As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2023
1933 Act Registration No. 333‑36074
1940 Act Registration No. 811‑09913
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER   
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933     
Pre‑Effective Amendment No.          
Post‑Effective Amendment No. 177     
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   
Amendment No. 178     
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
 
 
AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST
(INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
 
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77046-1173
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (713) 626‑1919
Melanie Ringold, Esquire
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77046
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
 
 
Copy to:
 
Taylor V. Edwards, Esquire
Invesco Advisers, Inc.
225 Liberty Street, 15th FL
New York, NY 10281-1087
 
Matthew R. DiClemente, Esquire
Mena M. Larmour, Esquire
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2005 Market Street, Suite 2600
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7018
 
 
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Amendment.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
 
 
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
on February 21, 2023 pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
 
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
 
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
 
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
If appropriate, check the following box:
 
 
This post‑effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post‑effective amendment.
 
 
 

LOGO    
  Prospectus   February 21, 2023
        
   
  Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund
      
 
Shares of the Fund may be purchased and held by or on behalf of wrap fee, separately managed and other discretionary accounts (SMAs) for which Invesco Advisers, Inc. (Invesco or the Adviser) or its affiliates have an agreement with a program sponsor or directly with the client, to provide management or advisory services to the account.
As with all other mutual fund securities, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
An investment in the Fund:
 
 
is not FDIC insured;
 
 
may lose value; and
 
 
is not guaranteed by a bank.

 
Table of Contents
 
         
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    Back Cover  
 
    
 
 
                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

 
Fund Summary
 
Investment Objective(s)
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income taxes with taxable capital appreciation as a secondary objective.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.
The table and Examples below do not reflect any transaction fees that may be charged by financial intermediaries or commissions that a shareholder may be required to pay directly to its financial intermediary when buying or selling shares of the Fund.
 
 
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)       None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less)       None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Management Fees1
      None
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
      None
Other Expenses2
      0.44 %
Interest2
      0.08
Total Other Expenses
      0.52
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
      0.52
Expense Reimbursement3
      0.44
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
      0.08
1
Invesco Advisers, Inc. (Invesco or the Adviser) will not charge a management fee for its advisory services to the Fund. Shareholders should be aware that the Fund is an investment option for wrap fee, separately managed and other discretionary accounts for which Invesco or its affiliates receive compensation pursuant to an investment management agreement. Invesco will be compensated directly or indirectly by clients or account program sponsors (“Program Sponsors”) for managed account advisory services, including with respect to assets that may be invested in the Fund. You should carefully read the account program brochure provided to you by Invesco or its affiliates, or the Program Sponsor. The brochure is required to include information about the fees charged to you and, in the case of a wrap fee or separately managed account program with a Program Sponsor, the fees paid by the Program Sponsor to Invesco.
2 “Other Expenses” and “Interest” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
3
Invesco has contractually agreed to reimburse expenses necessary to limit Total Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement (excluding certain items discussed in the statement of additional information) of shares of the Fund to 0.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “expense limit”). This expense reimbursement agreement will continue in effect for so long as Invesco serves as adviser to the Fund. The expense reimbursement agreement cannot be terminated or amended to increase the expense limit without approval of the Board of Trustees.
Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This Example does not represent the effect of any fees or expenses paid at the wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account level, and if it did, expenses would be higher.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses are subject to the contractual expense reimbursement shown above and remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
 
     1 Year    3 Years
      $ 8      $ 26
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. No portfolio turnover rate is disclosed because the Fund had not yet commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities at the time of investment. The policy stated in the foregoing sentence is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without shareholder approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). In complying with this 80% investment requirement, the Fund may invest in derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the Fund’s direct investments that are counted toward the 80% investment requirement.
Municipal securities include debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, at the time of issuance, in the opinion of bond counsel of the issuer or other counsel to the issuers of such securities.
The principal types of municipal debt securities purchased by the Fund are revenue obligations and general obligations. To meet its investment objective, the Fund invests in different types of general obligation and revenue obligation securities, including fixed and variable rate securities, municipal notes, variable rate demand notes, municipal leases, custodial receipts, and participation certificates. The Fund may invest in these and other types of municipal securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in municipal securities classified as revenue bonds.
The Fund is non‑diversified, which means it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a small group of issuers or any one issuer than a diversified fund can. 
Invesco Advisers, Inc. (Invesco or the Adviser) generally seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing at least 60% of its net assets in higher yielding municipal securities, specifically medium- and lower-grade municipal securities. Medium- and lower-grade securities are, therefore, inclusive of some securities rated investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as junk bonds. Investment grade securities are: (i) securities rated BBB- or higher by S&P Global Ratings (S&P) or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or an equivalent rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), (ii) securities with comparable short-term NRSRO ratings, or (iii) unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. Medium- and lower-grade municipal securities are securities rated by S&P or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) as BBB+ through D (inclusive) for bonds or SP‑2 or lower for notes; by Moody’s as Baa1 through D (inclusive) for bonds or MIG3 or VMIG3 or lower for notes; or unrated municipal securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest up to 20% of the value of its net assets in unrated municipal securities and up to 10% of the value of its net assets in defaulted bonds (i.e., bonds on which the issuer has not paid principal or interest on time). 
At times, the market conditions in the municipal securities markets may be such that the Adviser may invest in higher-grade issues, particularly when the difference in returns between quality classifications is very narrow or when the Adviser expects interest rates to increase. Higher-grade securities are securities that are rated higher than medium- or lower-grade 
 
 
1                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

securities by Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch, or considered by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, including municipal securities rated A‑, SP‑1 or higher by S&P or rated A3, MIG2, VMIG2 or higher by Moody’s and in tax‑exempt commercial paper rated A‑3 or higher by S&P or rated P‑3 or higher by Moody’s or in unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. 
The Fund may invest more than 25% of its net assets in a segment of the municipal securities market with similar characteristics if the Adviser determines that the yields available from obligations in a particular segment justify the additional risks of a larger investment in such segment. The Fund may not, however, invest more than 25% of its net assets in industrial development revenue bonds issued for companies in the same industry. 
The Fund may not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in issuers located in the same state. Additionally, the Fund may not invest more than a total of 10% of the value of its net assets in issuers located in U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. 
The Fund can invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in investments that generate income subject to income taxes. Taxable investments include, for example, hedging instruments, repurchase agreements, and many of the types of securities the Fund would buy for temporary defensive purposes. The Fund does not anticipate investing substantial amounts of its assets in taxable investments under normal market conditions or as part of its normal trading strategies and policies. 
The Fund can invest up to 30% of its net assets in securities subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). 
The Fund may invest in illiquid or thinly traded securities. The Fund may also invest in securities that are subject to resale restrictions such as those contained in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Fund’s investments may include securities that do not produce immediate cash income, such as zero coupon securities and pay‑in‑kind securities. The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis, which means that a Fund buys or sells a security with payment and delivery taking place in the future. 
The Fund can invest in inverse floating rate municipal obligations issued in connection with tender option bond programs to generate leverage. The Fund can invest in derivative instruments, including futures contracts and swap contracts. 
The Fund can use futures contracts, including treasury futures, to gain or reduce exposure to certain asset classes and to manage duration. 
The Fund can use swap contracts, including interest rate swaps, to hedge its exposure to interest rates. 
The Adviser buys and sells securities for the Fund’s portfolio with a view towards seeking a high level of interest income exempt from federal income tax and selects securities that the Adviser believes entail reasonable credit risk considered in relation to the investment policies of the Fund. As a result, the Fund will not necessarily invest in the highest yielding municipal securities permitted by its investment policies if the Adviser determines that market risks or credit risks associated with such investments would subject the Fund’s portfolio to undue risk. 
The Fund will attempt to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio duration equal to or less than five years. 
Decisions to purchase or sell securities are determined by the relative value considerations of the portfolio managers that factor in economic and credit-related fundamentals, market supply and demand, market dislocations and situation-specific opportunities. The purchase or sale of securities may be related to a decision to alter the Fund’s macro risk exposure (such as duration, yield curve positioning and sector exposure), a need to limit or reduce the Fund’s exposure to a particular security or issuer, degradation of an issuer’s credit quality, or general liquidity needs of the Fund. The potential for realization of capital gains or losses resulting from possible changes in interest rates will not be a major consideration and frequency of portfolio turnover generally will 
not be a limiting factor if the Adviser considers it advantageous to purchase or sell securities. 
The Fund can borrow money to purchase additional securities, another form of leverage. Although the amount of borrowing will vary from time to time, the amount of leveraging from borrowings will not exceed one‑third of the Fund’s total assets. 
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
As with any mutual fund investment, loss of money is a risk of investing. 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 governmental agency. The risks associated with an investment in the Fund can increase during times of significant market volatility. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
Market Risk. The market values of the Fund’s investments, and therefore the value of the Fund’s shares, will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry or section of the economy, or it may affect the market as a whole. The value of the Fund’s investments may go up or down due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to the particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for revenues or corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, regional or global instability, natural or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, military conflict, acts of terrorism or adverse investor sentiment generally. During a general downturn in the financial markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that specific investments held by the Fund will rise in value.
Municipal Securities Risk. The risk of a municipal obligation generally depends on the financial and credit status of the issuer. Constitutional amendments, legislative enactments, executive orders, administrative regulations, voter initiatives, and the issuer’s regional economic conditions may affect the municipal security’s value, interest payments, repayment of principal and the Fund’s ability to sell the security. Failure of a municipal security issuer to comply with applicable tax requirements may make income paid thereon taxable, resulting in a decline in the security’s value. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities.
High Yield Debt Securities (Junk Bond) Risk. Investments in high yield debt securities (“junk bonds”) and other lower-rated securities will subject the Fund to substantial risk of loss. These securities are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal when due, are more susceptible to default or decline in market value and are less liquid than investment grade debt securities. Prices of high yield debt securities tend to be very volatile.
Medium- and Lower-Grade Municipal Securities Risk. Medium- and lower-grade municipal securities generally involve more volatility and greater risks, including credit, market, liquidity and management risks, than higher-grade securities. Furthermore, many issuers of medium- and lower-grade securities choose not to have a rating assigned to their obligations. As such, the Fund’s portfolio may consist of a higher portion of unrated securities than an investment company investing solely in higher-grade securities. Unrated securities may not be as attractive to as many buyers as are rated securities, which may have the effect of limiting the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at the desired price.
Municipal Issuer Focus Risk. The municipal issuers in which the Fund invests may be located in the same geographic area or may pay their interest obligations from revenue of similar projects, such as hospitals, airports, utility systems and housing finance agencies. This may make the Fund’s investments more susceptible to similar social, economic, political or regulatory occurrences, making the Fund more susceptible to experience a drop in its share price than if the Fund had been more diversified across issuers that did not have similar characteristics. 
 
 
2                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

Unrated Securities Risk. The investment adviser may internally assign ratings to securities that are not rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, after assessing their credit quality and other factors, in categories similar to those of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. There can be no assurance, nor is it intended, that the investment adviser’s credit analysis process is consistent or comparable with the credit analysis process used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Unrated securities are considered “investment-grade” or “below-investment-grade” if judged by the investment adviser to be comparable to rated investment-grade or below-investment-grade securities. The investment adviser’s rating does not constitute a guarantee of the credit quality. In addition, some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may trade less actively than rated securities, which means that unrated securities may be difficult to sell promptly at an acceptable price. 
Defaulted Securities Risk. Defaulted securities pose a greater risk that principal will not be repaid than non‑defaulted securities. Defaulted securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. 
Investing in U.S. Territories, Commonwealths and Possessions Risk. The Fund also invests in obligations of the governments of U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to the extent such obligations are exempt from regular federal individual and state income taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be adversely affected by local political, economic, social and environmental conditions and developments, including natural disasters, within these U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions affecting the issuers of such obligations. 
Certain of the municipalities in which the Fund invests, including Puerto Rico, currently experience significant financial difficulties, which may include default, insolvency or bankruptcy. As a result, securities issued by certain of these municipalities are currently considered below-investment-grade securities. A credit rating downgrade relating to, default by, or insolvency or bankruptcy of, one or several municipal security issuers of a state, territory, commonwealth or possession in which the Fund invests could affect the payment of principal and interest, the market values and marketability of many or all municipal obligations of such state, territory, commonwealth or possession
Debt Securities Risk. The prices of debt securities held by the Fund will be affected by changes in interest rates, the creditworthiness of the issuer and other factors. An increase in prevailing interest rates typically causes the value of existing debt securities to fall and often has a greater impact on longer-duration debt securities and higher quality debt securities. Falling interest rates will cause the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of debt securities that have been repaid by the issuer at lower interest rates. Falling interest rates may also reduce the Fund’s distributable income because interest payments on floating rate debt instruments held by the Fund will decline. The Fund could lose money on investments in debt securities if the issuer or borrower fails to meet its obligations to make interest payments and/or to repay principal in a timely manner. Changes in an issuer’s financial strength, the market’s perception of such strength or in the credit rating of the issuer or the security may affect the value of debt securities. The Adviser’s credit analysis may fail to anticipate such changes, which could result in buying a debt security at an inopportune time or failing to sell a debt security in advance of a price decline or other credit event. 
Changing Fixed Income Market Conditions Risk. Increases in the federal funds and equivalent foreign rates or other changes to monetary policy or regulatory actions may expose fixed income markets to heightened volatility and reduced liquidity for certain fixed income investments, particularly those with longer maturities. It is difficult to predict the impact of interest rate changes on various markets. In addition, decreases in fixed income dealer market-making capacity may also potentially lead to heightened volatility and reduced liquidity in the fixed income markets. As a result, the value of the Fund’s investments and share price may decline. Changes in 
central bank policies could also result in higher than normal redemptions by shareholders, which could potentially increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs. 
Alternative Minimum Tax Risk. A portion of the Fund’s otherwise tax‑exempt income may be taxable to those shareholders subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. 
Rule 144A Securities and Other Exempt Securities Risk. The market for Rule 144A and other securities exempt from certain registration requirements typically is less active than the market for publicly-traded securities. Rule 144A and other exempt securities, which are also known as privately issued securities, carry the risk that their liquidity may become impaired and the Fund may be unable to dispose of the securities at a desirable time or price. 
Restricted Securities Risk. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. There can be no assurance that a trading market will exist at any time for any particular restricted security. Transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and such securities may be difficult to value and may have significant volatility. 
Zero Coupon or Pay‑In‑Kind Securities Risk. The value, interest rates, and liquidity of non‑cash paying instruments, such as zero coupon and pay‑in‑kind securities, are subject to greater fluctuation than other types of securities. The higher yields and interest rates on pay‑in‑kind securities reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and that such investments may represent a higher credit risk than loans that periodically pay interest. 
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Risks. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions subject the Fund to market risk because the value or yield of a security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or yield generally available when delivery occurs, and counterparty risk because the Fund relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction. These transactions also have a leveraging effect on the Fund because the Fund commits to purchase securities that it does not have to pay for until a later date, which increases the Fund’s overall investment exposure and, as a result, its volatility. 
Inverse Floating Rate Obligations Risk. The price of inverse floating rate obligations (inverse floaters) is expected to decline when interest rates rise, and generally will decline further than the price of a bond with a similar maturity. The price of inverse floaters is typically more volatile than the price of bonds with similar maturities. These risks can be particularly high if leverage is used in the formula that determines the interest payable by the inverse floater. Leverage may make the Fund’s returns more volatile and increase the risk of loss; and the value of, and income earned on, an inverse floater that has a higher degree of leverage are more likely to be eliminated entirely under adverse market conditions. Additionally, these securities may lose some or all of their principal and, in some cases, the Fund could lose money in excess of its investment. 
Variable Rate Demand Notes Risk. The absence of an active secondary market for certain variable and floating rate notes could make it difficult to dispose of these instruments, which could result in a loss. 
Taxability Risk. The Fund’s investments in municipal securities rely on the opinion of the issuer’s bond counsel that the interest paid on those securities will not be subject to federal income tax. Tax opinions are generally provided at the time the municipal security is initially issued. However, tax opinions are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court, and after the Fund buys a security, the Internal Revenue Service or a court may determine that a bond issued as tax‑exempt should in fact be taxable and the Fund’s dividends with respect to that bond might be subject to federal income tax. In addition, income from tax‑exempt municipal securities could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or a court, or the non‑compliant conduct of a bond issuer. 
 
