organized as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company and designed primarily for long-term investors. An investor should not invest in the Fund if the investor needs a liquid investment. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) in that investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares. Although the Fund will offer a limited degree of liquidity by conducting quarterly repurchase offers, a Shareholder may not be able to tender its Shares in the Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so. There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Shares when or in the amount that you desire. In addition, with very limited exceptions, Shares are not transferable, and liquidity will be provided only through repurchase offers made quarterly by the Fund. Shares are considerably less liquid than shares of funds that trade on a stock exchange or shares of open-end registered investment companies, and are therefore suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of Shares, and should be viewed as a long-term investment.
There will be a substantial period of time between the date as of which Shareholders must submit a request to have their Shares repurchased and the date they can expect to receive payment for their Shares from the Fund. Shareholders whose Shares are accepted for repurchase bear the risk that the Funds net asset value may fluctuate significantly between the time that they submit their repurchase requests and the date as of which such Shares are valued for purposes of such repurchase. Shareholders will have to decide whether to request that the Fund repurchase their Shares without the benefit of having current information regarding the value of Shares on a date proximate to the date on which Shares are valued by the Fund for purposes of effecting such repurchases.
Repurchases of Shares, if any, may be suspended, postponed or terminated by the Board under certain circumstances. See Quarterly Repurchase Offers. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of Shares and the underlying investments of the Fund. Also, because Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, the Fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of its Shareholders unless called for under the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Unspecified investments; dependence on the Adviser. The Adviser has complete discretion to select Fund Investments as opportunities arise. The Fund and, accordingly, Shareholders, must rely upon the ability of the Adviser to identify and
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implement Fund Investments consistent with the Funds investment objective. Shareholders will not receive or otherwise be privy to due diligence or risk information prepared by or for the Adviser in respect of Fund Investments. The Adviser has the authority and responsibility for asset allocation, the selection of Fund Investments and all other investment decisions for the Fund. The success of the Fund depends upon the ability of the Adviser to develop and implement investment strategies that achieve the investment objective of the Fund. Shareholders will have no right or power to participate in the management or control of the Fund or Fund Investments, or the terms of any such investments. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to select or implement successful strategies or achieve their respective investment objectives.
Reliance on the Adviser. The Adviser has full discretionary authority to identify, structure, allocate, execute, administer, monitor and liquidate Private Equity Investments and, in doing so, has no responsibility to consult with any Shareholder. Accordingly, an investor in the Fund must rely upon the abilities of the Adviser, and no person should invest in the Fund unless such person is willing to entrust all aspects of the investment decisions of the Fund to the Adviser.
Reliance on Key Personnel. The Fund will depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the Adviser. The Adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute and monitor Private Equity Investments. The Funds future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the Adviser and its investment management team. The departure of certain key personnel of the Adviser could have a material adverse effect on the Funds ability to achieve its investment objectives.
The Funds ability to achieve its investment objectives depends on the Advisers ability to identify, analyze, invest in, finance and monitor Portfolio Funds and portfolio companies that meet the Funds investment criteria. The Advisers capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to the Fund, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in an adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve the Funds investment objectives, the Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in the Funds investment selection and monitoring process. The Adviser may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support the Funds investment process could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, financial condition and results of operations.
It is anticipated that the Adviser will depend on its relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, and the Fund will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide the Fund with potential investment opportunities. If the Adviser fails to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, the Fund may not be able to grow its investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the Adviser has relationships are not obligated to provide the Fund or the Adviser with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for the Fund.
Additionally, to the extent the Fund invests in Portfolio Funds, the Fund will be exposed to these risks with respect to the Portfolio Fund Managers of such Portfolio Funds. The Funds performance depends on the adherence by such Portfolio Fund Managers to their selected strategies, the instruments used by such Portfolio Fund Managers, the Advisers ability to select Portfolio Fund Managers and strategies and effectively allocate the Funds assets among them. The Portfolio Fund Managers investment strategies or choice of specific securities may be unsuccessful and may cause the Portfolio Fund, and in turn the Fund, to incur losses.
Concentration of Investments. Except to the extent required by applicable law and the Funds fundamental policies, there are no limitations imposed by the Adviser as to the amount of Fund assets that may be invested in (i) any one geography, (ii) any one Fund Investment, (iii) in a Private Equity Investment managed by a particular general partner or its affiliates, (iv) indirectly in any single industry or (v) in any issuer. In addition, a Portfolio Companys investment portfolio may consist of a limited number of companies and may be concentrated in a particular industry area or group. Accordingly, the investment portfolio may at times be significantly concentrated, both as to managers, geographies, industries and individual companies. Such concentration could offer a greater potential for capital appreciation as well as increased risk of loss. Such concentration may also be expected to increase the volatility of the Funds investment portfolio. The Fund is, however, subject to the asset diversification requirements applicable to RICs. See Certain Tax Considerations.
Limited operating history of Private Equity Investments. Private Equity Investments may have limited operating histories and the information the Fund will obtain about such investments may be limited. As such, the ability of the Adviser to evaluate past performance or to validate the investment strategies of such Private Equity Investment will be limited. Moreover, even to the extent a Private Equity Investment has a longer operating history, the past investment performance of any of the Private Equity Investments should not be construed as an indication of the future results of such investments or the Fund, particularly as the investment professionals responsible for the performance of such investments may change over time. This risk is related to, and enhanced by, the risks created by the fact that the Adviser relies upon information provided to it by the issuer of the securities it receives or the Portfolio Fund Managers (as applicable) that is not, and cannot be, independently verified.
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Nature of Portfolio Companies. The Private Equity Investments will include direct and indirect investments in Portfolio Companies. This may include Portfolio Companies in the early phases of development, which can be highly risky due to the lack of a significant operating history. The Private Equity Investments may also include Portfolio Companies that are in a state of distress or which have a poor record, and which are undergoing restructuring or changes in management, and there can be no assurances that such restructuring or changes will be successful. The management of such Portfolio Companies may depend on one or two key individuals, and the loss of the services of any of such individuals may adversely affect the performance of such Portfolio Companies.
Investments in the Portfolio Funds generally; dependence on the Portfolio Fund Managers. Because the Fund invests in Portfolio Funds, a Shareholders investment in the Fund will be affected by the investment policies and decisions of the Portfolio Fund Manager of each Portfolio Fund in direct proportion to the amount of Fund assets that are invested in each Portfolio Fund. The Funds net asset value may fluctuate in response to, among other things, various market and economic factors related to the markets in which the Portfolio Funds invest and the financial condition and prospects of issuers in which the Portfolio Funds invest. Certain risks related to the investment strategies and techniques utilized by the Portfolio Fund Managers are described under Investment-Related Risks above. The success of the Fund depends upon the ability of the Portfolio Fund Managers to develop and implement strategies that achieve their investment objectives. Shareholders will not have an opportunity to evaluate the specific investments made by the Portfolio Funds or the Portfolio Fund Managers, or the terms of any such investments. In addition, the Portfolio Fund Managers could materially alter their investment strategies from time to time without notice to the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Fund Managers will be able to select or implement successful strategies or achieve their respective investment objectives.
Temporary Investments. The allocation among Fund Investments may vary from time to time, especially during the Funds initial period of investment operations. During the initial period of investment operations (which will be determined by the Adviser and may last a significant period of time), the Fund may hold a relatively larger portion of its assets in publicly traded private equity investments (i.e., publicly listed companies that pursue the business of private equity investing ), as compared to the Advisers long-term target allocation among Fund Investments. In addition, the Fund may hold a substantial portion of the proceeds of the offering of Shares in short-term investments (including money market funds, short-term treasuries and other liquid investment vehicles) for a limited period of time while the Fund seeks desirable Portfolio Companies and Portfolio Funds.
Delays in investing the net proceeds of the offering of Shares may impair the Funds performance. The Fund cannot assure you it will be able to identify any investments that meet its investment objective or that any investment that the Fund makes will produce a positive return. The Fund may be unable to invest the net proceeds of the Funds offering on acceptable terms within the time period that the Fund anticipates or at all, which could harm the Funds financial condition and operating results.
Short-term investments may produce returns that are significantly lower than the returns that the Fund expects to achieve when the Funds portfolio is fully invested in accordance with the Advisers long-term target allocations. As a result, any distributions that the Fund pays while the Funds portfolio is not fully invested in accordance with the Advisers long-term target allocations may be lower than the distributions that the Fund may be able to pay when the Fund portfolio is fully invested in accordance with the Advisers long-term target allocations.
Portfolio Funds not registered. The Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act is designed to afford various protections to investors in pooled investment vehicles. For example, the 1940 Act imposes limits on the amount of leverage that a registered investment company can assume, restricts layering of costs and fees, restricts transactions with affiliated persons and requires that the investment companys operations be supervised by a board of managers, a majority of whose members are independent of management. However, most of the Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests are not subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act. Many Portfolio Fund Managers may not be registered as investment advisers under the Advisers Act. As an indirect investor in the Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers that are not registered as investment advisers, the Fund will not have the benefit of certain of the protections of the Advisers Act.
Many Portfolio Funds are exempted from regulation under the 1940 Act because they permit investment only by investors who meet very high thresholds of investment experience and sophistication, as measured by net worth. The Funds investment qualification thresholds are generally lower. As a result, the Fund provides an avenue for investing in certain Portfolio Funds that would not otherwise be available to certain investors. This means that investors who would not otherwise qualify to invest in largely unregulated vehicles will have the opportunity to make such an investment through the Fund.
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In addition, many Portfolio Funds do not maintain their securities and other assets in the custody of a bank or a member of a securities exchange, as generally required of registered investment companies, in accordance with certain SEC rules. A registered investment company which places its securities in the custody of a member of a securities exchange is required to have a written custodian agreement, which provides that securities held in custody will be at all times individually segregated from the securities of any other person and marked to clearly identify such securities as the property of such investment company and which contains other provisions designed to protect the assets of such investment company. The Portfolio Funds in which the Fund will invest may maintain custody of their assets with brokerage firms which do not separately segregate such customer assets as would be required in the case of registered investment companies, or may not use a custodian to hold their assets. Under the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, as amended, the bankruptcy of any brokerage firm used to hold Portfolio Fund assets could have a greater adverse effect on the Fund than would be the case if custody of assets were maintained in accordance with the requirements applicable to registered investment companies. There is also a risk that a Portfolio Fund Manager could convert assets committed to it by the Fund to its own use or that a custodian could convert assets committed to it by a Portfolio Fund Manager to its own use. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Fund Managers or the entities they manage will comply with all applicable laws and that assets entrusted to the Portfolio Fund Managers will be protected.
Prospective investors should understand that the Fund is an appropriate investment only for investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk, including lesser regulatory protections in connection with the Funds investments in Portfolio Funds than might normally be available through investments in registered investment company vehicles.
Portfolio Funds are generally non-diversified. While there are no regulatory requirements that the investments of the Portfolio Funds be diversified, some Portfolio Funds may undertake to comply with certain investment concentration limits. Portfolio Funds may at certain times hold large positions in a relatively limited number of investments. Portfolio Funds may target or concentrate their investments in particular markets, sectors or industries. Those Portfolio Funds that concentrate in a specific industry or target a specific sector will also be subject to the risks of that industry or sector, which may include, but are not limited to, rapid obsolescence of technology, sensitivity to regulatory changes, minimal barriers to entry and sensitivity to overall market swings. As a result, the net asset values of such Portfolio Funds may be subject to greater volatility than those of investment companies that are subject to diversification requirements and this may negatively impact the net asset value of the Fund.
Portfolio Funds securities are generally illiquid. The securities of the Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests or plans to invest will often be illiquid. Subscriptions to purchase the securities of Portfolio Funds are typically subject to restrictions or delays. There is no regular market for interests in many Portfolio Funds or Portfolio Companies, which typically must be sold in privately negotiated transactions. Any such sales would likely require the consent of the manager of the applicable Portfolio Fund or the board of the Portfolio Company, and could occur at a discount to the stated net asset value. If the Adviser determines to cause the Fund to sell its interest in a Portfolio Fund or a Portfolio Company, the Fund may be unable to sell such interest quickly, if at all, and could therefore be obligated to continue to hold such interest for an extended period of time, or to accept a lower price for a quick sale.
Valuations of Private Equity Investments; valuations subject to adjustment. The valuations reported by the Portfolio Fund Managers, based upon which the Fund determines its daily net asset value and the net asset value per Share may be subject to later adjustment or revision. For example, fiscal year-end net asset value calculations of the Portfolio Funds may be revised as a result of audits by their independent auditors. Other adjustments may occur from time to time. Because such adjustments or revisions, whether increasing or decreasing the net asset value of the Fund at the time they occur, relate to information available only at the time of the adjustment or revision, the adjustment or revision may not affect the amount of the repurchase proceeds of the Fund received by Shareholders who had their Shares repurchased prior to such adjustments and received their repurchase proceeds. As a result, to the extent that such subsequently adjusted valuations from the Portfolio Fund Managers or revisions to the net asset value of a Portfolio Fund or direct private equity investment adversely affect the Funds net asset value, the outstanding Shares may be adversely affected by prior repurchases to the benefit of Shareholders who had their Shares repurchased at a net asset value higher than the adjusted amount.
Conversely, any increases in the net asset value resulting from such subsequently adjusted valuations may be entirely for the benefit of the outstanding Shares and to the detriment of Shareholders who previously had their Shares repurchased at a net asset value lower than the adjusted amount. The same principles apply to the purchase of Shares. New Shareholders may be affected in a similar way.
The valuations of Shares may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond the Funds control and may not be directly related to the Funds operating performance. These factors include:
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changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines; |
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changes in earnings or variations in operating results; |
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changes in the value of the Private Equity Investments; |
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changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of the Private Equity Investments; |
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any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors; |
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departure of the Adviser or certain of its respective key personnel; |
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general economic trends and other external factors; and |
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loss of a major funding source. |
Valuation of Private Equity Investments uncertain. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is required to carry Private Equity Investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with the Funds valuation procedures, which have been approved by the Board. There is not a public market or active secondary market for many of the securities of the privately held companies in which the Fund intends to invest. Rather, many of the Private Equity Investments may be traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors. As a result, the Fund will value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with the valuation procedures that have been approved by the Board.
The determination of fair value, and thus the amount of unrealized losses the Fund may incur in any year, is to a degree subjective, and the Adviser has a conflict of interest in making the determination. The Fund values these securities daily at fair value determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with the valuation procedures that have been approved by the Board. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, the Funds determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these non-traded securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, the Funds fair value determinations may cause the Funds net asset value on a given date to understate or overstate materially the value that the Fund may ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more Private Equity Investments. Under limited circumstances (such as to resolve a pricing issue regarding a Private Equity Investment), the Fund may retain a valuation assurance service provider to provide the Fund reasonable assurance on the correctness of the processes and procedures leading to the fair value determinations by the Adviser. See Calculation of net asset value; Valuation.
Liquidity and Valuation Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time the Adviser would like or at the price it believes the security is currently worth. Liquidity risk may be increased for certain Fund investments, including those investments in funds with gating provisions or other limitations on investor withdrawals and restricted or illiquid securities. Some funds in which the Fund invests may impose restrictions on when an investor may withdraw its investment or limit the amounts an investor may withdraw. To the extent that the Adviser seeks to reduce or sell out of its investment at a time or in an amount that is prohibited, the Fund may not have the liquidity necessary to participate in other investment opportunities or may need to sell other investments that it may not have otherwise sold.
The Fund may also invest in securities that, at the time of investment, are illiquid, as determined by using the SECs standard applicable to registered investment companies (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of by the Fund within seven calendar days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities). Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid and restricted securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Investment of the Funds assets in illiquid and restricted securities may also restrict the Funds ability to take advantage of market opportunities.
Valuation risk is the risk that one or more of the securities in which the Fund invests are priced differently than the value realized upon such securitys sale. In times of market instability, valuation may be more difficult, in which case the Advisers judgment may play a greater role in the valuation process.
Publicly Traded Private Equity Risk. Publicly traded private equity companies are typically regulated vehicles listed on a public stock exchange that invest in private equity transactions or funds. Such vehicles may take the form of corporations, business development companies, unit trusts, publicly traded partnerships, or other structures, and may focus on mezzanine, infrastructure, buyout or venture capital investments. Publicly traded private equity may also include investments in publicly listed companies in connection with a privately negotiated financing or an attempt to exercise significant influence on the subject of the investment. Publicly traded private equity investments usually have an indefinite duration.
Publicly traded private equity occupies a small portion of the public equity universe, including only a few professional investors who focus on and actively trade such investments. As a result, relatively little market research is performed on publicly traded private equity companies, only limited public data may be available regarding these companies and their underlying investments, and market pricing may significantly deviate from published net asset value. This can result in market inefficiencies and may offer opportunities to specialists that can value the underlying private equity investments.
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Publicly traded private equity vehicles are typically liquid and capable of being traded daily, in contrast to direct investments and private equity funds, in which capital is subject to lengthy holding periods. Accordingly, publicly traded private equity transactions are significantly easier to execute than other types of private equity investments, giving investors an opportunity to adjust the investment level of their portfolios more efficiently.
Failure to qualify as a RIC or satisfy distribution requirement. To qualify for and maintain RIC qualification under the Code, the Fund must meet the following annual distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. See Certain Tax considerations.
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The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if the Fund distributes to Shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of the Funds net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because the Fund may borrow, it is subject to an asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and may in the future become subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict the Fund from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If the Fund is unable to obtain cash from other sources, it could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. |
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The source-of-income requirement will be satisfied if the Fund obtains at least 90% of its income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar passive sources. |
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The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if the Fund meets certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of the Funds tax year. To satisfy this requirement, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Funds assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Funds assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and |
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no more than 25% of the value of the Funds assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under the Code and its applicable regulations, by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain qualified publicly traded partnerships. Failure to meet these requirements may result in the Fund having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of its qualification as a RIC. Because most of the Funds investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses. |
If the Fund fails to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and is subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce the Funds net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of the Funds distributions.
Difficulty meeting RIC distribution requirement. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. The Fund may also have to include in income other amounts that the Fund has not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Furthermore, the Fund may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that could be treated under the Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the Treasury Regulations) as passive foreign investment companies and/or controlled foreign corporations. The rules relating to investment in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require the Fund to recognize income where the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash.
The Fund anticipates that a portion of its income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, the Fund may elect to amortize market discounts and include such amounts in its taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit the Funds ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes.
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Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Funds investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain its qualification as a RIC under the Code. The Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times and/or at prices the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see Certain Tax Considerations.
Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including widespread epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, and systemic market dislocations can be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Those events as well as other changes in non-U.S. and domestic economic and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of Fund Investments.
The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 has resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations or reductions, disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment. The impact of this outbreak and any other epidemic or pandemic that may arise in the future could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of capital markets and other markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways. This crisis or other public health crises may also exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty. The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of securities or other assets. Such impacts, which may vary across asset classes, may adversely affect the performance of the Private Equity Investments, the Fund and a Shareholders investment in the Fund.
Market Uncertainties. Even if the Portfolio Companies product and service development efforts are successful, their ultimate success will depend upon market acceptance of the concepts, the products and the services. The Portfolio Companies may not have engaged in any formal market research studies with respect to the establishment of a market for their products. There can be no assurance that performance errors and deficiencies will not be found, or if found, that they will be able to successfully correct such performance errors and deficiencies in a timely manner or at all.
Even if the concepts gain initial market acceptance, competitors are likely to introduce concepts with comparable price and performance characteristics. This competition may result in reduced future market acceptance for their products and decreasing sales and lower gross margins which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Fund and the Portfolio Companies.
Competition for investment opportunities. The Fund will compete for investments with other investment funds (including registered investment companies, private equity funds, mezzanine funds and collateralized loan obligation funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks, finance companies, business development companies, small business investment companies and other sources of funding.
Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in private U.S. companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in private U.S. companies may strengthen. Many of the Funds competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the Fund. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to the Fund. In addition, some of the Funds competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than the Fund.
These characteristics could allow competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than the Fund is able to do. As a result, the Fund may lose investment opportunities
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if it does not match its competitors pricing, terms and structure. No assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to identify and complete attractive investments in the future or that it will be able to fully invest its subscriptions. Even if the Adviser or a Portfolio Fund Manager identifies an attractive investment opportunity, the Fund or the Portfolio Fund may not be permitted to take advantage of the opportunity to the fullest extent desired.
If the Fund is forced to match its competitors pricing, terms and structure, it may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on its investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. Furthermore, many of the Funds competitors are not subject to the source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements the Fund must satisfy to maintain its qualification as a RIC.
Access to Investments. The Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act and is subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act, and certain tax requirements, among other restrictions, that limit the Funds ability to make investments, as compared to a fund that is not so registered. Such restrictions may prevent the Fund from participating in (or increasing its share of) certain favorable investment opportunities, or may lead to a lack of exposure to a certain type of investment for certain periods of time. The Funds intention to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company under the Code can limit its ability to acquire or continue to hold positions in investments that would otherwise be consistent with its investment strategy. The Fund incurs additional expenses (compared to a fund that is not registered under the 1940 Act) in determining whether an investment is permissible under the 1940 Act and in structuring investments to comply with the 1940 Act, which reduces returns to Shareholders of the Fund.
Non-Diversified Status. The Fund is a non-diversified management investment company. Thus, there are no percentage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act on the Funds assets that may be invested, directly or indirectly, in the securities of any one issuer. Consequently, if one or more Fund Investments are allocated a relatively large percentage of the Funds assets, losses suffered by such Fund Investments could result in a higher reduction in the Funds capital than if such capital had been more proportionately allocated among a larger number of investments. The Fund may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. However, the Fund will be subject to diversification requirements applicable to RICs under the Code. See Certain Tax Considerations.
Regulatory Risks of Private Investment Companies. The regulatory environment for Private Investment Companies (and for registered investment companies investing in Private Investment Companies) is complex and evolving. Changes in the regulation or taxation of private funds are impossible to predict and may adversely affect the value of the Private Equity Investments, the ability of the Fund to execute its investment strategy, and the ability of the Fund to offer its interests to investors who do not qualify as accredited investors as defined under Regulation D under the Securities Act. There is no guarantee that the SEC will not require the Funds Shareholders to meet certain eligibility criteria in the future. Under such circumstances, any Shareholders of the Fund who are not accredited investors may be subject to mandatory repurchase of all of their Shares in the Fund.
General Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks. Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund which may materially adversely affect the Fund. For example, the regulatory and tax environment for leveraged investors and for private equity funds generally is evolving, and changes in the direct or indirect regulation or taxation of leveraged investors or private equity funds may materially adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategies or achieve its investment objective. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act) vests U.S. federal bank, securities and commodities regulators with significant and extensive rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the adoption of various regulations and the preparation of reports by various agencies over a period of time. It is unclear how these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions that would adversely affect the Fund or investments made by the Fund. There can be no assurance that future regulatory actions authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly reduce the profitability of the Fund. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect the Fund by increasing transaction and/or regulatory compliance costs.
In November 2019, the SEC proposed a new rule that, if adopted, would change the regulation of the use of derivatives and financial commitment transactions by registered investment companies. The nature of any final regulations is uncertain at this time, but the Fund may have difficulty adjusting its investment portfolio and strategy in order to comply with such regulations. In addition, greater regulatory scrutiny may increase the Funds and the Advisers exposure to potential liabilities. Increased regulatory oversight can also impose administrative burdens on the Fund and the Adviser, including, without limitation, responding to examinations or investigations and implementing new policies and procedures.
Foreign Investments and Emerging Markets Risk. Investment in foreign issuers or securities principally traded outside the United States may involve special risks due to foreign economic, political, and legal developments, including favorable or unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, exchange control regulations (including currency blockage), expropriation,
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nationalization or confiscatory taxation of assets, and possible difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities. The Fund, a Portfolio Fund and/or a Portfolio Company may be subject to foreign taxation on realized capital gains, dividends or interest payable on foreign securities, on transactions in those securities and on the repatriation of proceeds generated from those securities. Transaction-based charges are generally calculated as a percentage of the transaction amount and are paid upon the sale or transfer of portfolio securities subject to such taxes. Any taxes or other charges paid or incurred by the Fund or a Portfolio Fund in respect of its foreign securities will reduce the Funds yield. See Certain Tax Considerations below for more information about these and other special tax considerations applicable to investments in securities of foreign issuers and securities principally traded outside the United States.
In addition, the tax laws of some foreign jurisdictions in which a Portfolio Fund or Portfolio Company may invest are unclear and interpretations of such laws can change over time. As a result, in order to comply with guidance related to the accounting and disclosure of uncertain tax positions under GAAP, a Portfolio Fund may be required to accrue for book purposes certain foreign taxes in respect of its foreign securities or other foreign investments that it may or may not ultimately pay. Such tax accruals will reduce a Portfolio Funds net asset value at the time accrued, even though, in some cases, the Portfolio Fund ultimately will not pay the related tax liabilities. Conversely, a Portfolio Funds net asset value will be increased by any tax accruals that are ultimately reversed.
Issuers of foreign securities are subject to different, often less comprehensive, accounting, custody, reporting, and disclosure requirements than U.S. issuers. The securities of some foreign governments, companies, and securities markets are less liquid, and at times more volatile, than comparable U.S. securities and securities markets. Foreign brokerage commissions and related fees also are generally higher than in the United States. Portfolio Funds that invest in foreign securities also may be affected by different custody and/or settlement practices or delayed settlements in some foreign markets. The laws of some foreign countries may limit the Funds or a Portfolio Funds ability to invest in securities of certain issuers located in those countries. Foreign countries may have reporting requirements with respect to the ownership of securities, and those reporting requirements may be subject to interpretation or change without prior notice to investors. No assurance can be given that the Fund or a Portfolio Fund or Portfolio Company will satisfy applicable foreign reporting requirements at all times.
Exchange-Traded Product Risk. The Fund may invest in long (or short) positions in ETFs. Through its positions in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicles investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by an ETF could decrease (or increase), and will bear its proportionate share of the ETFs fees and expenses. In addition, certain of the ETFs may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits.
Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk. As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, investors bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies.
Dilution from Subsequent Offerings of Shares. The Fund may accept additional subscriptions for Shares as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. Additional purchases will dilute the indirect interests of existing Shareholders in the Private Equity Investments prior to such purchases, which could have an adverse impact on the existing Shareholders interests in the Fund if subsequent Private Equity Investments underperform the prior investments. Further, in certain cases Portfolio Fund Managers may structure performance-based compensation, with such compensation being paid only if gains exceed prior losses. The value attributable to the fact that no performance-based compensation is being paid to a Portfolio Fund Manager until its gains exceed prior losses is not taken into account when determining the NAV of the Fund. New purchases of Shares will dilute the benefit of such compensation structures to existing Shareholders.
Reporting Requirements. Shareholders who beneficially own Shares that constitute more than 5% or 10% of the Funds Shares are subject to certain requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder. These include requirements to file certain reports with the SEC. The Fund has no obligation to file such reports on behalf of such Shareholders or to notify Shareholders that such reports are required to be made. Shareholders who may be subject to such requirements should consult with their legal advisers.
Uncertain source and quantity of funding. Proceeds from the sale of Shares will be used for the Funds investment opportunities, operating expenses and for payment of various fees and expenses such as the Management Fee and other fees. Any working capital reserves the Fund maintains may not be sufficient for investment purposes, and it may require debt or equity financing to operate. Accordingly, in the event that the Fund develops a need for additional capital in the future for investments or for any other reason, these sources of funding may not be available to the Fund. Consequently, if the Fund cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, the ability to acquire investments and expand operations will be adversely affected. As a result, the Fund would be less able to achieve portfolio diversification and the investment objectives, which may negatively impact the Funds results of operations and reduce the Funds ability to make distributions to Shareholders.
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Fluctuations in performance. The Fund could experience fluctuations in its performance due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the Funds ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet the Funds investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities the Fund acquires, the level of the Funds expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which the Fund encounters competition in its markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any previous period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
Payment In-Kind for Repurchased Shares. The Fund does not expect to distribute securities as payment for repurchased Shares except in unusual circumstances. The Fund has the right to distribute securities as payment for repurchased Shares in unusual circumstances, including if making a cash payment would result in a material adverse effect on the Fund or on Shareholders not requesting that their Shares be repurchased. For example, it is possible that the Fund may receive securities from a Private Equity Investment that are illiquid or difficult to value. In such circumstances, the Adviser would seek to dispose of these securities in a manner that is in the best interests of the Fund, which may include a distribution in-kind to the Funds Shareholders. In the event that the Fund makes such a distribution of securities, Shareholders will bear any risks of the distributed securities and may be required to pay a brokerage commission or other costs in order to dispose of such securities.
Cybersecurity Risk. The Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber-attacks and to technological malfunctions that have effects similar to those of a cyber-attack. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and disrupting operations.
Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, the Fund, the Adviser, or a custodian, transfer agent, or other service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect the Funds ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release or misappropriation of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses and additional compliance costs. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans and systems designed to prevent, detect and respond to cyber-attacks, those plans and systems have inherent limitations. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could have material adverse consequences for those issuers and result in a decline in the market price of their securities. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, technological disruptions, malfunctions, or failures, an exchange or market may close or suspend trading in specific securities or the entire market, which could prevent the Fund from, among other things, buying or selling securities or accurately pricing their investments. The Fund cannot directly control cyber security plans and systems of its service providers, the Funds counterparties, issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, or securities markets and exchanges.
Restrictions on borrowing. The Fund may borrow for investment purposes. If the value of the Funds assets declines, the Fund may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test, which would prohibit the Fund from paying distributions and could prevent the Fund from qualifying as a RIC. If the Fund cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, the Fund may be required to sell a portion of its investments and, depending on the nature of the Funds debt financing, repay a portion of the Funds indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, any amounts that the Fund uses to service its indebtedness would not be available for distribution by the Fund to Shareholders.
Control Positions. The Fund (in the case of direct investments) and the Private Equity Investments may take control positions in Portfolio Companies. The exercise of control over a company imposes additional risks of liability for environmental damage, product defects, failure to supervise management, violation of governmental regulations and other types of liability in which the limited liability characteristic of a corporation may be ignored, which would increase the Funds possibility of incurring losses.
Leverage. The Portfolio Fund Managers and (subject to applicable law) the Fund may employ leverage through borrowings, and are likely to directly or indirectly acquire interests in companies with highly leveraged capital structures. If income and appreciation on investments made with borrowed funds are less than the cost of the leverage, the value of the relevant portfolio or investment will decrease. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of a Private Equity Investment will be magnified to the extent leverage is employed. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage by the Fund or the Portfolio Funds in a market that moves adversely to the relevant investments could result in substantial losses, exceeding those that would have been incurred if leverage had not been employed.
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Currency Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest predominantly in the United States, the Funds portfolio is anticipated to include investments in a number of different currencies. Any returns on, and the value of such investments may, therefore, be materially affected by exchange rate fluctuations, local exchange control, limited liquidity of the relevant foreign exchange markets, the convertibility of the currencies in question and/or other factors. A decline in the value of the currencies in which Fund Investments are denominated against the U.S. Dollar may result in a decrease the Funds net asset value. The Adviser may or may not elect to hedge the value of investments made by the Fund against currency fluctuations, and even if the Adviser deems hedging appropriate, it may not be possible or practicable to hedge currency risk exposure. Accordingly, the performance of the Fund could be adversely affected by such currency fluctuations.
