UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act File Number: 811-22044
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Maureen A. Gemma
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Name and Address of Agent for Services)
(617) 482-8260
(Registrants Telephone Number)
December 31
Date of Fiscal Year End
December 31, 2020
Date of Reporting Period
Item 1. |
Reports to Stockholders |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (ETJ)
Annual Report
December 31, 2020
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The investment adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to its management of the Fund. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Funds adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator. The adviser is also registered as a commodity trading advisor.
Managed Distribution Plan. Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (Order), the Fund is authorized to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once per year. Pursuant to the Order, the Funds Board of Trustees approved a Managed Distribution Plan (MDP) pursuant to which the Fund makes monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share.
The Fund currently distributes monthly cash distributions equal to $0.0760 per share in accordance with the MDP. You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the MDP. The MDP will be subject to regular periodic review by the Funds Board of Trustees and the Board may amend or terminate the MDP at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders. However, at this time there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the termination of the MDP.
The Fund may distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains and, therefore, a distribution may include a return of capital. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. With each distribution, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders and a press release containing information about the amount and sources of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions contained in the notice and press release are only estimates and are not provided for tax purposes. The amounts and sources of the Funds distributions for tax purposes will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV for each calendar year.
Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.
Annual Report December 31, 2020
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
2 | ||||
3 | ||||
3 | ||||
4 | ||||
The Funds Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks |
5 | |||
8 | ||||
9 | ||||
22 | ||||
23 | ||||
24 | ||||
26 | ||||
31 | ||||
34 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Managements Discussion of Fund Performance1
Economic and Market Conditions
The 12-month period that began January 1, 2020, included some of the best and worst U.S. equity performances in over a decade.
As the period opened, news of a novel coronavirus outbreak in China began to raise investor concerns. As the virus turned into a global pandemic in February and March, it ended the longest-ever U.S. economic expansion and triggered a global economic slowdown. Economic activity declined dramatically and equity markets plunged in value amid unprecedented volatility.
In response, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) announced two emergency rate cuts in March 2020 lowering the federal funds rate to 0.00%-0.25% along with other measures designed to shore up equity and credit markets. At its July meeting, the Fed provided additional reassurances that it would use all the tools at its disposal to support the U.S. economy.
These actions helped calm markets and initiated a new equity rally that began in April and lasted through most of the summer. As consumers started to emerge from coronavirus lockdowns and factories gradually resumed production, stock prices reflected investor optimism. In the second quarter of 2020, U.S. stocks reported their best quarterly returns since 1998 on the heels of the worst first quarter for American stocks since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis.
In September 2020, however, the equity rally stalled, as stock prices on Wall Street began to reflect the reality on Main Street, where coronavirus cases were on the rise in nearly every state. In September and October 2020, most U.S. stock indexes reported negative returns, reflecting concerns about the economic outlook for fall and winter, uncertainties related to the presidential election, and the failure of Congress to pass additional financial relief for struggling businesses and workers facing unemployment.
In the final two months of the period, however, stocks reversed course again. Joe Bidens victory in the November presidential election eased political uncertainties that had dogged investment markets through much of the fall. Additionally, the announcement that two COVID-19 vaccine candidates had proven more than 90% effective in late-stage trials boosted investor optimism that powered a new stock market rally.
Unlike the largely tech-centered rally of the previous spring and summer, this rally was more broad-based, with strong participation by value and growth stocks across the market cap range. As both vaccines were approved for emergency use and vaccinations began in December 2020, an eventual end to the pandemic seemed to be in sight and the equity rally continued.
For the period as a whole, positive equity returns belied the dramatic volatility during the period, but demonstrated the dominance of technology stocks. The S&P 500® Index, a broad measure of U.S. stocks, returned 18.40%; the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average® returned 9.72%; and the technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 44.92%. Small-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index, kept pace with their large-cap counterparts, as measured by the S&P 500® Index and
Russell 1000® Index. As a group, growth stocks significantly outpaced value stocks, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.
Fund Performance
For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020, Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund) returned 18.78% at net asset value of its common shares (NAV), outperforming the 18.40% return of its equity benchmark, the S&P 500® Index (the Index); and the 17.97% return of its options benchmark, the Cboe S&P 500 95110 Collar IndexSM.
The Funds collared-options strategy (the options strategy) was a modest contributor to Fund performance versus the Index during a period marked by significant volatility in which the Index experienced about a 30% decline, and subsequently rallied to new all-time highs. While the Funds options strategy is intended to be beneficial during times of market weakness and higher volatility, it may also detract from Fund performance relative to the Index during periods of market strength, since the options strategy seeks to buy downside protection at the expense of potential upside appreciation.
The options strategy was effective in protecting investor capital during market stress early in the period, producing significant income from option premiums in February, March, and April that reduced the Funds exposure to falling stock prices. However, the options strategy also by its nature lowered the Funds participation in the subsequent market rally. For the period as a whole, the options strategy helped the Fund modestly outperform the Index with significantly less volatility than the benchmark itself.
The Funds underlying stock portfolio outperformed the Index as well, with stock selections in the consumer discretionary, health care, and financials sectors contributing to returns versus the Index. Within consumer discretionary, the Funds overweight position relative to the Index in e-commerce giant Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) aided relative returns. As the coronavirus pandemic forced consumers in its U.S. and overseas markets to stay at home, Amazon benefited from an accelerating shift to online purchasing and a significant rise in subscriptions to its Amazon Prime service, which offers fast shipping and streaming online entertainment.
In health care, the Funds overweight position in life sciences firm Danaher Corp. (Danaher) helped performance relative to the Index during the period. Danaher develops and markets tools and products used in labs and diagnostic testing. Its stock price rose during the period on increased demand for products used to test for COVID-19 and aid in vaccine development.
In contrast, detractors from performance versus the Index included stock selections in the information technology (IT), communication services, and consumer staples sectors. Not owning Index component NVIDIA Corp. (NVIDIA), a maker of computer graphics processing units used in gaming, data center and self-driving vehicle applications, hurt relative results in the IT sector. Long-term tailwinds, including growth in the gaming, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle industries, combined with a sharp increase in gaming and data center demand during the pandemic, helped NVIDIAs stock price appreciate strongly during the period.
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated net of management fees and other expenses by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Performance at market price will differ from performance at NAV due to variations in the Funds market price versus NAV, which may reflect factors such as fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, changes in Fund distributions, shifting market expectations for the Funds future returns and distribution rates, and other considerations affecting the trading prices of closed-end funds. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.
2 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Portfolio Manager Michael A. Allison, CFA and G.R. Nelson
% Average Annual Total Returns | Inception Date | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | ||||||||||||
Fund at NAV |
07/31/2007 | 18.78 | % | 8.50 | % | 6.88 | % | |||||||||
Fund at Market Price |
| 22.33 | 11.16 | 8.11 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
S&P 500® Index |
| 18.40 | % | 15.20 | % | 13.87 | % | |||||||||
Cboe S&P 500 95110 Collar IndexSM |
| 17.97 | 13.13 | 8.88 | ||||||||||||
% Premium/Discount to NAV3 | ||||||||||||||||
2.88 | % | |||||||||||||||
Distributions4 | ||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions per share for the period |
$ | 0.912 | ||||||||||||||
Distribution Rate at NAV |
9.05 | % | ||||||||||||||
Distribution Rate at Market Price |
8.79 |
Sector Allocation (% of total investments)5
Top 10 Holdings (% of total investments)5
Apple, Inc. |
6.9 | % | ||
Microsoft Corp. |
6.7 | |||
Amazon.com, Inc. |
5.7 | |||
Alphabet, Inc., Class C |
2.7 | |||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
2.7 | |||
Visa, Inc., Class A |
2.6 | |||
Bank of America Corp. |
2.5 | |||
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. |
2.3 | |||
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) |
2.2 | |||
Verizon Communications, Inc. |
2.2 | |||
Total |
36.5 | % |
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated net of management fees and other expenses by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Performance at market price will differ from performance at NAV due to variations in the Funds market price versus NAV, which may reflect factors such as fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, changes in Fund distributions, shifting market expectations for the Funds future returns and distribution rates, and other considerations affecting the trading prices of closed-end funds. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.
3 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Objective |
The primary investment objective is to provide current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. | |
Strategy |
The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and purchases out-of-the-money, short-dated S&P 500® Index put options and sells out-of-the-money S&P 500® Index call options of the same term as the put options with roll dates that are staggered across the options portfolio. The Fund evaluates returns on an after-tax basis and seeks to minimize and defer federal income taxes incurred by shareholders in connection with their investment in the Fund. |
Options Strategy |
Write Index Covered Calls; Buy Index Puts | |
Equity Benchmark2 |
S&P 500® Index | |
Morningstar Category |
Option Writing | |
Distribution Frequency |
Monthly | |
Common Stock Portfolio | ||
Positions Held |
60 | |
% US / Non-US |
96.4/3.6 | |
Average Market Cap |
$535.0 Billion | |
Call Options Written | ||
% of Stock Portfolio |
96% | |
Average Days to Expiration |
17 days | |
% Out of the Money |
0.8% | |
Put Options Purchased | ||
% of Stock Portfolio |
96% | |
Average Days to Expiration |
17 days | |
% Out of the Money |
7.1% |
The following terms as used in the Fund snapshot:
Average Market Cap: An indicator of the size of the companies in which the Fund invests and is the sum of each securitys weight in the portfolio multiplied by its market cap. Market Cap is determined by multiplying the price of a share of a companys common stock by the number of shares outstanding.
Call Option: For an index call option, the buyer has the right to receive from the seller (or writer) a cash payment at the option expiration date equal to any positive difference between the value of the index at contract expiration and the exercise price. The buyer of a call option makes a cash payment (premium) to the seller (writer) of the option upon entering into the option contract.
Covered Call Strategy: A strategy of owning a portfolio of common stocks and writing call options on all or a portion of such stocks to generate current earnings from option premium.
Index Put Option: Gives the option buyer the right to receive from the option seller (writer) a cash payment if the value of the index exceeds a specified value (exercise price or strike price) on or before a specified date (option expiration date). The buyer makes a cash payment (premium) to the seller of the option upon entering into the contract.
Out of the Money: For a call option on an index, the extent to which the exercise price of the option exceeds the current price of the index. For an index put option, the extent to which the current price of the index exceeds the exercise price of the option.