 
3                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

Non‑Diversification Risk. The Fund is non‑diversified and can invest a greater portion of its assets in the obligations or securities of a small number of issuers or any single issuer than a diversified fund can. A change in the value of one or a few issuers’ securities will therefore affect the value of the Fund more than if it was a diversified fund. 
Derivatives Risk. The value of a derivative instrument depends largely on (and is derived from) the value of an underlying security, currency, commodity, interest rate, index or other asset (each referred to as an underlying asset). In addition to risks relating to the underlying assets, the use of derivatives may include other, possibly greater, risks, including counterparty, leverage and liquidity risks. Counterparty risk is the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will default on its obligation to pay the Fund the amount owed or otherwise perform under the derivative contract. Derivatives create leverage risk because they do not require payment up front equal to the economic exposure created by holding a position in the derivative. As a result, an adverse change in the value of the underlying asset could result in the Fund sustaining a loss that is substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative or the anticipated value of the underlying asset, which may make the Fund’s returns more volatile and increase the risk of loss. Derivative instruments may also be less liquid than more traditional investments and the Fund may be unable to sell or close out its derivative positions at a desirable time or price. This risk may be more acute under adverse market conditions, during which the Fund may be most in need of liquidating its derivative positions. Derivatives may also be harder to value, less tax efficient and subject to changing government regulation that could impact the Fund’s ability to use certain derivatives or their cost. Derivatives strategies may not always be successful. For example, derivatives used for hedging or to gain or limit exposure to a particular market segment may not provide the expected benefits, particularly during adverse market conditions. 
Borrowing and Leverage Risk. The Fund can borrow up to one‑third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks, as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940. It can use those borrowings for a number of purposes, including for purchasing securities, which can create “leverage.” In that case, changes in the value of the Fund’s investments will have a larger effect on its share price than if it did not borrow. Borrowing results in interest payments to the lenders and related expenses. Borrowing for investment purposes might reduce the Fund’s return if the yield on the securities purchased is less than those borrowing costs. The Fund may also borrow to meet redemption obligations, for temporary and emergency purposes, or to unwind or contribute to trusts in connection with the Fund’s investment in inverse floaters (instruments also involving the use of leverage), as described in this prospectus. The Fund currently participates in a line of credit with certain other Invesco Funds for its borrowing. 
Financial Markets Regulatory Risk. Policy changes by the U.S. government or its regulatory agencies and political events within the U.S. and abroad may, among other things, affect investor and consumer confidence and increase volatility in the financial markets, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree, which may adversely impact the Fund’s operations, universe of potential investment options, and return potential. 
Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and depends heavily on the Adviser’s judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund could experience losses if these judgments prove to be incorrect. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may adversely affect management of the Fund and, therefore, the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. 
Performance Information
No performance information is available for the Fund because it has not yet completed a full calendar year of operations. In the future, the Fund will disclose performance information in a bar chart and performance table. 
Such disclosure will give some indication of the risks of an investment in the Fund by comparing the Fund’s performance with a broad measure of market performance and an additional index with characteristics similar to the Fund, along with showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance. In addition, performance does not reflect the fees and expenses paid by participants at the wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account level. You should evaluate the performance of the Fund in the context of your managed account program. 
Management of the Fund
Investment Adviser: Invesco Advisers, Inc.
 
Portfolio Managers   Title   Length of Service on the Fund
Mark Paris
  Portfolio Manager       2023  
John Connelly
  Portfolio Manager       2023  
Tim Benzel, CFA
  Portfolio Manager       2023  
John Schorle
  Portfolio Manager       2023  
Galen True, CFA
  Portfolio Manager       2023  
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Shares of the Fund may be purchased and redeemed by or on behalf of wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary accounts where the Adviser has an agreement with the Program Sponsor or directly with the client, to provide management or advisory services to the managed account.
The minimum investments for Fund accounts are as follows*:
 
Initial Investments Per Fund Account       $1,000  
Additional Investments Per Fund Account       No minimum  
*
Your Program Sponsor may have certain investment requirements.
Purchase and redemption orders generally are made based on instructions from the Adviser or Program Sponsor to the broker-dealer who executes trades for the account. Shares of the Fund can be purchased or redeemed through the broker-dealer on any day the NYSE is open.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions primarily are exempt from regular federal income tax. A portion of these distributions, however, may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and state and local taxes. The Fund may also make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains.
 
 
Investment Objective(s), Strategies, Risks and Portfolio Holdings
Objective(s) and Strategies
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income taxes with taxable capital appreciation as a secondary objective. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the Board) without shareholder approval.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities at the time of investment. The policy stated in the foregoing sentence is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be change without shareholder approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act. In complying with this 80% investment requirement, the Fund may invest in derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the Fund’s direct investments that are counted toward the 80% investment requirement.
 
 
4                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

Municipal securities include debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, at the time of issuance, in the opinion of bond counsel of the issuer or other counsel to the issuers of such securities.
The principal types of municipal debt securities purchased by the Fund are revenue obligations and general obligations. Revenue obligations are usually payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Revenue obligations may include industrial development, pollution control, public utility, housing, and health care issues. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in municipal securities classified as revenue bonds. General obligation securities are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. To meet its investment objective, the Fund invests in different types of general obligation and revenue obligation securities, including fixed and variable rate securities, municipal notes, variable rate demand notes, municipal leases, custodial receipts, and participation certificates. The Fund may invest in these and other types of municipal securities.
The Fund is non‑diversified, which means it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a small group of issuers or any one issuer than a diversified fund can.
The Adviser generally seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing at least 60% of its net assets in higher yielding municipal securities, specifically medium- and lower-grade municipal securities. Medium- and lower-grade securities are, therefore, inclusive of some securities rated investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as junk bonds. Investment grade securities are: (i) securities rated BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or an equivalent rating by another NRSRO, (ii) securities with comparable rated short-term NRSRO ratings, or (iii) unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. Medium- and lower-grade municipal securities are securities rated by S&P or Fitch as BBB+ through D (inclusive) for bonds or SP‑2 or lower for notes; by Moody’s as Baa1 through D (inclusive) for bonds or MIG3 or VMIG3 or lower for notes; or unrated municipal securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest up to 20% of the value of its net assets in unrated municipal securities and up to 10% of the value of its net assets in defaulted bonds (i.e., bonds on which the issuer has not paid principal or interest on time).
At times, the market conditions in the municipal securities markets may be such that the Adviser may invest in higher-grade issues, particularly when the difference in returns between quality classifications is very narrow or when the Adviser expects interest rates to increase. Higher-grade securities are securities that are rated higher than medium- or lower-grade securities by Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch, or considered by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, including municipal securities rated A‑, SP‑1 or higher by S&P or rated A3, MIG2, VMIG2 or higher by Moody’s and in tax‑exempt commercial paper rated A‑3 or higher by S&P or rated P‑3 or higher by Moody’s or in unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest more than 25% of its net assets in a segment of the municipal securities market with similar characteristics if the Adviser determines that the yields available from obligations in a particular segment justify the additional risks of a larger investment in such segment. The Fund may not, however, invest more than 25% of its net assets in industrial development revenue bonds issued for companies in the same industry. The Fund can invest up to 30% of its net assets in securities subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
The Fund may not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in issuers located in the same state. Additionally, the Fund may not invest
more than a total of 10% of the value of its net assets in issuers located in U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Fund can invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in investments that generate income subject to income taxes. Taxable investments include, for example, hedging instruments, repurchase agreements, and many of the types of securities the Fund would buy for temporary defensive purposes. The Fund does not anticipate investing substantial amounts of its assets in taxable investments under normal market conditions or as part of its normal trading strategies and policies.
From time to time, the Fund temporarily may invest up to 10% of its net assets in tax exempt money market funds and such instruments will be treated as investments in municipal securities.
The Fund may invest in illiquid or thinly traded securities. The Fund may also invest in securities that are subject to resale restrictions such as those contained in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Fund’s investments may include securities that do not produce immediate cash income, such as zero coupon securities and pay‑in‑kind securities. Zero coupon securities are debt securities that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current interest. Pay‑in‑kind securities are debt securities that pay interest through the issuance of additional securities.
The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis, which means that a Fund buys or sells a security with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time a Fund enters into the commitment. No income accrues on such securities until the date a Fund actually takes delivery of the securities.
The Fund can invest in inverse floating rate municipal obligations issued in connection with tender option bond programs to generate leverage. Inverse floating rate obligations are variable rate debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. Inverse floating rate obligations in which the Fund may invest include derivative instruments such as residual interest bonds, tender option bonds or municipal bond trust certificates. Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust (the TOB Trust) that holds long-term fixed rate bonds, which are contributed by the Fund (the underlying security), and sells two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests, which are sold to or held by third party investors, and inverse floating residual interests, which are purchased by the Fund. Because the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations is generally determined by subtracting a variable or floating rate from a predetermined amount, the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations will decrease as such variable or floating rate increases and increase as such variable or floating rate decreases.
The Fund can invest in derivative instruments, including futures contracts and swap contracts.
A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset at a specified price at a specified future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying asset. Futures contracts are bilateral agreements, with both the purchaser and the seller equally obligated to complete the transaction. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled by purchasing an offsetting contract, physically delivering the underlying asset on the settlement date or paying a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. The Fund can use futures contracts, including treasury futures, to gain or reduce exposure to certain asset classes and to manage duration.
A swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indexes, reference rates, commodities, currencies or other
 
 
5                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

assets. The notional amount of a swap is based on the nominal or face amount of a reference asset that is used to calculate payments made on that swap; the notional amount typically is not exchanged between counterparties. The parties to the swap use variations in the value of the underlying asset to calculate payments between them through the life of the swap. The Fund can use swap contracts, including interest rate swaps, to hedge its exposure to interest rates.
The Adviser buys and sells securities for the Fund’s portfolio with a view towards seeking a high level of interest income exempt from federal income tax and selects securities that the Adviser believes entail reasonable credit risk considered in relation to the investment policies of the Fund. As a result, the Fund will not necessarily invest in the highest yielding municipal securities permitted by its investment policies if the Adviser determines that market risks or credit risks associated with such investments would subject the Fund’s portfolio to undue risk.
The Fund will attempt to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio duration equal to or less than five years. Duration is a measure of volatility expressed in years and represents the anticipated percent change in a bond’s price at a single point in time for a 1% change in yield. As duration increases, volatility increases as applicable interest rates change.
Decisions to purchase or sell securities are determined by the relative value considerations of the portfolio managers that factor in economic and credit-related fundamentals, market supply and demand, market dislocations and situation-specific opportunities. The purchase or sale of securities may be related to a decision to alter the Fund’s macro risk exposure (such as duration, yield curve positioning and sector exposure), a need to limit or reduce the Fund’s exposure to a particular security or issuer, degradation of an issuer’s credit quality, or general liquidity needs of the Fund. The potential for realization of capital gains or losses resulting from possible changes in interest rates will not be a major consideration and frequency of portfolio turnover generally will not be a limiting factor if the Adviser considers it advantageous to purchase or sell securities.
The Fund can borrow from banks, a technique referred to as “leverage,” in amounts up to one‑third of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) less all liabilities and indebtedness other than borrowings. The Fund can use those borrowings for investment-related purposes such as purchasing securities believed to be desirable by the Adviser when available, funding amounts necessary to unwind or “collapse” trusts that issued “inverse floaters” to the Fund (an investment vehicle used by the Fund as described in this prospectus), or to contribute to such trusts to enable them to meet tenders of their other securities by the holders. The Fund currently participates in a line of credit with certain other Invesco Funds for those purposes. The Fund may also borrow to meet redemption obligations or for temporary and emergency purposes.
In anticipation of or in response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, the Fund’s portfolio managers may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. If the Fund’s portfolio managers do so, different factors could affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
The Fund’s investments in the types of securities and other investments described in this prospectus vary from time to time, and, at any time, the Fund may not be invested in all of the types of securities and other investments described in this prospectus. The Fund may also invest in securities and other investments not described in this prospectus.
For more information, see “Description of the Fund and Its Investments and Risks” in the Fund’s SAI.
Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
Market Risk. The market values of the Fund’s investments, and therefore the value of the Fund’s shares, will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry or section of the economy, or it may affect the market as a whole. The value of the Fund’s investments may go up or down due to general market
conditions that are not specifically related to the particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for revenues or corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, regional or global instability, or adverse investor sentiment generally. The value of the Fund’s investments may also go up or down due to factors that affect an individual issuer or a particular industry or sector, such as changes in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, natural or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, military conflict, acts of terrorism or other events may have a significant impact on the value of the Fund’s investments, as well as the financial markets and global economy generally. Such circumstances may also impact the ability of the Adviser to effectively implement the Fund’s investment strategy. During a general downturn in the financial markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that specific investments held by the Fund will rise in value.
    Market Disruption Risks Related to Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, various countries, including the United States, as well as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries and the European Union, issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia. The war in Ukraine (and the potential for further sanctions in response to Russia’s continued military activity) may escalate. These and other corresponding events, have had, and could continue to have, severe negative effects on regional and global economic and financial markets, including increased volatility, reduced liquidity and overall uncertainty. The negative impacts may be particularly acute in certain sectors including, but not limited to, energy and financials. Russia may take additional countermeasures or retaliatory actions (including cyberattacks), which could exacerbate negative consequences on global financial markets. The duration of the conflict and corresponding sanctions and related events cannot be predicted. The foregoing may result in a negative impact on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund, even beyond any direct investment exposure the Fund may have to Russian issuers or the adjoining geographic regions.
    COVID‑19. The “COVID‑19” strain of coronavirus has resulted in instances of market closures and dislocations, extreme volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions, disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations (including business closures) and supply chains, layoffs, lower consumer demand and employee availability, and defaults and credit downgrades, among other significant economic impacts that have disrupted global economic activity across many industries. Such economic impacts may exacerbate other pre‑existing political, social and economic risks locally or globally and cause general concern and uncertainty. The full economic impact and ongoing effects of COVID‑19 (or other future epidemics or pandemics) at the macro-level and on individual businesses are unpredictable and may result in significant and prolonged effects on the Fund’s performance.
Municipal Securities Risk. The risk of a municipal obligation generally depends on the financial and credit status of the issuer. Constitutional amendments, legislative enactments, executive orders, administrative regulations, voter initiatives, and the issuer’s regional economic conditions may affect the municipal security’s value, interest payments, repayment of principal and the Fund’s ability to sell the security. Municipal obligations may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Municipal securities structured as revenue bonds are generally not backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality but rather the revenue from the particular project or entity for which the bonds were issued. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that an issuer of a municipal security has not complied with applicable tax requirements, interest from the security could be treated as taxable, which
 