Hedging. The Fund may seek to hedge against interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations and credit risk by using structured financial instruments such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Use of structured financial instruments for hedging purposes may present significant risks, including the risk of loss of the amounts invested. Defaults by the other party to a hedging transaction can result in losses in the hedging transaction. Hedging activities also involve the risk of an imperfect correlation between the hedging instrument and the asset being hedged, which could result in losses both on the hedging transaction and on the instrument being hedged. Use of hedging activities may not prevent significant losses and could increase losses. Further, hedging transactions may reduce cash available to pay distributions to Shareholders.
Risks relating to accounting, auditing and financial reporting, etc. The legal, regulatory, disclosure, accounting, auditing and reporting standards in certain of the countries in which Fund Investments (both direct and indirect) may be made may be less stringent and may not provide the same degree of protection or information to investors as would generally apply in the United States. Although the Fund will be using
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the assets, liabilities, profits and losses appearing in published financial statements of the Fund Investments may not reflect their financial position or operating results as they would be reflected under GAAP. Accordingly, the net asset value of the Fund published from time to time may not accurately reflect a realistic value for any or all of the investments.
Certain Fund Investments may be in Portfolio Companies that do not maintain internal management accounts or adopt financial budgeting, internal audit or internal control procedures to standards normally expected of companies in the United States. Accordingly, information supplied to the Fund and the Portfolio Funds may be incomplete, inaccurate and/or significantly delayed. The Fund and the Portfolio Funds may therefore be unable to take or influence timely actions necessary to rectify management deficiencies in such Portfolio Companies, which may ultimately have an adverse impact on the net asset value of the Fund.
Amount or frequency of distributions not guaranteed. The Fund expects to pay distributions out of assets legally available for distribution from time to time, at the sole discretion of the Board. Nevertheless, the Fund cannot assure Shareholders that the Fund will achieve investment results that will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. The Funds ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by the impact of the risks described in this Prospectus. All distributions will depend on the Funds earnings, its net investment income, its financial condition, and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time.
In the event that the Fund encounters delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, the Fund may return all or a substantial portion of the proceeds from the offering of Shares in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Funds investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the proceeds from the offering of Shares, including any fees payable to the Adviser.
Portfolio Fund operations not transparent. The Adviser does not control the investments or operations of the Portfolio Funds. A Portfolio Fund Manager may employ investment strategies that differ from its past practices and are not fully disclosed to the Adviser and that involve risks that are not anticipated by the Adviser. Some Portfolio Fund Managers may have a limited operating history and some may have limited experience in executing one or more investment strategies to be employed for a Portfolio Fund. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the information given to the Administrator and reports given to the Adviser with respect to the Private Equity Investments will not be fraudulent, inaccurate or incomplete.
Valuation of the Funds interests in Portfolio Funds. The valuation of the Funds investments in Portfolio Funds is ordinarily determined based upon valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers of such Portfolio Funds which valuations are generally not audited. A majority of the securities in which the Portfolio Funds invest will not have a readily ascertainable market price and will be valued by the Portfolio Fund Managers. In this regard, a Portfolio Fund Manager may face a conflict of interest in valuing the securities, as their value may affect the Portfolio Fund Managers compensation or its ability to raise additional funds. No assurances can be given regarding the valuation methodology or the sufficiency of systems utilized by
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any Portfolio Fund, the accuracy of the valuations provided by the Portfolio Funds, that the Portfolio Funds will comply with their own internal policies or procedures for keeping records or making valuations, or that the Portfolio Funds policies and procedures and systems will not change without notice to the Fund. As a result, valuations of the securities may be subjective and could prove in hindsight to have been wrong, potentially by significant amounts. The Adviser has established a committee (the Valuation Committee) to oversee the valuation of the Private Equity Investments pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. The members of the Valuation Committee may face conflicts of interest in overseeing the valuation of the Private Equity Investments, as the value of the Private Equity Investments will affect the Advisers compensation. Moreover, neither the Valuation Committee nor the Adviser will generally have sufficient information in order to be able to confirm or review the accuracy of valuations provided by Portfolio Fund Managers.
A Portfolio Fund Managers information could be inaccurate due to fraudulent activity, misvaluation or inadvertent error. In any case, the Fund may not uncover errors for a significant period of time. Even if the Adviser elects to cause the Fund to sell its interests in such a Portfolio Fund, the Fund may be unable to sell such interests quickly, if at all, and could therefore be obligated to continue to hold such interests for an extended period of time. In such a case, the Portfolio Fund Managers valuations of such interests could remain subject to such fraud or error and the Valuation Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine to discount the value of the interests or value them at zero.
Shareholders should be aware that situations involving uncertainties as to the valuations by Portfolio Fund Managers could have a material adverse effect on the Fund if the Portfolio Fund Managers, the Advisers or the Funds judgments regarding valuations should prove incorrect. Prospective investors who are unwilling to assume such risks should not make an investment in the Fund.
Multiple levels of fees and expenses. Although in many cases investor access to the Portfolio Funds may be limited or unavailable, an investor who meets the conditions imposed by a Portfolio Fund may be able to invest directly with the Portfolio Fund. By investing in Portfolio Funds indirectly through the Fund, the investor bears asset-based and performance-based fees charged by the Fund, in addition to any asset-based fees and performance-based fees and allocations at the Portfolio Fund level. Moreover, an investor in the Fund bears a proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the Fund (including, among other things and as applicable, offering expenses, operating costs, sales charges, brokerage transaction expenses, management fees, distribution fees, administrative and custody fees, and tender offer expenses) and, indirectly, similar expenses of the Portfolio Funds. Thus, an investor in the Fund may be subject to higher operating expenses than if he or she invested in a Portfolio Fund directly or in a closed-end fund that did not invest through Portfolio Funds.
Each Portfolio Fund generally will be subject to a performance-based fee or allocation irrespective of the performance of other Portfolio Funds and the Fund generally. Accordingly, a Portfolio Fund Manager to a Portfolio Fund with positive performance may receive performance-based compensation from the Portfolio Fund, and thus indirectly from the Fund and its Shareholders, even if the overall performance of the Fund is negative. Generally, asset-based fees payable to Portfolio Fund Managers of the Portfolio Funds will range from 1% to 2% (annualized) of the commitment amount of the Funds investment, and performance-based fees or allocations are typically 20%, although it is possible that such amounts may be exceeded for certain Portfolio Fund Managers. The performance-based compensation received by a Portfolio Fund Manager also may create an incentive for that Portfolio Fund Manager to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than those that it might have made in the absence of such performance-based compensation.
Shareholders that invest in the Fund through financial advisers or intermediaries may also be subject to account fees or charges levied by such parties. Prospective investors should consult with their respective financial advisers or intermediaries for information regarding any fees or charges that may be associated with the services provided by such parties.
Inability to vote. To the extent that the Fund owns less than 5% of the voting securities of each Portfolio Fund, it may be able to avoid that any such Portfolio Fund is deemed an affiliated person of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act (which designation could, among other things, potentially impose limits on transactions with the Portfolio Funds, both by the Fund and other clients of the Adviser). To limit its voting interest in certain Portfolio Funds, the Fund may enter into contractual arrangements under which the Fund irrevocably waives its rights (if any) to vote its interests in a Portfolio Fund. These voting waiver arrangements may increase the ability of the Fund and other clients of the Adviser to invest in certain Portfolio Funds. However, to the extent the Fund contractually forgoes the right to vote the securities of a Portfolio Fund, the Fund will not be able to vote on matters that require the approval of such Portfolio Funds investors, including matters which may be adverse to the Funds interests.
There are, however, other statutory tests of affiliation (such as on the basis of control), and, therefore, the prohibitions of the 1940 Act with respect to affiliated transactions could apply in certain situations where the Fund owns less than 5% of the voting securities of a Portfolio Fund. If the Fund is considered to be affiliated with a Portfolio Fund, transactions between the Fund and such Portfolio Fund may, among other things, potentially be subject to the prohibitions of Section 17 of the 1940 Act notwithstanding that the Fund has entered into a voting waiver arrangement.
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Consortium or offsetting investments. The Portfolio Fund Managers may work with other Portfolio Fund Managers to invest collectively in the same underlying company, which could result in increased concentration risk where multiple Portfolio Funds in the Funds portfolio each invest in a particular underlying company. In addition, Portfolio Funds may hold economically offsetting positions including, for example, where Portfolio Funds have independently taken opposing positions (e.g., long and short) in an investment or due to hedging by Portfolio Fund Managers. To the extent that the Portfolio Fund Managers do, in fact, hold such offsetting positions, the Funds portfolio, considered as a whole, may not achieve any gain or loss despite incurring fees and expenses in connection with such positions. In addition, Portfolio Fund Managers are compensated based on the performance of their portfolios. Accordingly, there often may be times when a particular Portfolio Fund Manager may receive incentive compensation in respect of its portfolio for a period even though the Funds net asset values may have decreased during such period. Furthermore, it is possible that from time to time, various Portfolio Fund Managers selected by the Adviser may be competing with each other for investments in one or more markets.
Limitations on ability to invest in Portfolio Funds. Certain Portfolio Fund Managers investment approaches can accommodate only a certain amount of capital. Portfolio Fund Managers typically endeavor not to undertake to manage more capital than such Portfolio Fund Managers approach can accommodate without risking a potential deterioration in returns. Accordingly, each Portfolio Fund Manager has the right to refuse to manage some or all of the Funds assets that the Adviser may wish to allocate to such Portfolio Fund Manager. Further, continued sales of Shares would dilute the indirect participation of existing Shareholders with such Portfolio Fund Manager.
In addition, it is expected that the Fund will be able to make investments in particular Portfolio Funds only at certain times, and commitments to Portfolio Funds may not be accepted (in part or in their entirety). As a result, the Fund may hold cash or invest any portion of its assets that is not invested in Portfolio Funds in cash equivalents, short-term securities or money market securities pending investment in Portfolio Funds. To the extent that the Funds assets are not invested in Portfolio Funds, the Fund may be unable to meet its investment objectives.
Indemnification of Portfolio Funds and Portfolio Fund Managers. The Fund may agree to indemnify certain of the Portfolio Funds and the Portfolio Fund Managers and their respective officers, directors, and affiliates from any liability, damage, cost, or expense arising out of, among other things, acts or omissions undertaken in connection with the management of Portfolio Funds or direct investments. If the Fund were required to make payments (or return distributions received from such Portfolio Funds or direct investments) in respect of any such indemnity, the Fund could be materially adversely affected.
Contingent Liabilities on Disposition of Investments. In connection with the disposition of a Fund Investment, it may be required to make representations about the investment. The Fund may be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations are inaccurate. These arrangements may result in the incurrence of contingent liabilities for which the Adviser may establish reserves and escrows. In that regard, distributions may be delayed or withheld until such reserve is no longer needed or the escrow period expires.
Capital Call Risk. The Fund may maintain a sizeable cash position in anticipation of funding capital calls or near-term investment opportunities. Even though the Fund may maintain a sizeable position in cash and short-term securities, it may not contribute the full amount of its commitment to a fund at the time of investment. Instead, the Fund will be required to make incremental contributions pursuant to capital calls issued from time to time by a Portfolio Fund. If the Fund defaults on its commitment to a Portfolio Fund or fails to satisfy capital calls to a Portfolio Fund in a timely manner then, generally, it will be subject to significant penalties, including the complete forfeiture of the Funds investment in the Portfolio Fund. Any failure by the Fund to make timely capital contributions in respect of its commitments may (i) impair the ability of the Fund and the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, (ii) force the Fund to borrow, (iii) indirectly cause the Fund, and, indirectly, the Shareholders to be subject to certain penalties from the Private Equity Investments (including the complete forfeiture of the Funds investment in a Portfolio Fund), or (iv) otherwise impair the value of the Funds investments (including the devaluation of the Fund).
Lack of Control. The Fund may indirectly make binding commitments to co-investment vehicles without an ability to participate in their management and control and with no or limited ability to transfer its interests in such co-investment vehicles. The Fund also generally will not have control over any of the underlying portfolio companies and will not be able to direct the policies or management decisions of such portfolio companies.
Availability of Financing and Market Conditions. Market fluctuations in business loans may affect the availability and cost of loans needed for the Fund Investments. Credit availability has been restricted in the past and may become so in the future. Restrictions upon the availability of financing or high interest rates on such loans will adversely affect the value of existing Fund Investments and may limit the Funds availability to source and invest in new Fund Investments. Interest paid by any Fund Investment on its debt obligations will reduce cash available for distributions. Interest rates are currently low compared to prior periods. If any Fund Investment incurs variable rate debt, increases in interest rates would increase its interest costs, which could reduce the Funds return on its investments.
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Termination of the Funds Interest in a Portfolio Fund. A Portfolio Fund may, among other things, terminate the Funds interest in that Portfolio Fund (causing a forfeiture of all or a portion of such interest) if the Fund fails to satisfy any capital call by that Portfolio Fund or if the continued participation of the Fund in the Portfolio Fund would have a material adverse effect on the Portfolio Fund or its assets.
Repurchase Offers Risk. As described under Quarterly Repurchase Offers below, the Fund is an interval fund and, in order to provide liquidity to Shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, will conduct quarterly repurchase offers of the Funds outstanding Shares at the applicable NAV per Share, subject to approval of the Board. In all cases such repurchases will be for at least 5% and not more than 25% of the Funds outstanding Shares at the applicable NAV per Share, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 5% of its outstanding Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Funds investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Funds investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Funds investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Funds repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Funds repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected, the Fund employs investment leverage, repurchases of Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income.
If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Board may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Board determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if Shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Funds outstanding Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, Shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A Shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV per Share of Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV per Share for tendered Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to Shareholders.
Limited Operating History of Portfolio Companies. Portfolio Companies may have limited operating histories by which to assess their ability to achieve, sustain and increase revenues or profitability. A Portfolio Companys financial results will be affected by many factors, including (i) the ability to successfully identify a market or markets in which there is a need for its products; (ii) the ability to successfully negotiate strategic alliances, licensing and other relationships for product development, marketing, distribution and sales; (iii) the progress of research and development programs with respect to the development of additional products and enhancements to existing products; (iv) the ability to protect proprietary rights; and (v) competing technological and market developments, particularly companies that have substantially greater resources.
There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Companies will ever achieve significant commercial revenues or profitability.
Risks Associated with Management of Growth. To achieve their projected revenues and other targeted operating results, the Portfolio Companies may be required to rapidly implement and improve operational, financial and management control systems on a timely basis, together with maintaining effective cost controls, and any failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition and results of operations. The success of their growth plans will depend in part upon their ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate key personnel. Failure to make the required expansions and upgrades could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and relationships with their corporate partners. The results of operations for the companies will also be adversely affected if revenues do not increase sufficiently to compensate for the increase in operating expenses resulting from any expansion and there can be no assurance that any expansion will be profitable or will not adversely affect their results of operations.
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Reliance on Portfolio Company Management. The day-to-day operations of each Portfolio Company will be the responsibility of its own management team. Although the Adviser will monitor the performance of investments and will screen for capable management skills, there can be no assurance that such management will be able to operate any such Portfolio Company in accordance with the Funds expectations. In addition, the loss to a Portfolio Company of a member of its management team could be detrimental to the development of the Portfolio Company.
No Assurance of Additional Capital for Investments. Even if a Portfolio Company is successful generating revenues and expanding its service offerings, it may require additional financing to continue product and service development, testing and, ultimately, marketing and other operational activities. Moreover, its cash requirements may vary materially due to service development results, service testing results, changing relationships with strategic partners, changes in the focus and direction of its research and development programs, competitive and technological advances of competitors, and other factors. Additional financing may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms. If additional financing is not available, the Portfolio Company may need to delay, scale back or eliminate certain of its product development, marketing or other activities, or even be forced to cease operations and liquidate.
General Risks of Secondary Investments. The overall performance of the Funds secondary investments will depend in large part on the acquisition price paid, which may be negotiated based on incomplete or imperfect information. Certain secondary investments may be purchased as a portfolio, and in such cases the Fund may not be able to exclude from such purchases those investments that the Adviser considers (for commercial, tax, legal or other reasons) less attractive. Where the Fund acquires a portfolio company interest as a secondary investment, the Fund will generally not have the ability to modify or amend such portfolio companys constituent documents (e.g., limited partnership agreements) or otherwise negotiate the economic terms of the interests being acquired. In addition, the costs and resources required to investigate the commercial, tax and legal issues relating to secondary investments may be greater than those relating to primary investments.
Contingent Liabilities Associated with Secondary Investments. Where the Fund acquires a Portfolio Company interest as a secondary investment, the Fund may acquire contingent liabilities associated with such interest. Specifically, where the seller has received distributions from the relevant Portfolio Company and, subsequently, that Portfolio Company recalls any portion of such distributions, the Fund (as the purchaser of the interest to which such distributions are attributable) may be obligated to pay an amount equivalent to such distributions to such Portfolio Company. While the Fund may be able, in turn, to make a claim against the seller of the interest for any monies so paid to the Portfolio Company, there can be no assurance that the Fund would have such right or prevail in any such claim.
Risks relating to secondary investments involving syndicates. The Fund may acquire secondary investments as a member of a purchasing syndicate, in which case the Fund may be exposed to additional risks including (among other things): (i) counterparty risk, (ii) reputation risk,(iii) breach of confidentiality by a syndicate member and (iv) execution risk.
Securities Markets Risk. Overall securities market risks may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities and derivatives markets. Equity securities may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors that affect securities markets generally or factors affecting specific industries, sectors, or companies in which the Fund invests. When the value of the Funds investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
LIBOR Risk. In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. That announcement suggests that LIBOR may cease to be published after that time. In addition, the E.U. Benchmarks Regulation imposed conditions under which only compliant benchmarks may be used in new contracts after 2021. Various financial industry groups have begun planning for that transition, but there are obstacles to converting certain securities and transactions to a new benchmark. Transition planning is at an early stage and the nature of a substitute rate, if any, is unknown, and neither the effect of the transition process nor its ultimate success is certain. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effects of any establishment of replacement or alternative reference rates or other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United States, United Kingdom or elsewhere.
Eurozone Risk. The Fund may invest directly or indirectly from time to time in European companies and assets and companies and assets that may be affected by the Eurozone economy. Ongoing concerns regarding the sovereign debt of various Eurozone countries, including the potential for investors to incur substantial write-downs, reductions in the face value of sovereign debt and/or sovereign defaults, as well as the possibility that one or more countries might leave the European Union (EU) or the Eurozone create risks that could materially and adversely affect the Fund Investments. Sovereign debt defaults and EU and/or Eurozone exits could have material adverse effects on the Funds investments in European companies and assets, including, but not limited to, the availability of credit to support such companies financing needs, uncertainty and disruption in relation to financing, increased currency risk in relation to contracts denominated in Euros and wider economic disruption in markets
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served by those companies, while austerity and/or other measures introduced to limit or contain these issues may themselves lead to economic contraction and resulting adverse effects for the Fund. Legal uncertainty about the funding of Euro- denominated obligations following any breakup or exits from the Eurozone, particularly in the case of investments in companies and assets in affected countries, could also have material adverse effects on the Fund.
Brexit Risk. In June of 2016, the United Kingdom (the UK) approved a referendum to leave the EU, commonly referred to as Brexit, which sparked depreciation in the value of the British pound and heightened risk of continued worldwide economic volatility. Pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the UK gave notice in March 2017 of its withdrawal from the EU and commenced negotiations on the terms of withdrawal.
Following years of negotiations and multiple withdrawal deadline extensions, the UK withdrew from the EU on January 31, 2020. A transition period, currently set to last through December 31, 2020, will be used for the UK and EU to negotiate their future relationship. The effects of this withdrawal will depend, in part, on agreements the UK negotiates to retain access to EU markets either during the transitional period or more permanently including, but not limited to, current trade and finance agreements. As a result of the UKs exit from the EU, the Fund may be exposed to volatile trading markets and significant and unpredictable currency fluctuations over a short period of time, and potentially lower economic growth in the UK, Europe and globally. Securities issued by companies domiciled in the UK could be subject to changing regulatory and tax regimes. Banking and financial services companies that operate in the UK or EU could be disproportionately affected by Brexit. Further insecurity in EU membership or the abandonment of the euro could exacerbate market and currency volatility and negatively affect the Funds investments in securities of issuers located in the EU. The effects of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, are not clear but could be significant and far-reaching.
The above discussions and the discussions in the SAI relating to various risks associated with the Fund, Fund Investments, and Shares are not, and are not intended to be, a complete enumeration or explanation of the risks involved in an investment in the Fund. Prospective investors should read this entire Prospectus, the SAI, and the Declaration of Trust and should consult with their own advisers before deciding whether to invest in the Fund. In addition, as the Funds investment program or market conditions change or develop over time, an investment in the Fund may be subject to risk factors not currently contemplated or described in this Prospectus.
In view of the risks noted above, the Fund should be considered a speculative investment and prospective investors should invest in the Fund only if they can sustain a complete loss of their investment.
No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program of the Fund or any Portfolio Fund will be successful, that the various Fund Investments selected will produce positive returns or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Board of Trustees
The Board has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund on behalf of the Shareholders. A majority of Trustees of the Board are and will be persons who are not interested persons, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees). To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and other applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board, service providers or the Adviser. See Board of Trustees and Officers in the Funds SAI for the identities of the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, brief biographical information regarding each of them, and other information regarding the election and membership of the Board.
The Adviser
Primark Advisors LLC (Primark or the Adviser), located at 205 Detroit Street, Suite 200, Denver, Colorado, serves as the investment adviser of the Fund. The Adviser, formed in 2020, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Primark Capital LLC (Primark Capital), an asset management company focused on providing investors with exposure to private market transactions, and is focused on investing in the lower middle market in private equity. The Adviser is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act.
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Management Team Primark
The personnel who currently are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are:
Adam Goldman is a Managing Director of Primark and has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2020. Prior to Primark, Mr. Goldman was a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Red Rocks Capital, Denver, Colorado, from 2003 to 2017. Red Rocks Capital created the first liquid index tracking the performance of the private equity asset class: The Listed Private Equity Index and the Global Listed Private Equity Index. The indices are licensed to Invesco and used for the Invesco Global Listed Private Equity ETF. In addition, Mr. Goldman as a portfolio manager at Red Rocks Capital actively managed/advised $1.9 billion in global private equity assets for institutional clients. Previously he served as a General Partner and Managing Director in four separate venture funds with Centennial Ventures, Denver, Colorado, from 1992 through 2002. Centennial Ventures focused on early stage and consolidation opportunity investments in the telecommunications, media, and telecom technology sectors, managing approximately $1 billion in private funds. Prior to joining Centennial Ventures, Mr. Goldman was an Associate with Booz, Allen, and Hamilton, in Chicago, Illinois from 1989 through 1991 and a Portfolio Manager with the Pritzker familys investment arm in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 22, Mr. Goldman purchased a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade, became a Market Maker, and traded financial instruments and options for his personal account from 1982 to 1987. He was one of the youngest members to be admitted to the Board of Trade. He holds a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.
Mark Sunderhuse is a Managing Director of Primark and has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2020. Prior to Primark, Mr. Sunderhuse was a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Red Rocks Capital, Denver, Colorado, from 2003 to 2017. Red Rocks Capital created the first liquid index tracking the performance of the private equity asset class: The Listed Private Equity Index and the Global Listed Private Equity Index. The indices are licensed to Invesco and used for the Invesco Global Listed Private Equity ETF. In addition, Mr. Sunderhuse was a portfolio manager at Red Rocks Capital actively managed/advised $1.9 billion in global private equity assets for institutional clients. Previously, he was a portfolio manager for Berger Funds, Janus Capital Group, Crestone Capital and Well Fargo (Norwest) managing multiple small cap growth funds each in excess of $1 billion. He acquired multiple investment platforms for the Berger/ Janus organization including Bay Isle, Perkins Wolfe and McDonell. Mr. Sunderhuse was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Colorado Fire and Police Pension Board. He attended the University of Colorado and served on the Board of Trustees for the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers ownership of securities in the Fund.
Investment Management Agreement
Under the general oversight of the Board, the Adviser has been engaged to continuously furnish an investment program with respect to the Fund and to furnish such other services necessary to sponsor and manage the Fund that are not specifically delegated to other service providers of the Fund, including overseeing the work that is delegated to other service providers of the Fund. The Adviser compensates all Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of the Advisers organization and who render investment services to the Fund.
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser agrees to manage the investment and reinvestment of the Funds assets in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies and determine what investments will be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Fund will be held uninvested. The Adviser bears its own operating and overhead expenses attributable to its duties under the Investment Management Agreement (such as salaries, bonuses, rent, office and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, and auditing expenses). The Fund bears all other costs of its operations, including, without limitation, the expenses set forth in Fund Expenses below.
The Adviser may earn a profit on the Management Fee paid by the Fund.
A discussion regarding the considerations of the Funds Board for approving the Investment Management Agreement will be included in the Funds first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
The Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Investment Management Agreement a fee in the amount of 1.50% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Funds assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund.
Separately from the contractual expense limitation referenced under Summary of Fund Expenses above, the Adviser may voluntarily reimburse any fees and expenses of the Fund but is under no obligation to do so. The Adviser may but is not obligated to waive up to 0.50% of the Management Fee on cash and cash equivalents held in the Fund from time to time. Any such voluntary reimbursements may be terminated at any time.
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A portion of the Management Fee may be paid to brokers or dealers that assist in the distribution of Shares.
The Fund continuously offers the Shares at their NAV per Share through Foreside Financial Services, LLC, the principal underwriter and distributor of the Shares (the Distributor). The Fund has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Distributor, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Distributor is not required to buy any Shares and does not intend to make a market in the Shares. There is no sales charge for purchases of Shares.
Under the Funds Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is also responsible for entering into agreements with broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries (Selling Agents) to assist in the distribution of the Shares, reviewing the Funds proposed advertising materials and sales literature and making certain filings with regulators. For these services, the Distributor receives an annual fee from the Adviser. The Adviser is also responsible for paying any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Distributor in providing services under the Distribution Agreement.
Under the Funds Distribution Agreement with the Distributor, the Fund agrees to indemnify the Distributor and its control persons against certain liabilities including those that may arise under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act as a result of: (1) the Distributor serving as distributor of the Fund pursuant to the agreement; (2) the Funds breach of any of its obligations, representations, warranties or covenants contained in the agreement; (3) the Funds failure to comply with any applicable securities laws or regulations; or (4) untrue statements of material fact or the omissions of material facts required to make statements not misleading in Fund offering materials, sales materials and shareholder reports.
The Distributor may engage one or more Selling Agents to assist in the distribution of Shares. Selling Agents may charge a separate fee for their service in conjunction with an investment in the Fund and/or maintenance of investor accounts. Such a fee is not a sales load imposed by the Fund or the Distributor and will be in addition to the fees charged or paid by the Fund. The payment of these fees and the effect of these fees on the performance of a shareholders investment in Shares will not be reflected in the performance returns of Shares.
Selling Agents may also impose terms and conditions on investor accounts and investments in the Fund that are in addition to the terms and conditions described in this Prospectus and are not imposed by the Fund, the Distributor or any other Fund service providers. These terms and conditions may affect or limit a prospective or current shareholders ability to purchase Shares, a current shareholders ability to tender Shares to the Fund for repurchase or to otherwise transact business with the Fund. Services provided by Selling Agents may vary. Shareholders investing in Shares through a Selling Agent should consult with the Selling Agent regarding the terms and conditions related to accounts held at the Selling Agent, services provided to such accounts and related service fees as well as operational limitations of the Selling Agent.
The Adviser shall pay for any distribution, shareholder servicing, marketing and promotional services rendered to the Shares including payments to Selling Agents for the sale of Shares and related shareholder services and payments to other entities marketing the Fund. These expenses are not reflected in the expense table included in this Prospectus. Payments to Selling Agents or other entities marketing the Fund create conflicts of interest by influencing the Selling Agent, marketing entity and your salesperson to recommend Shares over another investment. These payments may also benefit the Adviser, the Distributor and their respective affiliates if these payments result in an increase in the NAV of Shares, the value upon which any fees payable by the Fund to these entities are based.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN AND DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
Shareholder Servicing Plan
The Fund intends to operate under a Shareholder Servicing Plan with respect to Class I Shares. The Shareholder Servicing Plan will allow the Fund to pay shareholder servicing fees in respect of Shareholders holding Class I Shares. Under the Shareholder Servicing Plan, the Fund will be permitted to pay as compensation to qualified recipients up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the aggregate net assets of the Fund attributable to Class I Shares (the Shareholder Servicing Fee). Because these fees are paid out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment and may cost more than paying other types of sales charges. Class II Shares and Class III Shares are not subject to the Shareholder Servicing Fee.
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The Shareholder Servicing Fee to be paid in respect of each class of Shares under the Shareholder Servicing Plan is as follows:
Class |
Shareholder Servicing Fee | |
Class I Shares |
0.10% | |
Class II Shares |
None | |
Class III Shares |
None |
Distribution and Service Plan
Subject to the receipt of an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund intends to operate under a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to Class II Shares in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Distribution and Service Plan will not be implemented until the Fund receives an exemptive order from the SEC. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. The Distribution and Service Plan will allow the Fund to pay distribution and service (12b-1) fees for the sale and servicing of its Class II Shares. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund will be permitted to pay as compensation to the Funds Distributor and/or other qualified recipients 0.25% on an annualized basis of the aggregate net assets of the Fund attributable to Class II Shares (the Distribution and Service Fee). Because these fees are paid out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment and may cost more than paying other types of sales charges. Class II Shares will not be offered until the Fund has received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting the Fund to operate under the Distribution and Service Plan. There is no assurance that such exemptive order will be granted. Class I Shares and Class III Shares are not subject to the Distribution and Service Fee.
The Distribution and Service Fee to be paid to the Distributor for distribution of each class of Shares under the Distribution and Service Plan is as follows:
Class |
Distribution and Service Fee | |
Class I Shares |
None | |
Class II Shares |
0.25% | |
Class III Shares |
None |
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (the Administrator or Ultimus), 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249, provides certain administrative, accounting and transfer agency services to the Fund pursuant to a Master Services Agreement between the Fund and the Administrator (the Master Services Agreement) and compliance services to the Fund pursuant to a Compliance Services Consulting Agreement. For its services, the Fund pays the Administrator a fee and separate fixed fees to make certain filings and for supplying the Funds Chief Compliance Officer and related compliance services. The Fund also reimburses the Administrator for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the Funds behalf. The fees are accrued and paid monthly by the Fund and the administrative fees are based on the average net assets for the prior month and subject to monthly minimums.
The Administrator administers the Funds operations in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized by the Board. Administration services include, but are not limited to: (1) overseeing the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund by others, including its custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and other services performed for the Fund; (2) preparing for filing and filing certain regulatory filings subject to Fund counsel and/or independent auditor oversight; (3) overseeing the preparation and filing of the Funds tax returns, financial statements and related reports to the Funds shareholders, the SEC and state and other securities administrators; (4) providing the Fund with adequate general office space and facilities and persons suitable to the Board to serve as officers of the Fund; (5) assisting the Adviser in monitoring Fund holdings for compliance with prospectus investment restrictions and in the preparation of periodic compliance reports; and (6) with the cooperation of the Adviser, the officers of the Fund and other relevant parties, preparing and disseminating materials for meetings of the Board.