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
4 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
The Funds Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks6
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in a combination of (1) dividend-paying common stocks, (2) common stocks the value of which is subject to written put options on individual stocks, and (3) common stocks the value of which is subject to written index call options. In addition, under normal market conditions, the Fund purchases index put options with respect to at least 80% of the value of its investments in common stocks. The Fund also sells out-of-the-money index put options in combination with the purchase of index put options at a higher exercise price, a strategy known as buying put option spreads. The Fund will emphasize investments in stocks that pay dividends that qualify for federal income taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains and evaluates returns on an after-tax basis, seeking to minimize and defer shareholder federal income taxes.
The Fund generally intends to buy put options and write call options on one or more broad-based stock indices that the investment adviser believes collectively approximate the characteristics of its common stock portfolio (or that portion of its portfolio against which options are purchased and written). The Fund intends to buy put options and write call options primarily on the S&P 500, and may also buy put options and write call options on other domestic and foreign stock indices. The indices on which the Fund buys put options and writes call options may vary as a result of changes in the availability and liquidity of various listed index options, changes in stock portfolio holdings, the investment advisers evaluation of equity market conditions and other factors. The Fund generally intends to purchase out-of-the-money, short-dated S&P 500 Index put options and sell out-of-the-money S&P 500 Index call options of the same term as the put options with roll dates that are staggered across the options portfolio.
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of United States issuers. The Fund may invest up to 40% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers, including securities evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in securities of emerging market issuers. The Fund expects that its assets will normally be invested across a broad range of industries and market sectors. The Fund may not invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry.
In addition to buying index put options and writing index call options, the Fund may buy put options and/or write call options on up to 20% of the value of its total assets on futures contracts based upon broad-based securities indices. The Funds use of such options on index futures would be substantially similar to its use of options directly on indices. In addition to the Funds primary options strategies, the Fund may also invest up to 20% of its total assets in other derivative instruments acquired for hedging, risk management and investment purposes (to gain exposure to securities, securities markets, market indices and/or currencies consistent with its investment objectives and policies). However, excluding the Funds primary options strategies, no more than 10% of the Funds total assets may be invested in such other derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
Principal Risks
Market Discount Risk. The shares of closed-end management investment companies often trade at a discount from their NAV, and the common shares may likewise trade at a discount from NAV. This risk is separate and
distinct from the risk that the Funds NAV could decrease as a result of its investment activities. The trading price of the Funds Common Shares may be less than the public offering price.
Market Risk. The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to economic, political, financial, public health crises (such as epidemics or pandemics) or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets. The frequency and magnitude of such changes in value cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions. Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility. No active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.
Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks. If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Funds equity securities will also likely decline. Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.
Option Strategy Risk. The Funds option strategy seeks to take advantage of, and its effectiveness is dependent on, a general excess of option price-implied volatilities for the S&P 500 over realized index volatilities. This market observation is often attributed to an excess of natural buyers over natural sellers of S&P 500 index options. There can be no assurance that this imbalance will apply in the future over specific periods or generally. It is possible that the imbalance could decrease or be eliminated by actions of investors, including the Fund, that employ strategies seeking to take advantage of the imbalance, which could have an adverse effect on the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective.
Risk of Selling Index Call Options. The purchaser of an index call option has the right to any appreciation in the value of the index over the exercise price of the call option as of the valuation date of the option. Because their exercise is settled in cash, sellers of index call options such as the Fund cannot provide in advance for their potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. The Fund intends to mitigate the risks of its options activities by holding a diversified portfolio of stocks that the Funds investment adviser believes collectively approximate the characteristics of the indices on which options are written. The Fund will not, however, hold stocks that fully replicate the indices on which it writes call options. Due to tax considerations, the Fund intends to limit the overlap between its stock holdings (and any subset thereof) and each index on which it has outstanding options positions to less than 70% on an ongoing basis. The Funds stock holdings will normally include stocks not included in the indices on which it writes call options. Consequently, the Fund bears the
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
5 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
The Funds Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks6 continued
risk that the performance of its stock portfolio will vary from the performance of the indices on which it writes call options. As the writer of index call options, the Fund will forgo, during the options life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the value of the applicable index above the sum of the option premium received and the exercise price of the call option, but retains the risk of loss, minus the option premium received, should the value of the applicable index decline. When a call option is exercised, the Fund will be required to deliver an amount of cash determined by the excess of the value of the applicable index at contract termination over the exercise price of the option. Thus, the exercise of index call options sold by the Fund may require the Fund to sell portfolio securities to generate cash at inopportune times or for unattractive prices. The trading price of options may be adversely affected if the market for such options becomes less liquid or smaller. The Fund may close out a call option by buying the option instead of letting it expire or be exercised. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out a call option position by buying the option.
Derivatives Risk. The Funds exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative (reference instrument), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument. Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund. Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivatives counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment, particularly when there is no stated limit on the Funds use of derivatives. A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.
Tax-Sensitive Investing Risk. The Fund may hold a security in order to achieve more favorable tax-treatment or to sell a security in order to create tax losses. The Funds utilization of various tax-management techniques may be curtailed or eliminated by tax legislation, regulation or interpretations. The Fund may not be able to minimize taxable distributions to shareholders and a portion of the Funds distributions may be taxable.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject. Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and
more volatile than the major markets in the United States, and as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country. Depositary receipts are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign instruments.
Emerging Markets Investment Risk. Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain economic sectors. Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.
Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Funds performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.
Leverage Risk. Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage. Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an underlying reference instrument. Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund. Leverage can also result from borrowings or issuance of preferred shares The Fund is required to segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover the Funds obligation created by a transaction that may give rise to leverage. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Funds NAV to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the Funds portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.
Risks Associated with Active Management. The success of the Funds investment strategy depends on portfolio managements successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment. Active management involves subjective decisions.
Recent Market Conditions. An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus has resulted in a substantial economic downturn, which may continue for an extended period of time. Health crises caused by outbreaks of disease, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks and
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
6 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
The Funds Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks6 continued
disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries and industries, and could continue to affect the market in significant and unforeseen ways. Other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future may have similar effects. For example, a global pandemic or other widespread health crisis could cause substantial market volatility and exchange trading suspensions and closures. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The coronavirus outbreak and public and private sector responses thereto have led to large portions of the populations of many countries working from home for indefinite periods of time, temporary or permanent layoffs, disruptions in supply chains, and lack of availability of certain goods. The impact of such responses could adversely affect the information technology and operational systems upon which the Fund and the Funds service providers rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the employees of the Funds service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Any such impact could adversely affect the Funds performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Fund invests and may lead to losses on your investment in the Fund.
Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers to conduct business, such as the Internet, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cybersecurity failures by or breaches of the Funds investment adviser or administrator and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, may disrupt and otherwise adversely affect their business operations. This may result in financial losses to the Fund, impede Fund trading, interfere with the Funds ability to calculate its NAV, interfere with Fund shareholders ability to transact business or cause violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs.
General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
7 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Endnotes and Additional Disclosures
1 |
The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as forward looking statements. The Funds actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Funds filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
2 |
S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (S&P DJI) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Cboe S&P 500 95110 Collar IndexSM is an unmanaged index of the S&P 500® stocks with a collar option strategy of buying put options and selling call options. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. |
3 |
The shares of the Fund often trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. The discount or premium may vary over time and may be higher or lower than what is quoted in this report. For up-to-date premium/discount information, please refer to https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-prices.php. |
4 |
The Distribution Rate is based on the Funds last regular distribution per share in the period (annualized) divided by the Funds NAV or market price at the end of the period. The Funds distributions may be comprised of amounts characterized for federal income tax purposes as qualified and non-qualified ordinary dividends, capital gains and nondividend distributions, also known as return of capital. For additional information about nondividend distributions, please refer to Eaton Vance Closed-End Fund Distribution Notices (19a) posted on our website, eatonvance.com. The Fund will determine the federal income tax character of distributions paid to a shareholder after the end of the calendar year. This is reported on the IRS form 1099-DIV and provided to the shareholder shortly after each year-end. For information about the tax character of distributions made in prior calendar years, please refer to Performance-Tax Character of Distributions on the Funds webpage available at eatonvance.com. In recent years, a significant portion of the Funds distributions has been characterized as a return of capital. The Funds distributions are determined by the investment adviser based on its current assessment of the Funds long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and |
projected returns, and other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change. |
5 |
Depictions do not reflect the Funds option positions. Excludes cash and cash equivalents. |
6 |
The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell Fund shares. Common shares of the Fund are available for purchase and sale only at current market prices in secondary market trading. |
Fund snapshot and profile subject to change due to active management.
Additional Information
Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the Corporations) and Nasdaqs third party licensors on an as is basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Russell 1000® Index is an unmanaged index of 1,000 U.S. large-cap stocks.
Important Notice to Shareholders
On August 13, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund amended and restated the Funds By-Laws (the Amended and Restated By-Laws). The Amended and Restated By-Laws include provisions (the Control Share Provisions) pursuant to which, in summary, a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of Fund shares in a Control Share Acquisition may exercise voting rights with respect to such shares only to the extent the authorization of such voting rights is approved by other shareholders of the Fund. The Control Share Provisions are primarily intended to protect the interests of the Fund and its shareholders by limiting the risk that the Fund will become subject to undue influence by opportunistic hedge funds or other activist investors. The Control Share Provisions do not eliminate voting rights for shares acquired in Control Share Acquisitions, but rather, they entrust the Funds other non-interested shareholders with determining whether to approve the authorization of voting rights for such shares. Subject to various conditions and exceptions, the Amended and Restated By-Laws define a Control Share Acquisition to include an acquisition of Fund shares that, but for the Control Share Provisions, would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power in the election of Fund Trustees in any of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. Share acquisitions prior to August 13, 2020 are excluded from the definition of Control Share Acquisition. This discussion is only a high-level summary of certain aspects of the Control Share Provisions, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full Amended and Restated By-Laws. The Amended and Restated By-Laws were filed by the Fund on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available at sec.gov.