 
6                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

could result in a decline in the security’s value. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities.
High Yield Debt Securities (Junk Bond) Risk. The Fund’s investments in high yield debt securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) and other lower-rated securities will subject the Fund to substantial risk of loss. These securities are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal when due and are more susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic, regulatory, political or company developments than higher rated or investment grade securities. Prices of high yield debt securities tend to be very volatile. These securities are less liquid than investment grade debt securities and may be difficult to sell at a desirable time or price, particularly in times of negative sentiment toward high yield securities.
Medium- and Lower-Grade Municipal Securities Risk. Securities which are in the medium- and lower-grade categories generally offer higher yields than are offered by higher-grade securities of similar maturity, but they also generally involve more volatility and greater risks, such as greater credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and management risk. Furthermore, many issuers of medium- and lower-grade securities choose not to have a rating assigned to their obligations by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization. As such, the Fund’s portfolio may consist of a higher portion of unrated securities as compared with an investment company that invests solely in higher-grade securities. Unrated securities may not be as attractive to as many buyers as are rated securities, a factor which may make unrated securities less able to be sold at a desirable time or price. These factors may limit the ability of the Fund to sell such securities at the desired price either to meet redemption requests or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets.
Municipal Issuer Focus Risk. The municipal issuers in which the Fund invests may be located in the same geographic area or may pay their interest obligations from revenue of similar projects, such as hospitals, airports, utility systems and housing finance agencies. This may make the Fund’s investments more susceptible to similar social, economic, political or regulatory occurrences, making the Fund more susceptible to experience a drop in its share price than if the Fund had been more diversified across issuers that did not have similar characteristics. From time to time, the Fund’s investments may include securities that alone or together with securities held by other funds or accounts managed by the Adviser, represents a major portion or all of an issue of municipal securities. Because there may be relatively few potential purchasers for such investments and, in some cases, there may be contractual restrictions on resales, the Fund may find it more difficult to sell such securities at a desirable time or price.
Unrated Securities Risk. The investment adviser may internally assign ratings to securities that are not rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, after assessing their credit quality and other factors, in categories similar to those of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. There can be no assurance, nor is it intended, that the investment adviser’s credit analysis process is consistent or comparable with the credit analysis process used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Unrated securities are considered “investment-grade” or “below-investment-grade” if judged by the investment adviser to be comparable to rated investment-grade or below-investment-grade securities. The investment adviser’s rating does not constitute a guarantee of the credit quality. In addition, some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may trade less actively than rated securities, which means that the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price.
In evaluating the credit quality of a particular security, whether rated or unrated, the investment adviser will normally take into consideration a number of factors such as, if applicable, the financial resources of the issuer, the underlying source of funds for debt service on a security, the
issuer’s sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, any operating history of the facility financed by the obligation, the degree of community support for the financed facility, the capabilities of the issuer’s management, and regulatory factors affecting the issuer or the particular facility.
A reduction in the rating of a security after the Fund buys it will not require the Fund to dispose of the security. However, the investment adviser will evaluate such downgraded securities to determine whether to keep them in the Fund’s portfolio.
Defaulted Securities Risk. Defaulted securities pose a greater risk that principal will not be repaid than non‑defaulted securities. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on defaulted securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. Defaulted securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. Investments in defaulted securities and obligations of distressed issuers are considered speculative and the prices of these securities may be more volatile than non‑defaulted securities.
Investing in U.S. Territories, Commonwealths and Possessions Risk. The Fund also invests in obligations of the governments of U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to the extent such obligations are exempt from regular federal individual and state income taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be adversely affected by local political, economic, social and environmental conditions and developments, including natural disasters, within these U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions affecting the issuers of such obligations. A discussion of the special considerations relating to the Fund’s municipal obligations and other factors or economic conditions in those territories, commonwealths or possessions is provided in an appendix to the SAI.
Debt Securities Risk. The prices of debt securities held by the Fund will be affected by changes in interest rates, the creditworthiness of the issuer and other factors. An increase in prevailing interest rates typically causes the value of existing debt securities to fall and often has a greater impact on longer-duration debt securities and higher quality debt securities. Falling interest rates will cause the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of debt securities that have been repaid by the issuer at lower interest rates. Falling interest rates may also reduce the Fund’s distributable income because interest payments on floating rate debt instruments held by the Fund will decline. The Fund could lose money on investments in debt securities if the issuer or borrower fails to meet its obligations to make interest payments and/or to repay principal in a timely manner. If an issuer seeks to restructure the terms of its borrowings or the Fund is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of interest or the repayment of principal, the Fund may incur additional expenses. Changes in an issuer’s financial strength, the market’s perception of such strength or in the credit rating of the issuer or the security may affect the value of debt securities. The Adviser’s credit analysis may fail to anticipate such changes, which could result in buying a debt security at an inopportune time or failing to sell a debt security in advance of a price decline or other credit event.
Changing Fixed Income Market Conditions Risk. Increases in the federal funds and equivalent foreign rates or other changes to monetary policy or regulatory actions may expose fixed income markets to heightened volatility and reduced liquidity for certain fixed income investments, particularly those with longer maturities. It is difficult to predict the impact of interest rate changes on various markets. In addition, decreases in fixed income dealer market-making capacity may also potentially lead to heightened volatility and reduced liquidity in the fixed income markets. As a result, the value of the Fund’s investments and share price may decline. Changes in central bank policies could also result in higher than normal redemptions by shareholders which could potentially increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs and potentially lower the Fund’s performance returns.
Alternative Minimum Tax Risk. Although the interest received from municipal securities generally is exempt from federal income tax, the Fund may invest a portion of its total assets in municipal securities subject to the
 
 
7                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

federal alternative minimum tax. Accordingly, investment in the Fund could cause shareholders to be subject to, or result in an increased liability under, the federal alternative minimum tax.
Money Market Fund Risk. Although money market funds generally seek to preserve the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, the Fund may lose money by investing in money market funds. A money market fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the money market fund. The credit quality of a money market fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the money market fund’s share price. A money market fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures, illiquid markets and/or significant market volatility. To the extent the Fund holds cash or cash equivalents rather than securities in which it primarily invests or uses to manage risk, the Fund may not achieve its investment objectives and may underperform the Fund’s benchmark or other funds that remain fully invested.
Rule 144A Securities and Other Exempt Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities and other types of exempt securities, which are not registered for sale pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities are also known as privately issued securities, and typically may be resold only to qualified institutional buyers, or in a privately negotiated transaction, or to a limited number of purchasers, or in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met for an exemption from registration. Although such securities may be determined to be liquid in accordance with the requirements of Rule 22e‑4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, if there are an insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities at a particular time, the Fund may have difficulty selling such securities at a desirable time or price. As a result, the Fund’s investment in such securities may be subject to increased liquidity risk. In addition, the issuers of Rule 144A securities may require their qualified institutional buyers (such as the Fund) to keep certain offering information confidential, which could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to sell such securities.
Restricted Securities Risk. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. There can be no assurance that a trading market will exist at any time for any particular restricted security. Transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities. Also, restricted securities may be difficult to value because market quotations may not be readily available, and the securities may have significant volatility. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a restricted security and therefore may be less able to predict a loss.
Zero Coupon or Pay‑In‑Kind Securities Risk. Zero coupon and pay‑in‑kind securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular interest payment periods. Prices on non‑cash‑paying instruments may be more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s financial condition, fluctuation in interest rates and market demand/supply imbalances than cash-paying securities with similar credit ratings, and thus may be more speculative. Investors may purchase zero coupon and pay‑in‑kind securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. Because such securities do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest prior to maturity, this prevents any reinvestment of interest payments at prevailing interest rates if prevailing interest rates rise. The higher yields and interest rates on pay‑in‑kind securities reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and that such investments may represent a higher credit risk than coupon loans. Pay‑in‑kind securities may have a potential variability in valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. Special tax considerations are associated with
investing in certain lower-grade securities, such as zero coupon or pay‑in‑kind securities.
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Risks. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are subject to market risk as the value or yield of a security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or the yield generally available on securities when delivery occurs. In addition, the Fund is subject to counterparty risk because it relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, and failure by the counterparty to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. These transactions have a leveraging effect on the Fund because the Fund commits to purchase securities that it does not have to pay for until a later date. These investments therefore increase the Fund’s overall investment exposure and, as a result, its volatility. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made.
Inverse Floating Rate Obligations Risk. Inverse floating rate obligations (inverse floaters) represent interests in bonds with interest rates that vary inversely to changes in short-term rates. As short-term rates rise, inverse floaters produce less income, and as short-term rates decline, inverse floaters produce more income. As a result, the price of inverse floaters is expected to decline when interest rates rise, and generally will decline further than the price of a bond with a similar maturity. The price of inverse floaters is typically more volatile than the price of bonds with similar maturities. Interest rate risk and price volatility of inverse floaters can be particularly high if leverage is used in the formula that determines the interest payable by the inverse floater. Leverage may make the Fund’s returns more volatile and increase the risk of loss. The Fund generally invests in inverse floaters that include embedded leverage, thus exposing the Fund to greater risks and increased costs. The market value of a “leveraged” inverse floater will fluctuate in response to changes in market rates of interest to a greater extent than the value of an unleveraged investment, and the value of, and income earned on, an inverse floater that has a higher degree of leverage are more likely to be eliminated entirely under adverse market conditions. The use of short-term floating rate obligations may require the Fund to segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets to cover its obligations. Securities so segregated or earmarked will be unavailable for sale by the Fund (unless replaced by other securities qualifying for segregation requirements), which may limit the Fund’s flexibility and may require that the Fund sell other portfolio investments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets. Upon the occurrence of certain adverse events, the special purpose trust that created the inverse floater may be collapsed and the underlying security liquidated, and the Fund could lose the entire amount of its investment in the inverse floater and may, in some cases, be contractually required to pay the negative difference, if any, between the liquidation value of the underlying security and the principal amount of the short-term floating rate interests. Recent regulatory changes have prompted changes to the structure of tender option bonds. The Fund’s enhanced role under the revised structure may increase the Fund’s operational and regulatory risk.
Variable Rate Demand Notes Risk. The absence of an active secondary market for certain variable and floating rate notes could make it difficult to dispose of these instruments, and a portfolio could suffer a loss if the issuer defaults during periods in which a portfolio is not entitled to exercise its demand rights.
Taxability Risk. The Fund’s investments in municipal securities rely on the opinion of the issuer’s bond counsel that the interest paid on those securities will not be subject to federal income tax. Tax opinions are generally provided at the time the municipal security is initially issued. However, tax opinions are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court, and after the Fund buys a security, the Internal Revenue Service or a court may determine that a bond issued as tax‑exempt should in fact be taxable and the Fund’s dividends with respect to that bond might be subject to federal income tax. In addition, income from tax‑exempt municipal
 
 
8                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

securities could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or a court, or the non‑compliant conduct of a bond issuer.
Non‑Diversification Risk . The Fund is non‑diversified, meaning it can invest a greater portion of its assets in the obligations or securities of a small number of issuers or any single issuer than a diversified fund can. Because a large percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in a limited number of issuers, a change in the value of one or a few issuers’ securities will affect the value of the Fund more than would occur in a diversified fund.
Derivatives Risk. A derivative is an instrument whose value depends largely on (and is derived from) the value of an underlying security, currency, commodity, interest rate, index or other asset (each referred to as an underlying asset). In addition to risks relating to the underlying assets, the use of derivatives may include other, possibly greater, risks, which are described below.
    Counterparty Risk. Certain derivatives do not trade on an established exchange (referred to as over‑the‑counter (OTC) derivatives) and are simply financial contracts between the Fund and a counterparty. When the Fund is owed money on an OTC derivative, the Fund is dependent on the counterparty to pay or, in some cases, deliver the underlying asset, unless the Fund can otherwise sell its derivative contract to a third party prior to its expiration. Many counterparties are financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers and their creditworthiness (and ability to pay or perform) may be negatively impacted by factors affecting financial institutions generally. In addition, in the event that a counterparty becomes bankrupt or insolvent, the Fund’s ability to recover the collateral that the Fund has on deposit with the counterparty could be delayed or impaired. For derivatives traded on a centralized exchange, the Fund generally is dependent upon the solvency of the relevant exchange clearing house (which acts as a guarantor for each contractual obligation under such derivatives) for payment on derivative instruments for which the Fund is owed money.
    Leverage Risk. Many derivatives do not require a payment up front equal to the economic exposure created by holding a position in the derivative, which creates a form of leverage. As a result, an adverse change in the value of the underlying asset could result in the Fund sustaining a loss that is substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative or the anticipated value of the underlying asset. In addition, some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund’s initial investment. Leverage may therefore make the Fund’s returns more volatile and increase the risk of loss. In certain market conditions, losses on derivative instruments can grow larger while the value of the Fund’s other assets fall, resulting in the Fund’s derivative positions becoming a larger percentage of the Fund’s investments.
    Liquidity Risk. There is a smaller pool of buyers and sellers for certain derivatives, particularly OTC derivatives, than more traditional investments such as stocks. These buyers and sellers are often financial institutions that may be unable or unwilling to buy or sell derivatives during times of financial or market stress. Derivative instruments may therefore be less liquid than more traditional investments and the Fund may be unable to sell or exit its derivative positions at a desirable time or price. This risk may be more acute under adverse market conditions, during which the Fund may be most in need of liquidating its derivative positions. To the extent that the Fund is unable to exit a derivative position because of market illiquidity, the Fund may not be able to prevent further losses of value in its derivatives holdings and the liquidity of the Fund and its ability to meet redemption requests may be impaired to the extent that a substantial portion of the Fund’s otherwise liquid assets must be used as margin. Another consequence of illiquidity is that the Fund may be required to hold a derivative instrument to maturity and take or make delivery of the underlying asset that the Adviser would otherwise avoid.
    Futures Contracts Risk. The volatility of futures contracts prices has been historically greater than the volatility of stocks and bonds. The liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. In addition, futures exchanges often impose a maximum permissible price movement on each futures contract for each trading session. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement.
    Swap Transactions Risk. Under U.S. financial reform legislation enacted in 2010, certain types of swaps are required to be executed on a regulated market and cleared through a central clearing house counterparty, which may entail further risks and costs for the Fund. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over‑the‑counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract or may be centrally cleared. In a centrally cleared swap, immediately following execution of the swap agreement, the swap agreement is submitted for clearing to a central clearing house counterparty, and the Fund faces the central clearing house counterparty by means of an account with a futures commission merchant that is a member of the clearing house.
    Other Risks. Compared to other types of investments, derivatives may be harder to value and may also be less tax efficient, as described under the “Taxes” section of the prospectus. In addition, changes in government regulation of derivative instruments could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains, and may limit or prevent the Fund from using certain types of derivative instruments as a part of its investment strategy, which could make the investment strategy more costly to implement or require the Fund to change its investment strategy. Derivatives strategies may not always be successful. For example, to the extent that the Fund uses derivatives for hedging or to gain or limit exposure to a particular market or market segment, there may be imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative instrument and the value of the instrument being hedged or the relevant market or market segment, in which case the Fund may not realize the intended benefits. There is also the risk that during adverse market conditions, an instrument which would usually operate as a hedge provides no hedging benefits at all. The Fund’s use of derivatives may be limited by the requirements for taxation of the Fund as a regulated investment company.
Borrowing and Leverage Risk. Borrowing for leverage will subject the Fund to greater costs (for interest payments to the lender, origination fees and related expenses) than funds that do not borrow for leverage and these other purposes. The interest on borrowed money is an expense that might reduce the Fund’s yield, especially if the cost of borrowing to buy securities exceeds the yield on the securities purchased with the proceeds of a loan. Using leverage may also make the Fund’s share price more sensitive, i.e. volatile, to interest rate changes than if the Fund did not use leverage due to the tendency to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The use of leverage may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Financial Markets Regulatory Risk. Policy changes by the U.S. government or its regulatory agencies and political events within the U.S. and abroad, changes to the monetary policy by the Federal Reserve or other regulatory actions, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan or other legislation aimed at addressing financial or economic conditions, the threat of a federal government shutdown, and threats not to increase or suspend the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence, increase volatility in the financial markets, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree, result in higher interest rates, and even raise concerns
 
 
9                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

about the U.S. government’s credit rating and ability to service its debt. Such changes and events may adversely impact the Fund’s operations, universe of potential investment options, and return potential.
Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and depends heavily on the Adviser’s judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund could experience losses if these judgments prove to be incorrect. There can be no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment techniques or investment decisions will produce the desired results. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investments or investment strategies available to the Adviser in connection with managing the Fund, which may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of Fund policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings is available in the SAI, which is available at www.invesco.com/us.
 
 
Fund Management
The Adviser(s)
Invesco serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser manages the investment operations of the Fund as well as other investment portfolios that encompass a broad range of investment objectives, and has agreed to perform or arrange for the performance of the Fund’s day‑to‑day management. The Adviser is located at 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. The Adviser, as successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, has been an investment adviser since 1976.
Sub‑Advisers. Invesco has entered into one or more Sub‑Advisory Agreements with certain affiliates to serve as sub‑advisers to the Fund (the Sub‑Advisers). Invesco may appoint the Sub‑Advisers from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services, investment advice, and/or order execution services to the Fund. The Sub‑Advisers and the Sub‑Advisory Agreements are described in the SAI.
Potential New Sub‑Advisers (Exemptive Order Structure). The SEC has also granted exemptive relief that permits the Adviser, subject to certain conditions, to enter into new sub‑advisory agreements with affiliated or unaffiliated sub‑advisers on behalf of the Fund without shareholder approval. The exemptive relief also permits material amendments to existing sub‑advisory agreements with affiliated or unaffiliated sub‑advisers (including the Sub‑Advisory Agreements with the Sub‑Advisers) without shareholder approval. Under this structure, the Adviser has ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight of the Board, for overseeing such sub‑advisers and recommending to the Board their hiring, termination, or replacement. The structure does not permit investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to be increased without shareholder approval, or change the Adviser’s obligations under the investment advisory agreement, including the Adviser’s responsibility to monitor and oversee sub‑advisory services furnished to the Fund.
Exclusion of Adviser from Commodity Pool Operator Definition
With respect to the Fund, the Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and, therefore, is not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, the Adviser is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition of “commodity trading advisor” (CTA) under the CEA and the rules of the CFTC with respect to the Fund.
The terms of the CPO exclusion require the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and
swaps, which in turn include non‑deliverable forwards. The Fund is permitted to invest in these instruments as further described in the Fund’s SAI. However, the Fund is not intended as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Adviser’s reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its investment strategies or this prospectus.
Adviser Compensation
The Adviser does not receive a management fee from the Fund, although wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account clients that invest in the Fund will pay a fee to Invesco or its affiliates or their Program Sponsor. Invesco receives compensation from clients or Program Sponsors in connection with its management of client accounts and participation in investment programs through which shares of the Fund are made available.
When issued, a discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement and investment sub‑advisory agreements of the Fund will be available in the Fund’s next annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
Portfolio Managers
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the Fund’s portfolio:
 
  Mark Paris, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the Fund since 2023 and has been associated with Invesco and/or its affiliates since 2010.
 