The Master Services Agreement continues in effect, unless earlier terminated by the Fund or the Administrator, through June 30, 2023. Thereafter, unless otherwise terminated, the Master Services Agreement shall be renewed automatically for
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successive one-year periods. Either party may terminate the Master Services Agreement with or without cause, but only upon the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, by giving the other party 120 days prior written notice. Either party may terminate the Master Services Agreement with good cause (as defined under the Master Services Agreement) on at least thirty days written notice to the other party.
Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator is liable for any damages resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of the Administrator as a result of the performance or non-performance by the Administrator of its obligations and duties under the agreement. In addition, the Administrator will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive, consequential or exemplary damages or lost profits, of any kind whatsoever under any provision of the Master Services Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act thereunder.
UMB Bank, n.a. (the Custodian) serves as the primary custodian of the assets of the Fund and may maintain custody of such assets with U.S. and non-U.S. sub-custodians (which may be banks and trust companies), securities depositories and clearing agencies in accordance with the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of the Custodian or U.S. or non-U.S. sub-custodians in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodians principal business address is 1010 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund will bear all expenses and costs incurred in the conduct of the Funds business, including, without limitation the following: (i) all of the legal and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the organization of the Fund and the offering of its shares; (ii) ordinary administrative and operating expenses, including the Management Fee and all expenses associated with the pricing of Fund assets; (iii) risk management expenses; (iv) ordinary and recurring investment expenses, including all fees and expenses directly related to portfolio transactions and positions for the Funds account (including brokerage, clearing, and settlement costs), custodial costs, and interest charges; (v) professional fees (including, without limitation, expenses of consultants, experts, and specialists); (vi) fees and expenses in connection with repurchase offers and any repurchases of Fund shares of beneficial interest; (vii) office space, office supplies, facilities and equipment for the Fund; (viii) executive and other personnel for managing the affairs of the Fund, other than for the provision of portfolio management services provided by the Adviser; (ix) any of the costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (x) compensation of trustees of the Fund who are not directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or of any affiliated person (other than a registered investment company) of the Adviser; (xi) registration, filing and other fees in connection with requirements of regulatory authorities; (xii) the charges and expenses of any entity appointed by the Fund for custodial, paying agent, shareholder servicing and plan agent services; (xiii) charges and expenses of independent accountants retained by the Fund; (xiv) charges and expenses of any transfer agents and registrars appointed by the Fund; (xv) brokers commissions and issue and transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with securities transactions to which the Fund is a party; (xvi) taxes and fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies; (xvii) any cost of certificates representing shares of the Fund; (xviii) legal fees and expenses in connection with the affairs of the Fund, including registering and qualifying its shares with federal and state regulatory authorities; (xix) expenses of meetings of shareholders and trustees of the Fund; (xx) interest, including interest on borrowings by the Fund; (xxi) the costs of services, including services of counsel and any of the costs of printing and mailing, required in connection with the preparation of the Funds registration statements and prospectuses, including amendments and revisions thereto, annual, semiannual and other periodic reports of the Fund, and notices and proxy solicitation material furnished to shareholders of the Fund or regulatory authorities; (xxii) the Funds expenses of bookkeeping, accounting, auditing and financial reporting, including related clerical expenses; (xxiii) all filing costs, fees, and any other expenses which are directly related to the investment of the Funds assets; and (xxiv) any extraordinary expenses, including any litigation expenses.
The Portfolio Funds will bear various fees and expenses in connection with their operations. These fees and expenses are similar to those incurred by the Fund. In addition, the Portfolio Funds will pay asset-based fees to their Portfolio Fund Managers and generally may pay performance-based fees or allocations to their Portfolio Fund Managers, which effectively reduce the investment returns of the Portfolio Funds. These expenses, fees, and allocations are in addition to those incurred by the Fund directly. As an investor in the Portfolio Funds, the Fund will bear a portion of the expenses and fees of the Portfolio Funds. Such indirect fees and expenses are borne by the Fund.
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The Adviser will bear all of its own routine overhead expenses, including rent, utilities, salaries, office equipment and communications expenses. In addition, the Adviser is responsible for the payment of the compensation and expenses of those members of the Board and officers of the Fund affiliated with the Adviser, and making available, without expense to the Fund, the services of such individuals, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law.
The Adviser may be entitled to receive topping, break-up, monitoring, directors organizational, set-up, advisory, investment banking, syndication and other similar fees in connection with the purchase, monitoring or disposition of Fund Investments or from unconsummated transactions. Any such fees earned in respect of the Fund Investments shall be for the benefit of the Fund.
Expense Limitation Agreement
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to reduce the Management Fee payable to it (but not below zero), and to pay any operating expenses of the Fund, to the extent necessary to limit the operating expenses of the Fund, excluding certain Excluded Expenses listed below, to the annual rate (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the applicable class of Shares of the Fund) of 2.00%, 2.25% and 1.60% with respect to Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares, respectively (the Expense Cap). Excluded Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Cap include: brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses.
If the Adviser waives its Management Fee or pays any operating expenses of the Fund pursuant to the Expense Cap, the Adviser may, for a period ending three years after the end of the month in which such fees or expenses are waived or incurred, recoup amounts waived or incurred to the extent such recoupment does not cause the Funds operating expense ratio (after recoupment and excluding the Excluded Expenses) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
The Expense Limitation Agreement is expected to continue in effect through July 31, 2022, and will renew automatically for successive periods of one year thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided by the Adviser to the Fund not less than 10 days prior to the end of the then-current term. The Board may terminate the Expense Limitation Agreement at any time on not less than ten (10) days prior notice to the Adviser, and the Expense Limitation Agreement may be amended at any time only with the consent of both the Adviser and the Board.
The Funds expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the Funds organization are not expected to exceed $500,000. The Funds expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the initial offering of Shares will be amortized by the Fund over the 12-month period beginning on the closing date of the initial offering and are not expected to exceed $250,000. The Fund will also bear directly certain ongoing offering costs associated with any periodic offers of Shares, which will be expensed as they are incurred. Offering costs cannot be deducted by the Fund or the Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition to the foregoing, the Adviser has voluntarily agreed to pay all expenses through September 30, 2020 related to the organization, offering and initial registration of the Fund. Such expenses are not subject to repayment by the Fund to the Adviser.
The Funds fees and expenses will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund.
The Fund may be subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, including, but not limited to, those set forth in further detail below.
The Adviser may from time to time engage in financial advisory activities that are independent from, and may conflict with, those of the Fund. In the future, there might arise instances where the interests of the Adviser conflict with the interests of the Fund. The Adviser may from time to time provide services to, invest in, advise, sponsor and/or act as investment manager to investment vehicles and other persons or entities (including prospective investors in the Fund), which may have structures, investment objectives and/or policies that are similar to (or different than) those of the Fund, and which may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities. In addition, the Adviser and its respective clients may from time to time invest in securities that would be appropriate for the Fund or the Portfolio Funds and may compete with the Portfolio Funds for investment opportunities. By acquiring Shares of the Fund, each Shareholder will be deemed to have acknowledged the existence of any such actual and potential conflicts of interest and to have waived any claim with respect to any liability arising from the existence of any such conflict of interest, except as may otherwise be provided under the provisions of applicable state law or Federal securities law which cannot be waived or modified.
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Although the Adviser will seek to allocate investment opportunities among the Fund and its other clients in a fair and reasonable manner, there can be no assurance that an investment opportunity which comes to the attention of the Adviser will be appropriate for the Fund or will be referred to the Fund. The Adviser is not obligated to refer any investment opportunity to the Fund.
The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of the Adviser may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts. As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, investments may be made by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than investments made for the Fund. To reduce the possibility that the Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Fund and the Adviser have adopted codes of ethics (collectively, the Codes of Ethics) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the 1940 Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Codes of Ethics are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by email at publicinfo@sec.gov.
Allocation of the Advisers time
The Fund substantially relies on the Adviser to manage the day-to-day activities of the Fund and to implement the Funds investment strategy. The Adviser may in the future be involved with activities that are unrelated to the Fund. For example, the Adviser is not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Adviser. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the Adviser and its officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the Funds business but will be allocated between the Fund and the management of the assets of other clients of the Adviser. The Adviser and its employees will devote only as much of their time to the Funds business as the Adviser and its employees, in their judgment, determine is reasonably required, which may be substantially less than their full time. Therefore, the Adviser and its employees may experience conflicts of interest in allocating management time, services and functions among the Fund and any other business ventures in which they or any of their key personnel, as applicable, are or may become involved. This could result in actions that are more favorable to other entities than to the Fund.
Nevertheless, the Fund believes that the members of the Advisers senior management and the other key professionals have sufficient time to fully discharge their responsibilities to the Fund and to the other businesses in which they are involved. The Fund believes that its executive officers will devote the time required to manage the business and expect that the amount of time a particular executive officer devotes to the Fund will vary during the course of the year and depend on the Funds business activities at the given time.
Compensation arrangements
The Adviser will receive fees from the Fund in return for its services, and these fees could influence the advice provided by the Adviser. Among other matters, the compensation arrangements could affect the Advisers judgment with respect to offerings of equity by the Fund, which allow the Adviser to earn increased Management Fees.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. From time to time, the Fund may also pay special interim distributions in the form of cash or Shares at the discretion of the Board. A Shareholders dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested if the Shareholder does not instruct the Administrator otherwise. A Shareholder who elects not to reinvest will receive both dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund may limit the extent to which any distributions that are returns of capital may be reinvested in the Fund.
Any distributions reinvested will nevertheless remain subject to U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) taxation to Shareholders. The Fund may finance its cash distributions to Shareholders from any sources of funds available to the Fund, including offering proceeds, borrowings, net investment income from operations, capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), dividends or other distributions paid to the Fund on account of preferred and common equity investments by the Fund in Portfolio Funds and/or Portfolio Companies and expense reimbursements from the Adviser. The Fund has not established limits on the amount of funds the Fund may use from available sources to make distributions.
Each year a statement on IRS Form 1099-DIV (or successor form) identifying the character (e.g., as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or long-term capital gain) of the distributions will be mailed to Shareholders. The Funds distributions may
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exceed the Funds earnings, especially during the period before the Fund has substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. As a result, a portion of the distributions the Fund makes may represent a return of capital for U.S. federal tax purposes. A return of capital generally is a return of a Shareholders investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Funds investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the offering, including any fees payable to the Adviser. See Certain Tax considerations. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, beginning with the taxable year ending September 30, 2020, and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). To qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. A RIC may satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends (other than capital gain dividends) during the taxable year (including dividends declared in October, November or December of a taxable year that, if paid in the following January, are treated as paid by a RIC and received by its shareholders in the prior taxable year). In addition, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the spillover dividend provisions of the Code. If a RIC makes a spillover dividend the amounts will be included in IRS Form 1099-DIV for the year the spillover distribution is paid.
The Fund can offer no assurance that it will achieve results that will permit the Fund to pay any cash distributions. If the Fund issues senior securities, the Fund will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes the Fund to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of the Funds borrowings. See Certain Tax considerations.
In the event that the Fund encounters delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, the Fund may return all or a substantial portion of the proceeds from the offering of Shares in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Funds investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the proceeds from the offering of Shares, including any fees payable to the Adviser.
Unless a Shareholder is ineligible or otherwise elects, all distributions of dividends (including capital gain dividends) with respect to a class of Shares will be automatically reinvested by the Fund in additional Shares of the corresponding class, which will be issued at the net asset value per Share determined as of the ex-dividend date. Election not to reinvest dividends and to instead receive all dividends and capital gain distributions in cash may be made by contacting the Administrator at PO Box 541150, Omaha, NE 68154-9150 or 877-792-0924.
As of August 14, 2020, the following number of Shares of the Fund was authorized for registration and outstanding:
(1) |
(2) | (3) | (4) | |||||||||
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the
Fund for its Account |
Amount Outstanding Exclusive
of Amount Shown Under (3) |
|||||||||
Shares of Beneficial Interest |
Unlimited | 0 | $ | 101,000 |
The Fund is a closed-end interval fund and, to provide liquidity and the ability to receive NAV on a disposition of at least a portion of your Shares, makes quarterly offers to repurchase Shares. No shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Shares, except as permitted by the Funds interval structure. No public market for the Shares exists, and none is expected to develop in the future. Consequently, shareholders generally will not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of their Shares by the Fund, and then only on a limited basis. The Fund expects to make its first repurchase offer in the first quarter of 2021.
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The Fund has adopted, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, requiring the Fund to offer to repurchase with cash at least 5% and up to 25% of its Shares at the applicable NAV per Share on a regular schedule. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Funds outstanding Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Shares at the applicable NAV per Share, subject to approval of the Board. The schedule requires the Fund to make repurchase offers every three months.
Repurchase Dates
The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers every three months. As discussed below, the date on which the repurchase price for Shares is determined will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day).
Repurchase Request Deadline
The date by which shareholders wishing to tender Shares for repurchase must respond to the repurchase offer will be no more than fourteen days before the Repurchase Pricing Date (defined below). When a repurchase offer commences, the Fund sends, at least twenty-one (21) and no more than forty-two (42) days before the Repurchase Request Deadline, written notice to each shareholder setting forth, among other things:
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The percentage of outstanding Shares that the Fund is offering to repurchase and how the Fund will purchase Shares on a pro rata basis if the offer is oversubscribed. |
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The date on which a shareholders repurchase request is due. |
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The date that will be used to determine the NAV per Share of the respective Share class applicable to the repurchase offer (the Repurchase Pricing Date). |
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The date by which the Fund will pay to shareholders the proceeds from their Shares accepted for repurchase. |
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The NAV of the Shares as of a date no more than seven days before the date of the written notice and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the NAV per Share. |
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The procedures by which shareholders may tender their Shares and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their tenders before the Repurchase Request Deadline. |
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The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone the repurchase offer. |
This notice may be included in a shareholder report or other Fund document. Shareholders that hold Shares through a financial intermediary will need to ask their financial intermediary to submit their repurchase requests and tender Shares on their behalf. The Repurchase Request Deadline will be strictly observed. If a Shareholders repurchase request is not submitted to the Funds transfer agent in properly completed form by the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Shareholder will be unable to sell his or her Shares to the Fund until a subsequent repurchase offer, and the Shareholders request for that offer must be resubmitted. If a Shareholders Authorized Intermediary will submit his or her repurchase request, the Shareholder should submit his or her request to the Authorized Intermediary in the form requested by the Authorized Intermediary sufficiently in advance of the Repurchase Request Deadline to allow the Authorized Intermediary to submit the request to the Fund. If a Shareholders Authorized Intermediary is unable or fails to submit the Shareholders request to the Fund in a timely manner, or if the Shareholder fails to submit his or her request to the Shareholders Authorized Intermediary, the Shareholder will be unable to sell his or her Shares to the Fund until a subsequent repurchase offer, and the Shareholders request for that offer must be resubmitted. Shareholders may withdraw or change a repurchase request with a proper instruction submitted in good form at any point before the Repurchase Request Deadline.
Determination of Repurchase Price and Payment for Shares
The Repurchase Pricing Date will occur no later than the fourteenth (14th) day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the fourteenth day is not a business day). The Fund expects to distribute payment to Shareholders between one (1) and three (3) business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven (7) calendar days after such date. The Funds NAV per Share may change materially between the date a repurchase offer is mailed and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and it may also change materially between the Repurchase Request Deadline and Repurchase Pricing Date. The method by which the Fund calculates NAV is discussed below under Net Asset Value. During the period an offer to repurchase is open, Shareholders may obtain the current NAV by visiting the Funds website (www.primarkcapital.com) or calling the Funds transfer agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, at 877-792-0924.
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Early Repurchase Fees
A 2.00% early repurchase fee (the Early Repurchase Fee) will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Shareholders purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a first in-first out basis. Therefore, Shares repurchased will be deemed to have been taken from the earliest purchase of Shares by such Shareholder (adjusted for subsequent net profits and net losses) until all such Shares have been repurchased, and then from each subsequent purchase of Shares by such Shareholder (adjusted for subsequent net profits and net losses) until such Shares are repurchased.
The Early Repurchase Fee may be waived for certain categories of Shareholders or transactions. For example, the early repurchase fee will be waived on repurchases of Shares (i) in the event of the Shareholders death or disability; (ii) that result from required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts when the Shareholder reaches age 701⁄2; (iii) that result from returns of excess contributions made to retirement plans or individual retirement accounts; (iv) to satisfy participant loan advances by employer sponsored retirement plans; and (v) in connection with distributions qualifying under the hardship provisions of the Code. Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Fund reserves the right to change these terms at any time. Any change will apply only to Shares purchased after the effective date of such change
Other than the Early Repurchase Fee, the Fund does not presently intend to impose any charges on the repurchase of Shares. However, the Fund is permitted to allocate Shareholders, whose Shares are repurchased, costs and charges imposed by the Portfolio Funds in connection with Private Equity Investments, if the Adviser determines to liquidate such interests as a result of repurchase tenders by Shareholders and such charges are imposed on the Fund. In the event that any such charges are allocated to the Fund, and subject to applicable law, the Fund may allocate such charges to the Shareholders whose repurchase tenders resulted in the repurchase of a portion of the Shares that resulted in such charges.
In the event that the Adviser holds Shares in its capacity as a Shareholder, such Shares may be tendered for repurchase in connection with any repurchase offer made by the Fund, without notice to the other Shareholders.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers
The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer in limited circumstances set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as described below, but only with the approval of a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (1) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) for any period during which the NYSE or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (4) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
Oversubscribed Repurchase Offers
There is no minimum number of Shares that must be tendered before the Fund will honor repurchase requests. However, the Funds Trustees set for each repurchase offer a maximum percentage of Shares that may be repurchased by the Fund, which is currently expected to be 5% of the Funds outstanding Shares. In the event a repurchase offer by the Fund is oversubscribed, the Fund may repurchase, but is not required to repurchase, additional Shares up to a maximum amount of 2% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. If the Fund determines not to repurchase additional Shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholders tender an amount of Shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis.
If any Shares that you wish to tender to the Fund are not repurchased because of proration, you will have to wait until the next repurchase offer and resubmit a new repurchase request, and your repurchase request will not be given any priority over other shareholders requests. Thus, there is a risk that the Fund may not purchase all of the Shares you wish to have repurchased in a given repurchase offer or in any subsequent repurchase offer. In anticipation of the possibility of proration, some shareholders may tender more Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, increasing the likelihood of proration.
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There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Shares when or in the amount that you desire.
Consequences of Repurchase Offers
From the time the Fund distributes or publishes each repurchase offer notification until the Repurchase Pricing Date for that offer, the Fund must maintain liquid assets at least equal to the percentage of its Shares subject to the repurchase offer. For this purpose, liquid assets means assets that may be sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund values them, within the period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the repurchase payment deadline, or which mature by the repurchase payment deadline. The Fund is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act to meet repurchase requests.
If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able sell a significant amount of additional Shares so as to mitigate these effects.
These and other possible risks associated with the Funds repurchase offers are described under General Risks Repurchase Offers Risk above. In addition, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders, potentially even to those shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see Certain Tax Considerations below and in the SAI.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION
The Fund will calculate the net asset value of each class of Shares of the Fund as of the close of business on each business day (each, a Determination Date). In determining the net asset value of each class of Shares, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of each class of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the class, as applicable, less all of the liabilities attributable to the class, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.
The Board has approved valuation procedures for the Fund (the Valuation Procedures) and has appointed a separate valuation committee (the Fair Value Committee) and delegated to the Fair Value Committee the responsibility to determine the fair value of the Funds investments. The Fair Value Committee oversees the implementation of the Valuation Procedures and may consult with representatives from the Funds outside legal counsel or other third-party consultants in their discussions and deliberations.
The Adviser will assist the Fair Value Committee in making valuation determinations, provide primary day-to-day oversight of valuation of the Funds investments and act in accordance with the Valuation Procedures as developed and approved by the Board. The valuation of the Funds investments is performed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued based on their respective market price.
Debt instruments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued based on such market quotations. In validating market quotations, the Valuation Committee considers different factors such as the source and the nature of the quotation in order to determine whether the quotation represents fair value. The Valuation Committee makes use of reputable financial information providers in order to obtain the relevant quotations.
For debt and equity securities which are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available (unquoted investments) the fair value is determined in good faith. In determining the fair values of these investments, the Fair Value Committee will typically apply widely recognized market and income valuation methodologies including, but not limited to, earnings and multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third-party valuations. In order to determine a fair value, these methods are applied to the latest information provided by the underlying portfolio companies or other business counterparties.
Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available the fair values of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.
Assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. Dollars using foreign exchange rates provided by a recognized pricing service.
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Primary and secondary investments in Portfolio Funds are generally valued based on the latest net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager. If the net asset value of an investment in a Portfolio Fund is not available at the time the Fund is calculating its net asset value, the Fair Value Committee will consider any cash flows since the reference date of the last net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager by (i) adding the nominal amount of the investment related capital calls and (ii) deducting the nominal amount of investment related distributions from the last net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager.
In addition to tracking the net asset value plus related cash flows of such Portfolio Funds, the Fair Value Committee also intends to track relevant broad-based and issuer (or fund) specific valuation information relating to the assets held by each Portfolio Fund that is reasonably available at the time the Fund values its investments. The Fair Value Committee will consider such information and may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent the fair value of a particular asset held by a Portfolio Fund. If the Fair Value Committee concludes in good faith that the latest net asset value reported by a Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent fair value (e.g., there is more current information regarding a portfolio asset which significantly changes its fair value), the Fair Value Committee will make a corresponding adjustment to reflect the current fair value of such asset within such Portfolio Fund. In determining the fair value of assets held by Portfolio Funds, the Fair Value Committee applies valuation methodologies as outlined above.
Determining fair value involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that the fair value determined by the Fair Value Committee for an investment may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the ultimate sale of the investment. There is no single standard for determining fair value of an investment. Rather, in determining the fair value of an investment for which there are no readily available market quotations, the Fair Value Committee may consider pre-acquisition and annual financial reporting summaries from a Portfolio Fund, comparable company factors, including fundamental analytical data relating to the investment, the nature and duration of any restriction on the disposition of the investment, the cost of the investment at the date of purchase, the liquidity of the market for the investment, the price of such investment in a meaningful private or public investment or merger or acquisition of the issuer subsequent to the Funds investment therein, or the per share price of the investment to be valued in recent verifiable transactions. Fair value prices are estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the investment is next quoted or next trades.
Notwithstanding the above, Portfolio Fund Managers may adopt a variety of valuation bases and provide differing levels of information concerning Portfolio Funds and there will generally be no liquid markets for such investments. Consequently, there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value that cannot be eliminated. None of the Fair Value Committee, the Adviser or the Board will be able to confirm independently the accuracy of valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers (which are generally unaudited).
The Adviser may in the future act as investment adviser to other clients that invest in securities for which no public market price exists. Valuation determinations by the Adviser for other clients may result in different values than those ascribed to the same security owned by the Fund. Consequently, the fees charged to the Fund may be different than those charged to other clients, since the method of calculating the fees takes the value of all assets, including assets carried at different valuations, into consideration.
Expenses of the Fund, including the Management Fee, are accrued on a daily basis on the Determination Date and taken into account for the purpose of determining the Funds net asset value.
Prospective investors should be aware that situations involving uncertainties as to the value of portfolio positions could have an adverse effect on the Funds net asset value and the Fund if the judgments of the Fair Value Committee, the Adviser or the Board regarding appropriate valuations should prove incorrect.
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the Fund and to an investment in Shares by a Shareholder. This summary does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor, including an investor who holds Shares as part of a hedging, straddle, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction, or to certain investors (e.g., investors subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, financial institutions, certain foreign investors and insurance companies) subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. In addition, this summary does not specifically address the special tax consequences that may be applicable to persons who hold interests in partnerships, grantor trusts and other pass-through entities that hold Shares. This summary assumes that investors hold Shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment).
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THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY GENERAL, AND EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISER WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSAL OF SHARES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
This summary is based on the Code as in effect on the date of this Prospectus, the Treasury Regulations, rulings of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), and court decisions in existence on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The Fund has not sought a ruling from the IRS or any other federal, state or local agency, or opinion of counsel, with respect to any of the tax issues affecting the Fund. This summary does not discuss any aspects of the U.S. federal estate or gift tax or any state or local or non-U.S. tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if the Fund invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.
If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership with respect to the Shares generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships considering an acquisition of Shares should consult their tax advisers with respect to the partnerships purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.
Taxation as a RIC
As a RIC, in any fiscal year with respect to which the Fund distributes at least 90% of the sum of the Funds: (i) investment company taxable income, which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long- term capital losses, and other taxable income (other than any net capital gain), reduced by deductible expenses, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and (ii) net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of the Funds gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that the Fund distributes to its Shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute, in its Shares and/or cash, annually, all or substantially all of such income. To the extent that the Fund retains its net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may choose to retain its net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, and pay the associated U.S. federal corporate income tax, including the U.S. federal excise tax (described below).
The Fund may retain some or all of its realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses and designate the retained net capital gains as a deemed distribution. In that case, among other consequences, the Fund will pay tax on the retained amount and each Shareholder will be required to include its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the Shareholder, and such Shareholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the Shareholders cost basis for its Shares. Since the Fund generally would be required to pay tax on any retained net capital gains at the Funds regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual Shareholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholders other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a Shareholders liability for U.S. federal income tax. A Shareholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form to claim a refund with respect to the allocable share of the taxes that the Fund has paid. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Shares owned by a Shareholder will be increased by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the Shareholders gross income over the tax deemed paid by the Shareholder as described in this paragraph. To utilize the deemed distribution approach, the Fund must provide written notice to Shareholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. The Fund cannot treat any of its investment company taxable income as a deemed distribution. The Fund may also make actual distributions to its Shareholders of some or all of realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax (the Excise Tax) on certain undistributed income unless the Fund distributes in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Funds net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the Funds capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax (the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement). For purposes of the required Excise Tax distribution, the income and gains of Portfolio Funds are expected to be treated as arising in the hands of the Fund at the time realized and recognized by the Portfolio Funds. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the Excise Tax, sufficient amounts of the Funds taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the Excise Tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the Excise Tax only on the amount by which the Fund does not meet the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.
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Given the difficulty of estimating Fund income and gains in a timely fashion, each year the Fund is likely to be liable for a 4% excise tax on the portion of under distributed income and gains of the Fund.
In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund must, among other things:
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derive in each taxable year at least 90% of the Funds gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities, loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain qualified publicly traded partnerships, or other income derived with respect to the Funds business of investing in such stock or securities (the Source of Income Test); and |
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diversify the Funds holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
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at least 50% of the value of the Funds assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Funds assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and |
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no more than 25% of the value of the Funds assets are invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain qualified publicly traded partnerships (the Diversification Tests). |
In the event the Fund owns equity interests in operating businesses conducted in pass-through form (i.e., as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes), income from such equity interests may not qualify for purposes of the Source of Income Test and, as a result, the Fund may be required to hold such interests through a subsidiary corporation. In such a case, any income from such equity interests should not adversely affect the Funds ability to meet the Source of Income Test, although such income generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, which the Fund would indirectly bear through its ownership of such subsidiary corporation.
The Fund is authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to make distributions to its Shareholders while its debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain asset coverage tests are met. Moreover, the Funds ability to dispose of assets to meet the Funds distribution requirements may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of the Funds portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to the Funds qualification as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If the Fund disposes of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, the Fund may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
Fund Investments
The Fund may invest up to substantially all its assets in Portfolio Funds that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
An entity that is properly classified as a partnership, rather than an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, is not itself subject to federal income tax. Instead, each partner of the partnership must take into account its distributive share of the partnerships income, gains, losses, deductions and credits (including all such items allocable to that partnership from investments in other partnerships) for each taxable year of the partnership ending with or within the partners taxable year, without regard to whether such partner has received or will receive corresponding cash distributions from the partnership. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to recognize items of taxable income and gain prior to the time that the Fund receives corresponding cash distributions from a Portfolio Fund. In such case, the Fund might have to borrow money or dispose of investments, including interests in Portfolio Funds, and the Fund might have to sell shares of the Fund, in each case including when it is disadvantageous to do so, in order to make the distributions required in order to maintain its status as a RIC and to avoid the imposition of a federal income or excise tax.
In addition, the character of a partners distributive share of items of partnership income, gain and loss generally will be determined as if the partner had realized such items directly. Portfolio Funds classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes may generate income allocable to the Fund that is not qualifying income for purposes of the Source of Income Test. In order to meet the Source of Income Test, the Fund may structure its investments in a way potentially increasing the taxes imposed thereon or in respect thereof. Because the Fund may not have timely or complete information concerning the amount and sources of such a Portfolio Funds income until such income has been earned by the Portfolio Fund or until a substantial amount of time thereafter, it may be difficult for the Fund to satisfy the Source of Income Test.
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Furthermore, it may not always be entirely clear how the asset diversification rules for RIC qualification will apply to the Funds investments in Portfolio Funds that are classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. The Fund will engage the services of a third-party service provider to collect, aggregate and analyze data on the Funds direct and indirect investments in order to ensure that the Fund meets the asset diversification test. In the event that the Fund believes that it is possible that it will fail the asset diversification requirement at the end of any quarter of a taxable year, it may seek to take certain actions to avert such failure, including by acquiring additional investments to come into compliance with the asset diversification test or by disposing of non-diversified assets. Although the Code affords the Fund the opportunity, in certain circumstances, to cure a failure to meet the asset diversification test, including by disposing of non-diversified assets within six months, there may be constraints on the Funds ability to dispose of its interest in a Portfolio Fund that limit utilization of this cure period.
As a result of the considerations described in the preceding paragraphs, the Funds intention to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a RIC can limit its ability to acquire or continue to hold positions in Portfolio Funds that would otherwise be consistent with their investment strategy or can require it to engage in transactions in which it would otherwise not engage, resulting in additional transaction costs and reducing the Funds return to Shareholders.
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this discussion to the Funds investments, activities, income, gain, and loss include the direct investments, activities, income, gain, and loss of the Fund, as well as those indirectly attributable to the Fund as result of the Funds investment in any Portfolio Fund (or other entity) that is properly classified as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and not an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation).
Certain of the Funds investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may: (i) disallow, suspend, or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, including the dividends received deduction, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may decide to make certain tax elections, may be required to borrow money, or may be required to dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.
Investments the Fund makes in securities issued at a discount or providing for deferred interest or paid-in-kind interest are subject to special tax rules that will affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to the Funds Shareholders. For example, with respect to securities issued at a discount, the Fund will generally be required to accrue daily, as income, a portion of the discount and to distribute such income each year to maintain the Funds qualification as a RIC and to avoid U.S. federal income and the Excise Tax. Since in certain circumstances the Fund may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, the Fund may have difficulty making distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and for avoiding U.S. federal income and the Excise Tax. Accordingly, the Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
In the event the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. The Fund does not expect to satisfy the requirement to pass through to the Funds Shareholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Thus, it is possible that one or more such entities in which the Fund invests could be treated under the Code and Treasury Regulations as a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation. The rules relating to investments in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require the Fund to recognize income where the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash and make distributions with respect to such income in order to maintain the Funds qualification as a RIC. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Under certain circumstances an investment in a passive foreign investment company could result in a tax to the Fund and/or an increase in the amount of taxable distributions by the Fund.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC
If the Fund failed to satisfy the annual Source of Income Test or the Diversification Tests for any quarter of a taxable year, the
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Fund might nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for such year if certain relief provisions of the Code applied (which might, among other things, require the Fund to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). If the Fund failed to qualify for treatment as a RIC and such relief provisions did not apply, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of its net taxable income at regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rates (and the Fund also would be subject to any applicable state and local taxes), regardless of whether the Fund made any distributions to Shareholders. The Fund would not be able to deduct distributions to its Shareholders, nor would the Fund be required to make distributions to its Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any distributions the Fund made generally would be taxable to its
U.S. Shareholders as ordinary dividend income and, subject to certain limitations under the Code, would be eligible for the 20% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Shareholders, to the extent of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. Shareholders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the Shareholders adjusted tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.
Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that re-qualify as a RIC no later than the second year following the non-qualifying year, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which it failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized during the 10-year period after its requalification as a RIC, unless it made a special election to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such net built-in gains at the time of its requalification as a RIC. The Fund may decide to be taxed as a regular corporation (thereby becoming subject to U.S. federal income and other taxes as set forth above) even if it would otherwise qualify as a RIC if it determines that treatment as a corporation for a particular year would be in its best interests.
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
A U.S. Shareholder generally is a beneficial owner of Shares which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
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a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia; |
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a trust, if a court in the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all decisions of the trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
Distributions by the Fund generally are taxable to U.S. Shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of the Funds investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Funds net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. Shareholders to the extent of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. To the extent such distributions paid by the Fund to non-corporate U.S. Shareholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such qualifying dividends may be eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions of the Funds net capital gains (which is generally the Funds realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends will be taxable to a U.S. Shareholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at a maximum
U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. Shareholders holding period for its Shares and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. Shareholders adjusted tax basis in such Shareholders common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. Shareholder.
In the event that the Fund retains any net capital gains, the Fund may designate the retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to the Funds Shareholders. If a designation is made, Shareholders would include in income, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate share of the undistributed amounts, but would be allowed a credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the corporate U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax basis of Shares owned by a U.S. Shareholder would be increased by an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount included in the U.S. Shareholders income as long-term capital gains and (ii) the U.S. Shareholders proportionate share of the corporate U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund.
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For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of distributions paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been paid by the Fund and received by the Funds U.S. Shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the distribution was declared.
Distributions are taxable as described herein whether Shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional Shares.
The Fund will conduct quarterly repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Shares. Shareholders who sell all Shares held, or considered to be held, by them pursuant to a repurchase offer will be treated as having sold their Shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss, as discussed in the following paragraph. If a Shareholder sells fewer than all of its Shares pursuant to a repurchase offer, such Shareholder may be treated as having received a so-called Section 301 distribution, taxable in whole or in part as a dividend upon the sale of its Shares, unless the repurchase is treated as being either (i) substantially disproportionate with respect to such Shareholder or (ii) otherwise not essentially equivalent to a dividend under the relevant rules of the Code. A Section 301 distribution is not treated as a sale or exchange giving rise to capital gain or loss, but rather is treated as a dividend to the extent supported by the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits, with the excess treated as a return of capital reducing the Shareholders tax basis in its Shares, and thereafter as capital gain. Where the Shareholder is treated as receiving a dividend, there is a risk that non-tendering Shareholders and Shareholders who sell some but not all of their Shares, in each case whose percentage interests in the Fund increase as a result of such repurchase, will be treated as having received a taxable dividend distribution from the Fund. The extent of such risk will vary depending upon the particular circumstances of the repurchase offer, and in particular whether such offer is a single and isolated event or is part of a plan for periodically repurchasing Shares of the Fund.
A U.S. Shareholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of its Shares pursuant to a repurchase offer in a transaction that is treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such U.S. Shareholders adjusted tax basis in the Shares sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the
U.S. Shareholder has held its Shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such Shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of Shares may be disallowed if other Shares are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.
In general, individual U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. Shareholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.
The Code requires the Fund to report U.S. Shareholders cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on IRS Form 1099s when covered securities are sold. For purposes of these reporting requirements, all of the Funds Shares acquired by non-tax-exempt Shareholders will be considered covered securities. You are encouraged to refer to the appropriate Treasury Regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances and any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method with respect to your Shares.
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, or backup withholding, currently at a rate of 24%, from all distributions to any non-corporate U.S. Shareholder (i) who fails to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such Shareholder is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Fund that such Shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individuals taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is provided to the IRS.
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A U.S. Shareholder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Shareholders net investment income for a taxable year and (ii) the excess of the
U.S. Shareholders modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year over $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of joint filers and $125,000 in the case of married individuals filing a separate return). For these purposes, net investment income will generally include taxable distributions and deemed distributions paid with respect to the Shares, and net gain attributable to the disposition Shares (in each case, unless such Shares are held in connection with certain trades or businesses), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such distributions or net gain.
U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares, including applicable tax reporting obligations.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Investors
Under current law, the Fund serves to prevent the attribution to Shareholders of unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) from being realized by its tax-exempt Shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt Shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in Shares if such tax-exempt Shareholder borrows to acquire its Shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
A Non-U.S. Shareholder generally is a beneficial owner of Shares that is not a U.S. Shareholder, or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This includes nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates and foreign corporations. Whether an investment in Shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. Shareholder will depend upon that persons particular circumstances. An investment in Shares may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in Shares, including applicable tax reporting requirements.
Actual or deemed distributions of investment company taxable income to Non-U.S. Shareholders (including interest income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized long-term capital losses, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to Non-U.S. Shareholders directly) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Shareholder. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. Shareholders, and the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the Non-U.S. Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their tax advisers.
Properly designated dividends received by a Non-U.S. Shareholder are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (i) are paid in respect of the Funds qualified net interest income (generally, the Funds U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (ii) are paid in connection with the Funds qualified short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of the Funds net short-term capital gain over its long-term capital loss for such taxable year). In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a Non-U.S. Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its Non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN (for individuals), IRS Form W-8BEN-E (for entities) or an acceptable substitute or successor form). In the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. Shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.
Actual or deemed distributions of the Funds net capital gains to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. Shareholder upon the sale or repurchase of Shares, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder (and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Shareholder in the United States) or, in the case of an individual, the Non-U.S. Shareholder was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
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If the Fund distributes its net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a
U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the non-U.S. Shareholders allocable share of the corporate-level tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed; however, in order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the Non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.
For corporate Non-U.S. Shareholders, distributions (both cash and in Shares), and gains realized upon the sale or repurchase of Shares that are effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty).
A Non-U.S. Shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. Shareholder provides the Fund or the Administrator with an IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. Shareholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.
Pursuant to U.S. withholding provisions commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), payments of most types of income from sources within the United States (as determined under applicable U.S. federal income tax principles), such as interest and dividends, to a foreign financial institution, investment funds and other non-U.S. persons generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless certain information reporting and other applicable requirements are satisfied. Any Non-U.S. Shareholder that either does not provide the relevant information or is otherwise not compliant with FATCA may be subject to this withholding tax on certain distributions from the Fund. Any taxes required to be withheld under these rules must be withheld even if the relevant income is otherwise exempt (in whole or in part) from withholding of U.S. federal income tax, including under an income tax treaty between the United States and the beneficial owners country of tax residence. Each Non-U.S. Shareholder should consult its tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax (and the reporting obligations that will apply to such Non-U.S. Shareholder, which may include providing certain information in respect of such Non-U.S. Shareholders beneficial owners).
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THE TAX AND OTHER MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS. EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISER AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SHARES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING OBLIGATIONS.
Persons who are fiduciaries with respect to an employee benefit plan or other arrangement subject to ERISA (an ERISA Plan), and persons who are fiduciaries with respect to an IRA, Keogh plan or other plan which is not subject to ERISA but is subject to the prohibited transaction rules of Section 4975 of the Code (together with ERISA Plans, Plans) should consider, among other things, the matters described below before determining whether to invest in the Fund.
ERISA imposes certain general and specific responsibilities on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to an ERISA Plan, including prudence, diversification, an obligation not to engage in a prohibited transaction and other standards. In determining whether a particular investment is appropriate for an ERISA Plan, Department of Labor (DOL) regulations provide that a fiduciary of an ERISA Plan must give appropriate consideration to, among other things, the role that the investment plays in the ERISA Plans portfolio, taking into consideration whether the investment is designed reasonably to further the ERISA Plans purposes, an examination of the risk and return factors, the portfolios composition with regard to diversification, the liquidity and current return of the total portfolio relative to the anticipated cash flow needs of the ERISA Plan, the income tax consequences of the investment (see Certain Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Tax-Exempt Investors) and the projected return of the total portfolio relative to the ERISA Plans funding objectives. Before investing the assets of an ERISA Plan in the Fund, a fiduciary should determine whether such an investment is consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities and the foregoing regulations. For example, a fiduciary should consider whether an investment in the Fund may be too illiquid or too speculative for a particular ERISA Plan, and whether the assets of the ERISA Plan would be sufficiently diversified. If a fiduciary with respect to any such ERISA Plan breaches its responsibilities with regard to selecting an investment or an investment course of action for such ERISA Plan, the fiduciary itself may be held liable for losses incurred by the ERISA Plan as a result of such breach.
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Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the underlying assets of the Fund will not be considered to be the assets of any Plan investing in the Fund for purposes of ERISAs (or the Codes) fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules. Thus, the Adviser will not be a fiduciary within the meaning of ERISA by reason of its authority with respect to the assets of the Fund.
The Adviser will require a Plan which proposes to invest in the Fund to represent that it and any fiduciaries responsible for such Plans investments (including in its individual or corporate capacity, as may be applicable) are aware of and understand the Funds investment objective, policies and strategies, and that the decision to invest plan assets in the Fund was made with appropriate consideration of relevant investment factors with regard to the Plan and is consistent with the duties and responsibilities imposed upon fiduciaries with regard to their investment decisions under ERISA and/or the Code.
Certain prospective Shareholders that are Plans may currently maintain relationships with the Adviser or other entities which are affiliated with the Adviser. Each of such persons may be deemed to be a party in interest under ERISA (or disqualified person under Section 4975 of the Code) to and/or a fiduciary (under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) of any Plan to which it provides investment management, investment advisory or other services. ERISA prohibits (and the Code penalizes) the use of ERISA and Plan assets for the benefit of a party in interest (or disqualified person) and also prohibits (or penalizes) an ERISA or Plan fiduciary from using its position to cause such Plan to make an investment from which it or certain third parties in which such fiduciary has an interest would receive a fee or other consideration. Shareholders that are Plans should consult with counsel to determine if participation in the Fund is a transaction which is prohibited (or penalized) by ERISA or the Code. Fiduciaries of Shareholders that are Plans will be required to represent (including in their individual or corporate capacity, as applicable) that the decision to invest in the Fund was made by them as fiduciaries that are independent of such affiliated persons, that such fiduciaries are duly authorized to make such investment decision and that they have not relied on any individualized advice or recommendation of such affiliated persons as a primary basis for the decision to invest in the Fund, unless such purchase and holding is pursuant to an applicable exemption, such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (PTCE) 77-3 or PTCE 77-4.
Employee benefit plans which are not subject to ERISA may be subject to other rules governing such plans. Fiduciaries of these plans, whether or not subject to Section 4975 of the Code, should consult with their own legal advisors regarding such matters.
The provisions of ERISA and the Code are subject to extensive and continuing administrative and judicial interpretation and review. The discussion of ERISA and the Code contained in this Prospectus is general and may be affected by future publication of regulations and rulings. Potential Shareholders that are Plans should consult their legal advisors regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Code of the acquisition and ownership of Shares.
The Fund is authorized to offer three separate classes of Shares designated as Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares. While the Fund presently plans to offer three classes of Shares, it may offer other classes of Shares as well in the future. From time to time, the Board may create and offer additional classes of Shares, or may vary the characteristics of the Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares described herein, including without limitation, in the following respects: (1) the amount of fees permitted by a distribution and/or service plan or shareholder servicing plan as to such class; (2) voting rights with respect to a distribution and/or service plan as to such class; (3) different class designations; (4) the impact of any class expenses directly attributable to a particular class of Shares; (5) differences in any dividends and net asset values resulting from differences in fees under a distribution and/or service plan or in class expenses; (6) any conversion features, as permitted under the 1940 Act.
The Fund has applied to the SEC for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer more than one class of Shares. Class II Shares and Class III Shares will not be offered to investors until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
Purchase Terms
The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000 for Class I Shares, $50,000 for Class II Shares and $25,000,000 for Class III Shares, and the minimum additional investment in the Fund is $5,000 for each class of Shares. For Shares purchased through a financial intermediary, when determining whether an investor meets the applicable investment minimums, the value of any Shares being purchased may be combined with the value of any Shares of the same class that were purchased or will be
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purchased by March 31, 2021 for Class III Shares and within six months from the initial purchase for Class I Shares and Class II Shares by any investor through such intermediary, provided such intermediary enters into the requisite letter of intent; provided, however, that the minimum amount purchased by any investor is at least $5,000.
The stated investment minimums may be waived for investments by current or retired officers and Trustees of the Fund, as well as their family members; current or retired officers, principals, employees and members of the Investment Adviser Board of the Adviser and affiliated companies of the Adviser; the immediate family members of any such officer, principal, employee or Investment Adviser Board member (including parents, grandparents, spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, fathers/mothers-in-law, sisters/brothers-in-law, daughters/sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, and domestic partners); and a trust or plan established primarily for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons. In addition, the stated investment minimums may be reduced by the Fund in the discretion of the Adviser based on consideration of various factors, including the Shareholders overall relationship with the Adviser and such other matters as the Adviser may consider relevant at the time. As noted above, the Fund may aggregate the accounts of clients of registered investment advisers and other financial intermediaries whose clients invest in the Fund for purposes of determining satisfaction of minimum investment amounts.
As discussed above, Class II Shares and Class III Shares will not be offered to investors until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
Shares will generally be offered on each business day, except that Shares may be offered more or less frequently as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
Except as otherwise permitted by the Board, initial and subsequent subscriptions to purchase Shares must be accompanied by payment in cash. The Fund or an investors financial intermediary must receive a subscription to purchase Shares and the accompanying payment no later than the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) in order for the subscription to be effected at that days net asset value. The Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any subscription to purchase Shares in the Fund at any time. Although the Fund may, in its sole discretion, elect to accept a subscription prior to receipt of cleared funds, an investor will not become a Shareholder until cleared funds have been received.
Pending any offering, funds received from prospective investors will be placed in an account with the transfer agent. On the date of any closing, the balance in the account with respect to each investor whose investment is accepted will be invested in the Fund on behalf of such investor. Any interest earned with respect to such account will be paid to the Fund and allocated pro rata among Shareholders.
SUMMARY OF THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Fund is a statutory trust established under the laws of State of Delaware by the Certificate of Trust dated June 15, 2020. The Funds Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest, par value, unless the Trustees shall otherwise determine, $0.001 per share. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees may authorize separate series or classes of Shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. All shares of a class have equal rights to the payment of dividends and other distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. Shares are, when issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund and have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting. The Board may from time to time, without a vote of shareholders or any class, divide or combine the shares (without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of the shares or a class in the assets held with respect to the Fund or such class), or reclassify the shares or a class into shares of one or more classes (whether the shares to be classified or reclassified are issued and outstanding or unissued and whether such shares constitute part or all of the shares of the Fund or such class).
Shareholders of a class of shares are entitled to share in proportion to the number of shares of such class held in dividends declared by the Board payable to holders of such class of shares and in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to holders of such class of shares upon liquidation after payment of the preferential amounts payable to holders of any outstanding preferred shares.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all loss and expense of any shareholder or former shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund solely by reason of such persons status as a shareholder or former shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations.
Shareholders have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. Upon liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Fund and the liquidation preference with respect to any outstanding preferred shares, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among the classes of shares of the Fund in accordance with the NAV of such classes.
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The Board may classify or reclassify any issued or unissued shares of the Fund into shares of any class by redesignating such shares or by setting or changing in any one or more respects, from time to time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of repurchase of such shares. Any such classification or reclassification will comply with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and the 1940 Act.
If you purchase shares of the Fund, you will become bound by the terms and conditions of the Declaration of Trust.
The Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of the Board by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging attempts to acquire control of the Fund, which attempts could have the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and interfering with the normal operation of the Fund. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. A Trustee may be removed from office without cause only by a written instrument signed or adopted by a majority of the remaining Trustees or by a vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the class of shares of the Fund that are entitled to elect a Trustee and that are entitled to vote on the matter. The Declaration of Trust does not contain any other specific inhibiting provisions that would operate only with respect to an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or transfer of substantially all of the Funds assets or liquidation. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL
The Board has selected Cohen & Company, 151 N. Franklin Street, Suite 575, Chicago, IL 60606, as independent registered public accountants for the Fund.
Ropes & Gray LLP, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111-4006, serves as counsel to the Fund and the Independent Trustees of the Fund.
Inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares (including procedures for purchasing Shares) should be directed to: Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249.
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund
Class I Shares
Class II Shares
Class III Shares
Dated August 26, 2020
c/o Primark Advisors LLC, 205 Detroit Street, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado 80206
877-792-0924
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. This SAI relates to and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus (the Prospectus) of Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Fund) dated August 26, 2020 as it may be further amended or supplemented from time to time. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund at the telephone number or address set forth above.
This SAI is not an offer to sell shares of the Fund (Shares) and is not soliciting an offer to buy the Shares in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the same meaning set forth in the Prospectus.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND RELATED RISKS |
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The investment objective and the principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with such investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional information regarding the investment program of the Fund is set forth below.
The Funds fundamental policies, which are listed below, may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. As defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund (the Shareholders), duly called, (i) of 67% or more of the Shares represented at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares are present in person or represented by proxy or (ii) of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares, whichever is less. Within the limits of the fundamental policies of the Fund, the management of the Fund has reserved freedom of action.
The Fund:
(1) |
May issue senior securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules, or regulations. |
(2) |
May borrow money to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules, or regulations. |
(3) |
May lend money to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules, or regulations. |
(4) |
May underwrite securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules, or regulations. |
(5) |
May purchase and sell commodities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules, or regulations. |
(6) |
May purchase and sell real estate to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules, or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules, or regulations. |
(7) |
May not concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined or interpreted under the 1940 Act, and the rules, and regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, and under regulatory guidance or interpretations of such Act, rules, or regulations. |
Any restriction on investments or use of assets, including, but not limited to, market capitalization, geographic, rating and/or any other percentage restrictions, set forth in this SAI or the Funds Prospectus shall be measured only at the time of investment, and any subsequent change, whether in the value, market capitalization, rating, percentage held or otherwise, will not constitute a violation of the restriction, other than with respect to investment restriction (2) above related to borrowings by the Fund. For purposes of determining compliance with investment restriction (7) above related to concentration of investments, Portfolio Funds are not considered part of any industry or group of industries.
The Funds investment policies and restrictions apply only to investments made by the Fund directly (or any account consisting solely of the Funds assets) and do not apply to the activities and the transactions of the Portfolio Funds.
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In addition, the Fund has adopted the following fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers, which may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities:
(a) |
The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, subject to any regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such rule. |
(b) |
The Fund will repurchase Shares that are tendered by a specific date, which will be established by the Board of Trustees of the Fund in accordance with Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, subject to any regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such rule. |
(c) |
The date on which the NAV per Share applicable to a repurchase offer is calculated will occur no later than fourteen (14) days after the repurchase request deadline (or the next business day if the fourteenth calendar day is not a business day). |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND RELATED RISKS
This section provides additional information about various types of investments and investment techniques that may be employed by the Fund or by Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests. Many of the investments and techniques described in this section may be based in part on the existence of a public market for the relevant securities. To that extent, such investments and techniques are not expected to represent the principal investments or techniques of the majority of the Fund or of the Portfolio Funds. However, there is no limit on the types of investments the Portfolio Funds may make and certain Portfolio Funds may use such investments or techniques extensively. Similarly, there are few limits on the types of investments the Fund may make. Accordingly, the descriptions in this section cannot be comprehensive. Any decision to invest in the Fund should take into account (i) the possibility that the Portfolio Funds may make virtually any kind of investment, (ii) that the Fund has similarly broad latitude in the kinds of investments it may make (subject to the fundamental policies described above) and (iii) that all such investments will be subject to related risks, which can be substantial.
Equity Securities
The Funds and/or a Portfolio Funds portfolio may include investments in common stocks, preferred stocks, and convertible securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Fund and/or a Portfolio Fund also may invest in depositary receipts relating to foreign securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities. Given the private equity focus of the Fund, there is expected to be no liquid market for a majority of such investments.
Common Stock. Common stock or other common equity issued by a corporation or other entity generally entitles the holder to a pro rata share of the profits, if any, of the entity without preference over any other shareholder or claims of shareholders, after making required payments to holders of the entitys preferred stock and other senior equity. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote and frequently an exclusive right to do so.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock or other preferred equity generally has a preference as to dividends and, in the event of liquidation, to an issuers assets, over the issuers common stock or other common equity, but it ranks junior to debt securities in an issuers capital structure. Preferred stock generally pays dividends in cash or additional shares of preferred stock at a defined rate but, unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are generally payable only if declared by the issuers board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative, meaning that, in the event the issuer fails to make one or more dividend payments on the preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on the issuers common stock until all unpaid preferred stock dividends have been paid. Preferred stock may also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stock, or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common equity of the same or different issuer within a specified period of time at a specified price or based on a specified formula. In many cases, a convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest or a dividend that is generally paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics in that they generally (i) have higher yields (i.e., rates of interest or dividends) than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock into which they are convertible due to their fixed- income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases. The Funds and/or the Portfolio Funds investments in convertible securities are expected to primarily be in private convertible securities, but may be in public convertible securities.
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The value of a convertible security is primarily a function of its investment value (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its conversion value (determined by reference to the securitys anticipated worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value typically declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also increase or decrease the convertible securitys value. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the convertible security is valued principally by reference to its investment value. To the extent the value of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion value, the convertible security will be valued increasingly by reference to its conversion value. Generally, the conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity. Where no market exists for a convertible security and/or the underlying common stock, such investments may be difficult to value. A public convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.
A convertible security may in some cases be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible securitys governing instrument. If a convertible security is called for redemption, the holder will generally have a choice of tendering the security for redemption, converting it into common stock prior to redemption, or selling it to a third party. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect and result in losses to the Fund.
Derivative Instruments
Although not a principal investment strategy, the Fund or the Portfolio Funds may use financial instruments known as derivatives. A derivative is generally defined as an instrument whose value is derived from, or based upon, some underlying index, reference rate (such as interest rates or currency exchange rates), security, commodity or other asset. Transactions in derivative instruments present risks arising from the use of leverage (which increases the magnitude of losses), volatility, the possibility of default by a counterparty, and illiquidity. Use of derivative instruments for hedging or speculative purposes by the Adviser or the Portfolio Fund Managers could present significant risks, including the risk of losses in excess of the amounts invested. The Funds ability to avoid risk through investment or trading in derivatives will depend on the ability to anticipate changes in the underlying assets, reference rates or indices.
Following are descriptions of certain derivatives that the Portfolio Funds may use. The same descriptions apply to the Fund, mutatis mutandis, to the extent that it engages in derivatives transactions.
Options and Futures. A Portfolio Fund may utilize options contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts. It also may use so-called synthetic options or other derivative instruments written by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Options transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over the counter, the Portfolio Funds portfolio bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Such options may also be illiquid, and, in such cases, a Portfolio Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. Over-the-counter options purchased and sold by the Portfolio Fund also may include options on baskets of specific securities.
A Portfolio Fund may purchase call and put options on specific securities or currencies and may write and sell covered or uncovered call and put options for hedging purposes and non-hedging purposes to pursue its investment objective. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security at a stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at a stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option.
A covered call option is a call option with respect to which a Portfolio Fund owns the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Portfolio Fund, during the term of the option, to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security and to the possibility that it might hold the underlying security in order to protect against depreciation in the market price of the security during a period when it might have otherwise sold the security. The seller of a covered call option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the purchase price of the underlying security less the premium received and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. The seller of an uncovered call option assumes the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option.
A covered put option is a put option with respect to which the seller has a short position in the underlying security. The seller of a covered put option assumes the risk of an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the sales price (in
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establishing the short position) of the underlying security plus the premium received and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. If the seller of the put option owns a put option covering an equivalent number of shares with an exercise price equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written, the position is fully hedged if the option owned expires at the same time or later than the option written. The seller of an uncovered put option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. The seller of a put option may also be required to place cash or liquid securities in a segregated account to ensure compliance with its obligation to purchase the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Portfolio Fund during the term of the option to a decline in price of the underlying security while depriving the Portfolio Fund of the opportunity to invest the segregated assets.
A Portfolio Fund may close out a position when writing options by purchasing an option on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option that it has previously written on the security. The Portfolio Fund will realize a profit or loss if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio Fund would generally make a similar closing sale transaction, which involves liquidating its position by selling the option previously purchased. However, if deemed advantageous, the Portfolio Fund would be entitled to exercise the option.
A Portfolio Fund may enter into stock futures contracts, interest rate futures contracts, and currency futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists, and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both commodities that are traded on domestic exchanges and those that are not. Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is not regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). Therefore, the CFTC does not have the power to compel enforcement of the rules of the foreign exchange or the laws of the foreign country. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the transaction occurs. For these reasons, the Portfolio Funds may not be afforded certain of the protections that apply to domestic transactions, including the right to use domestic alternative dispute resolution procedures. In particular, funds received from customers to margin foreign futures transactions may not be provided the same protections as funds received to margin futures transactions on domestic exchanges. In addition, the price of any foreign futures or option contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss resulting from that contract, may be affected by any fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate between the time the order is placed and the foreign futures contract is liquidated or the foreign option contract is liquidated or exercised.
In addition to futures contracts traded on U.S. domestic markets or exchanges that are regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges, Portfolio Funds may also trade certain futures either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. In addition, certain single stock futures and narrow-based security index futures may be traded over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign exchanges.
Trading in futures involves risk of loss to the Portfolio Fund that could materially adversely affect the net asset value of the Fund. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day by regulations referred to as daily price fluctuation limits or daily limits. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Portfolio Fund to substantial losses, which may result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the CFTC and various exchanges impose speculative position limits on the number of positions that each Portfolio Fund may indirectly hold or control in certain particular futures or options contracts. Many of the major U.S. exchanges have eliminated speculative position limits and have substituted position accountability rules that would permit the Portfolio Funds to trade without restriction as long as such Portfolio Funds can demonstrate the positions acquired were not acquired for the purpose of manipulating the market.
Successful use of futures by a Portfolio Fund depends on its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.
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The prices of all derivative instruments, including futures and options prices, are highly volatile. Price movements of forward contracts, futures contracts, and other derivative contracts in which a Portfolio Fund may invest are influenced by, among other things: interest rates; changing supply and demand relationships; trade, fiscal, monetary, and exchange control programs and policies of governments; and national and international political and economic events and policies. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, particularly those currencies and interest rate-related futures and options. Such intervention often is intended directly to influence prices and may, together with other factors, cause all of such markets to move rapidly in the same direction because of, among other things, interest rate fluctuations. Portfolio Funds are also subject to the risk of the failure of any of the exchanges on which their positions trade or of their clearinghouses.
A stock index future obligates a Portfolio Fund to pay, or entitles it to receive, an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures contract multiplied by the difference between the settlement price of the contract on the contracts last trading day and the value of the index based on the stock prices of the securities that comprise it at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day. An interest rate future obligates a Portfolio Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specific price. A currency future obligates a Portfolio Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency at a future date at a specific price.
Call and Put Options on Securities Indexes. A Portfolio Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on stock indexes listed on national securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market for hedging and non-hedging purposes to pursue its investment objectives. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index. Accordingly, successful use by a Portfolio Fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to the ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry or market segment. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.
Yield Curve Options. A Portfolio Fund may enter into options on the yield spread or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as yield curve options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
Rights and Warrants. A Portfolio Fund may invest in rights and warrants. Rights (sometimes referred to as subscription rights) and warrants may be purchased separately or may be received as part of a distribution in respect of, or may be attached to, other securities that a Portfolio Fund has purchased. Rights and warrants are securities that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase equity securities of the company issuing the rights or warrants, or a related company, at a fixed price either on a date certain or during a set period. Typically, rights have a relatively short term (e.g., two to four weeks), whereas warrants can have much longer terms. At the time of issue, the cost of a right or warrant is substantially less than the cost of the underlying security itself.
Particularly in the case of warrants, price movements in the underlying security are generally magnified in the price movements of the warrant. This effect would enable a Portfolio Fund to gain exposure to the underlying security with a relatively low capital investment but increases the Portfolio Funds risk in the event of a decline in the value of the underlying security and can result in a complete loss of the amount invested in the warrant. In addition, the price of a warrant tends to be more volatile than, and may not correlate exactly to, the price of the underlying security. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on its expiration date, the warrant will generally expire without value. The equity security underlying a warrant is authorized at the time the warrant is issued or is issued together with the warrant, which may result in losses to the Fund. Investing in warrants can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and, thus, can be a speculative investment. The value of a warrant may decline because of a decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time, changes in interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the company whose equity underlies the warrant or a change in the perception as to the future price of the underlying security, or any combination thereof. Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle the holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer.
Swaps
A Portfolio Fund may enter into equity, interest rate, index, currency rate, total return and/or other types of swap agreements. These transactions are entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly
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at a lower cost than if a Portfolio Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a basket of securities representing a particular index).
Interest Rate, Mortgage and Credit Swaps. A Portfolio Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates exceed a specified rate or cap; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates fall below a specified level or floor; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed note payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses on an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events.
Equity Index Swaps. A Portfolio Fund may enter into equity index swaps. Equity index swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio Fund with another party of cash flows based upon the performance of an index or a portion of an index of securities that usually includes dividends. A Portfolio Fund may purchase cash-settled options on equity index swaps. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial institutions, including securities brokerage firms.
Currency Swaps. A Portfolio Fund may enter into currency swaps for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights to make or receive payments in specified foreign currencies. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for another designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves special investment techniques and risks. Incorrect forecasts of market values and currency exchange rates can materially adversely affect the Portfolio Funds performance. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Portfolio Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
Total Return Swaps. A Portfolio Fund may enter into total return swaps. In a total return swap, one party pays a rate of interest in exchange for the total rate of return on another investment. For example, if a Portfolio Fund wished to invest in a senior loan, it could instead enter into a total return swap and receive the total return of the senior loan, less the funding cost, which would be a floating interest rate payment to the counterparty.
Swaptions. A Portfolio Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms.
Certain swap agreements into which a Portfolio Fund enters may require the calculation of the obligations of the parties to the agreements on a net basis. Consequently, the Portfolio Funds current obligations (or rights) under such swap agreements generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the net amount). The risk of loss with respect to swaps consists of the net amount of the payments that the Portfolio Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Portfolio Funds risk of loss consists of the net amount of the payments that the Portfolio Fund contractually is entitled to receive.