8 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
9 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Portfolio of Investments continued
Security | Shares | Value | ||||||
Household Durables 0.5% | ||||||||
D.R. Horton, Inc.(1) |
47,047 | $ | 3,242,479 | |||||
$ | 3,242,479 | |||||||
Household Products 2.3% | ||||||||
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)(1) |
104,267 | $ | 14,507,710 | |||||
$ | 14,507,710 | |||||||
Insurance 2.6% | ||||||||
MetLife, Inc.(1) |
124,042 | $ | 5,823,772 | |||||
Progressive Corp. (The)(1) |
108,100 | 10,688,928 | ||||||
$ | 16,512,700 | |||||||
Interactive Media & Services 5.5% | ||||||||
Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1)(2) |
10,172 | $ | 17,820,123 | |||||
Facebook, Inc., Class A(1)(2) |
49,590 | 13,546,004 | ||||||
Twitter, Inc.(1)(2) |
77,564 | 4,200,091 | ||||||
$ | 35,566,218 | |||||||
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 5.8% | ||||||||
Amazon.com, Inc.(1)(2) |
11,443 | $ | 37,269,050 | |||||
$ | 37,269,050 | |||||||
IT Services 7.0% | ||||||||
Accenture PLC, Class A(1) |
53,404 | $ | 13,949,659 | |||||
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.(1) |
54,677 | 7,734,608 | ||||||
GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(1)(2) |
78,836 | 6,539,446 | ||||||
Visa, Inc., Class A(1) |
77,564 | 16,965,574 | ||||||
$ | 45,189,287 | |||||||
Life Sciences Tools & Services 1.7% | ||||||||
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(1) |
24,160 | $ | 11,253,245 | |||||
$ | 11,253,245 | |||||||
Machinery 2.0% | ||||||||
Caterpillar, Inc.(1) |
33,060 | $ | 6,017,581 | |||||
PACCAR, Inc.(1) |
80,107 | 6,911,632 | ||||||
$ | 12,929,213 | |||||||
Metals & Mining 2.3% | ||||||||
Franco-Nevada Corp.(1) |
55,948 | $ | 7,011,963 | |||||
Rio Tinto PLC ADR(1) |
105,538 | 7,938,568 | ||||||
$ | 14,950,531 |
Security | Shares | Value | ||||||
Multi-Utilities 1.5% | ||||||||
CMS Energy Corp.(1) |
54,677 | $ | 3,335,844 | |||||
Sempra Energy(1) |
49,590 | 6,318,262 | ||||||
$ | 9,654,106 | |||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 1.4% | ||||||||
Chevron Corp.(1) |
67,392 | $ | 5,691,254 | |||||
EOG Resources, Inc.(1) |
67,392 | 3,360,839 | ||||||
$ | 9,052,093 | |||||||
Pharmaceuticals 3.0% | ||||||||
Sanofi |
85,193 | $ | 8,257,162 | |||||
Zoetis, Inc.(1) |
67,392 | 11,153,376 | ||||||
$ | 19,410,538 | |||||||
Road & Rail 2.1% | ||||||||
CSX Corp.(1) |
147,499 | $ | 13,385,534 | |||||
$ | 13,385,534 | |||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 3.2% | ||||||||
Micron Technology, Inc.(1)(2) |
81,379 | $ | 6,118,073 | |||||
Texas Instruments, Inc.(1) |
86,465 | 14,191,501 | ||||||
$ | 20,309,574 | |||||||
Software 9.4% | ||||||||
Intuit, Inc.(1) |
31,789 | $ | 12,075,052 | |||||
Microsoft Corp.(1) |
197,089 | 43,836,535 | ||||||
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Class A(1)(2) |
204,718 | 4,821,109 | ||||||
$ | 60,732,696 | |||||||
Specialty Retail 2.3% | ||||||||
Best Buy Co., Inc.(1) |
52,134 | $ | 5,202,452 | |||||
Lowes Cos., Inc.(1) |
59,763 | 9,592,559 | ||||||
$ | 14,795,011 | |||||||
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 6.9% | ||||||||
Apple, Inc.(1) |
336,957 | $ | 44,710,824 | |||||
$ | 44,710,824 |
10 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Portfolio of Investments continued
Security | Shares | Value | ||||||
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 2.4% | ||||||||
NIKE, Inc., Class B(1) |
83,922 | $ | 11,872,446 | |||||
PVH Corp.(1) |
36,370 | 3,414,779 | ||||||
$ | 15,287,225 | |||||||
Total Common Stocks
|
|
$ | 643,037,350 | |||||
Short-Term Investments 0.7% |
|
|||||||
Description | Units | Value | ||||||
Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 0.11%(3) |
4,783,085 | $ | 4,783,085 | |||||
Total Short-Term Investments
|
|
$ | 4,783,085 | |||||
Total Purchased Put Options 0.3%
|
|
$ | 1,903,713 | |||||
Total Investments 100.9%
|
|
$ | 649,724,148 | |||||
Total Written Call Options (0.9)%
|
|
$ | (5,688,000 | ) | ||||
Other Assets, Less Liabilities (0.0)%(4) |
|
$ | (265,121 | ) | ||||
Net Assets 100.0% |
|
$ | 643,771,027 |
The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.
(1) |
Security (or a portion thereof) has been pledged as collateral for written options. |
(2) |
Non-income producing security. |
(3) |
Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2020. |
(4) |
Amount is less than (0.05)%. |
Purchased Put Options 0.3% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange-Traded Options 0.3% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Description |
Number of
Contracts |
Notional
Amount |
Exercise
Price |
Expiration
Date |
Value | |||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index |
137 | $ | 51,458,159 | $ | 3,525 | 1/4/21 | $ | 13,700 | ||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index |
137 | 51,458,159 | 3,500 | 1/6/21 | 31,168 | |||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index |
138 | 51,833,766 | 3,415 | 1/8/21 | 31,050 | |||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index |
136 | 51,082,552 | 3,500 | 1/11/21 | 65,280 |
Abbreviations:
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
11 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Assets | December 31, 2020 | |||
Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $408,356,147) |
$ | 644,941,063 | ||
Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $4,783,085) |
4,783,085 | |||
Dividends receivable |
439,165 | |||
Dividends receivable from affiliated investment |
119 | |||
Receivable for premiums on written options |
405,298 | |||
Receivable from the transfer agent |
132,885 | |||
Total assets |
$ | 650,701,615 | ||
Liabilities | ||||
Written options outstanding, at value (premiums received, $4,984,548) |
$ | 5,688,000 | ||
Payable for closed written options |
389,550 | |||
Payable to affiliates: |
||||
Investment adviser fee |
541,638 | |||
Trustees fees |
8,330 | |||
Accrued expenses |
303,070 | |||
Total liabilities |
$ | 6,930,588 | ||
Net Assets |
$ | 643,771,027 | ||
Sources of Net Assets | ||||
Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 63,892,866 shares issued and outstanding |
$ | 638,929 | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
420,725,177 | |||
Distributable earnings |
222,406,921 | |||
Net Assets |
$ | 643,771,027 | ||
Net Asset Value | ||||
($643,771,027 ÷ 63,892,866 common shares issued and outstanding) |
$ | 10.08 |
12 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Statement of Operations
Investment Income |
Year Ended
December 31, 2020 |
|||
Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $59,898) |
$ | 11,023,814 | ||
Dividends from affiliated investment |
43,429 | |||
Total investment income |
$ | 11,067,243 | ||
Expenses | ||||
Investment adviser fee |
$ | 6,110,961 | ||
Trustees fees and expenses |
32,310 | |||
Custodian fee |
234,470 | |||
Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees |
18,550 | |||
Legal and accounting services |
92,873 | |||
Printing and postage |
227,218 | |||
Miscellaneous |
62,897 | |||
Total expenses |
$ | 6,779,279 | ||
Net investment income |
$ | 4,287,964 | ||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
||||
Investment transactions |
$ | 54,454,400 | ||
Investment transactions affiliated investment |
(17,910 | ) | ||
Written options |
(36,316,693 | ) | ||
Foreign currency transactions |
32,743 | |||
Net realized gain |
$ | 18,152,540 | ||
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
||||
Investments |
$ | 81,492,719 | ||
Written options |
1,555,819 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
$ | 83,048,538 | ||
Net realized and unrealized gain |
$ | 101,201,078 | ||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
$ | 105,489,042 |
13 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
From operations |
||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 4,287,964 | $ | 4,207,192 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
18,152,540 | (13,165,382 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
83,048,538 | 91,423,134 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
$ | 105,489,042 | $ | 82,464,944 | ||||
Distributions to shareholders |
$ | (17,513,647 | ) | $ | (4,177,178 | ) | ||
Tax return of capital to shareholders |
$ | (40,700,834 | ) | $ | (53,922,139 | ) | ||
Capital share transactions |
||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions |
$ | 1,025,940 | $ | 1,083,423 | ||||
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions |
$ | 1,025,940 | $ | 1,083,423 | ||||
Net increase in net assets |
$ | 48,300,501 | $ | 25,449,050 | ||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
At beginning of year |
$ | 595,470,526 | $ | 570,021,476 | ||||
At end of year |
$ | 643,771,027 | $ | 595,470,526 |
14 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Financial Highlights
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value Beginning of year |
$ | 9.340 | $ | 8.950 | $ | 10.080 | $ | 9.980 | $ | 11.150 | ||||||||||
Income (Loss) From Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(1) |
$ | 0.067 | $ | 0.066 | $ | 0.059 | $ | 0.078 | $ | 0.108 | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
1.585 | 1.236 | (0.277 | ) | 0.968 | (0.162 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from operations |
$ | 1.652 | $ | 1.302 | $ | (0.218 | ) | $ | 1.046 | $ | (0.054 | ) | ||||||||
Less Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
$ | (0.080 | ) | $ | (0.066 | ) | $ | (0.486 | ) | $ | (0.946 | ) | $ | (0.093 | ) | |||||
From net realized gain |
(0.194 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Tax return of capital |
(0.638 | ) | (0.846 | ) | (0.426 | ) | | (1.023 | ) | |||||||||||
Total distributions |
$ | (0.912 | ) | $ | (0.912 | ) | $ | (0.912 | ) | $ | (0.946 | ) | $ | (1.116 | ) | |||||
Net asset value End of year |
$ | 10.080 | $ | 9.340 | $ | 8.950 | $ | 10.080 | $ | 9.980 | ||||||||||
Market value End of year |
$ | 10.370 | $ | 9.330 | $ | 8.120 | $ | 9.630 | $ | 8.960 | ||||||||||
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(2) |
18.78 | % | 15.18 | % | (2.13 | )% | 11.66 | % | 0.60 | % | ||||||||||
Total Investment Return on Market Value(2) |
22.33 | % | 26.82 | % | (7.06 | )% | 18.82 | % | (0.88 | )% | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of year (000s omitted) |
$ | 643,771 | $ | 595,471 | $ | 570,021 | $ | 641,923 | $ | 635,595 | ||||||||||
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses |
1.11 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.11 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.70 | % | 0.71 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.78 | % | 1.05 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover |
52 | % | 57 | % | 53 | % | 87 | % | 79 | % |
(1) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
(2) |
Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
15 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
1 Significant Accounting Policies
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.