  John Connelly, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the Fund since 2023 and has been associated with Invesco and/or its affiliates since 2016.
 
  Tim Benzel, CFA, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the Fund since 2023 and has been associated with Invesco and/or its affiliates since 2019. From 2017 to 2019, he was associated with OppenheimerFunds, a global asset management firm. Prior to joining OppenheimerFunds, he was employed by SNW Asset Management from 2010 to 2017, where he served as a Portfolio Manager.
 
  John Schorle, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the Fund since 2023 and has been associated with Invesco and/or its affiliates since 2010.
 
  Galen True, CFA, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the Fund since 2023 and has been associated with Invesco and/or its affiliates since 2019. From 2017 to 2019, he was associated with OppenheimerFunds, a global asset management firm. Prior to joining OppenheimerFunds, he was employed by SNW Asset Management from 2009 to 2017, where he served as Portfolio Manager.
More information on the portfolio managers may be found at www.invesco.com/us. The website is not part of this prospectus.
The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ investments in the Fund, a description of the compensation structure and information regarding other accounts managed.
 
 
Other Information
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund expects, based on its investment objective and strategies, that its distributions, if any, primarily will consist of tax‑exempt income.
Dividends
The Fund generally declares dividends from net investment income, if any, daily and pays them monthly.
 
 
10                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

Capital Gains Distributions
The Fund generally distributes long-term and short-term capital gains (net of any available capital loss carryovers), if any, at least annually. Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of the Fund’s normal investment activities and cash flows. During a time of economic volatility, the Fund may experience capital losses and unrealized depreciation in value of investments, the effect of which may be to reduce or eliminate capital gains distributions for a period of time. Even though the Fund may experience a current year loss, it may nonetheless distribute prior year capital gains.
    
 
 
11                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

 
Financial Highlights
 
Prior to the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations; therefore, financial highlights are not available.
    
 
 
12                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

 
Shareholder Account Information
Shareholder Account Information and additional information is available on the Internet at www.invesco.com/us. To access your account, go to the tab for “Account & Services,” then click on “Accounts Overview.” For additional information about Invesco Funds, consult the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, which are available on that same website or upon request free of charge. The website is not part of this prospectus.
Purchasing Shares and Shareholder Eligibility
Shares of the Fund are purchased at net asset value without a sales charge or other fee.
Shares of the Fund may be purchased by or on behalf of wrap fee, separately managed and other discretionary accounts where Invesco has an agreement with a program sponsor (the “Program Sponsor”) (typically, a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer), or directly with the client, to provide management or advisory services to the managed account. A client agreement to open an account typically may be obtained by contacting Invesco or the applicable Program Sponsor. Shares of the Fund may be purchased any day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open.
Purchase orders are made based on instructions from Invesco or your Program Sponsor to the broker/dealer who executes trades for your account. To make a purchase, your broker/dealer must submit a purchase order to the Fund’s transfer agent, either directly or through an appropriate clearing agency (e.g., the National Securities Clearing Corporation—Fund/SERV). For purchase orders submitted directly to the Fund’s transfer agent, payment by federal funds must be received by the Fund’s custodian by 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time) the next business day following the receipt of the purchase order. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase Shares.
Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, federal law requires that the Fund verifies and records your identifying information.
Minimum Investments
The minimum initial investment for the Fund is as follows:
 
Initial Investment Per       $1,000  
Additional Investment       No minimum  
Your Program Sponsor may have certain investment requirements for your account. For more information on buying shares if you hold shares through a wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account program, please contact your Program Sponsor.
The Fund is not responsible for any additional eligibility requirements, investment minimums or other policies imposed by your Program Sponsor or for notifying shareholders of any changes to them. Please consult your Program Sponsor for additional details regarding their policies.
Fund Distributions
The Fund’s dividend and capital gain distributions will be paid only in cash. Dividends and capital gains will not be reinvested in additional Fund shares.
Redeeming Shares
How to Redeem Shares
Redemption orders are placed on your behalf by Invesco or your Program Sponsor with the broker/dealer that executes trades for your separately managed account. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed through the broker/dealer on any day the NYSE is open. Shares of the Fund are generally held by investors participating in an eligible wrap fee, separately
managed or other discretionary account program and cannot be transferred.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem shares of any investor if the investor ceases to be a participant in an eligible wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account program. The liquidation of Fund shares will have tax consequences for the investor. Each investor, by participating in a wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account program that purchases Fund shares, agrees to the redemption of such Fund shares upon termination of its participation in such program. Subject to applicable law, the Fund may, with prior notice, adopt other policies from time to time requiring mandatory redemption of shares in certain circumstances.
For more information about redeeming shares, please contact your Program Sponsor.
Timing and Method of Payment
The Fund’s transfer agent typically expects to pay redemption proceeds to the broker/dealer that executes trades for your account within one business day after a redemption request is received in good order, regardless of the method the Fund uses to make such payment.
However, the Fund may take up to seven days to process a redemption request. “Good order” means that all necessary information and documentation related to the redemption request have been provided to the Fund’s transfer agent or authorized intermediary, such as the broker/dealer that executes trades for your account. If your request is not in good order, the Fund’s transfer agent may require additional documentation in order to redeem your shares. Payment may be postponed under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the SEC, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
In addition, a temporary hold may be placed on the disbursement of redemption proceeds from an account if there is a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of a Specified Adult (as defined below) has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted. Notice of such a delay will be provided in accordance with regulatory requirements. This temporary hold will be for an initial period of no more than 15 business days while an internal review is performed. Should the internal review support the belief that financial exploitation has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted or will be attempted, the temporary hold may be extended for up to 10 additional business days. Both the initial and subsequent hold on the disbursement may be terminated or extended by a state regulator or an agency or court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “Specified Adult” refers to an individual who is (a) a natural person age 65 and older, or (b) a natural person age 18 and older who is reasonably believed to have a mental or physical impairment that renders the individual unable to protect his or her own interests.
The Fund typically expects to use holdings of cash and cash equivalents and sales of portfolio assets to meet redemption requests, both regularly and in stressed market conditions. The Fund also has the ability to redeem in kind as further described below under “Redemptions in Kind.” Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund has a line of credit that may be used to meet redemptions.
Suspension of Redemptions
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (d) an emergency as determined by the SEC exists making disposition of portfolio securities or the valuation of the net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable.
Redemptions in Kind
Although the Fund generally intends to pay redemption proceeds solely in cash, the Fund reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to satisfy redemption requests by making payment in securities or
 
 
13                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

other property (known as a redemption in kind). Redemptions in kind may result in transaction costs and/or market fluctuations associated with liquidating or holding the securities, respectively.
Purchases‑in‑Kind
You may purchase shares of the Fund by transferring securities to the Fund in exchange for Fund shares (“in‑kind purchases”). In‑kind purchases may be made only upon the Fund’s approval and determination that the securities are acceptable investments for the Fund and are purchased consistent with the Fund’s procedures relating to in‑kind purchases. The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate this practice at any time. You must call the Fund at (800) 959‑4246 before sending any securities. Please see the SAI for additional details.
Redemptions by Large Shareholders
At times, the Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Large redemptions may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so. In addition, these transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders (if applicable) if such sales of investments resulted in gains and may also increase transaction costs and/or increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. When experiencing a redemption by a large shareholder, the Fund may delay payment of the redemption request up to seven days to provide the investment manager with time to determine if the Fund can redeem the request‑in‑kind or to consider other alternatives to lessen the harm to remaining shareholders. Under certain circumstances, however, the Fund may be unable to delay a redemption request, which could result in the automatic processing of a large redemption that is detrimental to the Fund and its remaining shareholders.
Redemptions Initiated by the Fund
If your account has been open at least one year, you have not made an additional purchase in the account during the past six calendar months, and the value of your account falls below $500 for three consecutive months, the Fund has the right to redeem the account after giving you 60 days’ prior written notice. You may avoid having your account redeemed during the notice period by bringing the account value up to $500.
Your Program Sponsor may have a different policy regarding redemptions of accounts with small balances. The Fund is not responsible for any small account balance policies imposed by your Program Sponsor or for notifying shareholders of any changes to them. Please consult with your Program Sponsor if you have any questions regarding their policies.
If the Fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the Fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
Neither the Fund nor its investment adviser will be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from an involuntary redemption.
Rights Reserved by the Fund
The Fund and its agents reserve the right at any time to:
  Reject or cancel all or any part of any purchase order.
  Modify any terms or conditions related to the purchase, redemption of shares of any Fund.
  Suspend, change or withdraw all or any part of the offering made by this prospectus.
Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity (Market Timing) Disclosures
In general, excessive short-term trading activity in the Fund’s shares (i.e., a purchase of Fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of the Fund by requiring it to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time, thus interfering with the efficient management of the Fund by causing it to incur increased brokerage
and administrative costs. Where excessive short-term trading activity seeks to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities from stale prices for portfolio securities, the value of Fund shares held by long-term investors may be diluted. However, because the Fund is designed to be a component of wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account programs that also invest, at the direction of Invesco or the applicable Program Sponsor, in individual securities and other investments, Fund shares may be purchased or redeemed on a frequent basis for rebalancing purposes or in order to invest new monies or to accommodate reductions in account size. The Fund is managed in a manner that is consistent with its role in wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account programs. Generally, all purchase and redemption orders are likely to be initiated by Invesco or the applicable Program Sponsor, (except in limited circumstances where the managed account client chooses to self-direct purchase and redemption orders). Because managed account clients do not typically effect purchase and redemption orders or directly trade in Fund shares, the Board of Trustees has not adopted a market timing policy for the Fund. However, the Fund reserves the right to refuse purchase orders. If the Fund or an Invesco Affiliate determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject any additional purchase orders. This discretion may be exercised with respect to purchase orders placed by Invesco or your Program Sponsor on behalf of your managed account.
Pricing of Shares
Determination of Net Asset Value
The price of the Fund’s shares is the Fund’s net asset value per share. The Fund values portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. The Fund values securities and assets for which market quotations are unavailable at their “fair value,” which is described below. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. The Fund values securities and assets for which market quotations are unavailable at their “fair value,” which is described below.
Even when market quotations are available, they may be stale or not representative of market value in the Adviser’s judgment (“unreliable”) because the security is not traded frequently, trading on the security ceased before the close of the trading market or issuer specific events occurred after the security ceased trading or because of the passage of time between the close of the market on which the security trades and the close of the NYSE and when the Fund calculates its net asset value. Issuer specific events may cause the last market quotation to be unreliable. Such events may include a merger or insolvency, events that affect a geographical area or an industry segment, such as political events or natural disasters, or market events, such as a significant movement in the U.S. market. Where the Adviser determines that the closing price of the security is stale or unreliable, the Adviser will value the security at its fair value.
A fair value price is an estimated price that requires consideration of all appropriate factors, including indications of fair value available from pricing services. Fair value pricing involves judgment and the Fund that uses fair value methodologies may value securities higher or lower than another fund using market quotations or its own fair value methodologies to price the same securities. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive a greater or lesser number of shares, or higher or lower redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different methodology.
The Board has designated the Adviser to perform the daily determination of fair value prices in accordance with Board approved policies and related procedures, subject to the Board’s oversight. Fair value pricing methods and pricing services can change from time to time.
 
 
14                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

The intended effect of applying fair value pricing is to compute an NAV that accurately reflects the value of the Fund’s portfolio at the time that the NAV is calculated. An additional intended effect is to discourage those seeking to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities resulting from “stale” prices and to mitigate the dilutive impact of any such arbitrage. However, the application of fair value pricing cannot eliminate the possibility that arbitrage opportunities will exist.
Specific types of securities are valued as follows:
Senior Secured Floating Rate Loans and Senior Secured Floating Rate Debt Securities. Senior secured floating rate loans and senior secured floating rate debt securities are fair valued using evaluated quotes provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may reflect appropriate factors such as market quotes, ratings, tranche type, industry, company performance, spread, individual trading characteristics, institution‑size trading in similar groups of securities and other market data.
Domestic Exchange Traded Equity Securities. Market quotations are generally available and reliable for domestic exchange traded equity securities. If market quotations are not available or are unreliable, the Adviser will value the security at fair value in good faith using the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures.
Foreign Securities. If market quotations are available and reliable for foreign exchange traded equity securities, the securities will be valued at the market quotations. Because trading hours for certain foreign securities end before the close of the NYSE, closing market quotations may become unreliable. If between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session on the NYSE events occur that are significant and may make the closing price unreliable, the Fund may fair value the security. If an issuer specific event has occurred that the Adviser determines, in its judgment, is likely to have affected the closing price of a foreign security, it will price the security at fair value. The Adviser also relies on a screening process from a pricing vendor to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current market value as of the close of the NYSE. For foreign securities where the Adviser believes, at the approved degree of certainty, that the price is not reflective of current market value, the Adviser will use the indication of fair value from the pricing service to determine the fair value of the security. The pricing vendor, pricing methodology or degree of certainty may change from time to time.
Fund securities primarily traded on foreign markets may trade on days that are not business days of the Fund. Because the net asset value of Fund shares is determined only on business days of the Fund, the value of the portfolio securities of the Fund that invests in foreign securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.
Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities, such as government, corporate, asset-backed and municipal bonds, convertible securities, including high yield or junk bonds, and loans, generally are valued on the basis of prices provided by independent pricing services. Prices provided by the pricing services may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution‑size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, maturity and other market data. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of institutional round lot size, but the Fund may hold or transact in the same securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots often trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. Prices received from pricing services are fair value prices. In addition, if the price provided by the pricing service and independent quoted prices are unreliable, the Adviser will fair value the security using the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures.
Futures and Options. Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by the exchange on which they are principally traded. U.S. exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and
asked prices from the exchange on which they principally trade. Non‑U.S. exchange-traded options are valued at the final settlement price set by the exchange on which they trade. Options not listed on an exchange and swaps generally are valued using pricing provided from independent pricing services.
Swap Agreements. Swap Agreements are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service are based on a model that may include end of day net present values, spreads, ratings, industry and company performance.
Open‑end Funds. If the Fund invests in other open‑end funds, other than open‑end funds that are exchange traded, the investing Fund will calculate its net asset value using the net asset value of the underlying fund in which it invests, and the prospectuses for such open‑end funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
The Fund generally determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for trading (a business day) as of approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (the customary close of regular trading) or earlier in the case of a scheduled early close. In the event of an unscheduled early close of the NYSE, the Fund generally still will determine the net asset value of its shares as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on that business day. Portfolio securities traded on the NYSE would be valued at their closing prices unless the Adviser determines that a “fair value” adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events occurring after an early close consistent with the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures.
For financial reporting purposes and shareholder transactions on the last day of the fiscal quarter, transactions are normally accounted for on a trade date basis. For purposes of executing shareholder transactions in the normal course of business (other than shareholder transactions at a fiscal period‑end), the Fund’s portfolio securities transactions are recorded no later than the first business day following the trade date.
The Fund’s current net asset value per share is made available on the Fund’s website at www.invesco.com/us.
Fair Value Pricing
Securities owned by the Fund are to be valued at current market value if market quotations are readily available. All other securities and assets of the Fund for which market quotations are not readily available are to be valued at fair value determined in good faith consistent with the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures. An effect of fair value pricing may be to reduce the ability of frequent traders to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities resulting from potentially “stale” prices of portfolio holdings. However, it cannot eliminate the possibility of frequent trading.
The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any investment may differ from the Adviser’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that are valued using a fair valuation technique. When fair valuation techniques are applied, the Adviser uses available information, including both observable and unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit), to determine a methodology that will result in a valuation that the Adviser believes approximates market value. Fund securities that are fair valued may be subject to greater fluctuation in their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations were used. Because of the inherent uncertainties of valuation, and the degree of subjectivity in such decisions, the Fund could realize a greater or lesser than expected gain or loss upon the sale of the investment.
Timing of Orders
The Fund prices purchase and redemption orders at the net asset value next calculated by the Fund after the Fund’s transfer agent , authorized agent or designee receives an order in good order for the Fund. Purchase and redemption orders must be received prior to the close of business on a business day, as defined by the Fund, to receive that day’s net asset value.
 