Distressed Securities
The Fund or a Portfolio Fund may invest in debt or equity securities of domestic and foreign issuers in weak financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth, facing special competitive or
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product obsolescence problems, or that are involved in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Investments of this type may involve substantial financial and business risks that can result in substantial or at times even total losses. Among the risks inherent in investments in troubled entities is the fact that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true condition of such issuers. Such investments also may be adversely affected by state and federal laws relating to, among other things, fraudulent transfers and other voidable transfers or payments, lender liability, and a bankruptcy courts power to disallow, reduce, subordinate, or disenfranchise particular claims. The market prices of such securities are also subject to abrupt and erratic market movements and above-average price volatility, and the spread between the bid and ask prices of such securities may be greater than those prevailing in other securities markets. It may take a number of years for the market price of such securities to reflect their intrinsic value. In liquidation (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful (due to, for example, failure to obtain requisite approvals), will be delayed (for example, until various liabilities, actual or contingent, have been satisfied), or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security the value of which will be less than the purchase price to the Portfolio Fund of the security in respect to which such distribution was made.
Additional Method of Investing in a Portfolio Fund
The Fund will typically invest directly in a Portfolio Fund by purchasing an interest in such Portfolio Fund. There may be situations, however, where a Portfolio Fund is not open or available for direct investment by the Fund or where the Adviser elects for other reasons to invest indirectly in a Portfolio Fund (including, without limitation, restrictions of the 1940 Act). On occasions where the Adviser determines that an indirect investment is the most effective or efficient means of gaining exposure to a Portfolio Fund, the Fund may invest in a Portfolio Fund indirectly, such as by purchasing a structured note or entering into a swap or other contract paying a return tied to the return of a Portfolio Fund. In the case of a structured note or a swap, a counterparty would agree to pay to the Fund a return based on the return of the Portfolio Fund, in exchange for consideration paid by the Fund equivalent to the cost of purchasing an ownership interest in the Portfolio Fund. Indirect investment through a swap or similar contract in a Portfolio Fund carries with it the credit risk associated with the counterparty. Indirect investments will generally be subject to transaction and other fees, which will reduce the value of the Funds investment. There can be no assurance that the Funds indirect investment in a Portfolio Fund will have the same or similar results as a direct investment in the Portfolio Fund, and the Funds value may decrease as a result of such indirect investment. When the Fund makes an indirect investment in a Portfolio Fund by investing in a structured note, swap, or other contract intended to pay a return equal to the total return of such Portfolio Fund, such investment by the Fund may be subject to additional regulations.
Portfolio Turnover
Purchases and sales of portfolio investments may be made as considered advisable by the Adviser in the best interests of the Shareholders. The Funds portfolio turnover rate may vary from year-to-year, as well as within a year. The Funds distributions of any profits or gains realized from portfolio transactions generally are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In addition, higher portfolio turnover rates can result in corresponding increases in portfolio transaction costs for the Fund.
For reporting purposes, the Funds portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio investments for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio investments owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. In determining such portfolio turnover, all investments whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less are excluded. A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all of the investments in the Funds investment portfolio (other than short-term money market securities) were replaced once during the fiscal year. Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor should the Adviser deem it advisable to purchase or sell investments.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The business operations of the Fund are managed and supervised under the direction of the Board, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Funds agreement and declaration of trust (Declaration of Trust). The Board has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business affairs of the Fund on behalf of its Shareholders, including the authority to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of its business. The Board exercises the same powers, authority and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily exercised by the board of directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation. The officers of the Fund conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the Fund.
The trustees of the Board (each, a Trustee) are not required to contribute to the capital of the Fund or to hold interests therein. A majority of Trustees of the Board are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (collectively, the Independent Trustees).
9
The identity of Trustees of the Board and officers of the Fund, and their brief biographical information, including their addresses, their year of birth and descriptions of their principal occupations during the past five years is set forth below.
The Trustees serve on the Board for terms of indefinite duration. A Trustees position in that capacity will terminate if the Trustee is removed or resigns or, among other events, upon the Trustees death, incapacity, retirement or bankruptcy. A Trustee may resign upon written notice to the other Trustees of the Fund, and may be removed either by (i) the vote of at least two-thirds of the Trustees of the Fund not subject to the removal vote or (ii) the vote of Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Shareholders of the Fund. In the event of any vacancy in the position of a Trustee, the remaining Trustees of the Fund may appoint an individual to serve as a Trustee so long as immediately after the appointment at least two-thirds of the Trustees of the Fund then serving have been elected by the Shareholders of the Fund. The Board may call a meeting of the Shareholders to fill any vacancy in the position of a Trustee of the Fund, and must do so if the Trustees who were elected by the Shareholders cease to constitute a majority of the Trustees then serving on the Board.
The Board believes that each of the Trustees experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve in such capacity. Among the attributes common to all Trustees is the ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. A Trustees ability to perform his or her duties effectively may have been attained through the Trustees business, consulting, and public service work; experience as a board member of non-profit entities or other organizations; education or professional training; and/or other life experiences. In addition to these shared characteristics, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee. Specific details regarding each Trustees principal occupations during the past five years are included in the tables below. See Board of Trustees and OfficersIndependent Trustees and Board of Trustees and OfficersInterested Trustees and Officers.
To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and other applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board, service providers or the Adviser.
Independent Trustees
Independent Trustees are those Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act). The address of each person below is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246.
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with Fund |
Term of Office and
Length of
|
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex
Overseen by
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past 5 Years |
|||||
Brien Biondi (1962) |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Chief Executive Officer, Campden Wealth, North America & The Institute for Private Investors (2016-Present); Chief Executive Officer and Founder, The Biondi Group (2011-Present); Chief Operating Officer, League Asset Corp (2009-2011); Executive Director, Chief Executives Organization (2004-2007); Chief Executive Officer, Entrepreneurs Organization (1997-2004); Director of Finance and Administration, World Presidents Organization (1993-1997); Controller, Archdiocese of Washington (1988-1993); Senior Accountant, KPMG (1985-1988) | None | None | |||||
Clifford J. Jack (1963) |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Manager, January Labs, LLC (2015-Present); Chief Executive Officer, Capital Tide LLC (2017-2019); Board of Advisors, National Financial Realty (2015-2019) | None | None |
10
Sean Kearns (1970) |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Principal, Vicarage Associates LLC (2019-Present); Chief Executive Officer, A World of Tile (2004-2019); Chief Financial Officer, Health Fitness Corporation (1999-2001); Associate Vice President, Chase Manhattan Bank (1992-1997) | None | None |
(1) |
Under the Funds Declaration of Trust, a Trustee serves until his or her retirement, resignation or replacement. |
Interested Trustees and Officers
The address of each person below is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246.
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
|||
Michael Bell
(1962) |
Trustee, President and Principal Executive Officer | Since 2020 | Managing Director, Primark Advisors LLC (2020-Present); CEO, Global Financial Private Capital (2015-2019); CEO, Jackson National Life Insurance Retail Asset Management Business (2005-2014); General Counsel and CCO, National Planning Holdings, Inc. (2003-2005); General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, Folio Investing (1999-2003); Senior Associate, Latham & Watkins (1993-1999) | |||
Derek Mullins (1973) |
Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer | Since 2020 | Managing Partner, PINE Advisor Solutions (2018-Present); Principal Financial Officer, Destra Investment Trust, Destra International & Event Driven Credit Fund and Destra Multi-Alternative Fund (2018-Present); Principal Financial Officer, XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Term Trust (2020-Present); Director of Operations, ArrowMark Partners LLC (2009-2018); Chief Financial Officer and Treasure, MeridianFund, Inc. (2013-2018) | |||
Jesse D. Hallee (1976) |
Secretary | Since 2020 | Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2019-Present); Vice President and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013-2019) |
11
N. Lynn Bowley (1958) |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2020 | Chief Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Fund Trust (2007-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Variable Trust (2017-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Alternative Strategy Fund (2016-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, The Reynolds Funds, Inc. (2007-2016) | |||
Kara Baird
(1975) |
AML Compliance Officer | Since 2020 | Senior Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions (2012-Present) | |||
Marcie McVeigh (1979) |
Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 | Associate Director of CFO Services, PINE Advisor Solutions (2020-Present); Assistant Vice President and Performance Measurement Manager, Brown Brothers Harriman (2019-2020); Senior Financial Reporting Specialist, American Century Investments (2011-2018) |
(1) |
Under the Funds Bylaws, an officer serves until his or her successor is elected or qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Trustees. |
Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for oversight of the Fund rests with the Board. The Fund has engaged the Adviser to manage the Fund on a day- to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in the operations of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Declaration of Trust. The Board is currently composed of 4 members, 3 of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board will meet in-person at regularly scheduled meetings four times each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees have also engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibility. The Independent Trustees will meet with their independent legal counsel in-person prior to and during each quarterly in-person board meeting. As described below, the Board has established an audit committee (the Audit Committee) and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed Clifford J. Jack, an Independent Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairmans role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the Trustees. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined that the Boards leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight.
The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks, among others. Risk oversight forms part of the Boards general oversight of the Fund and will be addressed as part of various Board and committee activities. Day- to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Adviser, and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), which carry out the Funds investment management and business affairs. The Adviser and other service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various events or circumstances that give rise to risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each of the Adviser and other service providers has their own independent interests in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Board will require senior officers of the Fund, including the President, Principal Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, and the Adviser, to report to the full Board on a variety of matters at regular and special meetings of the Board, including matters relating to risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee will also receive regular reports from the Funds independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. The Board will also receive reports from certain of the Funds other primary service providers on a periodic or regular basis, including the Funds custodian, distributor, sub-administrator and securities lending counterparty. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.
Committees of the Board of Trustees
Audit Committee. The Board has formed an Audit Committee that is responsible for overseeing the Funds accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls, and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Funds financial statements and the independent audit of those financial statements; and acting as a liaison between the Funds independent auditors and the full Board. In performing its
12
responsibilities, the Audit Committee will select and recommend annually to the entire Board a firm of independent certified public accountants to audit the books and records of the Fund for the ensuing year, and will review with the firm the scope and results of each audit. The Audit Committee currently consists of each of the Funds Independent Trustees. As the Fund is recently organized, the Audit Committee did not hold any meetings during the last year.
Trustee Ownership of Securities
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund(1) |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies |
|||||||
Independent Trustees |
||||||||
Brien Biondi |
None. | None. | ||||||
Clifford J. Jack |
None. | None. | ||||||
Sean Kearns |
None. | None. | ||||||
Interested Trustee |
||||||||
Michael Bell(1) |
$50,001-$100,000 | $50,001-$100,000 |
(1) |
Includes direct ownership as well as beneficial ownership through the Advisers investments in the Fund. |
Independent Trustee Ownership of Securities
None of the Independent Trustees (or their immediate family members) owns securities of the Adviser, or of an entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser.
Trustee Compensation
In consideration of the services rendered by the Independent Trustees, the Fund pays each Independent Trustee an amount of $2,500 per meeting. Trustees that are interested persons will not be compensated by the Fund. The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits.
The following table sets forth the anticipated compensation to be paid to the Funds Independent Trustees for the Funds initial fiscal year.
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate Compensation
from the Fund |
Total Compensation from
Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees |
||||||
Brien Biondi |
$ | 7,500 | $ | 7,500 | ||||
Clifford J. Jack |
$ | 7,500 | $ | 7,500 | ||||
Sean Kearns |
$ | 7,500 | $ | 7,500 |
The Fund and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Fund and the Adviser from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund. The codes of ethics permit persons subject to them to invest in securities, including securities that may be held or purchased by the Fund, subject to a number of restrictions and controls. Compliance with the codes of ethics is carefully monitored and enforced.
The codes of ethics are included as exhibits to the Funds registration statement filed with the SEC. The codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR database on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov, and may be obtained after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser
Primark Advisors LLC (Primark or the Adviser), located at 205 Detroit Street, Suite 200, Denver, Colorado, serves as the investment adviser of the Fund. The Adviser, formed in 2020, is a private, independently owned firm that is focused on
13
investing in the lower middle market in private equity. The Adviser is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act). Subject to the general supervision of the Board, and in accordance with the investment objective and policies of the Fund, the Adviser has been engaged to continuously furnish an investment program with respect to the Fund and to furnish such other services necessary to sponsor and manage the Fund that are not specifically delegated to other service providers of the Fund, including overseeing the work that is delegated to other service providers of the Fund. The Adviser provides such services to the Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the Investment Management Agreement).
The Investment Management Agreement became effective as of July 1, 2020, and unless otherwise terminated, will continue in effect for two years from such date, and from year to year thereafter, so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) and is terminable without penalty (i) on sixty (60) days written notice to the Adviser either by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or (ii) on ninety (90) days written notice to the Fund by the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval of the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Funds first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
The Investment Management Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, the Adviser will not be liable to the Fund or to any Shareholder of the Fund or to any other person, firm or organization, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services thereunder. The Investment Management Agreement also provides for indemnification by the Fund, to the fullest extent permitted by law, of the Adviser, its affiliates and any of their respective partners, members, directors, officers, employees and shareholders from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses that arise out of or in connection with the performance or non-performance of or by such person of any of the Advisers responsibilities under the Investment Management Agreement, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Fund, and so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the persons willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence or reckless disregard of such persons obligations under the Investment Management Agreement.
In consideration of the advisory and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund under the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay the Adviser an investment management fee (the Management Fee) at the annual rate of 1.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund (or such lesser amount as the Adviser may from time to time agree to receive). The Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Funds assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Management Fee will be payable monthly in arrears or at such other intervals, not less frequently than quarterly, as the Board may determine and specify in writing to the Adviser.
A portion of the Investment Management Fee may be paid to brokers or dealers that assist in the distribution of Shares.
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to reduce the Management Fee payable to it (but not below zero), and to pay any operating expenses of the Fund, to the extent necessary to limit the operating expenses of the Fund, excluding certain Excluded Expenses listed below, to the annual rate (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the applicable class of Shares of the Fund) of 2.00%, 2.25% and 1.60% with respect to Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares, respectively (the Expense Cap). Excluded Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Cap include: brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses.
If the Adviser waives its Management Fee or pays any operating expenses of the Fund pursuant to the Expense Cap, the Adviser may, for a period ending three years after the end of the month in which such fees or expenses are waived or incurred, recoup amounts waived or incurred to the extent such recoupment does not cause the Funds operating expense ratio (after recoupment and excluding the Excluded Expenses) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
The Expense Limitation Agreement is expected to continue through July 31, 2022, and will renew automatically for successive periods of one year thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided by the Adviser to the Fund not less than ten (10) days prior to the end of the then-current term. The Board may terminate the Expense Limitation Agreement at any time on not less than ten (10) days prior notice to the Adviser, and the Expense Limitation Agreement may be amended at any time only with the consent of both the Adviser and the Board.
14
Conflicts of Interest
The Primark investment team may from time to time manage separate accounts or other pooled investment vehicles that may have materially higher or different fee arrangements than the Fund and may also be subject to performance-based fees. The side-by-side management of these separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles, if any, may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross-trading and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Adviser has a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. The Adviser seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and to allocate investments to client accounts in a fair and reasonable manner. To this end, the Adviser has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management.
Compensation of the Management Team
The Portfolio Managers receive no cash compensation. The Portfolio Managers receive employee benefits (such as health care and participation in 401(k) plans). The Portfolio Managers will receive distributions from the Fund and the Adviser consistent with their ownership interest in each.
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the number of accounts for which the Portfolio Managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts, as of August 14, 2020.
Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts(1) |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
Adam Goldman |
1 | $ | 101,000 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Mark Sunderhuse |
1 | $ | 101,000 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 |
(1) |
Includes the Fund. |
The table below identifies the number of accounts for which the Portfolio Managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts, as of August 14, 2020.
Registered Investment Companies for which the Adviser receives a performance- based fee |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles managed for which the Adviser receives a performance-based fee |
Other Accounts managed for which the Adviser receives a performance-based fee |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
Adam Goldman |
0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Mark Sunderhuse |
0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 |
Management Team Ownership of Securities in the Fund
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund(1) | |
Adam Goldman |
$10,001-$50,000 | |
Mark Sunderhuse |
$10,001-$50,000 |
(1) |
Includes direct ownership as well as beneficial ownership through the Advisers investments in the Fund. |
15
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
The Adviser will seek best execution for securities transactions executed on the Funds behalf, so that the Funds total cost or proceeds in each transaction is the most favorable under the circumstances. In selecting brokers and dealers to effect transactions on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser will consider the full range and quality of a brokers services in placing brokerage, including, among other things: execution capability, trading expertise, accuracy of execution, commission rates, reputation and integrity, fairness in resolving disputes, financial responsibility, and responsiveness.
In selecting a broker to effect transactions on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser may also consider the value of research provided by the broker; however, a brokers sale or promotion of Shares will not be a factor considered by Adviser, nor will the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor enter into any agreement or understanding under which the Fund directs brokerage transactions or revenue generated by those transactions to brokers to pay for distribution of Shares.
In most instances, the Fund will purchase interests in a Portfolio Fund directly from the Portfolio Fund, and such purchases by the Fund may be, but are generally not, subject to transaction expenses. Nevertheless, the Fund anticipates that some of its portfolio transactions (including investments in Portfolio Funds by the Fund) may be subject to expenses. Given the private equity focus of a majority of the Portfolio Funds, significant brokerage commissions are not anticipated to be paid by such funds.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL
The Board has selected Cohen & Co., 151 N. Franklin Street, Suite 575, Chicago, IL 60606, as independent registered public accountants for the Fund.
Ropes & Gray LLP, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111-4006, serves as counsel to the Fund and the Independent Trustees of the Fund.
UMB Bank, n.a. (the Custodian) serves as the primary custodian of the assets of the Fund and may maintain custody of such assets with U.S. and non-U.S. sub-custodians (which may be banks and trust companies), securities depositories and clearing agencies in accordance with the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of the Custodian or U.S. or non-U.S. sub-custodians in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodians principal business address is 1010 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund will calculate the net asset value of each class of Shares as of the close of business on each business day (each, a Determination Date). In determining the net asset value of each class of Shares, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of each class of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the class, less all of the liabilities attributable to the class, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures. Copies of the Advisers proxy policies and procedures are included as Appendix A to this SAI. The Board will periodically review the Funds proxy voting record.
The Fund will be required to file Form N-PX, with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. The Funds Form N-PX filing will be available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 877-792-0924 or (ii) by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Shares of the Fund are owned by Michael Bell, Adam Goldman and Mark Sunderhuse, each a principal of the Adviser, and each of whom is deemed to be a control person of the Fund as a result of such share ownership.
Appendix B to this SAI provides financial information regarding the Fund. The Funds financial statements have been audited by Cohen & Co.
16
A registration statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement may be reviewed and copied on the EDGAR database on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Prospective investors can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SECs e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov).
17
APPENDIX A ADVISER PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Primark Advisors
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Funds Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) on behalf of the Fund, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to Primark.
In the event proxy voting is required for the Fund, Primark will elect to vote or not to vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and shareholders. Primark will present to the Board, at least annually, the Primarks Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted or not voted by Primark on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by Primark involving a conflict of interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the interests of Primark, any affiliated person(s) of Primark, the Distributor or any affiliated person of the Distributor, or any affiliated person of the Fund and the Funds or its shareholders interests, Primark will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the Funds directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third partys recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, Primark will abstain from voting.
Primark will use its internal policies and procedures when collecting information for the Fund to complete and file Form NPX (Form N-PX is used by the Fund to file reports with the SEC containing the Funds proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30). Annually Primark shall send voting information to the Funds Administrator, who shall file Form N-PX with the SEC.
A-1
APPENDIX B FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Primark Private Equity Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
August 4, 2020
ASSETS |
||||
Cash |
$ | 101,000 | ||
Prepaid insurance expense |
40,046 | |||
|
|
|||
TOTAL ASSETS |
141,046 | |||
|
|
|||
LIABILITIES |
||||
Payable to Adviser |
40,046 | |||
|
|
|||
Net assets for shares of beneficial interest outstanding |
$ | 101,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Net assets consist of: |
||||
Paid-in capital |
$ | 101,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Pricing of Class I Shares |
||||
Net assets applicable to Class I Shares |
$ | 101,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding
|
10,100 | |||
|
|
|||
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share |
$ | 10.00 | ||
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.
B-1
Primark Private Equity Fund
Notes to the Financial Statement
As of August 4, 2020
(1) ORGANIZATION
Primark Private Equity Fund (the Fund) is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund intends to operate as an interval fund pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Funds investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation, consistent with prudent investment management.
The Fund currently offers only Class I Shares. On June 30, 2020, the Fund filed an initial registration statement to register $1,000,000 of Shares for sale. On August 4, 2020, 10,100 total shares of Class I Shares of the Fund were issued for cash, at $10.00 per share, to Primark Advisors LLC (the Adviser), the investment adviser to the Fund, and Michael Bell, Adam Goldman and Mark Sunderhuse, each a Managing Director of the Adviser. The Fund has had no investment operations. Certain officers of the Adviser are also officers of the Fund.
(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services Investment Companies. The financial statement is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Valuation of Securities
The Fund will calculate the net asset value of each class of Shares of the Fund as of the close of business on each business day (each, a Determination Date). In determining the net asset value of each class of Shares, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of each class of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the class, less all of the liabilities attributable to the class, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.
B-2
The Funds Board of Trustees (the Board) has approved valuation procedures for the Fund (the Valuation Procedures) and has appointed a separate valuation committee (the Fair Value Committee) and delegated to the Fair Value Committee the responsibility to determine the fair value of the Funds investments. The Fair Value Committee oversees the implementation of the Valuation Procedures and may consult with representatives from the Funds outside legal counsel or other third-party consultants in their discussions and deliberations.
The Adviser will assist the Fair Value Committee in making valuation determinations, provide primary day-to-day oversight of valuation of the Funds investments and act in accordance with the Valuation Procedures as developed and approved by the Board. The valuation of the Funds investments is performed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued based on their respective market price.
Debt instruments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued based on such market quotations. In validating market quotations, the Valuation Committee considers different factors such as the source and the nature of the quotation in order to determine whether the quotation represents fair value. The Valuation Committee makes use of reputable financial information providers in order to obtain the relevant quotations.
For debt and equity securities which are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available (unquoted investments) the fair value is determined in good faith. In determining the fair values of these investments, the Fair Value Committee will typically apply widely recognized market and income valuation methodologies including, but not limited to, earnings and multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third-party valuations. In order to determine a fair value, these methods are applied to the latest information provided by the underlying portfolio companies or other business counterparties.
Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available, the fair values of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.
Assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. Dollars using foreign exchange rates provided by a recognized pricing service.
B-3
Primary and secondary investments in private equity funds (Portfolio Funds) are generally valued based on the latest net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager. If the net asset value of an investment in a Portfolio Fund is not available at the time the Fund is calculating its net asset value, the Fair Value Committee will consider any cash flows since the reference date of the last net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager by (i) adding the nominal amount of the investment related capital calls and (ii) deducting the nominal amount of investment related distributions from the last net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager.
In addition to tracking the net asset value plus related cash flows of such Portfolio Funds, the Fair Value Committee also intends to track relevant broad-based and issuer (or fund) specific valuation information relating to the assets held by each Portfolio Fund that is reasonably available at the time the Fund values its investments. The Fair Value Committee will consider such information and may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent the fair value of a particular asset held by a Portfolio Fund. If the Fair Value Committee concludes in good faith that the latest net asset value reported by a Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent fair value (e.g., there is more current information regarding a portfolio asset which significantly changes its fair value), the Fair Value Committee will make a corresponding adjustment to reflect the current fair value of such asset within such Portfolio Fund. In determining the fair value of assets held by Portfolio Funds, the Fair Value Committee applies valuation methodologies as outlined above.
Federal Taxes
The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a registered investment company (RIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it further intends to elect to be treated, and expects each year to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, provided that it distributes all of its net taxable income and gains each year. It is anticipated that the Fund will principally recognize capital gains and dividends and therefore dividends paid to shareholders in respect of such income generally will be taxable to shareholders at the reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax that are applicable to individuals for qualified dividends and long-term capital gains.
(3) FEES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
A Trustee and certain officers of the Fund are affiliated with the Adviser or Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Ultimus), the Funds administrator, transfer agent and fund accounting agent. Employees of PINE Advisor Solutions, LLC (PINE) serve as officers of the Fund. PINE receives a monthly fee for the services provided to the Fund. The Fund also reimburses PINE for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the Funds behalf.
B-4
Investment Advisory Agreement
Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser manages the Funds investments subject to oversight by the Board. The Fund pays the Adviser a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to reduce the Management Fee payable to it (but not below zero), and to pay any operating expenses of the Fund, to the extent necessary to limit the operating expenses of the Fund, excluding certain Excluded Expenses listed below, to the annual rate of 2.00% of the average daily net assets of Class I Shares of the Fund (the Expense Cap). Excluded Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Cap include: brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses.
If the Adviser waives its Management Fee or pays any operating expenses of the Fund pursuant to the Expense Cap, the Adviser may, for a period ending three years after the end of the month in which such fees or expenses are waived or incurred, recoup amounts waived or incurred to the extent such recoupment does not cause the Funds operating expense ratio (after recoupment and excluding the Excluded Expenses) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
The Expense Limitation Agreement is expected to continue in effect through July 31, 2022, and will renew automatically for successive periods of one year thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided by the Adviser to the Fund not less than 10 days prior to the end of the then-current term. The Board may terminate the Expense Limitation Agreement at any time on not less than ten (10) days prior notice to the Adviser, and the Expense Limitation Agreement may be amended at any time only with the consent of both the Adviser and the Board.
Master Services Agreement and Compliance Consulting Agreement
Ultimus provides certain administrative, accounting and transfer agency services to the Fund pursuant to a Master Services Agreement between the Fund and Ultimus (the Master Services Agreement) and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS), an affiliate of Ultimus, provides compliance services to the Fund pursuant to a Compliance Services Consulting Agreement. For its services, the Fund pays Ultimus a fee and separate fixed fees to make certain filings and pays NLCS for supplying the Funds Chief Compliance Officer and related compliance services. The Fund also reimburses Ultimus and NLCS for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the Funds behalf. The fees are accrued and paid monthly by the Fund and the administrative fees are based on the average net assets for the prior month and subject to monthly minimums.
B-5
Distribution Agreement
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement, the Fund continuously offers the Class I Shares at their net asset value per share through Foreside Fund Services, LLC, the principal underwriter and distributor of the Shares (the Distributor). Under the Funds Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is also responsible for entering into agreements with broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries to assist in the distribution of the Shares, reviewing the Funds proposed advertising materials and sales literature and making certain filings with regulators. For these services, the Distributor receives an annual fee from the Adviser. The Adviser is also responsible for paying any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Distributor in providing services under the Distribution Agreement.
Organizational and Offering Expenses
The Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred through the date of this financial statement related to the organization, offering, and initial registration of the Fund. Such expenses are not subject to repayment by the Fund to the Adviser.
(4) INDEMNIFICATIONS
The Fund indemnifies the Funds officers and Board of Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
(5) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Fund is required to recognize in this financial statement the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed as of the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For non-recognized subsequent events that must be disclosed to keep the financial statement from being misleading, the Fund is required to disclose the nature of the event as well as an estimate of its financial effect, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of this financial statement and has noted no such events except as follows:
At a meeting held on August 20, 2020, the Board approved a change to the name of the Fund to Primark Private Equity Investments Fund to be effective August 20, 2020. Additionally, at the meeting held on August 20, 2020, the Board authorized that $500,000,000 of shares of Class I Shares, Class II Shares and Class III Shares be registered pursuant to an amendment to the Funds initial registration statement.
B-6
(6) CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
The Fund has applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer more than one class of Shares. Class II and Class III Shares will not be offered to investors until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure.
Each class of shares has identical rights and privileges except with respect to distribution (12b-1) and service fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class of shares, exchange privileges of each class of shares.
Class I Shares will be subject to shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.10%, while Class II Shares will be subject to distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25%.
The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000 for Class I Shares, $50,000 for Class II Shares and $25,000,000 for Class III Shares, and the minimum additional investment in the Fund is $5,000 for each class of Shares. For Shares purchased through a financial intermediary, when determining whether an investor meets the applicable investment minimums, the value of any Shares being purchased may be combined with the value of any Shares of the same class that were purchased or will be purchased by March 31, 2021 for Class III Shares and within six months from the initial purchase for Class I Shares and Class II Shares by any investor through such intermediary, provided such intermediary enters into the requisite letter of intent; provided, however, that the minimum amount purchased by any investor is at least $5,000.
Shares will generally be offered at the NAV per Share on each regular business day.
The Fund is an interval fund, a type of fund which, in order to provide liquidity to Shareholders, has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at the applicable NAV per Share, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Board, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Shares at the applicable NAV per Share, which is the minimum amount permitted. Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer will be sent to Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Shareholders can tender their Shares in response to a repurchase offer).
A 2.00% early repurchase fee will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Shareholders purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a first in-first out basis. The Fund may waive the early repurchase fee for certain categories of Shareholders or transactions, such as repurchases of Shares in the event of the Shareholders death or disability, or in connection with certain distributions from employer sponsored benefit plans.
B-7
At August 4, 2020, the share and dollar activity of the Class I Shares of the Fund was as follows:
Shares | Dollars | |||||||
Sold |
10,100 | $ | 101,000 | |||||
Redeemed |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase |
10,100 | $ | 101,000 | |||||
|
|
|
|
B-8
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Primark Private Equity Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statement
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Primark Private Equity Fund (the Fund) as of August 4, 2020, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statement). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 4, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
This financial statement is the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our procedures included confirmation of cash held as of August 4, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Funds auditor since 2020.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Chicago, Illinois
August 21, 2020
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
800.229.1099 | 866.818.4535 FAX | cohencpa.com
Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
B-9
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Notes
(i) |
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No. 811-23583 (filed July 30, 2020), and hereby incorporated by reference. |
Item 26. |
Marketing Arrangements |
Not applicable.
Item 27. |
Other Expenses of Issuance or Distribution |
Securities and Exchange Commission fees |
$ | 64,900 | ||
Printing and engraving expenses |
$ | 20,000 | ||
Legal fees |
$ | 500,000 | ||
Accounting expenses |
$ | 20,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 604,900 |
Item 28. |
Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant |
None.
Item 29. |
Number of Holders of Securities |
Set forth below is the number of record holders as of August 14, 2020 of each class of securities of the Registrant.
Title of Class |
Number of Record Holders | |||
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.001 par value per share |
4 |
-2-
Item 30. |
Indemnification |
The Registrants Agreement and Declaration of Trust, incorporated herein by reference, contains provisions limiting the liability, and providing for indemnification, of the Trustees, officers, employees and other Covered Persons (including their respective heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives) to the fullest extent permitted by law, including advancement of payments of all expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and presentation of any defense (subject to repayment obligations in certain circumstances).
Each of the Registrants Form of Distribution Agreement and Form of Dealer Agreement, each incorporated herein by reference, contains provisions limiting the liability, and providing for indemnification, of the Trustees and officers under certain circumstances.
Further, the Form of Investment Management Agreement with Primark, incorporated herein by reference, contains provisions limiting the liability, and providing for indemnification, of Primark and its personnel under certain circumstances.
The Registrants Trustees and officers are insured under a standard investment company errors and omissions insurance policy covering loss incurred by reason of negligent errors and omissions committed in their official capacities as such.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in this Item 30, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. |
Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser |
Primark is a Delaware limited liability company that offers investment management services. Primarks offices are located at 205 Detroit Street, Suite 200, Denver, Colorado 80206.