A Investment Valuation The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.
Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.
Derivatives. U.S. exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices at valuation time as reported by the Options Price Reporting Authority. Non-U.S. exchange-traded options and over-the-counter options are valued by a third party pricing service using techniques that consider factors including the value of the underlying instrument, the volatility of the underlying instrument and the period of time until option expiration.
Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Funds Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.
Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.
Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the securitys fair value, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the securitys disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the companys or entitys financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
B Investment Transactions Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.
C Income Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Funds understanding of the applicable countries tax rules and rates.
D Federal Taxes The Funds policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.
As of December 31, 2020, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.
E Foreign Currency Translation Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net
16 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements continued
realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
F Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
G Indemnifications Under the Funds organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Fund) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Funds Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Fund shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. 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.
H Written Options Upon the writing of a call or a put option, the premium received by the Fund is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option written, in accordance with the Funds policies on investment valuations discussed above. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. When an index option is exercised, the Fund is required to deliver an amount of cash determined by the excess of the exercise price of the option over the value of the index (in the case of a put) or the excess of the value of the index over the exercise price of the option (in the case of a call) at contract termination. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund. The Fund, as a writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities or other assets may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and, as a result, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the securities or other assets underlying the written option. The Fund may also bear the risk of not being able to enter into a closing transaction if a liquid secondary market does not exist.
I Purchased Options Upon the purchase of a call or put option, the premium paid by the Fund is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment. The amount of the investment is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased, in accordance with the Funds policies on investment valuations discussed above. As the purchaser of an index option, the Fund has the right to receive a cash payment equal to any depreciation in the value of the index below the exercise price of the option (in the case of a put) or equal to any appreciation in the value of the index over the exercise price of the option (in the case of a call) as of the valuation date of the option. If an option which the Fund had purchased expires on the stipulated expiration date, the Fund will realize a loss in the amount of the cost of the option. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the Fund will realize a gain or loss, depending on whether the sales proceeds from the closing sale transaction are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a put option on a security, it will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such sale will be decreased by the premium originally paid. If the Fund exercises a call option on a security, the cost of the security which the Fund purchases upon exercise will be increased by the premium originally paid. The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally paid.
2 Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information
Subject to its Managed Distribution Plan, the Fund makes monthly distributions from its cash available for distribution, which consists of the Funds dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, net option premiums and net realized and unrealized gains on stock investments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may include a substantial return of capital component.
The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Ordinary income |
$ | 5,133,681 | $ | 4,177,178 | ||||
Long-term capital gains |
$ | 12,379,966 | $ | | ||||
Tax return of capital |
$ | 40,700,834 | $ | 53,922,139 |
17 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements continued
As of December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
Post October capital losses |
$ | (16,383,977 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 238,790,898 |
At December 31, 2020, the Fund had a net capital loss of $16,383,977 attributable to security transactions incurred after October 31, 2020 that it has elected to defer. This net capital loss is treated as arising on the first day of the Funds taxable year ending December 31, 2021.
The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, including open derivative contracts, of the Fund at December 31, 2020, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:
Aggregate cost |
$ | 409,029,537 | ||
Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ | 239,797,393 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(1,006,495 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 238,790,898 |
3 Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
The investment adviser fee is earned by EVM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Funds average daily gross assets and is payable monthly. Gross assets as referred to herein represent net assets plus obligations attributable to investment leverage, if any. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Funds investment adviser fee amounted to $6,110,961. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund. EVM also serves as administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation.
Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVMs organization receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with EVM may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2020, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.
4 Purchases and Sales of Investments
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $315,220,960 and $385,663,466, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020.
5 Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Common shares issued by the Fund pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were 105,884 and 117,054, respectively.
In August 2012, the Board of Trustees initially approved a share repurchase program for the Fund. Pursuant to the reauthorization of the share repurchase program by the Board of Trustees in March 2019, the Fund is authorized to repurchase up to 10% of its common shares outstanding as of the last day of the prior calendar year at market prices when shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. There were no repurchases of common shares by the Fund for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
6 Financial Instruments
The Fund may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include written options and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Fund has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. A summary of obligations under these financial instruments at December 31, 2020 is included in the Portfolio of Investments. At December 31, 2020, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover commitments under these contracts.
18 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements continued
The Fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund pursues a collared options strategy which consists of buying S&P 500 index put options below the current value of the index and writing S&P 500 index call options above the current value of the index with the same expiration. The strategy uses the premium income from the written call options to buy an equal number of put options. In buying put options on an index, the Fund in effect, acquires protection against decline in the value of the applicable index below the exercise price in exchange for the option premium paid. In writing index call options, the Fund in effect, sells potential appreciation in the value of the applicable index above the exercise price. The Fund retains the risk of lost appreciation, minus the premium received, should the price of the underlying index rise above the exercise price. Under normal market conditions, the Funds use of option collars is expected to provide a more consistent level of market exposure and market protection.
The fair value of open derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk at December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Fair Value | ||||||||
Derivative | Asset Derivative(1) | Liability Derivative(2) | ||||||
Purchased options |
$ | 1,903,713 | $ | | ||||
Written options |
| (5,688,000 | ) | |||||
Total |
$ | 1,903,713 | $ | (5,688,000 | ) |
(1) |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unaffiliated investments, at value. |
(2) |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Written options outstanding, at value. |
The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Derivative |
Realized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives Recognized in Income(1) |
Change in Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income(2) |
||||||
Purchased options |
$ | 20,632,860 | $ | (1,465,343 | ) | |||
Written options |
(36,316,693 | ) | 1,555,819 | |||||
$ | (15,683,833 | ) | $ | 90,476 |
(1) |
Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) Investment transactions and Written options, respectively. |
(2) |
Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) Investments and Written options, respectively. |
The average number of purchased and written options contracts outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2020, which are indicative of the volume of these derivative types, were 1,815 and 1,772 contracts, respectively.
7 Investments in Affiliated Funds
At December 31, 2020, the value of the Funds investment in affiliated funds was $4,783,085, which represents 0.7% of the Funds net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Name of affiliated fund |
Value,
beginning of period |
Purchases |
Sales proceeds |
Net
realized gain (loss) |
Change in
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
Value, end
of period |
Dividend
income |
Units, end
of period |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC |
$ | 2,947,208 | $ | 245,534,450 | $ | (243,680,663 | ) | $ | (17,910 | ) | $ | | $ | 4,783,085 | $ | 43,429 | 4,783,085 |
19 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements continued
8 Fair Value Measurements
Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
|
Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
|
Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
|
Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including a funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
At December 31, 2020, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Funds investments and open derivative instruments, which are carried at value, were as follows:
Asset Description | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks |
||||||||||||||||
Communication Services |
$ | 70,841,178 | $ | | $ | | $ | 70,841,178 | ||||||||
Consumer Discretionary |
87,248,492 | | | 87,248,492 | ||||||||||||
Consumer Staples |
50,165,752 | | | 50,165,752 | ||||||||||||
Energy |
9,052,093 | | | 9,052,093 | ||||||||||||
Financials |
71,795,581 | | | 71,795,581 | ||||||||||||
Health Care |
74,178,796 | 8,257,162 | | 82,435,958 | ||||||||||||
Industrials |
43,879,772 | | | 43,879,772 | ||||||||||||
Information Technology |
176,689,445 | | | 176,689,445 | ||||||||||||
Materials |
14,950,531 | | | 14,950,531 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate |
14,552,509 | | | 14,552,509 | ||||||||||||
Utilities |
21,426,039 | | | 21,426,039 | ||||||||||||
Total Common Stocks |
$ | 634,780,188 | $ | 8,257,162 | * | $ | | $ | 643,037,350 | |||||||
Short-Term Investments |
$ | | $ | 4,783,085 | $ | | $ | 4,783,085 | ||||||||
Purchased Put Options |
1,903,713 | | | 1,903,713 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments |
$ | 636,683,901 | $ | 13,040,247 | $ | | $ | 649,724,148 | ||||||||
Liability Description |
||||||||||||||||
Written Call Options |
$ | (5,688,000 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (5,688,000 | ) | ||||||
Total |
$ | (5,688,000 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (5,688,000 | ) |
* |
Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets. |
9 Risks and Uncertainties
Pandemic Risk
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, the economies of individual countries, individual companies, and the market in general, and may continue to do so in significant and unforeseen ways, as may other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future. Any such impact could adversely affect the Funds performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Fund invests.
20 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements continued
10 Additional Information
On October 8, 2020, Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance Corp. (Eaton Vance) announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement under which Morgan Stanley would acquire Eaton Vance. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, consummation of this transaction may be deemed to result in the automatic termination of an Eaton Vance Funds investment advisory agreement, and, where applicable, any related sub-advisory agreement. On November 10, 2020, the Funds Board approved a new investment advisory agreement. The new investment advisory agreement was approved by Fund shareholders at a joint special meeting of shareholders held on January 22, 2021, and would take effect upon consummation of the transaction.
21 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Trustees and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. 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 audits 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 statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, 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 statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 17, 2021
We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.
22 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)
The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2021 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2020. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.
Qualified Dividend Income. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund designates approximately $10,619,949, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.
Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Funds dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Funds fiscal 2020 ordinary income dividends, 100% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.
Capital Gains Dividends. The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2020, $12,379,966 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.
23 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
The Fund offers a dividend reinvestment plan (Plan) pursuant to which shareholders automatically have distributions reinvested in common shares (Shares) of the Fund unless they elect otherwise through their investment dealer. On the distribution payment date, if the NAV per Share is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, then new Shares will be issued. The number of Shares shall be determined by the greater of the NAV per Share or 95% of the market price. Otherwise, Shares generally will be purchased on the open market by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the Plan agent (Agent). Distributions subject to income tax (if any) are taxable whether or not Shares are reinvested.
If your Shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you will need to request that the Funds transfer agent re-register your Shares in your name or you will not be able to participate.