 
15                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

In most cases, purchase and redemption orders are made based on instructions from Invesco or the applicable Program Sponsor to the broker-dealer who executes trades for the account. Purchase and redemption orders are processed at the net asset value next calculated after the broker-dealer receives the order on behalf of the account. Orders received by the broker-dealer prior to the time a Fund’s net asset value is determined on a business day will be processed at that day’s net asset value, even if the order is received by the transfer agent after the Fund’s net asset value has been calculated that day, as long as the order is received by the transfer agent prior to such time as agreed upon by the transfer agent and the broker-dealer.
Taxes
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (RIC) and, as such, is not subject to entity-level tax on the income and gain it distributes to shareholders. If you are a taxable investor, dividends and distributions you receive from a Fund generally are taxable to you whether you reinvest distributions in additional Fund shares or take them in cash. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of dividends and distributions you received from a Fund during the prior calendar year. In addition, investors in taxable accounts should be aware of the following basic tax points as supplemented below where relevant:
Fund Tax Basics
  A Fund earns income generally in the form of dividends or interest on its investments. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes the Fund’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable to you as ordinary income.
  Distributions of net short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. A Fund with a high portfolio turnover rate (a measure of how frequently assets within a Fund are bought and sold) is more likely to generate short-term capital gains than a Fund with a low portfolio turnover rate.
  Distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable to you as long-term capital gains no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
  A portion of income dividends paid by a Fund to you may be reported as qualified dividend income eligible for taxation by individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates, provided certain holding period requirements are met. These reduced rates generally are available for dividends derived from a Fund’s investment in stocks of domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations. In the case of a Fund that invests primarily in debt securities, either none or only a nominal portion of the dividends paid by the Fund will be eligible for taxation at these reduced rates.
  The use of derivatives by a Fund may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of ordinary income or short-term capital gain, distributions from which are taxable to individual shareholders at ordinary income tax rates rather than at the more favorable tax rates for long-term capital gain.
  Distributions declared to shareholders with a record date in December—if paid to you by the end of January—are taxable for federal income tax purposes as if received in December.
  Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized on the sale or redemption of your Fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. For tax purposes an exchange of your shares for shares of another Fund is the same as a sale. An exchange occurs when the purchase of shares of a Fund is made using the proceeds from a redemption of shares of another Fund and is effectuated on the same day as the redemption. Your gain or loss is calculated by subtracting from the gross proceeds your cost basis. Gross proceeds and, for shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012 and disposed of after that date, cost basis will be reported to you and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Cost basis will be calculated using the Fund’s default method of average cost, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different calculation method. As a service to you, the Fund will continue to provide to you (but not the IRS) cost basis information for shares acquired before 2012, when available, using the
   
average cost method. Shareholders should carefully review the cost basis information provided by a Fund and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on their federal income tax returns. If you hold your Fund shares through a broker (or other nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account. For more information about the cost basis methods offered by Invesco, please refer to the Tax Center located under the Account Access & Forms menu of our website at www.Invesco.com/us.
  The conversion of shares of one class of a Fund into shares of another class of the same Fund is not taxable for federal income tax purposes and no gain or loss will be reported on the transaction. This is true whether the conversion occurs automatically pursuant to the terms of the class or is initiated by the shareholder.
  At the time you purchase your Fund shares, the Fund’s net asset value may reflect undistributed income or undistributed capital gains. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying shares in a Fund just before it declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution is sometimes known as “buying a dividend.” In addition, a Fund’s net asset value may, at any time, reflect net unrealized appreciation, which may result in future taxable distributions to you.
  By law, if you do not provide a Fund with your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications, you may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income, capital gains, or proceeds from the sale of your shares. A Fund also must withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid.
  An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
  You will not be required to include the portion of dividends paid by a Fund derived from interest on U.S. government obligations in your gross income for purposes of personal and, in some cases, corporate income taxes in many state and local tax jurisdictions. The percentage of dividends that constitutes dividends derived from interest on federal obligations will be determined annually. This percentage may differ from the actual percentage of interest received by the Fund on federal obligations for the particular days on which you hold shares.
  Fund distributions and gains from sale or exchange of your Fund shares generally are subject to state and local income taxes.
  If a Fund qualifies to pass through to you the tax benefits from foreign taxes it pays on its investments, and elects to do so, then any foreign taxes it pays on these investments may be passed through to you. You will then be required to include your pro‑rata share of these taxes in gross income, even though not actually received by you, and will be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income, or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax.
  Foreign investors should be aware that U.S. withholding, special certification requirements to avoid U.S. backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits, and estate taxes may apply to an investment in a Fund.
 
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), a Fund will be required to withhold a 30% tax on income dividends made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or non‑financial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also
 
 
16                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

   
would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non‑U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
  If a Fund invests in an underlying fund taxed as a RIC, please see any relevant section below for more information regarding the Fund’s investment in such underlying fund.
The above discussion concerning the taxability of Fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares is inapplicable to investors holding shares through a tax‑advantaged arrangement, such as Retirement and Benefit Plans or 529 college savings plans. Such investors should refer to the applicable account documents/program description for that arrangement for more information regarding the tax consequences of holding and redeeming Fund shares.
Funds Investing in Municipal Securities
  You will not be required to include the “exempt-interest” portion of dividends paid by the Fund in either your gross income for federal income tax purposes or your net investment income subject to the additional 3.8% Medicare tax. You will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest dividends and other tax‑exempt interest on your federal income tax returns. The percentage of dividends that constitutes exempt-interest dividends will be determined annually. This percentage may differ from the actual percentage of exempt interest received by the Fund for the particular days in which you hold shares.
  A Fund may invest in municipal securities the interest on which constitutes an item of tax preference and could give rise to a federal alternative minimum tax liability for noncorporate shareholders, unless such municipal securities were issued in 2009 or 2010.
  Exempt-interest dividends from interest earned on municipal securities of a state, or its political subdivisions, generally are exempt from that state’s personal income tax. Most states, however, do not grant tax‑free treatment to interest from municipal securities of other states.
  A Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities that pay income that is not tax‑exempt. To the extent that dividends paid by a Fund are derived from taxable investments or realized capital gains, they will be taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains.
  A Fund may distribute to you any market discount and net short-term capital gains from the sale of its portfolio securities. If you are a taxable investor, Fund distributions from this income are taxable to you as ordinary income, and generally will neither qualify for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders nor as qualified dividend income subject to reduced rates of taxation in the case of noncorporate shareholders.
  Exempt-interest dividends from a Fund are taken into account when determining the taxable portion of your social security or railroad retirement benefits, may be subject to state and local income taxes, may affect the deductibility of interest on certain indebtedness, and may have other collateral federal income tax consequences for you.
  There are risks that: (a) a security issued as tax‑exempt may be reclassified by the IRS or a state tax authority as taxable and/or (b) future legislative, administrative or court actions could adversely impact the qualification of income from a tax‑exempt security as tax‑free. Such reclassifications or actions could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possibly retroactively, subjecting you to increased tax liability. In addition, such reclassifications or actions could cause the
   
value of a security, and therefore, the value of the Fund’s shares, to decline.
Funds Investing in Real Estate Securities
  Because of “noncash” expenses such as property depreciation, the cash flow of a REIT that owns properties will exceed its taxable income. The REIT, and in turn a Fund, may distribute this excess cash to shareholders. Such a distribution is classified as a return of capital. Return of capital distributions generally are not taxable to you. Your cost basis in your Fund shares will be decreased by the amount of any return of capital. Any return of capital distributions in excess of your cost basis will be treated as capital gains.
  Dividends paid to shareholders from the Funds’ investments in U.S. REITs generally will not qualify for taxation at long-term capital gain rates applicable to qualified dividend income.
  The Fund may derive excess inclusion income from certain equity interests in mortgage pooling vehicles either directly or through an investment in a U.S. REIT. Please see the SAI for a discussion of the risks and special tax consequences to shareholders in the event the Fund realizes excess inclusion income in excess of certain threshold amounts.
  Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, “qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income) are treated as eligible for a 20% deduction by noncorporate taxpayers. The Fund may choose to report the special character of “qualified REIT dividends” to a shareholder, provided both the Fund and a shareholder meet certain holding period requirements with respect to their shares.
  The Fund’s foreign shareholders should see the SAI for a discussion of the risks and special tax consequences to them from a sale of a U.S. real property interest by a REIT in which the Fund invests.
Funds Investing in Partnerships
  Taxes, penalties, and interest associated with an audit of a partnership are generally required to be assessed and collected at the partnership level. Therefore, an adverse federal income tax audit of a partnership that a Fund invests in (including MLPs taxed as partnerships) could result in the Fund being required to pay federal income tax. A Fund may have little input in any audit asserted against a partnership and may be contractually or legally obligated to make payments in regard to deficiencies asserted without the ability to put forward an independent defense. Accordingly, even if a partnership in which the Fund invests were to remain classified as a partnership (instead of as a corporation), it could be required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and the Fund, as a direct or indirect partner of such partnership, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest and penalties, which would reduce the value of Fund shares.
  Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act “qualified publicly traded partnership income” is treated as eligible for a 20% deduction by noncorporate taxpayers. The legislation does not contain a provision permitting a RIC, such as a Fund, to pass the special character of this income through to its shareholders. It is uncertain whether a future technical corrections bill or regulations issued by the IRS will address this issue to enable a Fund to pass through the special character of “qualified publicly traded partnership income” to its shareholders.
  Some amounts received by a Fund from the MLPs in which it invests likely will be treated as returns of capital to such Fund because of accelerated deductions available to the MLPs. The receipt of returns of capital from the MLPs in which a Fund invests could cause some or all of the Fund’s distributions to be classified as a return of capital. Return of capital distributions generally are not taxable to you. Your cost basis in your Fund shares will be decreased by the amount of any return of capital. Any return of capital distributions in excess of your cost basis will be treated as capital gains.
 
 
17                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

Funds Investing in Commodities
  The Funds’ strategies of investing through their respective Subsidiary in derivatives and other financially linked instruments whose performance is expected to correspond to the commodity markets may cause the Funds to recognize more ordinary income and short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income than would be the case if the Funds invested directly in commodities.
  The Funds must meet certain requirements under the Code for favorable tax treatment as a RIC, including asset diversification and income requirements. The Funds intend to treat the income each derives from commodity-linked notes as qualifying income based on an opinion from counsel confirming that income from such investments should be qualifying income because such commodity-linked notes constitute securities under section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act. Each Subsidiary will be classified for federal income tax purposes as a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) with respect to the Fund. As such, the Fund will be required to include in its gross income each year amounts earned by the Subsidiary during that year (“Subpart F” income), whether or not such earnings are distributed by the Subsidiary to the Fund (deemed inclusions). Treasury Regulations also permit the Fund to treat such deemed inclusions of “Subpart F” income from the Subsidiary as qualifying income to the Fund, even if the Subsidiary does not make a distribution of such income. Consequently, the Fund and the Subsidiary reserve the right to rely on deemed inclusions being treated as qualifying income to the Fund consistent with recently released Treasury Regulations. If, contrary to the opinion of counsel or other guidance issued by the IRS, the IRS were to determine that income from direct investment in commodity-linked notes is non-qualifying, a Fund might fail to satisfy the income requirement. In lieu of disqualification, the Funds are permitted to pay a tax for certain failures to satisfy the asset diversification or income requirements, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. The Funds intend to limit their investments in their respective Subsidiary to no more than 25% of the value of each Fund’s total assets in order to satisfy the asset diversification requirement.
Funds Investing in Foreign Currencies
  The Funds may realize gains from the sale or other disposition of foreign currencies (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from investing in securities or foreign currencies. The U.S. Treasury Department is authorized to issue regulations on whether the realization of such foreign currency gains is qualified income for the Funds. If such regulations are issued, each Fund may not qualify as a RIC and/or the Fund may change its investment policy. As of the date of this prospectus, no regulations have been issued pursuant to this authorization. It is possible, however, that such regulations may be issued in the future. Additionally, the IRS has not issued any guidance on how to apply the asset diversification test to such foreign currency positions. Thus, the IRS’ determination as to how to treat such foreign currency positions for purposes of satisfying the asset diversification test might differ from that of each Fund resulting in the Fund’s failure to qualify as a RIC. In lieu of disqualification, each Fund is permitted to pay a tax for certain failures to satisfy the asset diversification or income requirements, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
  The Funds’ transactions in foreign currencies may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease the Funds’ ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the Funds’ previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. Return of capital distributions generally are not taxable to you. Your cost basis in your Fund shares will be decreased by the amount of any return of capital. Any return of capital distributions in excess of your cost basis will be treated as capital gains.
This discussion of “Taxes” is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisers as to the federal, state, local and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Security Holder Documents
To reduce Fund expenses, only one copy of most shareholder documents may be mailed to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address (Householding). Mailing of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Fund’s transfer agent at 800-959-4246 or contact your financial institution. The Fund’s transfer agent will begin sending you individual copies for each account within thirty days after receiving your request.
 
 
18                         Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

 
 
Obtaining Additional Information
 
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The SAI, a current version of which is on file with the SEC, contains more details about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus (is legally a part of this prospectus). Annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The Fund also files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the 1st and 3rd quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N‑PORT.
If you have questions about an Invesco Fund or your account, or you wish to obtain a free copy of the Fund’s current SAI, annual or semi-annual reports or Form N‑PORT, please contact us.
By Mail:   Invesco Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 219078
Kansas City, MO 64121-9078
By Telephone:   (800) 959‑4246
On the Internet:   You can send us a request by e‑mail or download prospectuses, SAIs, annual or semi-annual reports via our website: www.invesco.com/us
Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e‑mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
 
                 LOGO
Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund       
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811‑09913   
 
invesco.com/us          SMAMB‑PRO‑1
  


LOGO

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dated February 21, 2023

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

This Statement of Additional Information (the SAI) relates to the portfolio (the Fund) of AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust) (the Trust) listed below.

 

Fund       

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

    

This SAI is not a Prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Fund listed above. When issued, you may obtain, without charge, a copy of any Prospectus and/or shareholder report for the Fund listed above from an authorized dealer or by writing to:

Invesco Investment Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 219078

Kansas City, MO 64121-9078

or by calling (800) 959-4246

or on the Internet: http://www.invesco.com/us

Shares of the Fund may be purchased and held by or on behalf of wrap fee, separately managed and other discretionary accounts (SMAs) for which Invesco Advisers, Inc. (Invesco or the Adviser) or its affiliates have an agreement with a program sponsor or directly with the client, to provide management or advisory services to the account.

 

SMAMB-SOAI-1


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST

     1  

Fund History

     1  

Shares of Beneficial Interest

     1  

Share Certificates

     3  

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

     3  

Classification

     3  

Investment Strategies and Risks

     3  

Equity Investments

     13  

Foreign Investments

     18  

Exchange-Traded Funds

     27  

Exchange-Traded Notes

     28  

Debt Investments

     28  

Other Investments

     50  

Investment Techniques

     54  

Derivatives

     60  

LIBOR Transition Risk

     73  

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Considerations

     74  

Receipt of Issuer’s Nonpublic Information

     74  

Business Continuity and Operational Risk

     74  

Cybersecurity Risk

     75  

Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk

     75  

Fund Policies

     76  

Portfolio Turnover

     78  

Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Fund Holdings

     78  

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

     80  

Board of Trustees

     80  

Management Information

     85  

Committee Structure

     86  

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

     88  

Compensation

     88  

Retirement Policy

     88  

Pre-Amendment Retirement Plan For Trustees

     88  

Amendment of Retirement Plan and Conversion to Defined Contribution Plan

     89  

Deferred Compensation Agreements

     90  

Purchase of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value

     90  

Purchases of Class Y Shares of the Funds

     90  

Code of Ethics

     90  

Proxy Voting Policies

     90  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     91  

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     91  

Investment Adviser

     91  

 

i


     Page  

Investment Sub-Advisers

     92  

Service Agreements

     92  

Other Service Providers

     93  

Custodian.

     93  

Portfolio Managers

     94  

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     94  

Brokerage Transactions

     94  

Commissions

     95  

Broker Selection

     95  

Directed Brokerage (Research Services)

     98  

Affiliated Transactions

     98  

Regular Brokers

     98  

Allocation of Portfolio Transactions

     98  

Allocation of Initial Public Offering (IPO) Transactions

     99  

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

     99  

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS

     99  

Dividends and Distributions

     99  

Tax Matters

     99  

DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES

     114  

Distributor

     114  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     114  

APPENDIX A—RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES

     A-1  

APPENDIX B—PERSONS TO WHOM INVESCO PROVIDES NON-PUBLIC PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS ON AN ONGOING BASIS .

     B-1  

APPENDIX C—TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS .

     C-1  

APPENDIX D—TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE

     D-1  

APPENDIX E—PROXY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

     E-1  

APPENDIX F—MANAGEMENT FEES

     F-1  

APPENDIX G—PORTFOLIO MANAGERS .

     G-1  

APPENDIX H—ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES

     H-1  

APPENDIX I—BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS AND COMMISSIONS ON AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS .

     I-1  

APPENDIX J—DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES) AND PURCHASES OF SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS .

     J-1  

APPENDIX K—PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES .

     K-1  

APPENDIX L—SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH THE FUND INVESTS

     L-1  

 

ii


GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST

Fund History

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust) (the Trust) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end series management investment company. The Trust was originally organized as a Maryland corporation on April 24, 2000 and re-organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 29, 2003. Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended (the Trust Agreement), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board) is authorized to create new series of shares without the necessity of a vote of shareholders of the Trust.

Prior to April 30, 2010, the Trust was known as AIM Counselor Series Trust.

Shares of Beneficial Interest

Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are redeemable at their net asset value at the option of the shareholder or at the option of the Trust, in accordance with any applicable provisions of the Trust Agreement and applicable law, subject in certain circumstances to a contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.

The Trust allocates cash and property it receives from the issue or sale of shares, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, to the Fund, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Fund. These assets constitute the assets belonging to the Fund, are segregated on the Trust’s books, and are charged with the liabilities and expenses of the Fund and its classes, if any. The Trust allocates any general liabilities and expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to the Fund primarily on the basis of relative net assets or other relevant factors, subject to oversight by the Board.

Each share of the Fund represents an equal pro rata interest in the Fund with each other share and is entitled to dividends and other distributions with respect to the Fund, which may be from income, capital gains, capital, or distributions in kind, as declared by the Board.

If the Fund offers separate classes of shares, each class of shares of the Fund represents a proportionate undivided interest in the net assets belonging to the Fund. Differing sales charges and expenses will result in differing net asset values and dividends and distributions. Upon any liquidation of the Trust, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets belonging to the Fund allocable to such class available for distribution after satisfaction of, or reasonable provision for, the outstanding liabilities of the Fund allocable to such class. The Fund does not currently offer different classes of shares.

The Trust Agreement provides that each shareholder, by virtue of having become a shareholder of the Trust, is bound by terms of the Trust Agreement and the Trust’s Bylaws. Ownership of shares does not make shareholders third party beneficiaries of any contract entered into by the Trust.

The Trust is not required to hold annual or regular meetings of shareholders. Meetings of shareholders of the Fund or class, if applicable, will be held for any purpose determined by the Board, including from time to time to consider matters requiring a vote of such shareholders in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, state law or the provisions of the Trust Agreement. It is not expected that shareholder meetings will be held annually.

The Trust Agreement provides that the Board may authorize (i) a merger, consolidation or sale of assets (including, but not limited to, mergers, consolidations or sales of assets between two Invesco funds, or between the Fund and a series of any other registered investment company), and (ii) the combination of two or more classes of shares of an Invesco fund into a single class, each without shareholder approval but subject to applicable requirements under the 1940 Act and state law.

Each share of the Fund generally has the same voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights; however, if the Fund is divided into separate classes, each class of shares of the Fund would be subject to different sales loads, conversion features, exchange privileges and class-specific expenses, as applicable.

Except as specifically noted above, shareholders of the Fund are entitled to one vote per share (with proportionate voting for fractional shares), irrespective of the relative net asset value of the shares of the Fund.

 

1


However, on matters affecting the Fund individually, or a class of shares, if applicable, a separate vote of shareholders of the Fund or class is required. Shareholders of the Fund or class, if applicable, are not entitled to vote on any matter which does not affect the Fund or class but that requires a separate vote of another Invesco fund or class thereof. An example of a matter that would be voted on separately by shareholders of the Fund is the approval of the advisory agreement with Invesco Advisers, Inc. (the Adviser or Invesco).

When issued, shares of the Fund are fully paid and nonassessable, have no preemptive or subscription rights, and are freely transferable. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights in connection with the election of Trustees or on any other matter.

Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations organized under Delaware law. There is a remote possibility, however, that shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held liable for the obligations of the Trust to the extent the courts of another state, which does not recognize such limited liability, were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder personal liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses of the Trust and requires that every undertaking of the Trust or the Board relating to the Trust or the Fund include a recitation limiting such obligation to the Trust and its assets or to the Fund and the assets belonging thereto. The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification out of the property of the Fund (or Class, as applicable) for all losses and expenses of any shareholder of the Fund held personally liable solely on account of being or having been a shareholder.

The trustees and officers of the Trust will not be liable for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee or officer; however, a trustee or officer is not protected against any liability to the Trust or to the shareholders to which a trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office with the Trust or the Fund (Disabling Conduct). The Trust’s Bylaws generally provide for indemnification by the Trust of the trustees, officers and employees or agents of the Trust, provided that such persons have not engaged in Disabling Conduct. Indemnification does not extend to judgments or amounts paid in settlement in any actions by or in the right of the Trust. The Trust Agreement also authorizes the purchase of liability insurance on behalf of trustees and officers with Fund assets. The Trust’s Bylaws provide for the advancement of payments of expenses to current and former trustees, officers and employees or agents of the Trust, or anyone serving at their request, in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding, for which such person would be entitled to indemnification; provided that any advancement of expenses would be reimbursed unless it is ultimately determined that such person is entitled to indemnification for such expenses.

The Trust Agreement provides that any Trustee who serves as chair of the Board, a member or chair of a committee of the Board, lead independent Trustee, or an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert), or in any other special appointment will not be subject to any greater standard of care or liability because of such position.

The Trust Agreement provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders. A shareholder may only bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust if certain conditions are met. Among other things, such conditions: (i) require shareholder(s) to make a pre-suit demand on the Trustees (unless such effort is not likely to succeed because a majority of the Board or the committee established to consider the merits of such action are not independent Trustees under Delaware law); (ii) require 10% of the beneficial owners to join in the pre-suit demand, or if a pre-suit demand is not required, require 10% of beneficial owners to join in the demand for the Board to commence such action; and (iii) afford the Trustees a reasonable amount of time to consider the request and investigate the basis of the claims (including designating a committee to consider the demand and hiring counsel or other advisers). These conditions generally are intended to provide the Trustees with the ability to pursue a claim if they believe doing so would be in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders and to preclude the pursuit of claims that the Trustees determine to be without merit or otherwise not in the Trust’s best interest to pursue. Insofar as the federal securities laws supersede state law, these provisions do not apply to shareholder derivative claims that arise under the federal securities laws.

 

2


The Trust Agreement also generally requires that actions by shareholders in connection with or against the Trust or the Fund be brought only in certain Delaware courts, provided that actions arising under the U.S. federal securities laws are required to be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. These provisions may result in increased shareholder costs in pursuing a shareholder derivative claim and/or may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a different forum.

Share Certificates

Shareholders of the Fund do not have the right to demand or require the Trust to issue share certificates and share certificates are not issued. Any certificate previously issued with respect to any shares is deemed to be cancelled without any requirement for surrender to the Trust.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

Classification

The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Fund is classified as non-diversifiedfor purposes of the 1940 Act, which means the Fund can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a small number of issuers or any one issuer than a diversified fund can.

Investment Strategies and Risks

Set forth below are detailed descriptions of the various types of securities and investment techniques that Invesco and/or the Sub-Advisers (as defined herein) may use in managing the Fund, as well as the risks associated with those types of securities and investment techniques. The descriptions of the types of securities and investment techniques below supplement the discussion of principal investment strategies and risks contained in the Fund’s Prospectus. Where a particular type of security or investment technique is not discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus, that security or investment technique is not a principal investment strategy.

The Fund may invest in all of the following types of investments (unless otherwise indicated). The Fund might not invest in all of these types of securities or use all of these techniques at any one time. Invesco and/or the Sub-Advisers may invest in other types of securities and may use other investment techniques in managing the Fund as well as securities and techniques not described. The Fund’s transactions in a particular type of security or use of a particular technique are subject to limitations imposed by the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions described in the Fund’s Prospectus and/or this SAI, as well as the federal securities laws.

Unless the Fund’s prospectus or this SAI states that a percentage limitation or fundamental or non-fundamental restriction applies on an ongoing basis, it applies only at the time the Fund makes an investment. That means the Fund is not required to sell securities to meet the percentage limits or investment restrictions if the value of the investment increases in proportion to the size of the Fund. Percentage limits on borrowing apply on an ongoing basis.

The Fund’s investment objectives, policies, strategies and practices described below are non-fundamental and may be changed without approval of the holders of the Fund’s voting securities, unless otherwise indicated.

Incidental to its investment activities, although the Fund has a principal investment strategy of primarily investing in fixed income securities, the Fund may acquire equity securities (including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and rights) or other investments that the Fund ordinarily would not purchase, in connection with a bankruptcy, restructuring, workout or other extraordinary event concerning a particular portfolio investment. To the extent the Fund acquires equity securities or investments as described above, it may also purchase additional equity securities or investments of those issuers.

Senior Loans and Other Loans.  Among other debt securities described elsewhere in this SAI, the Fund may invest in loans, and in particular, in floating rate loans (sometimes referred to as “adjustable” rate loans) that hold (or in the judgment of the Adviser, hold) a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities that, under normal circumstances, allow them to have priority

 

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of claim ahead of (or at least as high as) other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. These investments are referred to as “Senior Loans” in this SAI. Loans typically are arranged through private negotiations between a borrower and one or more financial institutions (Lenders). Usually the Lenders are represented by an agent (Agent), which usually is one of the Lenders. The borrowers may use the proceeds of loans to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, debt refinancings, or for other purposes.

Senior loans typically have higher recoveries than other debt obligations that rank lower in the priority of payments for a particular debtor, because in most instances they take preference over those subordinated debt obligations, with respect to payment of interest and principal, and over stock. However, the Fund is still subject to the risk that the borrower under a loan will default on scheduled interest or principal payments and that the assets of the borrower to which the Fund has recourse will be insufficient to satisfy in full the payment obligations that the borrower has to the Fund. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or, in the case of a floating rate loan, a substantial increase in interest rates (because the cost of the borrower’s debt service will increase as the interest rate on its loan is upwardly adjusted). The Fund may own a debt obligation of a borrower that becomes, or is about to become, insolvent. The Fund can also purchase debt obligations that are extended to a bankrupt entity (so called debtor-in-possession or ‘DIP’ financing) or debt obligations that are issued in connection with a restructuring of the borrower under bankruptcy laws.

Agents typically are commercial or investment banks that originate loans and invite other parties to join the lending syndicate. In larger transactions, it is common to have several Agents. However, only one Agent usually has primary responsibility for documentation and administration of the loan. Agents are normally paid fees by the borrower for their services. While the Fund can serve as the Agent or co-agent for a loan, the Fund currently does not intend to act as an Agent or co-Agent. Agents, acting on behalf of the Lenders, generally are primarily responsible for negotiating the loan agreement, which establishes the terms and conditions of the loan and the rights of the borrower and the Lenders. The Fund will rely on Agents to collect payments of principal and interest on a loan. The Fund also will rely in part on Agents to monitor compliance by the borrower with the restrictive covenants in the loan agreement and to notify the Fund (or the Lender from whom the Fund has purchased a participation) of any adverse change in the borrower’s financial condition.

Loans may be secured or unsecured. Where a loan is secured, Agents usually monitor the adequacy of assets that collateralize loans. In reliance upon the opinions of their legal counsel, Agents generally are also responsible for determining that the Lenders have obtained a perfected security interest in the collateral securing loans, if any.

Financial difficulties of Agents can pose a risk to the Fund. If an Agent for a particular loan becomes insolvent, the Fund could incur losses in connection with its investment in that loan. An Agent could declare bankruptcy, and a regulatory authority could appoint a receiver or conservator. Should this occur, the assets that the Agent holds under the loan agreement, if any, should continue to be available to the Lenders, including the Fund. A regulator or a court, however, might determine that any such assets are subject to the claims of the Agent’s general or secured creditors. If that occurs, the Fund might incur costs and delays in realizing final payment on a loan, or the Fund might suffer a loss of principal or interest. The Fund may be subject to similar risks when it buys a participation interest in a loan. Most participations purchased by the Fund are structured to be “true sales” of the underlying loan, in which case the loan should not be included in the bankruptcy estate of the participation seller. However, a court might determine that the participation was not in fact a “true sale”, in which case the Fund would be a general unsecured creditor of the participation seller.

In certain circumstances, loans may not be deemed to be securities, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower or an arranger, lenders will not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws, as would be the case for bonds or stocks. Instead, in such cases, lenders generally rely on the contractual provisions in the loan agreement itself, and common-law fraud protections under applicable state law.

The Fund has no limits as to the maturity of other loans in which it invests or as to the market capitalization range of the borrowers. The Fund can invest a variable amount of its net assets in investments rated below “B.”

 

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How the Fund Invests in Loans.  The Fund may invest in loans in one or more of three ways: the Fund may invest directly in a loan by acting as an original Lender; the Fund may invest directly in a loan by purchasing a loan by an assignment (an “Assignment”) from the Agent or other Lender; or the Fund may invest indirectly in a loan by purchasing a participation interest in a loan (Participation Interest) from an Agent or other Lender. The Fund may also gain exposure to loans indirectly using certain derivative instruments, which is discussed elsewhere in this SAI.

 

   

Original Lender.  The Fund can invest in loans, generally “at par” (a price for the loan equal approximately to 100% of the funded principal amount of the loan, minus any original issue discount) as an original lender. When the Fund is an original lender, it is entitled to receive a return at the full interest rate for the loan. When the Fund is an original lender, it will have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower and will have direct recourse against the borrower in the event the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal or interest.

 

   

Assignments.  The Fund may also purchase a loan by assignment. When the Fund purchases a loan by assignment, it typically succeeds to whatever rights and obligations the assigning lender had under the loan agreement and becomes a “lender” under the loan agreement, entitled to the same rights (including, but not limited to, enforcement or set-off rights) that are available to lenders generally.

 

   

Participation Interests.  These investments represent an undivided, indirect interest in a loan obligation of a borrower. They are typically purchased from banks or dealers that have made the loan, or are members of the loan syndicate. The participation seller remains as lender of record, and continues to face the borrower, the agent, and the other parties to the loan agreement, while the Fund generally acquires beneficial ownership of the loan. Participation interests are subject to the ongoing counterparty risk of the participation seller as well as the credit risk of the borrower.

While the Fund expects to have access to financial and other information regarding the borrower that has been made available to the lenders under a loan, it may not have such information in connection with participation interests and certain loan assignments. Additionally, the amount of public information available with respect to loans generally will be less extensive than what is available for exchange-listed or otherwise registered securities.

Participation interests involve risks for the Fund. Participation interests are primarily dependent upon the creditworthiness of the borrower, which is obligated to make payments of principal and interest on the loan. In buying a participation interest, however, the Fund assumes both the credit risk of the borrower and the counterparty risk of the Lender selling the participation interest. As with an assignment or a loan originated by the Fund, there is a risk that a borrower may have difficulty making payments. If a borrower fails to pay scheduled interest or principal payments, the Fund’s income may be reduced and the value of the investment in the participation interest might also decline. Further, the seller of the participation interest will have no obligation to the Fund other than to pay the Fund the proportionate amount of the principal and interest payments it receives from the borrower. In addition, if the seller of the participation interest fails to perform its obligations, purchasers might incur costs and delays in realizing payment and suffer a loss of principal and/or interest, including in cases where the borrower may have performed its obligation to the Lender that issued the participation (e.g., if the participation seller fails to pass along to the Fund payments received from the borrower). Although most participation interests purchased by the Fund are structured to cause the Fund to become beneficial owner of the relevant loans, and therefore avoid this outcome, if a Lender that sells the Fund a participation interest becomes insolvent, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender. As a general creditor, the Fund will have to share the proceeds of the loan with any other creditors of the Lender. The Fund will acquire a participation interest only if the investment adviser determines that the Lender (or other intermediary Participant) selling the participation interest is creditworthy.

The Fund’s rights under a participation interest with respect to a particular loan may be more limited than the rights of original Lenders or of investors who acquire an assignment of that loan. The Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the participation interest and only when the Lender receives the payments from the borrower. In purchasing

 

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participation interests, the Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the selling institution and not the underlying borrower. The Fund generally will have no right directly to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the related loan agreement, nor will the Fund necessarily have the right to object to certain changes to the loan agreement agreed to by the selling institution. If the Fund buys a participation interest in a loan, the Fund may be subject to any rights of set-off the borrower has against the selling institution (although recourse to the selling institution may be available in the event of any such set-off). In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, the obligation of the borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of any improper conduct of the Lender selling the participation (although recourse to the Lender may be available). As a result, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that exist when the Fund is an original Lender or assignee, and therefore a participation may be relatively illiquid as compared to a direct investment in a loan because of a smaller universe of investors who are willing to assume these additional risks present in a participation.