A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the directors and officers of Primark who serve as officers or Trustees of the Registrant have engaged during the last two years for his or her account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee appears under Management of the Fund and Board of Trustees and Officers in the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, respectively.
Item 32. |
Location of Accounts and Records |
All accounts, books and other documents required by Rule 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are maintained at the offices, as applicable of: (1) Primark, (2) the Custodian and (3) the Administrator.
1. |
Primark Advisors LLC |
205 Detroit Street, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado 80206
2. |
UMB Bank, n.a. |
1010 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
3. |
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC |
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
-3-
Item 33. |
Management Services |
Not applicable.
Item 34. |
Undertakings |
1. Not applicable.
2. Not applicable.
3. The Registrant undertakes:
a. to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:
(1) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act.
(2) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement.
(3) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
b. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
c. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
d. Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the 1933 Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
e. That for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the 1933 Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:
(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act;
(2) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the 1933 Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(3) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
4. Not applicable.
5. Not applicable.
-4-
6. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
7. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, its prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.
-5-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement of Primark Private Equity Investments Fund to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, and the State of Colorado, on the 24th day of August, 2020.
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND | ||||
By: |
/s/ Michael Bell |
|||
Name: | Michael Bell | |||
Title: | President, Principal Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/s/ Michael Bell Michael Bell |
Trustee, President, Principal Executive Officer |
August 24, 2020 | ||
/s/ Derek Mullins Derek Mullins |
Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer |
August 24, 2020 | ||
* /s/ Brien Biondi Brien Biondi |
Trustee | August 24, 2020 | ||
* /s/ Clifford Jack Clifford Jack |
Trustee | August 24, 2020 | ||
* /s/ Sean Kearns Sean Kearns |
Trustee | August 24, 2020 |
* |
Power of Attorney |
*By: |
/s/ Michael Bell |
|
Michael Bell Attorney in Fact |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(a) | (2) | Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Registrant, dated as of August 20, 2020 | ||
(a) | (4) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated as of August 20, 2020 | ||
(b) | (2) | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant | ||
(h) | (3) | Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan | ||
(h) | (4) | Multiple Class Plan | ||
(k) | (4) | Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement | ||
(k) | (5) | Shareholder Servicing Plan | ||
(l) | Opinion and consent of counsel for the Fund | |||
(n) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
STATE of DELAWARE
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE of TRUST
This Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned trustee in accordance with 6 Del. C. § 12-3810(c) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C., § 3801 et seq. (the Act), to amend and restate the original Certificate of Trust of Primark Private Equity Fund, which was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 15, 2020 (the Certificate). The Certificate is amended and restated as follows:
First: |
The name of the statutory trust is Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Trust). | |
Second: |
The address of the registered office of the Trust in the State of Delaware and the name and address of the registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware at such registered office is:
The Corporation Trust Company Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange Street Wilmington, Delaware 19801 New Castle County |
|
Third: |
The Trust is or will become, prior to or within 180 days following the first issuance of beneficial interests, a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. (15 U.S.C. §§ 80-a-l et seq.). | |
Fourth: |
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust relating to the Trust (as amended from time to time, the Declaration of Trust) provides for the issuance of one or more series of shares of beneficial interest in the Trust which series are divisible into any number of classes representing interest in the assets belonging to that series. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained by the Trust for each series and the assets associated solely with any such series shall be held and accounted for separate (directly or indirectly, including through a nominee or otherwise) from the assets of the Trust generally or of any other series. As provided in the Declaration of Trust, all debts, obligations, expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular series shall be enforceable against the assets of such series only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other series thereof, and, none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other series thereof shall be enforceable against the assets of such series. |
[The remainder of this page has been left blank; the signature page follows.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Trustee of the Trust does hereby execute this Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust as of the 20th day of August, 2020.
By: |
/s/ Michael Bell |
|||
Name: | Michael Bell | |||
Title: | Trustee |
-2-
Amended and Restated
Agreement and Declaration of Trust
of
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund
a Delaware Statutory Trust
Principal Place of Business:
205 Detroit Street
2nd Floor
Denver CO 80205
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I Name and Definitions |
3 | |||||
Section 1.1 |
Name |
3 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Definitions |
3 | ||||
ARTICLE II Purpose of Trust |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE III Shares |
5 | |||||
Section 3.1 |
Division of Beneficial Interest |
5 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Ownership of Shares |
6 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Transfer of Shares |
7 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Investments in the Trust |
7 | ||||
Section 3.5 |
Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability |
7 | ||||
Section 3.6 |
Establishment of Series and Classes of Shares |
7 | ||||
ARTICLE IV The Board of Trustees |
10 | |||||
Section 4.1 |
Number, Election, Tenure and Conduct |
10 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee |
11 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Powers |
11 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Payment of Expenses by the Trust |
15 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
Payment of Expenses by Shareholders |
15 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Small Accounts |
16 | ||||
Section 4.7 |
Ownership of Assets of the Trust |
16 | ||||
Section 4.8 |
Service Contracts |
16 | ||||
Section 4.9 |
Trustees and Officers as Shareholders |
17 | ||||
Section 4.10 |
Determinations by Trustees |
18 | ||||
Section 4.11 |
Delegation by Trustees |
18 | ||||
ARTICLE V Shareholders Voting Powers and Meetings |
18 | |||||
ARTICLE VI Net Asset Value, Distributions and Redemptions |
19 | |||||
Section 6.1 |
Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income, and Distributions |
19 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
Redemptions and Repurchases |
19 | ||||
ARTICLE VII Compensation and Limitation of Liability of Trustees |
20 | |||||
Section 7.1 |
Compensation |
20 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Limitation of Liability |
20 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
Trustees Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety |
21 | ||||
Section 7.4 |
Insurance |
22 | ||||
Section 7.5 |
Indemnification |
22 | ||||
Section 7.6 |
Further Indemnification |
23 | ||||
Section 7.7 |
Indemnification of Shareholders |
23 |
i
ARTICLE VIII Miscellaneous |
23 | |||
Section 8.1 |
Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees |
23 | ||
Section 8.2 |
Termination of the Trust or Any Series or Class |
24 | ||
Section 8.3 |
Reorganization and Master/Feeder |
25 | ||
Section 8.4 |
Amendments |
26 | ||
Section 8.5 |
Filing of Copies, References, Headings, Rules of Construction |
26 | ||
Section 8.6 |
Applicable Law |
27 | ||
Section 8.7 |
Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations |
27 | ||
Section 8.8 |
Statutory Trust Only |
28 | ||
Section 8.9 |
Derivative Actions |
28 | ||
Section 8.10 |
Inspection of Records and Reports |
28 | ||
Section 8.11 |
Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial |
29 | ||
Section 8.12 |
Conversion |
29 |
ii
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST is made as of August 20, 2020 for the purpose of governing the Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth.
WHEREAS, the Trust was formed under the Delaware Act by the filing of the Certificate of Trust in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 15, 2020 and the execution and delivery by the sole initial Trustee of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust on June 15, 2020 (the Original Declaration of Trust); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desires to amend and restate the Original Declaration of Trust as set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees do hereby declare that the Trustees will hold IN TRUST all cash, securities and other assets that the Trust now possesses or may hereafter acquire from time to time in any manner and manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions.
ARTICLE I
Name and Definitions
Section 1.1 Name. The name of the Trust is Primark Private Equity Investments Fund and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine. The Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, change the name of the Trust or any Series or Class and adopt such other name as they deem proper. Any name change of any Series or Class shall become effective upon approval by the Trustees of such change or any document (including any Registration Statement) reflecting such change. Any name change of the Trust shall become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment under the Delaware Act reflecting such change. Any such action shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust. In the event of any name change, the Trustees shall cause notice to be given to the affected Shareholders within a reasonable time after the implementation of such change, which notice will be deemed given if the changed name is reflected in any Registration Statement.
Section 1.2 Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) By-Laws shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to time, which By-Laws are expressly herein incorporated by reference as part of the governing instrument within the meaning of the Delaware Act;
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(b) Certificate of Trust shall mean the certificate of trust, as amended or restated from time to time, filed by the Trustees in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware Act to form the Trust;
(c) Class shall mean a class of Shares of the Trust or of any Series of the Trust established in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof;
(d) Commission, Interested Person and Principal Underwriter shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act;
(e) Covered Person shall have the meaning given it in Section 7.5 hereof;
(f) Declaration of Trust shall mean this Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time;
(g) Delaware Act shall mean the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. §§ 3801 et seq., as amended from time to time;
(h) General Assets shall have the meaning given it in Section 3.6(a) hereof;
(i) Investment Manager or Manager shall mean a party furnishing services to the Trust pursuant to any contract described in Section 4.8 hereof;
(j) 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder and interpretations thereunder, and any order or orders thereunder which may from time to time be applicable to the Trust. References herein to specific sections of the 1940 Act shall be deemed to include such rules and regulations as are applicable to such sections as determined by the Trustees or their designees;
(k) Person shall mean and include individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, trusts, associations, joint ventures, estates and other entities, whether or not legal entities, governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof, whether domestic or foreign, and any other person as defined in Section 3801 of the Delaware Act;
(l) Registration Statement shall mean the Trusts registration statement or statements as filed with the Commission, as from time to time in effect and shall include any prospectus or statement of additional information forming a part thereof;
(m) Series shall mean each series of Shares referenced in, or established under or in accordance with, the provisions of Article III;
(n) Shareholder shall mean a record owner of outstanding Shares;
(o) Shares shall mean the shares of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
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(p) Trust shall mean the Delaware statutory trust established under the Delaware Act by this Declaration of Trust and the filing of the Certificate of Trust in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(q) Trust Property shall mean any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, that is from time to time owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or any Series thereof; and
(r) Trustees or Board of Trustees shall mean the persons who have signed this Declaration of Trust and all other persons who may from time to time be duly elected or appointed to serve as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, in each case so long as such person shall continue in office in accordance with the terms of this Declaration of Trust, and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in his, her or their capacities as trustee or trustees hereunder. Unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided, any reference herein to the Trustees shall refer to the Trustee at any time that there is only one Trustee of the Trust.
ARTICLE II
Purpose of Trust
The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the business of a management investment company registered under the 1940 Act through the Trust or through one or more Series investing primarily in securities, and to carry on such other business as the Trustees may from time to time determine pursuant to their authority under this Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE III
Shares
Section 3.1 Division of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into Shares. The Trust and any Series may have no Classes, may consist of one Class or may be divided into two or more Classes. The number of Shares of the Trust and each Series and Class authorized hereunder is unlimited. The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares, and upon the establishment of any Series or Class as provided herein, the Trust shall be authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares of each such Series and Class, unless otherwise determined and subject to any conditions set forth, by the Trustees. Subject to the further provisions of this Article III and any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any authorization or vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class, (i) to divide the beneficial interest in the Trust or in each Series or Class into Shares, with or without par value as the Trustees shall determine (provided that unless the Trustees shall otherwise determine, all Shares shall have a par value of $0.001), (ii) to issue Shares without limitation as to number (including fractional Shares and Shares held in the treasury), to such Persons and for such amount and type of consideration, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, (iii) to establish and designate and to change in any manner any Series or Class and to fix such preferences, voting powers, rights, duties and privileges and business purpose of each
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Series or Class as the Trustees may from time to time determine, which preferences, voting powers, rights, duties and privileges may be senior or subordinate to (or in the case of business purpose, different from) any existing Series or Class thereof and may be limited to specified property or obligations of the Trust or profits and losses associated with specified property or obligations of the Trust, (iv) to divide or combine the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class into a greater or lesser number without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of the Shares of the Trust or such Series or Class in the assets held with respect to the Trust or such Series or Class, (v) to classify or reclassify any Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class into Shares of one or more Series or Classes (whether the Shares to be classified or reclassified are issued and outstanding or unissued and whether such Shares constitute part or all of the Shares of the Trust or such Series or Class) and (vi) to take such other action with respect to the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class as the Trustees may deem desirable.
Subject to the distinctions permitted among Classes of the Trust or any Series as established by the Trustees consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, each Share of the Trust or any Series shall represent an equal beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust or such Series, and each Shareholder of the Trust or any Series shall be entitled to receive such Shareholders pro rata share of distributions of income and capital gains, if any, made with respect to the Trust or such Series. Upon redemption of the Shares of the Trust or any Series, the applicable Shareholder shall be paid solely out of the funds and property of the Trust or such Series of the Trust, as applicable.
All references to Shares in this Declaration of Trust shall be deemed to be Shares of the Trust and of any or all Series or Classes, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of the Trust and each Class, except as the context otherwise requires.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, including Section 4.5 hereof, all Shares issued hereunder, including Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and non-assessable. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or any Series. Shares held in the Trusts treasury shall not confer any voting rights on the Trustees and shall not be entitled to any dividends or other distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
Section 3.2 Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which books shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the Shares held by each Shareholder. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to the identity of the Shareholders of the Trust and of each Series and Class and as to the number of Shares of the Trust and of each Series and Class held from time to time by each Shareholder. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any distribution or to have notice given to such Shareholder of any meeting or other action in respect of the Trust or any Series or Class until such Shareholder has given its address and such other information as shall be required to such officer or agent of the Trust or such Series or Class as shall keep the record books of the Trust or such Series or Class for entry thereof.
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Section 3.3 Transfer of Shares. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the books of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by his duly authorized agent upon delivery to the Trustees or the Trusts transfer or similar agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with a Share certificate if one is outstanding, and such evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery, and subject to any further requirements specified by the Trustees, the transfer shall be recorded on the books of the Trust. Until a transfer is so recorded, the Shareholder of record of Shares shall be deemed to be the Shareholder with respect to such Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor the Trust, nor any transfer or similar agent or registrar or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be affected by any notice of a proposed transfer.
Section 3.4 Investments in the Trust. Investments may be accepted by the Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such consideration as the Trustees or their authorized agents from time to time may authorize in their sole discretion. The Trustees and their authorized agents shall have the right to refuse to issue Shares to any Person at any time and for any reason.
Section 3.5 Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof. The death, incapacity, dissolution, termination or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the existence of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust, nor entitle the representative of any such Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but entitles such representative only to the rights of such Shareholder under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor, except as specifically provided herein, to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay.
Section 3.6 Establishment of Series and Classes of Shares. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Trust shall consist of the Series and Classes (if any) as the Trustees shall by resolution establish. The establishment of any Series or Class of Shares shall be effective upon the adoption by the Trustees of a resolution that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Series or Class, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of another document that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Series or Class including any Registration Statement, any amendment and/or restatement of this Declaration of Trust or as otherwise provided in such resolution. Upon the establishment of any Series or Class of Shares or the termination of any existing Series or Class of Shares, the books and records of the Trust shall be updated to reflect the addition or termination of such Series or Class; provided that any such update shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment or termination of any Series or Class
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in accordance with this Declaration of Trust. The relative rights and preferences of each Series and each Class shall be as set forth herein and as set forth in any Registration Statement relating thereto, unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series or Class. Any action that may be taken by the Trustees with respect to any Series or Class, including any addition, modification, division, combination, classification, reclassification, change of name or termination may be made in the same manner as the establishment of such Series or Class.
Unless otherwise provided in any Registration Statement relating thereto, Shares of each Series or Class established pursuant to this Article III (unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such additional Series or Class), shall have the following relative rights and preferences:
(a) Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source derived, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably be held with respect to that Series for all purposes, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever source derived, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, are herein referred to as assets held with respect to or assets of that Series. In the event that the Trust has only issued Shares of two or more Series (and not Shares of the Trust) and there are any assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds or payments that are not readily identifiable as assets held with respect to any particular Series (collectively General Assets), the Trustees shall allocate such General Assets to, between or among any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable, and any General Assets so allocated to a particular Series shall be held with respect to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
(b) Liabilities Held with Respect to a Particular Series. All liabilities of the Trust held with respect to a particular Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series shall be charged against the assets held with respect to that Series. Any general liabilities of the Trust that are not readily identifiable as being held with respect to any particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. All liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, and reserves so charged to a Series are herein referred to as liabilities held with respect to or liabilities of that Series. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes. All liabilities held with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the assets held with respect to such Series only and not against the assets of the Trust generally or against the assets held with respect to any other Series and, except as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust with respect to the allocation of General Assets, none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other Series thereof shall be enforceable against
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the assets of such Series. Notice of this limitation on inter-Series liabilities shall be set forth in the Certificate of Trust or in an amendment thereto. To the extent required by Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act in order to give effect to the limitation on inter-Series liabilities set forth in this Section 3.6, (i) separate and distinct records shall be maintained for each Series, (ii) the assets held with respect to each Series shall be held in such separate and distinct records (directly or indirectly, including through a nominee or otherwise) and accounted for in such separate and distinct records separately from the assets held with respect to all other Series and the General Assets of the Trust not allocated to such Series and or (iii) the records maintained for each Series shall account for the assets held with respect to such Series separately from the assets of any other Series and from the General Assets of the Trust not allocated to such Series.
(c) Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions, and Repurchases. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust, including Article VI, no dividend or distribution on the Shares of any Series, including any distribution paid in connection with termination of the Trust or such Series or any Class of such Series, nor any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of such Series or Class shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets held with respect to such Series, nor shall any Shareholder of any particular Series otherwise have any right or claim against the assets held with respect to any other Series except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Series. The Trustees shall have the sole discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital, and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon all Shareholders for all purposes.
(d) Fractions. Any fractional Share of the Trust or any Series shall carry proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of the Trust or any Series, including rights with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions, redemption of Shares and termination of the Trust.
(e) Exchange Privilege. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the Shareholders of any Series or Class shall have the right to exchange such Shares for Shares of one or more other Series or Class of Shares or for interests in one or more trusts, corporations or other business entities (or a series or class of any of the foregoing) in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(f) Combination of Series and Classes. The Trustees shall have the authority, without the approval of the Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class unless otherwise required by applicable federal law, to combine the assets and liabilities held with respect to any two or more Series or Classes into assets and liabilities held with respect to a single Series or Class and in connection therewith to cause the Shareholders of each such Series or Class to become shareholders of such single Series or Class. The transactions contemplated by this Section 3.6(f) may be effected through share-for-share exchanges, transfers, or sales of assets, Shareholder in- kind redemptions and purchases, exchange offers, or any other method approved by the Trustees.
(g) Elimination of Series or Classes. In addition to the rights granted to the Trustees in Section 8.2 to dissolve a Series or to terminate a Class, at any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular Series or Class previously established, the Trustees may dissolve such Series or terminate such Class and rescind the establishment thereof.
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(h) Division of Series or Classes. The Trustees shall have the authority, without the approval of the Shareholders of any Series or Class unless otherwise required by applicable federal law, to divide the assets and liabilities held with respect to any Series or Class into assets and liabilities held with respect to an additional one or more Series or Classes and in connection therewith to cause some or all of the Shareholders of such Series or Class to be admitted as Shareholders of such additional one or more Series or Classes.
ARTICLE IV
The Board of Trustees
Section 4.1 Number, Election, Tenure and Conduct.
(a) The initial Trustees shall be the persons initially signing this Declaration of Trust. The number of Trustees shall be the number of persons so signing until changed by the Trustees, and the Trustees may fix the number of Trustees from time to time; provided that the number of Trustees shall at all times be at least one (1). Each Trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Trust until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor or, if sooner, until he or she dies, declines to serve, resigns, retires, is removed, is incapacitated or is otherwise unable or unwilling to serve as herein provided. Shareholders shall not be entitled to elect Trustees except as required by the 1940 Act. To the extent required by the 1940 Act, the Shareholders shall elect the Trustees on such dates as the Trustees may fix from time to time. Any Trustee may resign at any time by an instrument signed by him and delivered to any officer of the Trust or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed shall have any right to any compensation from the Trust for any period following the effective date of his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal. The Shareholders may elect Trustees at any meeting of Shareholders called by the Trustees for that purpose. In the event that after the proxy material has been printed for a meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected any one or more nominees named in such proxy material dies or become incapacitated or is otherwise unable or unwilling to serve, the authorized number of Trustees shall be automatically reduced by the number of such nominees, unless the Board of Trustees prior to the meeting shall otherwise determine. Any Trustee may be removed by action of a majority of the Trustees with or without cause. Any Trustee may be removed with or without cause at any meeting of Shareholders by a vote of two-thirds of the total combined net asset value of all Shares of the Trust and each Series issued and outstanding voting as a single class or group. A meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing or removing one or more Trustees shall be called as provided in the By-Laws.
(b) A Trustee shall be removed immediately, without the need for further action or determination, in the event that such Trustee (i) is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or admits committing, a felony or any crime involving theft, fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, whether or not committed in the course of performing services or obligations as a Trustee or (ii) is subject to a final court judgment, without further rights of appeal, or enters into a settlement agreement with respect to a civil or criminal claim made by any governmental, regulatory or quasi-regulatory agency, including without limitation the Securities and Exchange
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Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Further, a Trustee shall be removed for Cause upon a finding of such Cause by a majority of the Board of Trustees. Such finding shall be final and binding upon a Trustee so removed. For the purposes hereof, Cause means (i) disloyalty, deliberate dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty to the Trust; (ii) one or more acts or omissions by the Trustee which are willful and deliberate acts or omissions which the Trustee knew or should have known that such acts or omissions are reasonably likely to cause material harm or injury to the business, operations, financial condition, properties, assets, prospects, value or reputation of the Trust; (iii) the commission by the Trustee of an act in deliberate disregard of the rules or policies of the Trust, including any By-Laws, which results in a material loss, damage or injury to the Trust or materially adversely affects the business activities, financial condition, prospects, reputation, goodwill or image of the Trust; (iv) the Trustees willful disregard of the lawful directives of the Board of Trustees of the Trust clearly communicated to Trustee and consistent with this Agreement and Declaration of Trust; (v) a material breach by the Trustee of obligations of the Trustee under this Agreement and Declaration of Trust; (vi) the Trustees violation of his or her duties under Section 4.1(c) of this Agreement and Declaration of Trust; or (vii) the Trustees gross negligence or willful misconduct of his duties with respect to the Trust.
(c) No Trustee shall make any oral or written statement to any third party that disparages, defames, or reflects adversely or negatively upon the Trust. Each Trustee shall be required to use best efforts and exercise the utmost diligence to protect the confidential information of the Trust, except as disclosure may be required in the course of performing services or obligations as a Trustee or as may be required by legal or regulatory process.
Section 4.2 Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee. The death, declination to serve, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of one or more Trustees, or all of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever there shall be fewer than the designated number of Trustees, until additional Trustees are elected or appointed as provided herein to bring the total number of Trustees equal to the designated number, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration of Trust. As evidence of such vacancy, an instrument certifying the existence of such vacancy may be executed by an officer of the Trust or by a Trustee. In the event of the death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of all the then Trustees within a short period of time and without the opportunity for at least one Trustee being able to appoint additional Trustees to replace those no longer serving, the Trusts Investment Manager(s) are empowered to appoint new Trustees subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 4.3 Powers. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and the Trustees shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility including the power to engage in securities transactions of all kinds on behalf of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may; adopt By- Laws providing for the regulation and management of the affairs of the Trust and may amend and repeal such By-Laws; enlarge or reduce their number and fill vacancies caused by enlargement of their number or by the death, declination to serve, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity of a Trustee; elect and remove, with or without cause, such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate; appoint from their own number and establish and terminate one or more committees consisting of one or more Trustees which may exercise the powers and
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authority of the Board of Trustees to the extent that the Trustees determine, including a committee consisting of fewer than all of the Trustees then in office, which may act for and bind the Trustees and the Trust, with respect to the institution, prosecution, dismissal, settlement, review or investigation of any legal action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened to be brought before any court, administrative agency or other adjudicatory body; employ one or more custodians of the assets of the Trust and authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank; retain a transfer or similar agent or a shareholder servicing agent, or both; provide for the issuance and distribution of Shares by the Trust directly or through one or more Principal Underwriters, or both, or otherwise, including pursuant to one or more distribution plans of any kind; set record dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various matters; establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the State of Delaware; and declare and pay dividends and distributions to Shareholders. The Trustees have the power to construe and interpret this Declaration of Trust and to act upon any such construction or interpretation. Any construction or interpretation of this Declaration of Trust by the Trustees and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust and the Shareholders made by the Trustees in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Shareholders and all other Persons for all purposes. In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees. Except as required by federal law including the 1940 Act, neither the Trustees nor any officer of the Trust shall owe any fiduciary duty to the Trust or any Series or Class or any Shareholder. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or required by federal law including the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall act in their sole discretion and may take any action or exercise any power without any vote or consent of the Shareholders.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have the power and authority to cause the Trust (or to act on behalf of the Trust);
(a) To invest and reinvest cash, to hold cash uninvested, and to subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, write options on, lend or otherwise deal in, or dispose of any form of property, including foreign currencies and related instruments and contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of fixed income or other securities, and securities of every nature and kind, including all types of bonds, debentures, stocks, warrants, time notes, negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, convertible securities, forward contracts, options, futures contracts, swaps, other financial contracts or derivative instruments and securities issued by an investment company registered under the 1940 Act or any series thereof, bankers acceptances, and other securities of any kind, issued, created, guaranteed, or sponsored by any and all Persons, including states, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, any foreign government or any political subdivision of the U.S. Government or any foreign government, or any international instrumentality, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any corporation or organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or possession thereof, or by any corporation or organization organized under any foreign law, or in when issued contracts for any such securities, to change the investments of the assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights, powers, and privileges
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of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such investments of every kind and description, including the right to consent and otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate one or more Persons to exercise any of said rights, powers, and privileges in respect of any of said instruments;
(b) To purchase, sell and hold currencies and enter into contracts for the future purchase or sale of currencies, including forward foreign currency exchange contracts;
(c) To sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, or write options (including, options on futures contracts) with respect to or otherwise deal in any property rights relating to any or all of the assets of the Trust or any Series;
(d) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such Person or Persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such Person or Persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(e) To exercise powers and right of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(f) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in its own name or in the name of a Trustee or in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a nominee or nominees or otherwise;
(g) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, conversion, division, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer of any security which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer; and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(h) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depository, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depository or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depository or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(i) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy, including claims for taxes;
(j) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
(k) To borrow funds or other property or otherwise obtain credit in the name of the Trust or Series exclusively for Trust (or such Series) purposes and in connection therewith issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; and to mortgage, pledge or otherwise subject as security the Trust Property or any part thereof to secure any or all of such indebtedness, including the lending of portfolio securities;
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(l) To endorse or guarantee the payment, or undertake the performance, of any notes or other contracts, engagements or obligations of any Person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust Property or any part thereof to secure any of or all of such obligations;
(m) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property, or the assets belonging to the Trust or any appropriate Series, such insurance as the Trustees may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business, including insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust or such Series or payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers or Managers, Principal Underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust, individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding Shares, holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such Person as Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser or Manager, Principal Underwriter, or independent contractor, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against liability;
(n) To adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans and trusts, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust;
(o) To operate as and carry out the business of an investment company registered under the 1940 Act, and exercise all the powers necessary or appropriate to the conduct of such operations;
(p) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as the Commission may permit as custodians of any assets of the Trust or a Series thereof subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws;
(q) To establish separate and distinct Series with separately defined investment objectives and policies, distinct investment purposes and separate Shares representing beneficial interests in such Series, and to establish separate Classes of the Trust or any Series, all in accordance with the provisions of Article III;
(r) To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of the Trust or any Series or Class;
(s) To the fullest extent permitted by Section 3804 of the Delaware Act, to allocate assets and liabilities of the Trust to the Trust or to a particular Series, and liabilities to a particular Class, or to apportion the same between or among the Trust or two (2) or more Series or Classes, as provided for in Article III;
(t) To invest part or all of the Trust Property, or to dispose of part or all of the Trust Property and invest the proceeds of such disposition, in securities issued by one or more other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act (including investment by means of transfer
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of part or all of the Trust Property in exchange for an interest or interests in such one or more investment companies) all without any requirement of approval by Shareholders unless required by the 1940 Act. Any such other investment company may (but need not) be a trust (formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state) which is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes;
(u) To declare and make distributions of income and capital gains to Shareholders;
(v) To provide for separate classes, groups or series of Trustees with respect to any Series or Class or any Trust Property having such relative rights, powers and duties as the Trustees may determine;
(w) To issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, cancel, retire, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, transfer, dispose of and otherwise deal in Shares pursuant to applicable federal law; to establish terms and conditions including any fees or expenses regarding the issuance, sale, repurchase, redemption, cancellation, retirement, acquisition, holding, resale, reissuance, disposition of or dealing in Shares; and, subject to Articles III and VI, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust or of any particular Series with respect to which such Shares are issued;
(x) To enter into contracts of any kind and description and carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary or desirable to accomplish any purpose or to further any of the foregoing powers, and to take every other action incidental to the foregoing business or purposes, objects or powers; and
(y) Subject to the 1940 Act, to engage in any other lawful act or activity in which a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Act may engage.
The Trust shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible termination of the Trust or one or more of its Series. The Trust shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investment by fiduciaries. The Trust shall not be required to obtain any court order to deal with any assets of the Trust or take any other action hereunder.
Section 4.4 Payment of Expenses by the Trust. The Trustees are authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust, or partly out of the principal and partly out of income, as they deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, or in connection with the management thereof, including the Trustees compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trusts officers, employees, investment adviser or Manager, Principal Underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, deem necessary or proper to incur, which expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities shall be allocated in accordance with Section 3.6 hereof.
Section 4.5 Payment of Expenses by Shareholders. The Trustees shall have the power, as frequently as they may determine, to cause any Shareholder to pay directly, in advance or arrears, an amount fixed, from time to time, by the Trustees or an officer of the Trust for charges
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of the Trusts custodian or transfer, dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing, or similar agent that are not customarily charged generally to the Trust, a Series, or a Class, where such services are provided to such Shareholder individually, rather than to all Shareholders collectively, including, without limitation, by setting off such amount due from such Shareholder from the amount of (i) declared but unpaid dividends or distributions owed such Shareholder, or (ii) proceeds from the redemption by the Trust or any Series of Shares from such Shareholder pursuant to Article VI hereof.
Section 4.6 Small Accounts. The Trustees or their authorized agents may establish, from time to time, one or more minimum investment amounts for Shareholder accounts, which may differ within and among any Series or Class, and may impose account fees on (which may be satisfied by involuntarily redeeming the requisite number of Shares in any such account in the amount of such fee), and or require the involuntary redemption of Shares held in, those accounts the net asset value of which for any reason falls below such established minimum investment amounts, or may authorize the Trust to convert any such Shares in such account to Shares of another Series or Class (whether of the same or a different Series, or take any other such action with respect to minimum investment amounts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Trustees or their authorized agents, in each case upon such terms as shall be established by the Trustees or their authorized agents.
Section 4.7 Ownership of Assets of the Trust. Title to all of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust, except that the Trustees shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine with the same effect as if such property were held in the name of the Trust. No creditor of any Trustee shall have any right to obtain possession, or otherwise exercise legal or equitable remedies with respect to, any Trust Property with respect to any claim against, or obligation of, such Trustee in its individual capacity and not related to the Trust or any Series or Class of the Trust. The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter become a Trustee. Upon the resignation, retirement, removal, declination to serve, incapacity, or death of a Trustee, he or she shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust Property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered.