The Agents service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. Plan participants will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
Plan participants may withdraw from the Plan at any time by writing to the Agent at the address noted on the following page. If you withdraw, you will receive Shares in your name for all Shares credited to your account under the Plan. If a participant elects by written notice to the Agent to sell part or all of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds, the Agent is authorized to deduct a $5.00 fee plus brokerage commissions from the proceeds.
If you wish to participate in the Plan and your Shares are held in your own name, you may complete the form on the following page and deliver it to the Agent. Any inquiries regarding the Plan can be directed to the Agent at 1-866-439-6787.
24 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Application for Participation in Dividend Reinvestment Plan
This form is for shareholders who hold their common shares in their own names. If your common shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank, or nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you should request that your common shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.
The following authorization and appointment is given with the understanding that I may terminate it at any time by terminating my participation in the Plan as provided in the terms and conditions of the Plan.
Please print exact name on account
Shareholder signature Date
Shareholder signature Date
Please sign exactly as your common shares are registered. All persons whose names appear on the share certificate must sign.
YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THIS FORM IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. THIS IS NOT A PROXY.
This authorization form, when signed, should be mailed to the following address:
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
P.O. Box 922
Wall Street Station
New York, NY 10269-0560
25 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Board of Trustees Contract Approval
Overview of the Contract Review Process
Even though the following description of the Boards (as defined below) consideration of investment advisory agreements covers multiple funds, for purposes of this shareholder report, the description is only relevant as to Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund.
At a meeting held on November 10, 2020 (the November Meeting), the Board of Trustees (each, a Board and, collectively, the Board) of each closed-end Fund (each, a Fund and, collectively, the Funds(1)) managed by Eaton Vance Management (Eaton Vance), including a majority of the Board members (the Independent Trustees) who are not interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act)) of the Funds or Eaton Vance, voted to approve a new investment advisory agreement between each Fund and Eaton Vance, each of which is intended to go into effect upon the completion of the Transaction (as defined below) (each, a New Agreement and, collectively, the New Agreements). The Boards evaluative process is more fully described below. In voting its approval of the New Agreements at the November Meeting, the Board relied on an order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that provided temporary relief from the in-person meeting requirements under Section 15 of the 1940 Act.
In voting its approval of the New Agreements, the Board of each Fund relied upon the recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to and during meetings leading up to the November Meeting, the Contract Review Committee reviewed and discussed information furnished by Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley, as requested by the Independent Trustees, that the Contract Review Committee considered reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the New Agreements and to form its recommendations. Such information included, among other things, the terms and anticipated impacts of Morgan Stanleys pending acquisition of Eaton Vance Corp. (the Transaction) on the Funds and their shareholders. In addition to considering information furnished specifically to evaluate the impact of the Transaction on the Funds and their respective shareholders, the Board and its Contract Review Committee also considered information furnished for prior meetings of the Board and its committees, including, but not limited to, information provided in connection with the annual contract review process for the Funds, which most recently culminated in April 2020 (the 2020 Annual Approval Process).
The Board of each Fund, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the applicable New Agreement, including the fees payable thereunder, was fair and reasonable, and it voted to approve the New Agreement and to recommend that shareholders do so as well.
Shortly after the announcement of the Transaction, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met with senior representatives from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley at its meeting held on October 13, 2020 to discuss certain aspects of the Transaction and the expected impacts of the Transaction on the Funds and their shareholders. As part of the Boards evaluation process, counsel to the Independent Trustees, on behalf of the Contract Review Committee, requested additional information to assist the Independent Trustees in their evaluation of the New Agreements and the implications of the Transaction, as well as other contractual arrangements that may be affected by the Transaction. The Contract Review Committee considered information furnished by Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley and their respective affiliates during meetings on November 5, 2020 and November 10, 2020.
The Contract Review Committee again met with senior representatives of Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley at its meeting on November 10, 2020, to further discuss the approval of the New Agreements. The representatives from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley each made presentations to, and responded to questions from, the Independent Trustees. The Contract Review Committee considered Eaton Vances and Morgan Stanleys responses related to the Transaction and specifically to the Funds, as well as information received in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process, with respect to its evaluation of the New Agreements. Among other information, the Board considered:
Information about the Transaction and its Terms
|
Information about the material terms and conditions, and expected impact, of the Transaction that relate to the Funds, including the expected impact on the businesses conducted by Eaton Vance with respect to the Funds; |
|
Information about the advantages of the Transaction as they relate to the Funds and their shareholders; |
|
A commitment that the Funds would not bear any expenses, directly or indirectly, in connection with the Transaction, including with respect to the solicitation of shareholder approval of the New Agreements; |
|
A commitment that, for a period of three years after the Closing, at least 75% of each Funds Board members must not be interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the investment adviser (or predecessor investment adviser, if applicable) pursuant to Section 15(f)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act; |
|
A commitment that Morgan Stanley would use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that it did not impose any unfair burden (as that term is used in section 15(f)(1)(B) of the 1940 Act) on the Funds as a result of the Transaction; |
|
Information with respect to the potential impact of the Transaction on personnel and/or other resources of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, as well as any expected changes to compensation, including any retention-based compensation intended to incentivize key personnel at Eaton Vance and its affiliates; |
|
Information regarding any changes that are expected with respect to the Funds slate of officers as a result of the Transaction; |
(1) |
References to the Funds do not include Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Plus Fund. |
26 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
Information about Morgan Stanley
|
Information about Morgan Stanleys overall business, including information about the advisory, brokerage and related businesses that Morgan Stanley operates; |
|
Information about Morgan Stanleys financial condition, including its access to capital and other resources required to support the investment advisory businesses related to the Funds; |
|
Information on how the Funds are expected to fit within Morgan Stanleys overall business strategy, and any changes that Morgan Stanley contemplates implementing to the Funds in the short- or long-term following the closing of the Transaction (the Closing); |
|
Information regarding risk management functions at Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, including how existing risk management protocols and procedures may impact the Funds and/or the businesses of Eaton Vance and its affiliates as they relate to the Funds; |
|
Information on the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to the Funds with respect to potential additional distribution capabilities and the ability to access new markets and customer segments through Morgan Stanleys distribution network, including, in particular, its institutional client base; |
|
Information regarding the financial condition and reputation of Morgan Stanley, its worldwide presence, experience as a fund sponsor and manager, commitment to maintain a high level of cooperation with, and support to, the Funds, strong client service capabilities, and relationships in the asset management industry; |
Information about the New Agreements
|
A representation that, after the Closing, all of the Funds will continue to be advised by Eaton Vance, and will continue under the Eaton Vance brand; |
|
Information regarding the terms of the New Agreements, including certain changes as compared to the current investment advisory agreement between each Fund and Eaton Vance (collectively, the Current Agreements); |
|
Information confirming that the fee rates payable under the New Agreements are not changed as compared to the Current Agreements; |
|
A representation that the New Agreements will not cause any diminution in the nature, extent and quality of services provided by Eaton Vance to the Funds and their respective shareholders, including with respect to compliance and other non-advisory services; |
Information about Fund Performance, Fees and Expenses
|
A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each Fund (including, as relevant, total return data, income data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds and, as applicable, benchmark indices, over various time periods as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as performance information as of a more recent date; |
|
A report from an independent data provider comparing each Funds total expense ratio (and its components) to those of comparable funds as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as fee and expense information as of a more recent date; |
|
In certain instances, data regarding investment performance relative to customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by Eaton Vance in consultation with the Portfolio Management Committee of the Board as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as corresponding performance information as of a more recent date; |
|
Comparative information concerning the fees charged and services provided by Eaton Vance to each Fund in managing other accounts (which may include other mutual funds, collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such Fund(s), if any; |
|
Profitability analyses of Eaton Vance with respect to each of the Funds as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as information regarding the impact of the Transaction on profitability; |
Information about Portfolio Management and Trading
|
Descriptions of the investment management services currently provided and expected to be provided to each Fund after the Closing, as well as each of the Funds investment strategies and policies; |
|
The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of Fund assets, when necessary, and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes; |
|
Information regarding any contemplated changes to the policies and practices of Eaton Vance with respect to trading, including their processes for seeking best execution of portfolio transactions; |
|
Information regarding the impact on trading and access to capital markets associated with the Funds post-Closing affiliations with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, including potential restrictions with respect to the Funds ability to execute portfolio transactions with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates; |
Information about Eaton Vance
|
Information about the financial results and condition of Eaton Vance since the culmination of the 2020 Annual Approval Process and any material changes in financial condition that are reasonably expected to occur before and after the Closing; |
|
Confirmation that there are no immediately contemplated post-Closing changes to the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the Funds, and, for portfolio managers and certain other investment professionals, information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts, as applicable post-Closing; |
27 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
|
The Code of Ethics of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with, and the administration of, such codes; |
|
Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and the handling of corporate actions and class actions; |
|
Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by Eaton Vance and its affiliates, including descriptions of their various compliance programs and their record of compliance; |
|
Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of Eaton Vance and its affiliates; |
Other Relevant Information
|
Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance and its affiliates; |
|
Information concerning oversight of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by Eaton Vance and/or administrator to each of the Funds; |
|
Information concerning the benefits of the closed-end fund structure, as well as, where relevant, the closed-end funds market prices, trading volume data, distribution rates and other relevant matters; |
|
Confirmation that Eaton Vance intends to continue to manage the Funds in a manner materially consistent with each Funds current investment objective(s) and principal investment strategies; |
|
Information regarding Morgan Stanleys commitment to maintaining competitive compensation arrangements to attract and retain highly qualified personnel; |
|
Confirmation that Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley will continue to keep the Board apprised of developments as the Transaction progresses and prior to and, as applicable, following the Closing; |
|
Confirmation that the current senior management team at Eaton Vance has indicated its strong support of the Transaction; and |
|
Information regarding the fact that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance Corp. will each derive benefits from the Transaction and that, as a result, they have a financial interest in the matters that were being considered. |
As indicated above, the Board and its Contract Review Committee also considered information received at its regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year, which included information from portfolio managers and other investment professionals of Eaton Vance regarding investment and performance matters, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing the Funds investment objectives. The Board also received information regarding risk management techniques employed in connection with the management of the Funds. The Board and its committees evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the Funds, and received reports and participated in presentations provided by Eaton Vance and its affiliates with respect to such matters.