Recourse.  When the Fund invests in loans as an original lender it will have direct recourse against the borrower in the event of a failure to pay scheduled principal or interest. When it purchases a loan by assignment, it typically succeeds to whatever rights the assigning lender had under the loan agreement, and will therefore be entitled to the same rights (including, but not limited to, enforcement or set-off rights) that are available to lenders generally. When the Fund buys a participation interest, it assumes the credit risk of the borrower and the counterparty risk of the lender selling the participation interest (and, in certain circumstances, such lender’s credit risk), and the terms of the participation may not entitle the Fund to all rights of a direct lender under the loan (for example, with respect to consent, voting or enforcement rights). Therefore, the Fund’s rights under a participation interest for a particular loan may be more limited than the rights of the original lender or an investor who acquires an assignment of that loan. Where the Fund invests in a loan via a participation, the Fund generally will have no right of direct recourse against the borrower or ability to otherwise directly enforce the terms of the loan agreement.

Investments in Pooled Investment Entities that Invest in Loans.  The Fund can also buy interests in trusts and other pooled entities (including other investment companies) that invest primarily or exclusively in loan obligations, including entities sponsored or advised by the Adviser or an affiliate. The Fund will be subject to the pooled entity’s credit risks as well as the credit risks of the underlying loans. The loans underlying these investments may include loans to foreign or U.S. borrowers, may be collateralized or uncollateralized and may be rated investment grade or below investment-grade or may be unrated. These investments are subject to the risk of default by the borrower, interest rate and prepayment risk, as well as credit risks of the pooled entity that holds the loan obligations.

Fees.  The Fund may be required to pay and may receive various fees and commissions in connection with purchasing, selling and holding interests in loans. Borrowers typically pay three kinds of fees to Lenders: facility fees (which may be structured as original issue discount) when a loan is originated; commitment fees on an ongoing basis based on the unused portion of a loan commitment; and prepayment penalties when a borrower prepays a loan.

The Fund receives these fees directly from the borrower if the Fund is an original Lender or, in the case of commitment fees and prepayment penalties, if the Fund acquires an assignment. Whether the Fund receives a facility fee in the case of an assignment or participation interest depends on negotiations between the Fund and the Lender selling the interests.

When the Fund buys an assignment or a participation, it may be required to pay a fee, or cede a portion of the interest and fees that accrued prior to settlement of the assignment, to the lender selling the assignment or the participant. Occasionally, the selling lender pays a fee to the assignee or the participant. If the Fund assigns a loan or sells a participation, it may be required to pass along to a buyer a portion of any interest and fees that the Fund would otherwise be entitled to. In addition, in the case of an assignment, the Fund may be required to pay a transfer fee to the lending agent. If the Fund sells a participation Interest, the Fund may be required to pay a transfer fee to the Lender that holds the nominal interest in the loan.

 

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Interest Rate Benchmarks for Floating Rate Loans.  The loans in which the Fund invests typically have floating or adjustable interest rates. For that reason, the Adviser expects that when interest rates change, the values of these floating rate loans will fluctuate less than the values of fixed-rate debt securities, and that the net asset values of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate less than the shares of funds that invest mainly in fixed- rate debt obligations. However, the interest rates of some floating rate loans adjust only periodically. Between the times that interest rates on floating rate loans adjust (which is most often quarterly, but may be monthly, every six months, or some other period), the interest rates on those floating rate loans may not correlate to prevailing interest rates. That will affect the value of the loans and may cause the net asset values of the Fund’s shares to fluctuate.

The applicable rate is defined in the loan agreement. Borrowers tend to select the base lending rate that results in the lowest interest cost, and the benchmark selected by a borrower for its loans may change from time to time (but the benchmark selected for a particular loan will remain the same for the life of that loan). If the benchmark interest rate on a floating rate loan changes, the rate payable to lenders under the floating rate loan will, in turn, change at the next scheduled adjustment date. If the benchmark rate increases, the Fund would earn interest at a higher rate on that floating rate loan after the next scheduled adjustment date. If the benchmark rate decreases, the Fund would earn interest at a lower rate on that floating rate loan after the next scheduled adjustment date.

The Fund may use interest rate swap agreements and other hedging practices to mitigate fluctuations in value when the interest rate under the loan is periodically reset. The Fund may invest in loans having a fixed rate of interest; however, it is unlikely to do so because fixed rate loans are uncommon in the loan market generally.

Interest rates on floating rate loans adjust periodically based on a benchmark rate plus a premium or spread over the benchmark rate. The benchmark rate usually is the Prime Rate, LIBOR, the Federal Reserve federal funds rate, or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders (each as defined in the applicable loan agreement).

 

   

The Prime Rate quoted by a major U.S. bank is generally the interest rate at which that bank is willing to lend U.S. dollars to its most creditworthy borrowers, although it may not be the bank’s lowest available rate.

 

   

LIBOR usually is an average of the interest rates quoted by several designated banks as the rates at which they pay interest to major depositors in the London interbank market on deposits in a particular currency. For U.S. dollar-denominated senior loans, any applicable LIBOR rate for senior loans would be in respect of U.S. dollar deposits. The market views changes in short-term LIBOR rates as closely related to changes in the Federal Reserve federal funds rate, although the two are not officially related.

 

   

The Federal Reserve federal funds rate is the rate that the Federal Reserve Bank charges member banks for borrowing money.

The interest rate on Prime Rate-based loans floats daily as the Prime Rate changes, while the interest rate on LIBOR based loans is reset periodically, typically between 30 days and one year. Quarterly interest periods are most common for floating rate loans in which the Fund invests. Certain floating or variable rate loans may permit the borrower to select an interest rate reset period of up to one year (although interest periods longer than six months will often require lender consent). Investing in loans with longer interest rate reset periods or fixed interest rates may increase fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value as a result of changes in market interest rates: falling short-term floating interest rates tend to decrease the income payable to the Fund on its floating rate loan investments, and rising short-term floating interest rates tend to increase that income. However, the Fund may attempt to hedge its fixed rate loans against interest rate fluctuations by entering into interest rate swaps or total return swap transactions. Nevertheless, changes in interest rates can affect the value of the Fund’s floating rate loans, especially if rates change sharply in a short period, because the resets of the interest rates on the underlying portfolio of floating rate loans occur periodically and will not all happen simultaneously with changes in prevailing rates.

 

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Floating rate loans are generally structured so that borrowers pay higher margins when they elect LIBOR- based borrower options. This permits lenders to obtain generally consistent yields on floating rate loans, regardless of whether borrowers select the LIBOR-based options or the Prime-based option. In market conditions where the differential between the lower LIBOR base rates and the higher Prime Rate base rates prevailing in the commercial bank markets has widened to the point that the higher margins paid by borrowers for LIBOR based pricing options do not compensate for the differential between the Prime Rate and the LIBOR base rates, borrowers may select the LIBOR-based pricing option, resulting in a yield on floating rate loans that is consistently lower than the yield available from the Prime Rate-based pricing option. In sustained periods of such market conditions, this tendency will significantly limit the ability of the Fund to achieve a net return to shareholders that consistently approximates the average published Prime Rate of leading U.S. banks. The Sub-Adviser cannot predict the occurrence of these conditions nor their duration in the event they do occur.

In addition, in market conditions where short term interest rates are particularly low, certain floating rate loans may be issued with a feature that prevents the relevant benchmark rate from adjusting below a specified minimum level. This is achieved by defining a “floor” to the benchmark rate, so that if downward market movements of the benchmark rate would, absent this feature, cause the benchmark rate to fall below the floor, with this feature, the benchmark rates of these floating rate loans become fixed at the applicable minimum floor level until short term interest rates (and therefore the benchmark rate) rise above that level. Although this feature is intended to result in these floating rate loans yielding more than they otherwise would when short term interest rates are low, the feature might also result in the secondary market prices of these floating rate loans becoming more sensitive to changes in interest rates should short term interest rates rise.

The Fund may invest in loans having a fixed rate of interest, however it is unlikely to do so given fixed rate loans are uncommon in the loan market generally.

Credit Quality Standards for Loans.  Rating organizations, such as S&P or Moody’s, rate debt obligations by rating the issuer, after evaluating the issuer’s financial soundness. Generally, the lower the investment rating, the more risky the investment. Debt securities rated below “BBB-” by S&P or “Baa3” by Moody’s are commonly referred to as “high risk” securities or, in the case of bonds, “junk bonds.” Loans rated “B” are below investment grade and are regarded by rating organizations as predominantly speculative with respect to the borrower’s ability to repay interest and principal when due over a long period. While securities rated Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P are considered to be “investment grade,” they have some speculative characteristics. The Fund may invest in loans that are rated both investment grade and below-investment grade by different rating organizations. An appendix to the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes the definitions of the rating categories of the principal rating organizations. Many loans are not rated by rating organizations. The lack of a rating does not necessarily imply that a loan is of lesser investment quality.

While the Fund expects to have access to financial and other information regarding the borrower that has been made available to the lenders under a loan, it may not have such information in connection with participation interests and certain loan assignments. Additionally, the amount of public information available with respect to loans generally will be less extensive than what is available for exchange-listed or otherwise registered securities.

In certain cases, the Fund’s Sub-Adviser may receive material, non-public information regarding loans, and its ability to trade in such loans for the account of the Fund could potentially be limited by its possession of such information. Such limitations on the Fund’s Sub-Adviser’s ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by, for example, preventing the Fund from selling a loan that is experiencing a material decline in value. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.

Prepayment.  Loans typically have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. Senior Loans in general have a stated term of between five and seven years, and other types of loans that may be invested in may have shorter or longer maturities. Because of prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of a loan may be considerably less than its stated maturity. Notwithstanding their stated maturity, loans may be prepaid prior to their stated terms for reasons including, but not limited to, high market demand for loans, refinancing by the borrower, mandatory prepayment requirements or desire of the borrower to repay outstanding debt. If a borrower

 

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prepays a loan, the proceeds will have to be reinvested in other loans or financial assets that may pay lower rates of return. However, any prepayment and facility fees that are received may help reduce any adverse impact on the Fund’s yield. Because the interest rates on floating rate loans adjust periodically, the Adviser believes that prepayments should generally be able to be reinvested in floating rate loans that have yields similar to those that have been prepaid.

The reinvestment by the Fund of the proceeds of prepaid loans could result in a reduction of income to the Fund in falling interest rate environments. Prepayment penalty fees that may be assessed in some cases may help offset the loss of income to the Fund in those cases.

Subordination.  Senior loans typically hold the most senior position in a borrower’s capital structure. They may include loans that hold the most senior position alone, loans that hold an equal ranking with other senior debt, or loans that are, in the judgment of the Adviser, in the category of senior debt of the borrower. Borrowers typically are required contractually to pay the holders of senior loans before they pay the holders of subordinated debt and preferred or common shareholders and give the holders of senior secured loans a claim on some or all of the borrower’s assets that is senior to that of subordinated debt, preferred stock and common stock of the borrower in the event that the borrower defaults or becomes bankrupt. Lenders obtain priority liens that typically provide the first right to cash flows or proceeds from the sale of a borrower’s collateral, if any, if the borrower becomes insolvent. That right is subject to the limitations of bankruptcy law, which may provide higher priority to certain other claims such as, for example, employee salaries, employee pensions and taxes. Senior loans are subject to the risk that a court could subordinate a senior loan to presently existing or future indebtedness or take other action detrimental to the holders of senior loans.

That senior position in the borrower’s capital structure typically gives the holders of senior loans a claim on some or all of the borrower’s assets that is senior to that of subordinated debt, preferred stock and common stock of the borrower in the event that the borrower defaults or becomes bankrupt. This means in the event the assets of the borrower are insufficient in value to satisfy all its creditors, senior debt will be satisfied in priority to debt that is subordinate to senior debt.

The Fund has no requirements as to the maturity of the debt securities it can buy, or as to the market capitalization range of the issuers of those securities.

Lien Position.  Loans that are collateralized may have multiple lenders or other creditors that take different lien positions. This means that if the borrower defaults on its obligations under the loan and the loan creditors enforce their security interest or if the borrower becomes bankrupt, the secured claims of the creditors in the first lien position will be satisfied prior to the secured claims of the creditors in the second lien position. While second lien loan positions generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with investments in first lien loan positions, second lien loan positions have the additional risk that if the borrower defaults on its obligations under the loan and the loan creditors enforce their security interest or if the borrower becomes bankrupt, the secured claims of the creditors in the first lien position will be satisfied prior to the secured claims of the creditors in the second lien position. If the cash flow and assets of the borrower are insufficient to satisfy both the first lien loans and the second lien loans in full, the creditors in the second lien position may not be satisfied in full. Intercreditor arrangements that are often present where a loan has first and second lien positions typically include ‘standstill’ provisions whereby the enforcement rights of second lien creditors are restricted in favor of the first lien creditors’ rights and give the first lien creditors the right to accept or reject any restructuring plans in the event of the default or insolvency of the borrower. If a loan has first and second lien positions, typically the Fund will invest in the first lien position; however, it may invest in the second lien position. Second lien positions generally pay a higher margin than first lien positions to compensate second lien creditors for the greater risk they assume.

Collateral.  Loans, like other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of the borrower’s non-payment of scheduled interest and/or principal. While certain of the Fund’s investments in loans may be secured by collateral that the investment adviser believes to be equal to or in excess of the principal amount of the loan at the time of investment, there can be no assurance that the liquidation of such collateral, if any, would satisfy the borrower’s obligations in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that the collateral could

 

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be readily liquidated. In the event of a borrower’s bankruptcy, the Fund could experience delays or limitations in its ability to realize the benefits of collateral securing a loan.

For the loans in which the Fund invests that are secured by collateral, that collateral may include the borrower’s tangible assets, such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, real estate, buildings, and equipment, common and/or preferred stock of subsidiaries, and intangible assets including trademarks, copyrights, patent rights and franchise value. The Fund may also receive guarantees or other credit support as a form of security. A loan agreement may or may not require the borrower to pledge additional collateral to secure a loan if the value of the initial collateral declines, or if additional assets are acquired by the borrower. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of those assets would satisfy in full a borrower’s obligations under a loan. A borrower’s subsidiaries, affiliates, shareholders, or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees and/or security interests in assets that they own. However, the value of the collateral may decline after the Fund invests in the loan, particularly if the collateral consists of equity securities of the borrower or its subsidiaries or affiliates. If the collateral consists of stock of the borrower or its subsidiaries or affiliates, the stock may lose all of its value in the event of a bankruptcy, which would leave the Fund exposed to greater potential loss.

If a borrower defaults, insolvency laws may limit the Fund’s access to the collateral, or the lenders may be unable to liquidate the collateral. A bankruptcy court might find that the lenders’ security interest or their enforcement of their security under the loan to be invalid, or a bankruptcy court may require the borrower to use the collateral to pay other outstanding obligations prior to satisfying the lenders in full. If the collateral consists of stock of the borrower or its subsidiaries, the stock may lose all of its value in the event of a bankruptcy, which would leave the Fund exposed to greater potential loss. In addition, in the event of a borrower default on a collateralized loan, the Fund may receive assets other than cash or securities in full or partial satisfaction of the borrower’s obligation under the loan. Those assets may be illiquid, and the Fund might not be able to realize the benefit of the assets for legal, practical or other reasons. The Fund might hold those assets until the Adviser determines it is appropriate to dispose of them. If the collateral becomes illiquid or loses some or all of its value, the collateral may not be sufficient in value to compensate the Fund in full in the event of a default of scheduled interest or principal payments.

The Fund can invest in loans that are not secured by any specific collateral of the borrower. If the borrower is unable to pay interest or defaults in the payment of principal, there will be no collateral on which the Fund can foreclose. Therefore, these loans present greater risks than collateralized loans because the recourse of the Fund to the borrower’s assets in the case of a default would be as a general unsecured creditor. The Fund applies the same investment and credit standards to unsecured loans as to secured loans, except for collateral requirements.

Generally, the Agent for a particular loan is responsible for monitoring collateral and for exercising remedies available to the Lenders such as foreclosure upon collateral in the event of the borrower’s default. However, the Agent will usually only be liable for its gross negligence or willful misconduct, and not for ordinary negligence. In certain circumstances, the loan agreement may authorize the Agent to liquidate the collateral and to distribute the liquidation proceeds pro rata among the lenders. The Fund may also invest in loans that are not secured by collateral. Unsecured loans involve additional risk because the lenders are general unsecured creditors of the borrower and any secured creditors may have prior rights of recourse to the assets of the borrower, and the assets of the borrower may be insufficient to satisfy in full all obligations owed to its creditors.

Highly Leveraged Transactions and Insolvent Borrowers.  The Fund can invest in loans made in connection with highly leveraged transactions. These transactions may include operating loans, leveraged buyout loans, leveraged capitalization loans and other types of acquisition financing. Those loans are subject to greater credit risks than other loans. Highly leveraged loans and loans in default also may be less liquid than other loans. Highly leveraged loans and loans in default also may be less liquid than other loans. If the Fund voluntarily or involuntarily sold those types of loans, it might not receive the full value it expected.