Section 4.8 Service Contracts.
(a) The Trust may enter into contracts with one or more Persons, to act as investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, manager, investment manager, administrator, sub-administrator, transfer agent, or other agent, and as such to perform such functions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, including, without limitation, investment advisory, management, research, valuation of assets, clerical and administrative functions, under such terms and conditions, and for such compensation, as the Trustees may deem advisable. The Trustees may also authorize any adviser or sub-adviser to employ one or more sub-advisers from time to time and any administrator to employ one or more sub-administrators from time to time, upon such terms and conditions as shall be approved by the Trustees.
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(b) The Trust may enter into a contract or contracts with one or more Persons to act as underwriters, distributors or placement agents whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class to the other party or parties to the contactor appoint such other party or parties its sales agent or agents for such Shares and with such other provisions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, and the Trust may from time to time enter into transfer agency, sub-transfer agency and or shareholder servicing contract(s), in each case with such terms and conditions, and providing for such compensation, as the Trustees may deem advisable.
All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held pursuant to a written contract or contracts with one or more custodians and subcustodians or shall otherwise be held in accordance with the 1940 Act, to the extent applicable.
(c) Any contract of the character described in this Section 4.8 may be entered into with any Person, including the investment adviser, any investment sub-adviser or an affiliate of the investment adviser or sub-adviser, although one or more of the Trustees, officers, or Shareholders of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, or otherwise interested in such contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any Person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom. The same Person may be a party to more than one contract entered into pursuant to this Section 4.8 and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with Persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.8.
(d) The authority of the Trustees hereunder to authorize the Trust to enter into contracts or other agreements or arrangements shall include the authority of the Trustees to modify, amend, waive any provision of supplement, assign all or a portion of, novate, or terminate such contracts, agreements or arrangements. The enumeration of any specific contracts in this Section 4.8 shall in no way be deemed to limit the power and authority of the Trustees as otherwise set forth in this Declaration of Trust to authorize the Trust to employ, contract with or make payments to such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust.
(e) The Trustees are further empowered, at any time and from time to time, to contract with any Person to provide such other services to the Trust or one or more of the Series, as the Trustees determine to be in the best interests of the Trust and the applicable Series.
(f) Any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust may lend money to, borrow money from, act as a surety, guarantor or endorser for, guarantee or assume one or more obligations of, provide collateral for, and transact other business with the Trust and, subject to applicable law, has the same rights and obligations with respect to any such matter as a Person who is not a Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust.
Section 4.9 Trustees and Officers as Shareholders. Any Trustee, officer or agent of the Trust may acquire, own and dispose of Shares to the same extent as if he were not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell and cause to be issued and sold Shares to, and redeem such Shares from, any such Person or any firm or company in which such Person is interested, subject only to the general limitations contained herein relating to the sale and redemption of such Shares.
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Section 4.10 Determinations by Trustees. The Trustees may make any determinations they deem necessary with respect to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, including the following matters; the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the Trust or any Series or Class; the amount of the net income of the Trust or any Series or Class from dividends, capital gains, interest or other sources for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends or distributions; which items are to be treated as income and which as capital; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid or discharged); the market value, or any other price to be applied in determining the market value, or the fair value, of any security or other asset owned or held by the Trust or any Series or Class; the number of Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class issued or issuable; and the net asset value per Share.
Section 4.11 Delegation by Trustees. Subject only to any limitations required by federal law including the 1940 Act, the Trustees may delegate any and all rights, powers, authority and duties hereunder as they consider desirable to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees, any committee composed of Trustees and other persons and any committee composed only of persons other than Trustees and to any agent, independent contractor or employee of the Trust or to any custodian, administrator, transfer or shareholder servicing agent, Manager, investment adviser or sub-adviser, Principal Underwriter or other service provider, provided that such delegation of rights power, authority or duties by the Trustees shall not cause any Trustee to cease to be a Trustee of the Trust or cause such person, officer, agent, employee, custodian, transfer or shareholder servicing agent, Manager, Principal Underwriter or other service provider to whom any rights power, authority or duties has been delegated to be a Trustee of the Trust. The reference in this Declaration of Trust to the right of the Trustee to, or circumstances under which they may, delegate any rights, power, authority or duties, or the reference in this Declaration of Trust to the authorized agents of the Trustees or any other Person to whom any rights, power, authority or duties has been or may be delegated pursuant to any specific provision of this Declaration of Trust, shall not limit the authority of the Trustees to delegate any other rights, power, authority or duties under this Declaration of Trust to any Person, subject only to any limitations under federal law including the 1940 Act.
ARTICLE V
Shareholders Voting Powers and Meetings
The Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for the election or removal of Trustees as and to the extent provided in Section 4.1, (ii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by federal law including the 1940 Act, or any registration of the Trust with the Commission (or any successor agency) or any state and (iii) as the Trustees may otherwise consider necessary or desirable in their sole discretion. Provisions relating to meetings, quorum, required vote, record date and other matters relating to Shareholder voting rights are as provided in the By-Laws.
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ARTICLE VI
Net Asset Value, Distributions and Redemptions
Section 6.1 Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income, and Distributions. Subject to applicable federal law including the 1940 Act and Section 3.6 hereof, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may prescribe (and delegate to any officer of the Trust or any other Person or Persons the right and obligation to prescribe) such bases and time (including any methodology or plan) for determining the per Share or net asset value of the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class or net income attributable to the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class, or the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions on the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class and the method of determining the Shareholders to whom dividends and distributions are payable, as they may deem necessary or desirable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to applicable federal law including the 1940 Act, any dividend or distribution may be paid in cash and or securities or other property, and the composition of any such distribution shall be determined by the Trustees (or by any officer of the Trust or any other Person or Persons to whom such authority has been delegated by the Trustees) and may be different among Shareholders including differences among Shareholders of the same Series or Class.
Section 6.2 Redemptions and Repurchases
(a) From time to time, the Trust may redeem or repurchase its Shares, all upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Trustees and subject to any applicable provisions of the 1940 Act or any exemption therefrom. The Trust may require Shareholders to pay a withdrawal charge, a sales charge, or any other form of charge to the Trust, to the underwriter or to any other person designated by the Trustees upon redemption or repurchase of Shares in such amount as shall be determined from time to time by the Trustees. The Trust may also charge a redemption or repurchase fee, payable to the Trust, in such amount as may be determined from time to time by the Trustees. The Trustees may from time to time specify conditions, not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any exemption therefrom, regarding the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Trust.
(b) Subject to Section 6.2(a) hereof, Shares may be redeemed or repurchased at their net asset value or at such other price as is in compliance with the 1940 Act or any exemption therefrom, which may be reduced by any sales charge, withdrawal charge, redemption or repurchase fee, or any other form of charge authorized by the Trustees. Net asset value shall be determined as set forth in Section 6.1 hereof as of such time as the Trustees shall have theretofore prescribed by resolution. Subject to 6.2(a) hereof, any shares of preferred stock may be redeemed or repurchased on such terms as are stipulated in the document or resolution of the Trustees establishing the terms. Payment for Shares redeemed or repurchased shall be made in cash or in property out of the assets of the Trust, or if applicable, the relevant Series to the Shareholder of record at such time and in the manner, not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or other applicable laws.
(c) The Trustees may require any Shareholder or group of Shareholders (including some or all of the Shareholders of any Series or Class) to redeem Shares for any reason as determined by the Trustees, in their sole discretion, including (i) the determination of the Trustees that direct or indirect ownership of Shares of the Trust or any Series has or may become
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concentrated in such Shareholder to an extent that would disqualify any Series as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the failure of a Shareholder to supply a tax identification number if required to do so, or to have the minimum investment required (which may vary by Series or Class), (iii) if the Share activity of the account or ownership of Shares by a particular Shareholder is deemed by the Trustees either to affect adversely the management of the Trust or any Series or Class or not to be in the best interests of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class or (iv) the failure of a Shareholder to pay when due for the purchase of Shares issued to him. Any such redemption shall be effected at the redemption price and in the manner provided in this Article VI.
(d) The Shareholders shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor statute thereto), or to comply with the requirements of any other taxing authority.
(e) Subject to applicable federal law including the 1940 Act, and except as otherwise determined by the Trustees, upon redemption, Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding or carry any voting rights irrespective of whether a record date for any matter on which such Shares were entitled to vote had been set on a date prior to the date on which such Shares were redeemed. In making a determination as to whether redeemed Shares shall be deemed outstanding and carry any voting rights with respect to any matter on which such Shares were entitled to vote prior to redemption, subject to applicable federal law including the 1940 Act, the Trustees may, among other things, determine that Shares redeemed either before or after a date specified by the Trustees between the record date for such matter and the meeting date for such matter shall be deemed outstanding and retain voting rights, which determination may be made for any reason including that it would not be reasonably practicable to obtain a quorum if all of the Shares redeemed after the record date for such matter and before the voting date no longer were deemed outstanding and earned any voting rights.
ARTICLE VII
Compensation and Limitation of Liability of Trustees
Section 7.1 Compensation. Any Trustee, whether or not he or she is a salaried officer or employee of the Trust, may be compensated for his or her services as Trustee or as a member of a committee of Trustees or as chairman of a committee by fixed periodic payments or by fees for attendance at meetings, by both or otherwise, and in addition may be reimbursed for transportation and other expenses, all in such manner and amounts as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other services and payment for the same by the Trust.
Section 7.2 Limitation of Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, a Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, Manager, adviser, sub-adviser or Principal Underwriter of the Trust.
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All Persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or any Series shall look only to the assets of the Trust or any applicable Series that such Person extended credit to, contracted with or has a claim against, and neither the Trustees nor the Shareholders, nor any of the Trusts officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees by any of them in connection with the Trust shall conclusively be deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to his or their capacity as Trustee or Trustees, and such Trustee or Trustees shall not be personally liable thereon. At the Trustees discretion, any note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officer or officers may give notice that the Certificate of Trust is on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and that a limitation on liability of Series exists and such note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking may, if the Trustees so determine, recite that the same was executed or made on behalf of the Trust by a Trustee or Trustees in such capacity and not individually or by an officer or officers in such capacity and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust or a Series thereof, and may contain such further recital as such Person or Persons may deem appropriate. The omission of any such notice or recital shall in no way operate to bind any Trustees, officers or Shareholders individually.
Section 7.3 Trustees Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise in good faith by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. The Trustees may rely in good faith upon advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and the 1940 Act, and their duties as Trustees hereunder and thereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice; provided the Trustees shall be under no liability for failing to follow such advice. A Trustee shall be fully protected in relying in faith upon the records of the Trust and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented by another Trustee or any officer, employee or other agent of the Trust, or by any other Person as to matters the Trustee reasonably believes are within such other Persons professional or expert competence, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Trust or any Series or Class, or the value and amount of assets or reserves or contracts, agreements or other undertakings that would be sufficient to pay claims and obligations of the Trust or any Series or Class or to make reasonable provision to pay such claims and obligations, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Shareholders or creditors of the Trust might properly be paid. The appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as chair of the Trustees, a member or chair of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert), or the lead independent Trustee, or any other special appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification, and no Trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is appointed, designated or
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identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof. In addition, no appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as aforesaid shall affect in any way that Trustees rights or entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is obtained.
Section 7.4 Insurance. The Trustees shall be entitled and empowered to the fullest extent permitted by law to purchase with Trust assets insurance for liability and for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be paid by the Trust or by a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved by virtue of his or her capacity or former capacity with the Trust.
Section 7.5 Indemnification
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer or employee of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (Covered Person) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof. As used herein, the words claim, action, suit or proceeding shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, regulatory, investigative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words liability and expenses shall include, without limitation, attorneys fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities whatsoever.
(b) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of a Covered Person.
(c) To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in subsection (a) of this Section 7.5 shall be paid by the Trust and each appropriate Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section; provided, however, that any such advancement will be made in accordance with any conditions required by applicable law or regulation. The advancement of any expenses pursuant to this Section 7.5(d) shall under no circumstances be considered a loan under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended from time to time, or for any other reason.
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(e) Any repeal or modification of this Article VII or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust inconsistent with this Article shall be prospective only to the extent that such repeal or modification would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification or right to advancement of expenses available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission that occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, any liability and/or expense against which any Covered Person is indemnified under this Section 7.5 and any advancement of expenses that any Covered Person is entitled to be paid under Section 7.5(d) shall be deemed to be joint and several obligations of the Trust and each appropriate Series, and the assets of the Trust and each appropriate Series shall be subject to the claims of any Covered Person therefor under this Article VII; provided that any such liability, expense or obligation may be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among the Trust and/or any one or more of the appropriate Series (and Classes) in such manner as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable.
Section 7.6 Further Indemnification. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which any Covered Person or other Person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law or prevent the Trust from entering into any contract to provide indemnification to any Covered Person or other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may, in connection with any transaction permitted by this Declaration of Trust, including the acquisition of assets subject to liabilities or a merger or consolidation pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof, assume the obligation to indemnify any Person including a Covered Person or otherwise contract to provide such indemnification, and such indemnification shall not be subject to the terms of this Article VII.
Section 7.7 Indemnification of Shareholders. If any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series is held personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of any entity, its general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by such Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against him or her for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets belonging to the Series.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
Section 8.1 Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No Person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.
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Section 8.2 Termination of the Trust or Any Series or Class.
(a) Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust may be dissolved at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders. Any Series of Shares may be dissolved and/or liquidated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders of such Series. Any Class may be terminated and/or liquidated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders of such Class. Any action to dissolve the Trust shall be deemed to also be an action to dissolve and/or liquidate each Series, and to terminate and/or liquidate each Class.
(b) In accordance with Section 3808 of the Delaware Act, upon the requisite action by the Trustees to dissolve the Trust or any one or more Series of Shares after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, of the Trust or of the particular Series as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate reduce the remaining assets of the Trust or of the affected Series to distributable form in cash or Shares (if any Series remain) or other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the Shareholders of the Trust or any applicable Series, ratably according to the number of Shares of the Trust or such Series held by the several Shareholders of the Trust or such Series on the date of distribution. Thereupon, the Trust and/or any affected Series shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties relating thereto or arising therefrom, and the right, title and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust and/or such Series shall be canceled and discharged. Upon the requisite action by the Trustees to terminate any Class, the Trustees may, to the extent they deem it appropriate, follow the procedures set forth in this Section 8.2(b) with respect to such Class that are specified in connection with the dissolution and winding up of the Trust or any Series of Shares. Alternatively, in connection with the termination of any Class, the Trustees may treat such termination as a redemption of the Shareholders of such Class effected pursuant to Section 6.2(c) of this Declaration of Trust provided that the costs relating to the termination of such Class shall be included in the determination of the net asset value of the Shares of such Class for purposes of determining the redemption price to be paid to the Shareholders of such Class (to the extent not otherwise included in such determination). In connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Trust or any Series and in connection with the termination of any Class, the Trustees may provide for the establishment of a liquidating trust or similar vehicle.
(c) Following completion of winding up of the Trusts business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the Trusts Certificate of Trust to be filed in accordance with the Delaware Act, which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any one Trustee. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the Trust shall terminate, the Trustees shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties relating thereto or arising therefrom, and the right, title and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust shall be canceled and discharged.
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Section 8.3 Reorganization and Master/Feeder.
(a) Notwithstanding anything else herein, to the extent permitted by law, the Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, may, in their sole discretion and without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, (i) cause the Trust to convert, divide, merge, reorganize or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations or other business entities (or a series of any of the foregoing to the extent permitted by law) (including trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations or other business entities created by the Trustees to accomplish such conversion, division, merger, reorganization or consolidation), and that, in the case of any trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such conversion, division, merger, reorganization or consolidation, may (but need not) succeed to or assume the Trusts registration under the 1940 Act and that, in any case, is formed, organized or existing under the laws of the United States or of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States, (ii) cause the Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law, (iii) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States, (iv) sell or convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or of any Series or Class of the Trust to another Series or Class of the Trust or to another trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity (or a series of any of the foregoing to the extent permitted by law) (including a trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such sale and conveyance), organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States, and, in the case of any trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such sale and conveyance, may (but need not) succeed to or assume the Trusts registration under the 1940 Act, for adequate consideration as determined by the Trustees that may include the assumption of any or all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent of the Trust or any affected Series or Class, and that may include Shares of such other Series or Class of the Trust or shares of beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interest of such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity or series thereof) or (v) at any time sell or convert into money all or any part of the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class. Any certificate of merger, certificate of division, certificate of conversion or other applicable certificate may be signed by any one (1) Trustee and facsimile and electronic signatures conveyed by electronic transmission shall be valid.
(b) Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Declaration of Trust, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved by the Trustees in accordance with this Section 8.3 may effect any amendment to this Declaration of Trust or effect the adoption of a new governing instrument of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting entity in the merger or consolidation.
(c) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, in their sole discretion and without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, invest all or a portion of the Trust Property or the Trust Property of any Series, or dispose of all or a portion of the Trust Property or the Trust Property of any Series, and invest the proceeds of such disposition
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in interests issued by one or more other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. Any such other investment company may (but need not) be a trust (formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state or jurisdiction) (or subtrust thereof) which is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, cause the Trust or any Series that is organized in the master/feeder find structure to withdraw or redeem its Trust Property from the master fund and cause the Trust or such Series to invest its Trust Property directly in securities and other financial instruments or in another master fund.
Section 8.4 Amendments. This Declaration of Trust may be restated and/or amended at any time by (i) an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the Trustees then holding office or (ii) adoption by a majority of the Trustees then holding office of a resolution specifying the restatement and/or amendment. Any such restatement and/or amendment hereto shall be effective immediately upon such execution or adoption. No vote or consent of any Shareholder shall be required for any amendment to this Declaration of Trust except (i) as determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion or (ii) as required by federal law including the 1940 Act, but only to the extent so required. The Certificate of Trust of the Trust may be restated and/or amended by any Trustee as necessary or desirable to reflect any change in the information set forth therein, and any such restatement and/or amendment shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of the State of Delaware or upon such future date as may be stated therein. Notwithstanding anything else herein, no amendment hereof shall limit the rights to insurance provided by Article VII of this Declaration of Trust with respect to any acts or omissions of Persons covered thereby prior to such amendment nor shall any such amendment limit the rights to indemnification and advancement referenced in Article VII of this Declaration of Trust with respect to any actions or omissions of Persons covered thereby prior to such amendment.
Section 8.5 Filing of Copies, References, Headings, Rules of Construction. The original or a copy of this Declaration of Trust shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this Declaration of Trust. In this Declaration of Trust, references to this Declaration of Trust, and all expressions such as herein, hereof and hereunder, shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration of Trust as a whole and not to any particular article or section unless the context requires otherwise. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever the singular number is used herein, the same shall include the plural; and the neuter, masculine and feminine genders shall include each other, as applicable. This Declaration of Trust and any document, consent or instrument referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, (i) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws that is to be executed by one or more Trustees may be executed by means of original, facsimile or electronic signature and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws that is to be delivered by one or more Trustees may be delivered by electronic transmission
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(including facsimile or e-mail) unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), otherwise determined by the Trustees. The terms include, includes and including and any comparable terms shall be deemed to mean including, without limitation. Any reference to any statute, law, code, rule or regulation shall be deemed to refer to such statute, law, code, rule or regulation as amended or restated from time to time and any successor thereto.
Section 8.6 Applicable Law.
(a) The Trust is created under, and this Declaration of Trust is to be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware. The Trust shall be a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to statutory trusts or actions that may be engaged in by statutory trusts under the Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions.
(b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 3.6(a), there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Declaration of Trust, the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate; (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining a court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums applicable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees that are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees set forth or referenced in this Declaration of Trust.
Section 8.7 Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations.
(a) The provisions of the Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provision is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor statute thereto), and the regulations thereunder, the Delaware Act or with other applicable federal laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust, provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
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Section 8.8 Statutory Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create a statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association, corporation, bailment, or any form of legal relationship other than a statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association.
Section 8.9 Derivative Actions. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met.
(a) The Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed. For purposes of this Section 8.9(a), a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, is composed of Trustees who are not independent trustees (as that term is defined in the Delaware Act);
(b) Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this Section 8.9, Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who collectively hold Shares representing ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined net asset value of all Shares issued and outstanding or of the Series or Classes to which such action relates if it does not relate to all Series and Classes, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and
(c) Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this Section 8.9, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
(d) For purposes of this Section 8.9, the Board of Trustees may designate a committee of one Trustee to consider a Shareholder demand if necessary to create a committee with a majority of Trustees who are independent trustees (as that term is defined in the Delaware Act). The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
Section 8.10 Inspection of Records and Reports. Every Trustee shall have the right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the Trust. This inspection by a Trustee may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents. No Shareholder shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of the Trust that is not publicly available, except as conferred by the Trustees. The books and records of the Trust may be kept at such place or places as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine, except as otherwise required by law.
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Section 8.11 Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial. In accordance with Section 3804(e) of the Delaware Act, any suit, action or proceeding brought by or in the right of any Shareholder or any person claiming any interest in any Shares seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Declaration of Trust or the Trust, any Series or Class or any Shares, including any claim of any nature against the Trust, any Series or Class, the Trustees or officers of the Trust, shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware to the extent there is subject matter jurisdiction in such court for the claims asserted or, if not, then in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, and all Shareholders and other such Persons hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts, therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection they may make now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and further, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, ALL SHAREHOLDERS AND ALL OTHER SUCH PERSONS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. All Shareholders and other such Persons agree that service of summons, complaint or other process in connection with any proceedings may be made by registered or certified mail or by overnight courier addressed to such Person at the address shown on the books and records of the Trust for such Person or at the address of the Person shown on the books and records of the Trust with respect to the Shares that such Person claims an interest in. Service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding against the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust may be made at the address of the Trusts registered agent in the State of Delaware. Any service so made shall be effective as if personally made in the State of Delaware.
Section 8.12 Conversion. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, a favorable vote of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Shares of the Trust, each affected Class or Series outstanding, voting as separate Classes or Series, shall be required to approve, adopt or authorize an amendment to this Declaration of Trust that makes the Shares a redeemable security as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, unless such amendment has been approved by a majority of the Trustees then in office, in which case approval by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) shall be required. Upon the adoption of a proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end company to an open- end company as those terms are defined by the 1940 Act and the necessary amendments to this Declaration of Trust to permit such a conversion of the Trusts outstanding Shares entitled to vote, the Trust shall, upon complying with any requirements of the 1940 Act and state law, become an open-end investment company. Such affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the holders of the Shares otherwise required by law, or any agreement between the Trust and any national securities exchange.
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AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
of
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND
A Delaware Statutory Trust
Effective as of August 20, 2020
INTRODUCTION
A. AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST. These by-laws shall be subject to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the Declaration of Trust), of Primark Private Equity Investments Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the terms of the Declaration of Trust, the terms of the Declaration of Trust shall control.
B. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined are used as defined in the Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICES. The Trustees shall fix and, from time to time, may change the location of the principal executive office of the Trust at any place within or outside the State of Delaware.
Section 2. DELAWARE OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT. The Trustees shall establish a registered office in the State of Delaware and shall appoint a registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware.
Section 3. OTHER OFFICES. The Board of Trustees (the Board) may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the Trust intends to do business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. MEETINGS. No annual meetings of the Shareholders (or any Class or Series) are required to be held. Special meetings of the Shareholders (or any Class or Series) may be called at any time by the President, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request, in writing or by resolution, of a majority of the Trustees, or at the written request of the holder or holders of a majority of the total number of the then issued and outstanding Shares of the Trust entitled to vote at such meeting. Any such request shall state the purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 2. PLACE OF MEETINGS.
(a) Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware designated by the Board. In lieu of holding a Shareholders meeting at a designated place, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that any Shareholders meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication. In the absence of any such designation by the Board, Shareholders meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust. For purposes of these By-Laws, the term Shareholder shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Trust.
(b) For the purposes of these Bylaws, if authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, Shareholders and proxyholders may, by means of remote communication:
(i) |
participate in a meeting of Shareholders; and |
(ii) |
be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of Shareholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Trust will implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a Shareholder or proxyholder, (B) the Trust will implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholder, including without limitation an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any Shareholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, the Trust or its agent will maintain a record of such vote or other action. |
Section 3. CALL OF MEETING. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be called as provided in Section 1 of this Article II.
Section 4. NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS MEETING. All notices of meetings of Shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 5 of this Article II not less than seven (7) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify (i) the place, date and hour of the meeting the means of remote communications, if any by which Shareholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and vote at the meeting, and (ii) the general nature of the business to be transacted. The notice of any meeting at which Trustees are to be elected also shall include the name of any nominee or nominees who at the time of the notice are intended to be presented for election. Except with respect to adjournments as provided herein, no business shall be transacted at such meeting other than that specified in the notice.
Section 5. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail, courier, telegraphic or electronic transmission (which, for purposes of these by-laws, shall include facsimile or e-mail), or other written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder at the address of that Shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent or given by the Shareholder to the Trust for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the Trusts books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that Shareholder by first-class mail, courier, telegraphic or electronic transmission, or other written communication to the Trusts principal executive office. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, deposited in the mail or with a courier, or sent by telegram or electronic transmission or other means of written communication.
If any notice addressed to a Shareholder at the address of that Shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust is returned to the Trust marked to indicate that the notice to the Shareholder cannot be delivered at that address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing, or substantial equivalent thereof, if such notices shall be available to the Shareholder on written demand of the Shareholder at the principal executive office of the Trust for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice.
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An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any Shareholders meeting shall be executed by the secretary, assistant secretary, transfer agent, or solicitation agent of the Trust giving the notice and shall be filed and maintained in the records of the Trust. Such affidavit shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
A Shareholders notice to be proper must set forth (i) as to each person whom the Shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Trustee (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the Class and number of Shares of stock of the Trust that are beneficially owned or owned of record by such person, (C) the date such Shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and (D) all other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Trustees in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected); (ii) as to any other business that the Shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such Shareholder (including any anticipated benefit to the Shareholder therefrom) and of each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (iii) as to the Shareholder giving the notice and each beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (1) the name and address of such Shareholder, as they appear on the Trusts stock ledger and current name and address, if different, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the Class and number of Shares of stock of the Trust which are owned beneficially and of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owner, (3) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or Series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of Shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk of Share price changes for, or to increase the voting power of, such Shareholder or beneficial owner with respect to any Share of the Trust (collectively Hedging Activities), and (4) the extent to which such Shareholder or such beneficial owner, if any, has engaged in Hedging Activities with respect to Shares or other equity interests of any other trust or company; (iv) as to the Shareholder giving the notice and any beneficial owner covered by clauses (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, the name and address of such Shareholder, as they appear on the Trusts stock ledger and current name and address, if different, of such beneficial owner; and (v) to the extent known by the Shareholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other Shareholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a Trustee or the proposal of other business on the date of such Shareholders notice.
Section 6. ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE. Any Shareholders meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time (and at any time during the course of the meeting) by a majority of the votes cast by those Shareholders present in person or by proxy, or by the chairman of the meeting. Any adjournment may be with respect to one or more proposals, but not necessarily all proposals, to be voted or acted upon at such meeting and any adjournment will not delay or otherwise affect the effectiveness and validity of a vote or other action taken at a Shareholders meeting prior to adjournment.
When any Shareholders meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date of the adjourned meeting is fixed or unless the adjournment is for more than one hundred eighty (180) days from the record date set for the original meeting, in which case the Board shall set a new record date. If notice of any such adjourned meeting is required pursuant to the preceding sentence, it shall be given to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting, the Trust may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
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Section 7. VOTING. The Shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of Shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws, as in effect at such time. Except as otherwise provided herein, any matter required to be submitted to Shareholders and affecting one or more Classes or Series of Shares shall require approval by the required vote of all the affected Classes and Series of Shares voting together as a single Class; provided, however, that as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any Class or Series of Shares is required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration of Trust, such requirement as to a separate vote by that Class or Series of Shares shall apply in addition to a vote of all the affected Classes and Series voting together as a single Class. Shareholders of a particular Class or Series of Shares shall not be entitled to vote on any matter that affects only one or more other Classes or Series of Shares. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Trustees.
The Shareholders vote may be by voice vote or by ballot; provided, however, that any election of Trustees must be by ballot if demanded by any Shareholder before the voting has begun. Any Shareholder may vote part of the Shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining Shares or vote them against the proposal, but if the Shareholder fails to specify the number of Shares which the Shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the Shareholders approving vote is with respect to the total Shares that the Shareholder is entitled to vote on such proposal.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at a Shareholders meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as votes present at a Shareholders meeting, but will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes, therefore, will have no effect on proposals which require a plurality or majority of votes cast for approval, but will have the same effect as a vote against on proposals requiring a majority or other specified percentage of outstanding voting securities for approval.
Section 8. QUORUM. Except when a larger quorum is required by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote present in person or represented by proxy at a Shareholders meeting shall constitute a quorum at such meeting. When a separate vote by one or more Series or Classes is required, thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the outstanding Shares of each such Series or Class entitled to vote present in person or represented by proxy at a Shareholders meeting shall constitute a quorum of such Series or Class.
If a quorum, as above defined, shall not be present for the purpose of any vote that may properly come before any meeting of Shareholders at the time and place of any meeting, the Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at such meeting on such matter holding a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote on such matter may by vote adjourn the meeting from time to time to be held at the same place without further notice than by announcement to be given at the meeting until a quorum, as above defined, entitled to vote on such matter, shall be present, whereupon any such matter may be voted upon at the meeting as though held when originally convened.
Section 9. WAIVER OF NOTICE BY CONSENT OF ABSENT SHAREHOLDERS. The transactions of a meeting of Shareholders, however called and noticed and wherever held, shall be valid as though transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting with respect to that person, except when the person objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction
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of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and except that such attendance is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in the notice of the meeting if that objection is expressly made at the beginning of the meeting. Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given to a Shareholder under the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, a written waiver thereof, executed before or after the meeting by such Shareholder or his or her attorney thereunto authorized and filed with the records of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.
Section 10. PROXIES. Every Shareholder entitled to vote for Trustees or on any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a proxy, given in writing or by electronic transmission, signed by the Shareholder and filed with the secretary of the Trust; provided, that an alternative to the execution of a written proxy may be permitted as provided in the second paragraph of this Section 10. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the Shareholders name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual or electronic signature, typewriting, telegraphic or electronic transmission or otherwise) by the Shareholder or the Shareholders attorney-in-fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the Shareholder executing it by a written notice delivered to the Trust prior to the exercise of the proxy or by the Shareholders execution of a subsequent proxy or attendance and vote in person at the meeting; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the Shareholder is received by the Trust before the proxys vote is counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
With respect to any Shareholders meeting, the Board may act to permit the Trust to accept proxies by any electronic, telephonic, computerized, telecommunications or other reasonable alternative to the execution of a written instrument authorizing the proxy to act, provided the Shareholders authorization is received within eleven (11) months before the meeting. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest with the challenger.
Section 11. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. Before any meeting of Shareholders, the Board may appoint any person other than nominees for office to act as inspector of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspector of election is so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any Shareholder or a Shareholders proxy shall, appoint an inspector of election at the meeting. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any Shareholder or a Shareholders proxy shall, appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
The inspector shall:
(a) determine the number of Shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the Shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
(b) receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
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(d) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) determine when the polls shall close;
(f) determine the result of voting or consents; and
(g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all Shareholders.