The Contract Review Committee was advised throughout the evaluation process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee, with the advice of such counsel, exercised their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the New Agreements and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to the New Agreements were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each Independent Trustee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to the New Agreements.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
In considering whether to approve the New Agreements, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services currently provided to each Fund by Eaton Vance under the Current Agreements. In evaluating the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by Eaton Vance under the New Agreements, the Board considered, among other information, the expected impact, if any, of the Transaction on the operations, facilities, organization and personnel of Eaton Vance, and that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance have advised the Board that, following the Closing, there is not expected to be any diminution in the nature, extent and quality of services provided by Eaton Vance to the Funds and their shareholders, including compliance and other non-advisory services, and that there are not expected to be any changes in portfolio management personnel as a result of the Transaction.
The Board also considered the financial resources of Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance and the importance of having a Fund manager with, or with access to, significant organizational and financial resources. The Board considered the benefits to the Funds of being part of a larger combined organization with greater financial resources following the Closing, particularly during periods of market disruptions and volatility. In this regard, the Board considered information provided by Morgan Stanley regarding its business and operating structure, scale of operation, leadership and reputation, distribution capabilities and financial condition, as well as information on how the Funds are expected to fit within Morgan Stanleys overall business strategy and any changes that Morgan Stanley contemplates in the short- or long-term following the Closing. The Board also noted Morgan Stanleys and Eaton Vances commitment to keep the Board apprised of developments with respect to its long-term integration plans for Eaton Vance and existing Morgan Stanley affiliates and their respective personnel.
The Board considered Eaton Vances management capabilities, investment processes and investment performance in light of the types of investments held by each Fund, including the education, experience and number of investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to each Fund. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of Eaton Vances investment professionals in implementing each Funds investment strategies. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and
28 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
other services, the compensation methods of Eaton Vance and other factors, including the reputation and resources of Eaton Vance to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. With respect to the recruitment and retention of key personnel, the Board noted information from Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance regarding the benefits of joining Morgan Stanley. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Funds by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Funds, including the provision of administrative services. With respect to the foregoing, the Board also considered information from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley regarding the anticipated impact of the Transaction on such matters. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which Eaton Vance or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Funds and in connection with the Transaction. The Board considered the deep experience of Eaton Vance and its affiliates with managing and operating funds organized as exchange-listed closed-end funds, such as the Funds. In this regard, the Board considered, among other things, Eaton Vances and its affiliates experience with implementing leverage arrangements, monitoring and assessing trading price discounts and premiums and adhering to the requirements of securities exchanges.
The Board considered the compliance programs of Eaton Vance and relevant affiliates thereof. The Board considered compliance and reporting matters regarding, among other things, personal trading by investment professionals, disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the responses of Eaton Vance and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The Board also considered certain information relating to the compliance record of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, including information requests in recent years from regulatory authorities. With respect to the foregoing, including the compliance programs of Eaton Vance, the Board noted information regarding the impact of the Transaction, as well as Eaton Vances and Morgan Stanleys commitment to keep the Board apprised of developments with respect to its long-term integration plans for Eaton Vance and existing Morgan Stanley affiliates and their respective personnel.
The Board considered other administrative services provided and to be provided or overseen by Eaton Vance and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment disciplines. The Board noted information that the Transaction was not expected to have any material impact on such matters in the near-term.
In evaluating the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided under the New Agreements, the Board also considered investment performance information provided for each Fund in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as information provided as of a more recent date. In this regard, the Board compared each Funds investment performance to that of comparable funds identified by an independent data provider (the peer group), as well as appropriate benchmark indices and, for certain Funds, a custom peer group of similarly managed funds. The Board also considered, where applicable, Fund-specific performance explanations based on criteria established by the Board in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process and, where applicable, performance explanations as of a more recent date. In addition to the foregoing information, it was also noted that the Board has received and discussed with management information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing each Funds performance against applicable benchmark indices and peer groups. In addition, the Board considered each Funds performance in light of overall financial market conditions. Where a Funds relative underperformance to its peers was significant during one or more specified periods, the Board noted the explanations from Eaton Vance concerning the Funds relative performance versus the peer group.
After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, and based on their review of the materials provided and the assurances received from, and recommendations of, Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley, the Board determined that the Transaction was not expected to adversely affect the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Eaton Vance and its affiliates and that the Transaction was not expected to have an adverse effect on the ability of Eaton Vance and its affiliates to provide those services. The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services expected to be provided by Eaton Vance, taken as a whole, are appropriate and expected to be consistent with the terms of the New Agreements.
Management Fees and Expenses
The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by each Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as management fees) in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as information provided as of a more recent date. As part of its review, the Board considered each Funds management fees and total expense ratio over various periods, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses.
The Board also considered factors, and, where applicable, certain Fund-specific factors, that had an impact on a Funds total expense ratio relative to comparable funds, as identified by Eaton Vance in response to inquiries from the Contract Review Committee. The Board considered that the New Agreement does not change a Funds management fee rate or the computation method for calculating such fees, including any separately executed permanent contractual management fee reduction currently in place for the Fund.
The Board also received and considered, where applicable, information about the services offered and the fee rates charged by Eaton Vance to other types of accounts with investment objectives and strategies that are substantially similar to and/or managed in a similar investment style as a Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the differences in the nature and scope of services Eaton Vance provides to the Funds as compared to other types of accounts and the material differences in compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks to Eaton Vance as between each Fund and other types of accounts.
29 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services expected to be provided by Eaton Vance, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable with respect to its approval of the New Agreements.
Profitability and Fall-Out Benefits
During the 2020 Annual Approval Process, the Board considered the level of profits realized by Eaton Vance and relevant affiliates thereof in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Funds and to all Eaton Vance funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by Eaton Vance and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution or other services. In light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by Eaton Vance and its affiliates were not deemed to be excessive by the Board.
The Board noted that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance are expected to realize, over time, cost savings from the Transaction based on eliminating duplicate corporate overhead expenses. The Board considered, however, information from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley that such cost savings are not expected to be realized immediately upon the Closing and that, accordingly, there are currently no specific expected changes in the levels of profitability associated with the advisory and other services provided to the Funds that are contemplated as a result of the Transaction. The Board noted that it will continue to receive information regarding profitability during its annual contract review processes, including the extent to which cost savings and/or other efficiencies result in changes to profitability levels.
The Board also considered direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by Eaton Vance and its affiliates in connection with their respective relationships with the Funds, including the benefits of research services that may be available to Eaton Vance and its affiliates as a result of securities transactions effected for the Funds and other investment advisory clients. In evaluating the fall-out benefits to be received by Eaton Vance and its affiliates under the New Agreements, the Board considered whether the Transaction would have an impact on the fall-out benefits currently realized by Eaton Vance and its affiliates in connection with services provided pursuant to the Current Agreements.
The Board of each Fund considered that Morgan Stanley may derive reputational and other benefits from its ability to use the names of Eaton Vance and its affiliates in connection with operating and marketing the Funds. The Board considered that the Transaction, if completed, would significantly increase Morgan Stanleys assets under management and expand Morgan Stanleys investment capabilities.
Economies of Scale
The Board also considered the extent to which Eaton Vance and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Funds, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Funds increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific Fund or group of funds. As part of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, the Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of the Funds and of all Eaton Vance funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of each Fund and the profitability of Eaton Vance and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases.
The Board noted that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance are expected to benefit from possible growth of the Funds resulting from enhanced distribution capabilities, including with respect to the Funds potential access to Morgan Stanleys institutional client base. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Funds currently share in the benefits from economies of scale, if any, when they are realized by Eaton Vance, and that the Transaction is not expected to impede a Fund from continuing to benefit from any future economies of scale realized by Eaton Vance. The Board also considered the fact that the Funds are not continuously offered in the same manner as an open-end fund and that the Funds assets may not increase materially in the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described above, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of the New Agreements. Based on the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, unanimously voted to approve the New Agreements for the Funds and recommended that shareholders approve the New Agreements.
30 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Fund Management. The Trustees of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Funds affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Fund are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. The noninterested Trustees consist of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, EVC refers to Eaton Vance Corp., EV refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., EVM refers to Eaton Vance Management, BMR refers to Boston Management and Research and EVD refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 144 portfolios (with the exception of Messrs. Faust and Wennerholm and Ms. Frost who oversee 143 portfolios) in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
with the Fund |
Term Expiring;
Trustee Since(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships
During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience |
|||
Interested Trustee | ||||||
Thomas E. Faust Jr. 1958 |
Class I Trustee |
Until 2023. Trustee since 2007. |
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 143 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Fund. Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm). |
|||
Noninterested Trustees | ||||||
Mark R. Fetting 1954 |
Class III Trustee |
Until 2022. Trustee since 2016. |
Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000). Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None. |
|||
Cynthia E. Frost 1961 |
Class I Trustee |
Until 2023. Trustee since 2014. |
Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985). Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None. |
|||
George J. Gorman 1952 |
Class II Trustee |
Until 2021. Trustee since 2014. |
Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009). Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014). |
|||
Valerie A. Mosley 1960 |
Class III Trustee |
Until 2022. Trustee since 2014. |
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990). Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of DraftKings, Inc. (digital sports entertainment and gaming company) (since September 2020). Director of Groupon, Inc. (e-commerce provider) (since April 2020). Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (2013-2020). |
31 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Management and Organization continued
32 |
Eaton Vance
Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020
Management and Organization continued
(1) |
Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. |
(2) |
Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election. Each officer serves until his or her successor is elected. |
33 |
Eaton Vance Funds
Privacy. The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted privacy policy and procedures (Privacy Program) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.
|
At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements. |
|
On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may share your personal information with our affiliates. Eaton Vance may also share your information as required or permitted by applicable law. |
|
We have adopted a Privacy Program we believe is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to your information. |
|
We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com. |
Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance WaterOak Advisors, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Managements Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about Eaton Vances Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called householding and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST), the closed-end funds transfer agent, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct AST, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact AST or your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by AST or your financial intermediary.
Portfolio Holdings. Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC. Certain information filed on Form N-PORT may be viewed on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Proxy Voting. From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds and Portfolios Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Share Repurchase Program. The Funds Board of Trustees has approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Fund to repurchase up to 10% of its common shares outstanding as of the last day of the prior calendar year in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. The Funds repurchase activity, including the number of shares purchased, average price and average discount to net asset value, is disclosed in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Additional Notice to Shareholders. If applicable, a Fund may also redeem or purchase its outstanding preferred shares in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, borrowing or rating agency requirements or for other purposes as it deems appropriate or necessary.