Section 12. RECORD DATE. For purposes of determining the Shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to action without a meeting, the Board of Trustees may fix in advance a record date which shall not be more than 120 days nor less than 10 days before the date of any such meeting.
If the Board of Trustees does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day before the notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day which is five (5) business days before the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to give consent to action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior action by the Board of Trustees has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the Board of Trustees has been taken, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Trustees adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
For the purpose of determining the Shareholders of any Series or Class who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the Board of Trustees may from time to time fix a date, which shall be before the date for the payment of such dividend or such other distribution, as the record date for determining the Shareholders of such Series or Class having the right to receive such dividend or distribution. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as precluding the Board of Trustees from setting different record dates for different Series or Classes.
Section 13. ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES. Outstanding Shares represented in person or by proxy (including Shares which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of any proposals presented for Shareholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at a meeting. Abstentions will be treated as Shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the number of Shares that are present and entitled to vote with respect to any particular proposal, but will not be counted as a vote in favor of such proposal. If a broker or nominee holding Shares in street name indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote as to a particular proposal, those Shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to such proposal.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 1. TRUSTEES AND VACANCIES. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out that responsibility, so far as such powers are not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware, the Declaration of Trust, or these By-Laws.
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Vacancies in the Board may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Trustee, unless the Board calls a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of filling such vacancies. In the event that all Trustee offices become vacant, an authorized officer of the Investment Adviser shall serve as the sole remaining Trustee effective upon the vacancy in the office of the last Trustee, subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act. In such case, the Investment Adviser, as the sole remaining Trustee, shall, as soon as practicable, fill all of the vacancies on the Board; provided, however, that the percentage of Trustees who are not Interested Persons of the Trust shall be no less than that permitted by the 1940 Act. Thereupon, the Investment Adviser shall resign as Trustee and a meeting of the Shareholders shall be called, as required by the 1940 Act, for the election of Trustees.
Section 2. MEETINGS; PLACE OF MEETINGS AND MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE. The Trustees may in their discretion provide for regular or stated meetings of the Trustees. Meetings of the Trustees other than regular or stated meetings shall be held whenever called by the chairman, President or by any other Trustee at the time being in office. Any or all of the Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
All meetings of the Board may be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware that has been designated from time to time by the Board. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust. Subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all Trustees participating in the meeting can hear one another, and all such Trustees shall be deemed to be present in person at such meeting for purposes of the Delaware Act and, to the extent permitted, the 1940 Act.
Section 3. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed by the Board. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the Board, the president, any vice president, the secretary or any Trustee.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each Trustee or sent by first-class mail, courier or telegram, charges prepaid, or by electronic transmission, addressed to each Trustee at that Trustees address as it is shown on the records of the Trust. In case the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least seven (7) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. In case the notice is delivered personally, by telephone, by courier, to the telegraph company, or by express mail, electronic transmission or similar service, it shall be delivered at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the Trustee or to a person at the office of the Trustee who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the Trustee. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting or the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the Trust.
Section 5. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless the 1940 Act requires that a particular action be taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in person, any action to be taken by the Trustees at a meeting may be taken without such meeting by the consent given in writing or by electronic transmission of a majority of the Trustees then in office; provided, that if a provision of the Declaration of Trust requires a different percentage of Trustees to take an action described in such provision, then such
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action may be taken without a meeting by the written consent of the percentage of Trustees specified in such provision. Any such consent given in writing or by electronic transmission may be executed and given by telecopy, electronic transmission or similar electronic means. Such consents, whether given in writing or by electronic transmission, shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Trustees. If any action is so taken by the Trustees by the consent of less than all of the Trustees, prompt notice of the taking of such action shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action shall not be impaired by any delay or failure to furnish such notice.
Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Sections 8 and 9 of this Article III. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board, subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Trustees if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
Section 7. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any Trustee who either before or after the meeting signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the records of the Trust or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Notice of a meeting shall also be deemed given to any Trustee who attends the meeting without protesting before or at its commencement about the lack of notice to that Trustee.
Section 8. ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the Trustees present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any matter at any meeting to another time and place.
Section 9. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT. Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than seven (7) days, in which case notice of the time and place shall be given before the time of the recommencement of an adjourned meeting to the Trustees who were present at the time of the adjournment.
Section 10. FEES AND COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. Trustees and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board. This Section 10 shall not be construed to preclude any Trustee from serving the Trust in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. COMMITTEES OF TRUSTEES. The Board may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of Trustees, designate one or more committees as set forth in the Declaration of Trust, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more Trustees or other persons as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The Trustees shall determine the number of members of each committee and its powers and shall appoint its members and its chair. Each committee member shall serve at the pleasure of the Trustees. Each committee shall maintain records of its meetings and report its actions to the Trustees. The Trustees may rescind any action of any committee, but such rescission shall not have retroactive effect. The Trustees may delegate to any committee any of its powers, subject to the limitations of applicable law.
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Section 2. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES. Meetings and action of any committee shall be governed by and held and taken in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and Article III of these By-Laws, with such changes in the context thereof as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members, except that the time of regular meetings of any committee may be determined either by the Board or by the committee. Special meetings of any committee may also be called by resolution of the Board, and notice of special meetings of any committee shall also be given to all alternate members who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. OFFICERS. The officers of the Trust shall be a president, a secretary, a treasurer and, if required by the 1940 Act, a chief compliance officer. The Trust may also have, at the discretion of the Board, one or more vice chairmen, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. Except for the offices of President and Secretary, two or more offices may be held by a single person. Any officer may be, but need not be, a Trustee or Shareholder.
Section 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers of the Trust shall be chosen by the Board, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
Section 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board may appoint and may empower the president to appoint such other officers as the business of the Trust may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these By-Laws or as the Board may from time to time determine.
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board or by written consent, or by an officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Trust. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in such notice. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Trust under any contract to which the officer is a party.
Section 5. VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these By-Laws for regular appointment to that office.
Section 6. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The chairman of the Board shall, if present, preside at meetings of the Board and the Shareholders and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to the chairman by the Board or prescribed by these By-Laws. In the absence, resignation, disability or death of the president, the chairman shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the president until his or her return, such disability shall be removed or a new president shall have been elected.
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Section 7. LEAD INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE. If the chairman of the Board is an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, the Trustees who are not such interested persons of the Trust (Independent Trustees) shall appoint one of their number to be Lead Independent Trustee, who shall have such duties as may be assigned by the Independent Trustees from time to time.
Section 8. PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board to the chairman of the Board, the president shall be the principal operating and executive officer of the Trust and shall, subject to the control of the Board, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the Trust. In the absence of the chairman of the Board, the president or his designee shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and at all meetings of the Board. The president shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board or these By-Laws.
Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the president and the chairman of the Board, the executive vice presidents or vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board or if not ranked, a vice president designated by the Board, shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president. The executive vice president or vice presidents, whichever the case may be, shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board, these By-Laws, the president or the chairman of the Board.
Section 10. SECRETARY. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Trust or such other place as the Board may direct a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of Trustees, committees of Trustees and Shareholders with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice given, the names of those present at Trustees meetings or committee meetings, the number of Shares present or represented at Shareholders meetings, and the proceedings.
The secretary shall cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Trust or at the office of the Trusts administrator, transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board, a Share register or a duplicate Share register showing the names of all Shareholders and their addresses, the number, Series and Classes of Shares held by each, the number and date of certificates, if any, issued for the same and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the Shareholders and of the Board required by these By-Laws or by applicable law to be given and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or by these By-Laws.
Section 11. TREASURER. The treasurer shall be the principal financial officer of the Trust and shall keep and maintain or cause to be kept and maintained adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Trust, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings and Shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Trustee.
The treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Trust with such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Trust as may be ordered by the Board, shall render to the president and Trustees, whenever they request it, an account of all of the treasurers transactions as principal financial officer and of the financial condition of the Trust and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or these By-Laws.
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Section 12. CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER. The Chief Legal Officer, to the extent the Board may determine that such role shall exist rather than a qualified legal compliance committee, shall serve as Chief Legal Officer for the Trust, solely for purposes of complying with the attorney conduct rules (Attorney Conduct Rules) enacted by the Securities Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act). The Chief Legal Officer shall have the authority to exercise all powers permitted to be exercised by a chief legal officer pursuant to Section 307 of the Act. The Chief Legal Officer, in his sole discretion, may delegate his responsibilities as Chief Legal Officer under the Attorney Conduct Rules to another attorney or firm of attorneys.
Section 13. CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for administering the Trusts policies and procedures approved by the Board under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-Laws, the designation, removal and compensation of Chief Compliance Officer are subject to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.
Section 14. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. Each officer may receive such compensation from the Trust for services and reimbursement for expenses as the Trustees may determine.
ARTICLE VI
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Section 1. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER. The Trust shall keep at its offices or at the office of its transfer or other duly authorized agent, records of its Shareholders, which provide the names and addresses of all Shareholders and the number, Series and Classes, if any, of Shares held by each Shareholder. Such records may be inspected during the Trusts regular business hours by any Shareholder, or its duly authorized representative, upon reasonable written demand to the Trust, for any purpose reasonably related to such Shareholders interest as a Shareholder.
Section 2. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BY-LAWS. The Trust shall keep at its offices the original or a copy of the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws, as amended or restated from time to time, where they may be inspected during the Trusts regular business hours by any Shareholder, or its duly authorized representative, upon reasonable written demand to the Trust, for any purpose reasonably related to such Shareholders interest as a Shareholder.
Section 3. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER RECORDS. The accounting books and records and minutes of proceedings of the Shareholders, the Board, any committee of the Board or any advisory committee shall be kept at such place or places designated by the Board or, in the absence of such designation, at the offices of the Trust. The minutes and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form.
If information is requested by a Shareholder, the Board, or, in case the Board does not act, the president, any vice president or the secretary, shall establish reasonable standards governing, without limitation, the information and documents to be furnished and the time and the location, if appropriate, of furnishing such information and documents. Costs of providing such information and documents shall be borne by the requesting Shareholder. The Trust shall be entitled to reimbursement for its direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred in declining unreasonable requests (in whole or in part) for information or documents.
The Board, or, in case the Board does not act, the president, any vice president or the secretary, may keep confidential from Shareholders for such period of time as the Board or such officer, as applicable, deems reasonable any information that the Board or such officer, as applicable, reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information that the Board or such officer, as the case may be, in good faith believes would not be in the best interests of the Trust to disclose or that could damage the Trust or its business or that the Trust is required by law or by agreement with a third party to keep confidential.
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Section 4. INSPECTION BY TRUSTEES. Every Trustee shall have the absolute right during the Trusts regular business hours to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the Trust. This inspection by a Trustee may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
ARTICLE VII
DIVIDENDS
Section 1. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust may, subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, if any, be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to applicable law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in Shares of the Trust.
Section 2. RESERVES. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Trust available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board may, from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Trust, or for such other purpose as the Board shall deem to be in the best interests of the Trust, and the Board may abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 1. CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS. All checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of or payable to the Trust shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as from time to time shall be determined by the Board or as may be contracted to service providers.
Section 2. CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED. The Board, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, may authorize any officer or officers or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and this authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and unless so authorized or ratified by the Board or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Trust by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 3. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. No certificates for Shares of beneficial interest in the Trust or any Series shall be issued except as the Board may otherwise determine from time to time. Should the Board authorize the issuance of such certificates, a certificate or certificates for Shares of beneficial interest in the Trust or in any Series of the Trust may be issued to a Shareholder upon the Shareholders request when such Shares are fully paid. All certificates shall be signed in the name of the Trust by the chairman of the Board or the president or vice president and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary, certifying the number of Shares and the Series (if any) and Class of Shares owned by the Shareholders. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may adopt and use a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its Shares by electronic or other means.
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Section 4. LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as provided in Section 3 or this Section 4 of this Article VIII, no new certificates for Shares shall be issued to replace an old certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Trust and cancelled at the same time. The Board may, in case any Share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen, or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a replacement certificate on such terms and conditions as the Board may require, including a provision for indemnification of the Trust secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the Trust against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability on account of the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate.
Section 5. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER ENTITIES HELD BY TRUST. The chairman of the Board, the president or any vice president or any other person authorized by resolution of the Board or by any of the foregoing designated officers, is authorized to vote or represent on behalf of the Trust any and all Shares of any corporation, partnership, trust, or other entity, foreign or domestic, standing in the name of the Trust. The authority granted may be exercised in person or by a proxy duly executed by such designated person.
Section 6. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class of the Trust shall be transferable only on the record books of the Trust by the person in whose name such Shares are registered, or by his or her duly authorized attorney or representative. In all cases of transfer by an attorney-in-fact, the original power of attorney, or an official copy thereof duly certified, shall be deposited and remain with the Trust, its transfer agent or other duly authorized agent. In case of transfers by executors, administrators, guardians or other legal representatives, duly authenticated evidence of their authority shall be presented to the Trust, transfer agent or other duly authorized agent, and may be required to be deposited and remain with the Trust, its transfer agent or other duly authorized agent. No transfer shall be made unless and until the certificate issued to the transferor, if any, shall be delivered to the Trust, its transfer agent or other duly authorized agent, properly endorsed.
Section 7. HOLDERS OF RECORD. The Trust shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any Share or Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class of the Trust as the owner thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Share or Shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Trust shall have express or other notice thereof.
Section 8. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be established, re-established or changed from time to time by resolution of the Board.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. AMENDMENT. These By-Laws may be restated and/or amended at any time, without the approval of the Shareholders, by an instrument in writing signed by, or a resolution of, a majority of the then Board.
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DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICES (12b-1) PLAN
This Plan (the Plan) constitutes the Distribution and Services (12b-1) Plan with respect to the Class II shares (the Class) of Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Fund), a Delaware statutory trust, adopted pursuant to the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act). During the effective term of this Plan, the Fund may make payments to investment brokers and/or dealers (including any principal underwriter or distributor (Distributor) of the Fund), plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities providing services to the Fund with respect to the Class upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
Section 1. The Fund may make payments to investment brokers and/or dealers, plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities providing services to the Fund with respect to the Class, including the Distributor, in the form of fees or reimbursements, as compensation for services provided and expenses incurred for purposes of promoting the sale of shares of the Class, reducing redemptions of shares of the Class, or maintaining or improving services provided to Class shareholders, including without limitation personal services provided to Class shareholders and the maintenance of shareholder accounts, by investment brokers and/or dealers, plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities. To the extent any such payments are made to the Distributor, the Distributor may in turn pay all or any portion of such payments to investment brokers and/or dealers, plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities (including, but not limited to, any affiliate of the Distributor) as commissions, asset-based sales charges or other compensation with respect to the sale of shares of the Class, or for maintaining or improving services provided to Class shareholders, including without limitation personal services to Class shareholders or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, and may retain all or any portion of such payments as compensation for the Distributors services as principal underwriter of the shares of the Class. The amount of such payments and the purposes for which they are made shall be determined by the Qualified Trustees (as defined below). Payments under this Plan shall not exceed in any fiscal year the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the Class. Subject to the preceding sentence and Section 7 hereof, a majority of the Qualified Trustees may, at any time and from time to time, reduce or increase the amount of such payments covered by this Plan, or may suspend the operation of the Plan for such period or periods of time as they may determine.
Section 2. This Plan (or any amendments thereto) shall not take effect until it has been approved, together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder) of both (a) the Trustees of the Fund, and (b) the Qualified Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
Section 3. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 2. It is acknowledged that the Distributor may expend or impute interest expense in respect of its activities or expenses under this Plan and the Trustees and the Qualified Trustees may give such weight to such interest expense as they determine in their discretion.
Section 4. Trustees of the Fund shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Section 5. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the Classs outstanding voting securities.
Section 6. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide:
(a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Classs outstanding voting securities, on not more than sixty (60) days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
(b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Section 7. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments under the Plan as set forth under Section 1 hereof without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 2.
Section 8. The Fund shall preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreement and any report made pursuant to Section 4 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Plan, such agreement or report, as the case may be, the first two years of which to be in an easily accessible place.
Section 9. As used in this Plan, (a) the term Qualified Trustees shall mean those Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms assignment, interested person and vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities shall have the respective meaning specified in the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, giving effect to any interpretations of or exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or its staff.
Section 10. To the extent any payments made by the Fund, directly or through the Distributor, for shareholder support and/or administrative services or otherwise, are deemed to be payments for the financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, such payments shall be deemed to have been approved and made pursuant to this Plan.
Adopted as of August 20, 2020.
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Fund) is a statutory trust established under Delaware law. The Funds Declaration of Trust provides that shares of the Fund may be divided into various classes that vary as permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
The Fund is a closed-end management investment company that is applying for exemptive relief (the Exemptive Order) from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to permit the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares with sales loads and/or asset-based distribution and/or service fees and/or contingent deferred sales loads (CDSLs) in accordance with Rule 18f-3 of the 1940 Act. Although not directly subject to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, as a condition to reliance on the Exemptive Order, the Fund must comply with the provisions of Rule 18f-3 as if they applied to the Fund.
In anticipation of receipt of the Exemptive Order, this Multiple Class Plan (the Plan) is adopted by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of the Fund, including a majority of its trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (the Independent Trustees), pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) under the 1940 Act. This Plan will not be implemented unless and until the Fund receives the requested relief.
The Fund shall offer three classes of shares of beneficial interest (Shares), designated as Class I, Class II, and Class III (each, a Class, and collectively, the Classes). Each Class of Shares represents interests in the same investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same rights, preferences, voting powers, restrictions and limitations, except as provided in this Plan.
The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, has determined that this Plan, including the allocation of expenses, is in the best interest of the Fund as a whole and each Class of Shares offered by the Fund.
The provisions of the Plan are as follows:
1. |
General Description of Classes. Each Class of Shares of the Fund shall represent interests in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund, shall have such exchange privileges and/or conversion features within the Fund as described in the Funds Prospectus, and shall be identical in all respects, except that, as provided for in the Funds Prospectus or the Funds share class-specific Prospectus, each Class shall or may differ with respect to: (i) asset-based distribution fees; (ii) account maintenance and shareholder services and expenses; (iii) differences relating to sales loads, early withdrawal or contingent deferred sales charges, purchase minimums, eligible investors and exchange privileges; (iv) other class specific expenses detailed in Section 2 below; and (v) the designation of each Class of Shares. The Classes of Shares designated by the Fund are set forth in Appendix A. |
2. |
Allocation of Income and Class Expenses. |
a. |
Each Class of Shares shall have the same rights, preferences, voting powers, restrictions and limitations, except as follows: |
(i) |
expenses related to the distribution of a Class of Shares or to the services provided to shareholders of a Class of Shares shall be borne solely by such Class; |
(ii) |
the following expenses attributable to the Shares of a particular Class will be borne solely by the Class to which they are attributable: |
(a) |
asset-based distribution, account maintenance and shareholder service fees; |
(b) |
extraordinary non-recurring expenses including litigation and other legal expenses relating to a particular Class; and |
(c) |
such other expenses as the Board determines were incurred by a specific Class and are appropriately paid by that Class. |
(iii) |
Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, and expenses that are not allocated to a specific Class pursuant to this Section 2, shall be allocated to each Class of the Fund on the basis of the net asset value of that Class in relation to the net asset value of the Fund. |
b. |
Investment advisory fees, custodial fees, and other expenses relating to the management of the Funds assets shall not be allocated on a Class-specific basis, but rather based upon relative net assets. |
3. |
Voting Rights. Each Class of Shares will have identical voting rights except that each Class of Shares will have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that exclusively affect such Class and separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one Class differ from the interests of any other Class. In matters as to which one or more Classes of Shares do not have exclusive voting rights, all Classes of Shares of the Fund will vote together, except when a Class vote is required by the 1940 Act. |
4. |
Exchanges. A Class of Shares of the Fund may be exchanged without payment of any exchange fee for another Class of shares of the Fund at their respective net asset values, as provided in the Funds then-current Prospectus. |
5. |
Class Designation. Subject to the approval by the Board, the Fund may alter the nomenclature for the designations of one or more of its Classes of Shares. |
6. |
Additional Information. This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of the Funds then-current Prospectus for the applicable Class(es) of Shares of the Fund; provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such Prospectus shall be inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. |
2
7. |
Effective Date. After approval by a majority of the Board, and a majority of the Independent Trustees, this Plan will become effective upon the later of Funds receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC or the commencement of the Funds public offering. This Plan may be terminated or amended at any time with respect to the Fund or a Class of Shares thereof by a majority of the Board, and a majority of the Independent Trustees. |
8. |
Miscellaneous. Any reference in this Plan to information in the Funds Prospectus shall mean information in the Funds then-current Prospectus, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in the Funds Statement of Additional Information, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time. |
3
APPENDIX A
Share Classes |
Share Class Features* | |||||||||||||||
Distribution and
Service Fee |
Shareholder
Servicing Fee |
Front-End
Sales Charge |
Early Repurchase
Fee |
|||||||||||||
I |
None | 0.10 | % | None | 2.00 | % | ||||||||||
II |
0.25 | % | None | None | 2.00 | % | ||||||||||
III |
None | None | None | 2.00 | % |
* |
The features and expenses of each share class are described in further detail in the Funds Prospectus, which may be supplemented from time pursuant to the authority of the Funds officers and subject to ratification by the Funds Board. |
4
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT dated as of August 20, 2020, is made and entered into by and between PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (the Fund), and PRIMARK ADVISORS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
WHEREAS, the Adviser has been appointed the investment adviser of the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement dated as of July 1, 2020 by and between the Fund and the Adviser (the Investment Management Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Adviser entered into an expense limitation agreement, dated as of July 1, 2020 (the Initial Expense Limitation Agreement), relating to certain expenses of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Adviser desire to amend and restate the Initial Expense Limitation Agreement in its entirety;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Fund and the Adviser hereby agree as follows:
1. The Adviser agrees, subject to Section 2 hereof, to (i) reduce the fees payable to it under the Investment Management Agreement (but not below zero) and (ii) pay any operating expenses of the Fund, to the extent necessary to limit the operating expenses of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses) to the annual rate (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the applicable class of shares of the Fund) of:
Class I Shares: |
2.00 | % | ||
Class II Shares: |
2.25 | % | ||
Class III Shares: |
1.60 | % |
2. The Fund agrees to pay to the Adviser (i) the amount of fees that, but for Section 1 hereof, would have been payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and (ii) the amount of the operating expenses of the Fund that the Adviser paid pursuant to Section 1 hereof (collectively, Deferred Fees and Expenses), subject to the limitations provided in this Section 2. Such repayment shall be made monthly, but only if the operating expenses of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses), without regard to such repayment, are at an annual rate (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the applicable class of shares of the Fund) of less than the lower of (a) the annual rate of 2.00% for Class I
Shares, 2.25% for Class II Shares, and 1.60% for Class III Shares and (b) the annual expense limitation rate in effect with respect to such class of shares at the time of the repayment. Furthermore, the amount of Deferred Fees and Expenses paid by the Fund in any month with respect to a class of shares shall be limited so that the sum of (I) the amount of such payment and (II) the other operating expenses of the Fund with respect to such class of shares (exclusive of brokerage commissions and other similar transactional expenses, interest (including interest incurred on borrowed funds and interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), other borrowing costs and fees including interest and commitment fees, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and indemnification expenses, judgments, and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed the lower of (x) the annual rate of 2.00% for Class I Shares, 2.25% for Class II Shares, and 1.60% for Class III Shares and (y) the annual expense limitation rate in effect with respect to such class of shares at the time of the repayment.
Deferred Fees and Expenses shall not be payable by the Fund with respect to a class of shares to the extent that the amounts payable by the Fund with respect to such class of shares pursuant to the immediately preceding two sentences during the period ending three years after the end of the month in which such Deferred Fees and Expenses are incurred are not sufficient to pay such Deferred Fees and Expenses.
3. The initial term of this Agreement (the Initial Term) shall be for a period commencing on the date first above written and ending on July 31, 2022. This Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive periods of one year after the Initial Term, unless written notice of termination is provided by the Adviser to the Fund not less than ten (10) days prior to the end of the then-current term. No such termination shall affect the obligation (including the amount of the obligation) of the Fund to repay amounts of Deferred Fees and Expenses with respect to periods prior to the date of such termination. The Board of Trustees of the Fund may terminate this Agreement at any time on not less than ten (10) days prior notice to the Adviser. This Agreement may be amended at any time only with the consent of both the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]
-2-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
PRIMARK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS FUND |
||||
By: |
/s/ Michael Bell |
|||
Name: | Michael Bell | |||
Title: | President | |||
PRIMARK ADVISORS LLC | ||||
By: |
/s/ Michael Bell |
|||
Name: | Michael Bell | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page A&R Expense Limitation Agreement]
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
This Plan (the Plan) constitutes the Shareholder Servicing Plan with respect to the Class I shares (the Class) of Primark Private Equity Investments Fund (the Fund), a Delaware statutory trust. During the effective term of this Plan, the Fund may make payments to investment brokers and/or dealers (including any principal underwriter or distributor (Distributor) of the Fund), plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities providing services to the Fund with respect to the Class upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
Section 1. The Fund may make payments to investment brokers and/or dealers, plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities providing services to the Fund with respect to the Class, including the Distributor, in the form of fees or reimbursements, as compensation for services provided and expenses incurred for purposes of maintaining or improving services provided to Class shareholders, including without limitation personal services provided to Class shareholders and the maintenance of shareholder accounts, by investment brokers and/or dealers, plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities. To the extent any such payments are made to the Distributor, the Distributor may in turn pay all or any portion of such payments to investment brokers and/or dealers, plan administrators, other financial intermediaries and other entities (including, but not limited to, any affiliate of the Distributor) for maintaining or improving services provided to Class shareholders, including without limitation personal services to Class shareholders or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, and may retain all or any portion of such payments as compensation for the Distributors services maintaining services provided to Class shareholders by the Distributor. The amount of such payments and the purposes for which they are made shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Payments under this Plan shall not exceed in any fiscal year the annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the Class. Subject to the preceding sentence and Section 5 hereof, a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund may, at any time and from time to time, reduce or increase the amount of such payments covered by this Plan, or may suspend the operation of the Plan for such period or periods of time as they may determine.
Section 2. This Plan (or any amendments thereto) shall not take effect until it has been approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
Section 3. Trustees of the Fund shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Section 4. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or by vote of a majority of the Classs outstanding voting securities.
Section 5. This Plan may be amended with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
Section 6. The Fund shall preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreement and any report made pursuant to Section 3 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Plan, such agreement or report, as the case may be, the first two years of which to be in an easily accessible place.
Section 7. As used in this Plan, vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities shall have the meaning specified in the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, giving effect to any interpretations of or exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or its staff.
Adopted as of August 20, 2020.
August 24, 2020
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund
204 Detroit Street, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado 80206
Re: |
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Primark Private Equity Investments Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), solely in connection with the matters set forth herein. This opinion is being furnished to you at your request.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the following:
(a) |
the Certificate of Trust of the Trust, filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Secretary of State) on June 15, 2020, and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Trust, filed with the Secretary of State on August 20, 2020 (collectively, the Certificate of Trust); |
(b) |
a Certificate of Good Standing with respect to the Trust issued by the Secretary of State, dated as of a recent date; |
(c) |
the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of June 15, 2020, as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of August 20, 2020, (as amended and restated, the Declaration of Trust); |
(d) |
the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Trust, effective as of August 20, 2020 (the Bylaws); |
(e) |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed by the Trust with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on or about August 24, 2020 (as amended, the Registration Statement), including a prospectus (the Prospectus) with respect to the offering of up to $500,000,000 of the Class I beneficial interests (the Class I Shares), the Class II beneficial interests (the Class II Shares) and the Class III beneficial interests (the Class III Shares and, together with the Class I Shares and the Class II Shares, collectively the Shares) of the Trust; and |
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund
August 24, 2020
Page 2
(f) |
the certificate of an officer of the Trust, together with all exhibits attached thereto, certifying as to, among other things: (i) the actions adopted by written consent of the sole Trustee of the Trust dated June 15, 2020 and June 16, 2020, and resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust at meetings of the Board of Trustees held on June 25, 2020 and August 20, 2020 with respect to the Trust and the Shares (the Resolutions); (ii) the Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws and the Certificate of Trust; and (iii) certain other matters set forth therein. |
The Certificate of Trust, the Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws, the Resolutions, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are collectively referred to herein as the Operative Documents).
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than the documents referenced in paragraphs (a) through (f) above. In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents referenced in paragraphs (a) through (f) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, (iii) the genuineness of all signatures, and (iv) that each such document is in full force and effect and has not been modified, supplemented or otherwise amended, except as referenced herein.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws and the Certificate of Trust are in full force and effect, will not be amended on or prior to the date of issuance of the Shares, and will remain in full force and effect when the Shares are issued by the Trust, (ii) that the Trust is, becomes, or will become prior to or within 180 days of the first issuance of beneficial interests in the Trust, a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 U.S.C. §80a-1 et seq.), (iii) the legal capacity of each natural person who is party to the documents examined by us, (iv) the due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of each party (other than the Trust) to the documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction governing its organization or formation, (v) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us (other than the Trust) has and had the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents,
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund
August 24, 2020
Page 3
(vi) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us has duly authorized, executed and delivered such documents, (vii) that the issuance, offer and sale of the Shares from time to time and the final terms of and conditions of such issuance, offer and sale, including those relating to the price of the Shares to be offered, issued, and sold will be determined or otherwise established in accordance with the Operative Documents, (viii) the due submission of purchase orders to the Trust by the purchasers, (ix) the acceptance by the Trust of such purchase orders and the due issuance of the Shares to the purchasers in accordance with the Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, (x) the payment by each purchaser of the Shares of the full consideration due from it for the Shares subscribed to by such purchaser, and (xi) that the appropriate notation of the names and addresses of, the number of Shares held by, and the consideration paid by, the purchasers will be maintained in the appropriate registers and other books and records of the Trust.
We have not participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and assume no responsibility for their contents.
This opinion is limited to the law of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder which are currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. |
The Trust has been duly formed and is validly existing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § et seq. (the Act). |
2. |
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of the Shares; provided, however, that the Class II Shares and the Class III Shares shall not be offered by the Trust to investors until the Trust has received an exemptive order from the Commission permitting the Trust to offer multiple classes of shares of beneficial interest in the Trust. |
3. |
The Shares to be issued by the Trust, when sold in accordance with the terms, conditions, requirements and procedures set forth in the Operative Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable beneficial interests in the Trust. |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption Legal Opinion in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent we do not thereby admit that we are included in the
Primark Private Equity Investments Fund
August 24, 2020
Page 4
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. This opinion may be used only in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in effect.
Very truly yours, | ||
SMITH, KATZENSTEIN & JENKINS, LLP | ||
By: |
/s/ Roger D. Anderson |
|
Name: Roger D. Anderson |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated August 21, 2020, relating to the financial statements of Primark Private Equity Fund, as of August 4, 2020, and to the references to our firm included in or made a part of this Pre-Effective Amendment under the Securities Act of 1933 and Pre-Effective Amendment under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to the Primark Private Equity Fund Registration Statement on Form N-2.
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
Chicago, Illinois
August 21, 2020