Closed-End Fund Information. Eaton Vance closed-end funds make fund performance data and certain information about portfolio characteristics available on the Eaton Vance website shortly after the end of each month. Other information about the funds is available on the website. The funds net asset value per share is readily accessible on the Eaton Vance website. Portfolio holdings for the most recent month-end are also posted to the website approximately 30 days following the end of the month. This information is available at www.eatonvance.com on the fund information pages under Individual Investors Closed-End Funds.
34 |
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Eaton Vance Management
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116-5022
Fund Offices
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
3079 12.31.20
Item 2. |
Code of Ethics |
The registrant (sometimes referred to as the Fund) has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of such code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-262-1122. The registrant has not amended the code of ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the period covered by this report. The registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the period covered by this report.
Item 3. |
Audit Committee Financial Expert |
The registrants Board of Trustees (the Board) has designated George J. Gorman and William H. Park, each an independent trustee, as audit committee financial experts. Mr. Gorman is a certified public accountant who is the Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (a consulting firm). Previously, Mr. Gorman served in various capacities at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm), including as Senior Partner. Mr. Gorman
also has experience serving as an independent trustee and audit committee financial expert of other mutual fund complexes. Mr. Park is a certified public accountant who is a private investor. Previously, he served as a consultant, as the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. (an investment management firm), as the Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm), as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation (an institutional investment management firm) and as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm).
Item 4. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
(a)(d)
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the registrants fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020 by the registrants principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (D&T), for professional services rendered for the audit of the registrants annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by D&T during such periods.
Fiscal Years Ended |
12/31/19 | 12/31/20 | ||||||
Audit Fees |
$ | 50,200 | $ | 50,200 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees(1) |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Tax Fees(2) |
$ | 12,214 | $ | 7,704 | ||||
All Other Fees(3) |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 62,414 | $ | 57,904 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees. |
(2) |
Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation and other related tax compliance/planning matters. |
(3) |
All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services. |
(e)(1) The registrants audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of services provided by the registrants principal accountant (the Pre-Approval Policies). The Pre-Approval Policies establish a framework intended to assist the audit committee in the proper discharge of its pre-approval responsibilities. As a general matter, the Pre-Approval Policies (i) specify certain types of audit, audit-related, tax, and other services determined to be pre-approved by the audit committee; and (ii) delineate specific procedures governing the mechanics of the pre-approval process, including the approval and monitoring of audit and non-audit service fees. Unless a service is specifically pre-approved under the Pre-Approval Policies, it must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee.
The Pre-Approval Policies and the types of audit and non-audit services pre-approved therein must be reviewed and ratified by the registrants audit committee at least annually. The registrants audit committee maintains full responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registrants principal accountant.
(e)(2) No services described in paragraphs (b)-(d) above were approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to the de minimis exception set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the registrant by D&T for the registrants fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the Eaton Vance organization by D&T for the same time periods.
Fiscal Years Ended |
12/31/19 | 12/31/20 | ||||||
Registrant |
$ | 12,214 | $ | 7,704 | ||||
Eaton Vance(1) |
$ | 59,903 | $ | 150,300 |
(1) |
The investment adviser to the registrant, as well as any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the registrant, are subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. |
(h) The registrants audit committee has considered whether the provision by the registrants principal accountant of non-audit services to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Item 5. |
Audit Committee of Listed Registrants |
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. George J. Gorman (Chair), William H. Park, Helen Frame Peters and Scott E. Wennerholm are the members of the registrants audit committee.
Item 6. |
Schedule of Investments |
Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
Item 7. |
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies |
The Board of the Fund has adopted a proxy voting policy and procedure (the Fund Policy), pursuant to which the trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the Funds investment adviser and adopted the investment advisers proxy voting policies and procedures (the Policies) which are described below. The trustees will review the Policies annually. In the event that a conflict of interest arises between the Funds shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund, the investment adviser will generally refrain from voting the proxies related to the companies giving rise to such conflict until it consults with the Board, or any committee, sub-committee or group of independent trustees identified by the Board, which will instruct the investment adviser on the appropriate course of action. If the Board Members are unable to meet and the failure to vote a proxy would have a material adverse impact on the Fund, the investment adviser may vote such proxy, provided that it discloses the existence of the material conflict to the Chairperson of the Funds Board as soon as practicable and to the Board at its next meeting.
The Policies are designed to promote accountability of a companys management to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those shareholders. An independent proxy voting service (Agent), currently Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., has been retained to assist in the voting of proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping and disclosure services. The investment adviser will generally vote proxies through the Agent. The Agent is required to vote all proxies in accordance with customized proxy voting guidelines (the Guidelines) and/or refer them back to the investment adviser pursuant to the Policies.
The Agent is required to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest. The Guidelines include voting guidelines for matters relating to, among other things, the election of directors, approval of independent auditors, executive compensation, corporate structure and anti-takeover defenses. The investment adviser may cause the Fund to abstain from voting from time to time where it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweigh the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or it is unable to access or access timely ballots or other proxy information, among other stated reasons. The Agent will refer Fund proxies to the investment adviser for instructions under circumstances where, among others: (1) the application of the Guidelines is unclear; (2) a particular proxy question is not covered by the Guidelines; or (3) the Guidelines require input from the investment adviser. When a proxy voting issue has been referred to the investment adviser, the analyst (or portfolio manager if applicable) covering the company subject to the proxy proposal determines the final vote (or decision not to vote) and the investment advisers Proxy Administrator (described below) instructs the Agent to vote accordingly for securities held by the Fund. Where more than one analyst covers a particular company and the recommendations of such analysts voting a proposal conflict, the investment advisers Global Proxy Group (described below) will review such recommendations and any other available information related to the proposal and determine the manner in which it should be voted, which may result in different recommendations for the Fund that may differ from other clients of the investment adviser.
The investment adviser has appointed a Proxy Administrator to assist in the coordination of the voting of client proxies (including the Funds) in accordance with the Guidelines and the Policies. The investment adviser and its affiliates have also established a Global Proxy Group. The Global Proxy Group develops the investment advisers positions on all major corporate issues, creates the Guidelines and oversees the proxy voting process. The Proxy Administrator maintains a record of all proxy questions that have been referred by the Agent, all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received and any resolution of the matter. Before instructing the Agent to vote contrary to the Guidelines or the recommendation of the Agent, the Proxy Administrator will provide the Global Proxy Group with the Agents recommendation for the proposal along with any other relevant materials, including the basis for the analysts recommendation. The Proxy Administrator will then instruct the Agent to vote the proxy in the manner determined by the Global Proxy Group. A similar process will be followed if the Agent has a conflict of interest with respect to a proxy. The investment adviser will report to the Funds Board any votes cast contrary to the Guidelines or Agent recommendations, as applicable, no less than annually.
The investment advisers Global Proxy Group is responsible for monitoring and resolving possible material conflicts with respect to proxy voting. Because the Guidelines are predetermined and designed to be in the best interests of shareholders, application of the Guidelines to vote client proxies should, in most cases, adequately address any possible conflict of interest. The investment adviser will monitor situations that may result in a conflict of interest between any of its clients and the investment adviser or any of its affiliates by maintaining a list of significant existing and prospective corporate clients. The Proxy Administrator will compare such list with the names of companies of which he or she has been referred a proxy statement (the Proxy Companies). If a company on the list is also a Proxy Company, the Proxy Administrator will report that fact to the Global Proxy Group. If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines, the Global Proxy Group will first determine, in consultation with legal counsel if necessary, whether a material conflict exists. If it is determined that a material conflict exists, the investment adviser will
seek instruction on how the proxy should be voted from the Funds Board, or any committee or subcommittee identified by the Board. If a matter is referred to the Global Proxy Group, the decision made and basis for the decision will be documented by the Proxy Administrator and/or Global Proxy Group.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 8. |
Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies |
Eaton Vance Management (EVM or Eaton Vance) is the investment adviser of the Fund. Michael A. Allison and G.R. Nelson are responsible for the overall and day-to-day management of the Funds investments. Mr. Allison is a Vice President of EVM, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July 2007 and has managed other Eaton Vance portfolios for more than five years. Mr. Nelson is a Vice President of Eaton Vance, has been employed by Eaton Vance for more than five years and has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2019. This information is provided as of the date of filing this report.
The following table shows, as of the Funds most recent fiscal year end, the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in those accounts.
Number
of All Accounts |
Total Assets of
All Accounts |
Number of Accounts
Paying a Performance Fee |
Total Assets
of Accounts Paying a Performance Fee |
|||||||||||||
Michael A. Allison(1) |
||||||||||||||||
Registered Investment Companies |
17 | $ | 44,469.2 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
14 | $ | 31,114.2 | (2) | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||
Other Accounts |
1 | $ | 0.5 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
G.R. Nelson |
||||||||||||||||
Registered Investment Companies |
3 | $ | 3,266.0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
Other Accounts |
1 | $ | 1.4 | 0 | $ | 0 |
(1) |
This portfolio manager serves as portfolio manager of one or more registered investment companies that invests or may invest in one or more underlying registered investment companies in the Eaton Vance family of funds or other pooled investment vehicles sponsored by Eaton Vance. The underlying investment companies may be managed by this portfolio manager or another portfolio manager. |
(2) |
Certain of these Other Pooled Investment Vehicles invest a substantial portion of their assets either in a registered investment company in the Eaton Vance family of funds and/or in a separate pooled investment vehicle sponsored by Eaton Vance which may be managed by this portfolio manager or another portfolio manager. |
The following table shows the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of the Funds most recent fiscal year end.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned in the Fund |
|
Michael A. Allison |
$10,001-$50,000 | |
G.R. Nelson |
None |
Potential for Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio managers management of the Funds investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which a portfolio manager is responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, the portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his discretion in a manner that he believes is equitable to all interested persons. EVM has adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern the investment advisers trading practices, including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocations, cross trades and best execution.
Compensation Structure for EVM
Compensation of EVMs portfolio managers and other investment professionals has the following primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual non-cash compensation consisting of restricted shares of EVC nonvoting common stock that generally are subject to a vesting schedule. EVMs investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to EVMs employees. Compensation of EVMs investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.
Method to Determine Compensation. EVM compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus the benchmark(s) stated in the prospectus, as well as an appropriate peer group (as described below). In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to Sharpe ratio, which uses standard deviation and excess return to determine reward per unit of risk. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. When a funds peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by EVMs management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group or market index. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the funds success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers performance in meeting them.
EVM seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. EVM participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of EVM and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is generally based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus adjusted operating income. While the salaries of EVMs portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
Item 9. |
Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers |
No such purchases this period.
Item 10. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
No material changes.
Item 11. |
Controls and Procedures |
(a) It is the conclusion of the registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrants current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commissions rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There have been no changes in the registrants internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. |
Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies |
No activity to report for the registrants most recent fiscal year end.
Item 13. |
Exhibits |
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
By: |
/s/ Edward J. Perkin |
|
Edward J. Perkin | ||
President | ||
Date: | February 24, 2021 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: |
/s/ James F. Kirchner |
|
James F. Kirchner | ||
Treasurer | ||
Date: | February 24, 2021 | |
By: |
/s/ Edward J. Perkin |
|
Edward J. Perkin | ||
President | ||
Date: | February 24, 2021 |
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
FORM N-CSR
Exhibit 13(a)(2)(i)
CERTIFICATION
I, James F. Kirchner, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 24, 2021 |
/s/ James F. Kirchner |
|||||||
James F. Kirchner | ||||||||
Treasurer |
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
FORM N-CSR
Exhibit 13(a)(2)(ii)
CERTIFICATION
I, Edward J. Perkin, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 24, 2021 |
/s/ Edward J. Perkin |
|||||
Edward J. Perkin | ||||||
President |
Form N-CSR Item 13(b) Exhibit
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The undersigned hereby certify in their capacity as Treasurer and President, respectively, of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund), that:
(a) |
the Annual Report of the Fund on Form N-CSR for the period ended December 31, 2020 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
(b) |
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations of the Fund for such period. |
A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to the Fund and will be retained by the Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
Date: February 24, 2021 |
/s/ James F. Kirchner |
James F. Kirchner |
Treasurer |
Date: February 24, 2021 |
/s/ Edward J. Perkin |
Edward J. Perkin |
President |
Form N-CSR Item 13(c) Exhibit
Dear Eaton Vance Fund Shareholder:
This notice provides shareholders of the Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE: ETJ) with important information concerning the distribution declared in July 2020. You are receiving this notice as a requirement of the Funds managed distribution plan (Plan). The Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the Plan to make monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the July distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Funds distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: July 2020
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.0760
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Funds July distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Source |
Current
Distribution |
% of Current
Distribution |
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
% of the Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 0.0051 | 6.7 | % | $ | 0.0426 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.1990 | 37.4 | % | ||||||||
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
$ | 0.0709 | 93.3 | % | $ | 0.2904 | 54.6 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total per common share |
$ | 0.0760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.5320 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Funds fiscal year is January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and/or tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Funds performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the 5-year period ended on June 30, 20201 |
6.31 | % | ||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 20202 |
9.54 | % | ||
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through June 30, 20203 |
7.61 | % | ||
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 20204 |
4.77 | % |
1 |
Average annual total return at NAV represents the change in NAV of the Fund, with all distributions reinvested, for the 5-year period ended on June 30, 2020. |
2 |
The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of June 30, 2020. |
3 |
Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Funds NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to June 30, 2020 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 |
Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to June 30, 2020 measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of June 30, 2020. |
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your investment advisor or an Eaton Vance Investor Services associate at 1-866-328-6681. Our associates are available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
NOTE: This correspondence is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to project the tax character of actual Fund distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
July 31, 2020
Dear Eaton Vance Fund Shareholder:
This notice provides shareholders of the Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE: ETJ) with important information concerning the distribution declared in August 2020. You are receiving this notice as a requirement of the Funds managed distribution plan (Plan). The Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the Plan to make monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the August distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Funds distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: August 2020
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.0760
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Funds August distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Source |
Current
Distribution |
% of Current
Distribution |
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
% of the Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 0.0048 | 6.3 | % | $ | 0.0474 | 7.8 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0091 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
$ | 0.0712 | 93.7 | % | $ | 0.5515 | 90.7 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total per common share |
$ | 0.0760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.6080 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Funds fiscal year is January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and/or tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Funds performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the 5-year period ended on July 31, 20201 |
6.64 | % | ||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 20202 |
9.25 | % | ||
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through July 31, 20203 |
11.84 | % | ||
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 20204 |
5.40 | % |
1 |
Average annual total return at NAV represents the change in NAV of the Fund, with all distributions reinvested, for the 5-year period ended on July 31, 2020. |
2 |
The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of July 31, 2020. |
3 |
Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Funds NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to July 31, 2020 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 |
Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to July 31, 2020 measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of July 31, 2020. |
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your investment advisor or an Eaton Vance Investor Services associate at 1-866-328-6681. Our associates are available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
NOTE: This correspondence is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to project the tax character of actual Fund distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
August 31, 2020
Dear Eaton Vance Fund Shareholder:
This notice provides shareholders of the Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE: ETJ) with important information concerning the distribution declared in September 2020. You are receiving this notice as a requirement of the Funds managed distribution plan (Plan). The Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the Plan to make monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the September distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Funds distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: September 2020
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.0760
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Funds September distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Source |
Current
Distribution |
% of Current
Distribution |
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
% of the Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 0.0059 | 7.8 | % | $ | 0.0530 | 7.8 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0701 | 92.2 | % | $ | 0.1360 | 19.9 | % | ||||||||
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.4950 | 72.3 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total per common share |
$ | 0.0760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.6840 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Funds fiscal year is January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and/or tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Funds performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the 5-year period ended on August 31, 20201 |
8.29 | % | ||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 20202 |
9.01 | % | ||
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through August 31, 20203 |
15.65 | % | ||
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 20204 |
6.01 | % |
1 |
Average annual total return at NAV represents the change in NAV of the Fund, with all distributions reinvested, for the 5-year period ended on August 31, 2020. |
2 |
The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of August 31, 2020. |
3 |
Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Funds NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to August 31, 2020 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 |
Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to August 31, 2020 measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of August 31, 2020. |
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your investment advisor or an Eaton Vance Investor Services associate at 1-866-328-6681. Our associates are available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
NOTE: This correspondence is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to project the tax character of actual Fund distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
September 30, 2020
Dear Eaton Vance Fund Shareholder:
This notice provides shareholders of the Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE: ETJ) with important information concerning the distribution declared in October 2020. You are receiving this notice as a requirement of the Funds managed distribution plan (Plan). The Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the Plan to make monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the October distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Funds distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: October 2020
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.0760
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Funds October distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Source |
Current
Distribution |
% of Current
Distribution |
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
% of the Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 0.0062 | 8.1 | % | $ | 0.0593 | 7.8 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0228 | 3.0 | % | ||||||||
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
$ | 0.0698 | 91.9 | % | $ | 0.6779 | 89.2 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total per common share |
$ | 0.0760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.7600 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Funds fiscal year is January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and/or tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Funds performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the 5-year period ended on September 30, 20201 |
8.15 | % | ||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of September 30, 20202 |
9.33 | % | ||
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through September 30, 20203 |
12.52 | % | ||
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of September 30, 20204 |
7.00 | % |
1 |
Average annual total return at NAV represents the change in NAV of the Fund, with all distributions reinvested, for the 5-year period ended on September 30, 2020. |
2 |
The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of September 30, 2020. |
3 |
Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Funds NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to September 30, 2020 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 |
Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to September 30, 2020 measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of September 30, 2020. |
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your investment advisor or an Eaton Vance Investor Services associate at 1-866-328-6681. Our associates are available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
NOTE: This correspondence is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to project the tax character of actual Fund distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
October 30, 2020
Dear Eaton Vance Fund Shareholder:
This notice provides shareholders of the Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE: ETJ) with important information concerning the distribution declared in November 2020. You are receiving this notice as a requirement of the Funds managed distribution plan (Plan). The Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the Plan to make monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the November distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Funds distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: November 2020
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.0760
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Funds November distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Source |
Current
Distribution |
% of Current
Distribution |
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
% of the Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 0.0031 | 4.1 | % | $ | 0.0627 | 7.5 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
$ | 0.0729 | 95.9 | % | $ | 0.7733 | 92.5 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total per common share |
$ | 0.0760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.8360 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Funds fiscal year is January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and/or tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Funds performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the 5-year period ended on October 31, 20201 |
6.79 | % | ||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of October 31, 20202 |
9.61 | % | ||
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through October 31, 20203 |
10.14 | % | ||
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of October 31, 20204 |
8.01 | % |
1 |
Average annual total return at NAV represents the change in NAV of the Fund, with all distributions reinvested, for the 5-year period ended on October 31, 2020. |
2 |
The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of October 31, 2020. |
3 |
Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Funds NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to October 31, 2020 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 |
Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to October 31, 2020 measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of October 31, 2020. |
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your investment advisor or an Eaton Vance Investor Services associate at 1-866-328-6681. Our associates are available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
NOTE: This correspondence is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to project the tax character of actual Fund distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
November 30, 2020
Dear Eaton Vance Fund Shareholder:
This notice provides shareholders of the Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE: ETJ) with important information concerning the distribution declared in December 2020. You are receiving this notice as a requirement of the Funds managed distribution plan (Plan). The Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the Plan to make monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the December distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Funds distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: December 2020
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.0760
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Funds December distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Source |
Current
Distribution |
% of Current
Distribution |
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
% of the Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 0.0052 | 6.9 | % | $ | 0.0675 | 7.4 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
$ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 0.0000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
$ | 0.0708 | 93.1 | % | $ | 0.8445 | 92.6 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total per common share |
$ | 0.0760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.9120 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Funds fiscal year is January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and/or tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Funds performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the 5-year period ended on November 30, 20201 |
7.69 | % | ||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 20202 |
9.20 | % | ||
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through November 30, 20203 |
15.90 | % | ||
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 20204 |
8.44 | % |
1 |
Average annual total return at NAV represents the change in NAV of the Fund, with all distributions reinvested, for the 5-year period ended on November 30, 2020. |
2 |
The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of November 30, 2020. |
3 |
Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Funds NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to November 30, 2020 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 |
Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to November 30, 2020 measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Funds NAV as of November 30, 2020. |
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your investment advisor or an Eaton Vance Investor Services associate at 1-866-328-6681. Our associates are available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
NOTE: This correspondence is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to project the tax character of actual Fund distributions for the 2020 calendar year.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.
Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund
December 31, 2020