The Fund can also invest in loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are likely to experience, financial difficulty. In addition, the Fund can invest in loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that

 

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have had involuntary bankruptcy petitions filed against them by creditors. Various laws enacted for the protection of debtors may apply to loans. A bankruptcy proceeding against a borrower could delay or limit the ability of the Fund to collect the principal and interest payments on that borrower’s loans. If a lawsuit is brought by creditors of a borrower under a loan, a court or a trustee in bankruptcy could take certain actions that would be adverse to the Fund. For example:

 

   

Other creditors might convince the court to set aside a loan or the collateralization of the loan as a “fraudulent conveyance” or “preferential transfer.” In that event, the court could recover from the Fund the interest and principal payments that the borrower made before becoming insolvent. There can be no assurance that the Fund would be able to prevent that recapture.

 

   

A bankruptcy court may restructure the payment obligations under the loan so as to reduce the amount to which the Fund would be entitled.

 

   

The court might discharge the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the collateral or assets to which the lenders have recourse.

 

   

The court could subordinate the Fund’s rights to the rights of other creditors of the borrower under applicable law.

Borrower Covenants and Lender Rights.  Loan agreements generally have contractual terms designed to protect Lenders. Loan agreements often include restrictive covenants that limit the activities of the borrower. A restrictive covenant is a promise by the borrower not to take certain actions that might impair the rights of Lenders. Those covenants typically require the scheduled payment of interest and principal and may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to the borrower’s shareholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific financial ratios or relationships and limits on the borrower’s total debt. In addition, a covenant may require the borrower to prepay the loan or debt obligation with any excess cash flow, proceeds of asset sales or casualty insurance, or other available cash. Excess cash flow generally includes net cash flow after scheduled debt service payments and permitted capital expenditures, among other things, as well as the proceeds from asset dispositions or sales of securities. A breach of a covenant (after the expiration of any cure period) in a loan agreement that is not waived by the Agent and the Lenders normally is an event of default, permitting acceleration of the loan. This means that the Agent has the right to demand immediate repayment in full of the outstanding loan. If a lender accelerates the repayment of a loan because of the borrower’s violation of a restrictive covenant under the loan agreement, the borrower might default in payment of the loan. If a loan is not paid when due, or if upon acceleration of a loan, the borrower fails to repay principal and accrued (but unpaid) interest in full, this failure may result in a reduction in value of the loan (and possibly the Fund’s net asset value).

Lenders typically have certain voting and consent rights under a loan agreement. Action subject to a Lender vote or consent generally requires the vote or consent of the holders of some specified percentage of the outstanding principal amount of a loan. Certain decisions, such as reducing the amount or increasing the time for payment of interest on or repayment of principal of a loan, or releasing collateral for the loan, frequently requires the unanimous vote or consent of all Lenders affected.

If the Fund is not a direct lender under the loan because it has invested via a participation, derivative or other indirect means, the Fund may not be entitled to exercise some or all of the Lender rights described in this section.

Covenant Lite Loans.  Although loan investments are generally subject to certain restrictive covenants in favor of the investor, certain of the loans in which the Fund may invest may be issued or offered as “covenant lite” loans, which have few or no financial maintenance covenants. “Financial maintenance covenants” are those that require a borrower to maintain certain financial metrics during the life of the loan, such as maintaining certain levels of cash flow or limiting leverage. In the event of financial deterioration on the part of the borrower, these covenants are included to permit the lenders to renegotiate the terms of the loan, such as increasing the borrowing costs to the borrower, or to take other actions which would improve the position of the lender.

Limited Secondary Market for Loans.  Due to restrictions on transfers in loan agreements and the nature of the private syndication of loans, some loans are not as easily purchased or sold as publicly-traded securities.

 

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As a result, some loans are illiquid, which means that the Fund may be limited in its ability to sell those loans at an acceptable price when it wants to in order to generate cash, avoid losses or to meet repurchase requests. The market for illiquid financial assets is more volatile than the market for liquid securities and it may be more difficult to obtain accurate valuations for the Fund’s investments. In certain circumstances, loans may not be deemed to be securities, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower or an arranger, lenders will not have the protection of anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws, as would be the case for bonds or stocks. Instead, in such cases, lenders generally rely on the contractual provisions in the loan agreement itself, and common-law fraud protections under applicable state law.

Possible Limited Availability of Loans.  Direct investments in loans and, to a lesser degree, investments in participation interests in or assignments of loans may be limited. The limited availability may be due to a number of factors. Direct lenders may allocate only a small number of loans to new investors, including the Fund. There may be fewer loans available for investment that meet the Fund’s credit standards, particularly in times of economic downturns. Also, lenders or agents may have an incentive to market the less desirable loans to investors such as the Fund while retaining attractive loans for themselves. This would reduce the amount of attractive investments for the Fund. If market demand for loans increases, the interest paid by loans that the Fund holds may decrease.

Delayed Draw Loans.  There may be obligations under a loan agreement to make disbursements of loans after the initial disbursement in certain circumstances, for example if the loan was partially “unfunded” at the time the Fund invested or if there otherwise is an ongoing commitment from the lenders to disburse further loans.

Delayed Settlement.  Compared to securities and to certain other types of financial assets, purchases, and sales of loans, including via participation, take relatively longer to settle. This is partly due to the nature of loans, which require a written assignment agreement and various ancillary documents for each transfer, and frequently require discretionary consents from both the borrower and the administrative agent. In addition, dealers frequently insist on matching their purchases and sales, which can lead to delays in the Fund’s settlement of a purchase or sale in circumstances where the dealer’s corresponding transaction with another party is delayed. Dealers will also sometimes sell loans short, and hold their trades open for an indefinite period while waiting for a price movement or looking for inventory to purchase.

This extended settlement process can (i) increase the counterparty credit risk borne by the Fund; (ii) leave the Fund unable to timely vote, or otherwise act with respect to, loans it has agreed to purchase; (iii) delay the Fund from realizing the proceeds of a sale of a loan; (iv) inhibit the Fund’s ability to re-sell a loan that it has agreed to purchase if conditions change (leaving the Fund more exposed to price fluctuations); (v) prevent the Fund from timely collecting principal and interest payments; and (vi) expose the Fund to adverse tax or regulatory consequences.

The Loan Syndications and Trading Association (the “LSTA”) has promulgated a “delay compensation” provision in its standard loan documentation that mitigates the direct risk of permanently losing interest payments as a result of delayed settlement by causing interest to begin to accrue for the buyer’s account after the seventh business day following the trade date (for distressed trades, the twentieth business day). However, this does not mitigate the other risks of delayed settlement. In addition, the mechanism itself can result in opportunistic behavior: A seller, having locked in its trade, might delay closing for seven business days in order to maximize its interest collections, even if it could have closed earlier, while a buyer may no longer feel any pressure to close at all, since interest is accruing for its benefit, and may choose to use its cash elsewhere. The LSTA has further attempted to put an outer limit on long, unjustified settlement delays by promulgating “buy-in/sell-out” provisions that allow a party to enter into a “cover” trade if the other party refuses to close. However, these provisions are complicated, time-consuming, and little-used, and are in any event not triggered until the fifteenth business day after the trade date (for distressed trades, the fiftieth business day).

To the extent the extended loan settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, such as the need to satisfy redemption requests, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders.

 

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Equity Investments

Common Stock.  Common stock is issued by a company principally to raise cash for business purposes and represents an equity or ownership interest in the issuing company. Common stockholders are typically entitled to vote on important matters of the issuing company, including the selection of directors, and may receive dividends on their holdings. The Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds common stock. In the event a company is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of bondholders, other debt holders, owners of preferred stock and general creditors take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

The prices of common stocks change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuing company, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.

Over-the-Counter Securities.  Securities of small- and mid-capitalization issuers may be traded on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. The over-the-counter markets, both in the U.S. and abroad, may have less liquidity than securities exchanges. That lack of liquidity can affect the price the Fund is able to obtain when it wants to sell a security, because if there are fewer buyers and less demand for a particular security, the Fund might not be able to sell it at an acceptable price or might have to reduce the price in writing in order to dispose of the security.

There are a number of over-the-counter markets in the U.S., as well as those abroad, as long as a dealer is willing to make a market in a particular security.

Preferred Stock.  Preferred stock, unlike common stock, often offers a specified dividend rate payable from a company’s earnings. Preferred stock also generally has a preference over common stock on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event the company is liquidated or declares bankruptcy; however, the rights of preferred stockholders on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of a liquidation or bankruptcy are generally subordinate to the rights of the company’s debt holders and general creditors. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline.

Some fixed rate preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions which provide for the stock to be retired or redeemed on a predetermined schedule, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, which can limit the benefit of any decline in interest rates that might positively affect the price of preferred stocks. Preferred stock dividends may be “cumulative,” requiring all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends are paid on the issuer’s common stock. Preferred stock may be “participating,” which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. In some cases an issuer may offer auction rate preferred stock, which means that the interest to be paid is set by auction and will often be reset at stated intervals.

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Companies.  Small-capitalization (small-cap) companies may be either established or newer companies, including “unseasoned” companies that have typically been in operation for less than three years. Mid-capitalization (mid-cap) companies are generally companies that have completed their initial start-up cycle, and in many cases have established markets and developed seasoned market teams. While smaller companies might offer greater opportunities for gain than larger companies, they also involve greater risk of loss. They may be more sensitive to changes in a company’s earnings expectations and may experience more abrupt and erratic price movements. Small- and mid-cap companies’ securities often trade in lower volumes and in many instances, are traded over-the-counter or on a regional securities exchange, where the frequency and volume of trading is substantially less than is typical for securities of larger companies traded on national securities exchanges. Therefore, the securities of smaller companies may be subject to wider price fluctuations and it might be harder for the Fund to dispose of its holdings at an acceptable price when it wants to sell them. Small- and mid-cap companies may not have established markets for their products or services and may have fewer customers and product lines. They may have more limited access to financial resources and may not have the financial strength to sustain them through business downturns or adverse market conditions. Since small- and mid-cap companies typically reinvest a high proportion of their earnings in their business, they may not pay

 

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dividends for some time, particularly if they are newer companies. Small- and mid-cap companies may have unseasoned management or less depth in management skill than larger, more established companies. They may be more reliant on the efforts of particular members of their management team and management changes may pose a greater risk to the success of the business. Securities of small, unseasoned companies may be particularly volatile, especially in the short-term, and may have very limited liquidity in a declining market. It may take a substantial period of time to realize a gain on an investment in a small- or mid-cap company, if any gain is realized at all.

When the Fund invests in smaller company securities that might trade infrequently, investors might seek to trade Fund shares based on their knowledge or understanding of the value of those securities (this is sometimes referred to as “price arbitrage”). If such price arbitrage were successful, it might interfere with the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio and the Fund may be required to sell securities at disadvantageous times or prices to satisfy the liquidity requirements created by that activity. Successful price arbitrage might also dilute the value of fund shares held by other shareholders.

Equity-Linked Securities.  Equity-linked securities are instruments whose value is based upon the value of one or more underlying equity securities, a reference rate or an index. Equity-linked securities come in many forms and may include features, among others, such as the following: (i) may be issued by the issuer of the underlying equity security or by a company other than the one to which the instrument is linked (usually an investment bank), (ii) may convert into equity securities, such as common stock, within a stated period from the issue date or may be redeemed for cash or some combination of cash and the linked security at a value based upon the value of the underlying equity security within a stated period from the issue date, (iii) may have various conversion features prior to maturity at the option of the holder or the issuer or both, (iv) may limit the appreciation value with caps or collars of the value of the underlying equity security and (v) may have fixed, variable or no interest payments during the life of the security which reflect the actual or a structured return relative to the underlying dividends of the linked equity security. Investments in equity-linked securities may subject the Fund to additional risks not ordinarily associated with investments in other equity securities. Because equity-linked securities are sometimes issued by a third party other than the issuer of the linked security, the Fund is subject to risks if the underlying equity security, reference rate or index underperforms or if the issuer defaults on the payment of the dividend or the common stock at maturity. In addition, the trading market for particular equity-linked securities may be less liquid, making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of a particular security when necessary and reduced liquidity in the secondary market for any such securities may make it more difficult to obtain market quotations for valuing the Fund’s portfolio.

Convertible Securities.  Convertible securities are generally bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities or investments that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio or predetermined price (the conversion price). A convertible security is designed to provide current income and also the potential for capital appreciation through the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. A convertible security may be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. Convertible securities have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities.

A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt obligations and are designed to provide for a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks. However, there can be no assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their obligations. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation’s common stock. Convertible securities are subordinate in rank to any senior debt obligations of the issuer, and, therefore, an issuer’s convertible securities entail more risk than its debt obligations. Moreover,

 

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convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated because they fall below debt obligations and just above common stock in order of preference or priority on an issuer’s balance sheet. To the extent that the Fund invests in convertible securities with credit ratings below investment grade, such securities may have a higher likelihood of default, although this may be somewhat offset by the convertibility feature.

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The common stock underlying convertible securities may be issued by a different entity than the issuer of the convertible securities.

The value of convertible securities is influenced by both the yield of non-convertible securities of comparable issuers and by the value of the underlying common stock. The value of a convertible security viewed without regard to its conversion feature (i.e., strictly on the basis of its yield) is sometimes referred to as its “investment value.” The investment value of the convertible security typically will fluctuate based on the credit quality of the issuer and will fluctuate inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. However, at the same time, the convertible security will be influenced by its “conversion value,” which is the market value of the underlying common stock that would be obtained if the convertible security were converted. Conversion value fluctuates directly with the price of the underlying common stock, and will therefore be subject to risks relating to the activities of the issuer and general market and economic conditions. Depending upon the relationship of the conversion price to the market value of the underlying security, a convertible security may trade more like an equity security than a debt instrument.

If, because of a low price of the common stock, the conversion value is substantially below the investment value of the convertible security, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. Generally, if the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the value of the security will be principally influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security will sell at a premium over its conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding an income-producing security.

While the Fund uses the same criteria to rate a convertible debt security that it uses to rate a more conventional debt security, a convertible preferred stock is treated like a preferred stock for the Fund’s financial reporting, credit rating and investment limitation purposes.

Contingent Convertible Securities (CoCos).  CoCos (also referred to as contingent capital securities) are a form of hybrid fixed income security typically issued by non-U.S. banks that may either convert into common stock of the issuer or undergo a principal write-down by a predetermined percentage upon the occurrence of a “trigger” event, such as if (a) the issuer’s capital ratio falls below a specified level or (b) certain regulatory events, such as a change in regulatory capital requirements, affect the issuer’s continued viability. Unlike traditional convertible securities, the conversion is not voluntary and the equity conversion or principal write- down features are tailored to the issuing banking institution and its regulatory requirements.

CoCos are subject to credit, interest rate and market risks associated with fixed income and equity securities generally, along with risks typically applicable to convertible securities. CoCos are also subject to loss absorption risk because coupon payments can potentially be cancelled or deferred at the issuer’s discretion or at the request of the relevant regulatory authority in order to help the bank absorb losses. Additionally, certain call provisions permit an issuer to repurchase CoCos if the regulatory environment or tax treatment of the security (e.g., tax deductibility of interest payments) changes. This may result in a potential loss to the Fund if the price at which the issuer calls or repurchases the CoCos is lower than the initial purchase price by the Fund.

CoCos are subordinate in rank to traditional convertible securities and other debt obligations of an issuer in the issuer’s capital structure, and therefore, CoCos entail more risk than an issuer’s other debt obligations.

CoCos are generally speculative and their market value may fluctuate based on a number of unpredictable factors, including, but not limited to, the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in the issuer’s capital ratios, supply and demand for CoCos, general market conditions and available liquidity, and economic, financial and political events affecting the particular issuer or markets in general.

 

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Enhanced Convertible Securities.  “Enhanced” convertible securities are equity-linked hybrid securities that automatically convert to equity securities on a specified date. Enhanced convertibles have been designed with a variety of payoff structures, and are known by a variety of different names. Three features common to enhanced convertible securities are (i) conversion to equity securities at the maturity of the convertible (as opposed to conversion at the option of the security holder in the case of ordinary convertibles); (ii) capped or limited appreciation potential relative to the underlying common stock; and (iii) dividend yields that are typically higher than that on the underlying common stock. Thus, enhanced convertible securities offer holders the opportunity to obtain higher current income than would be available from a traditional equity security issued by the same company in return for reduced participation in the appreciation potential of the underlying common stock. Other forms of enhanced convertible securities may involve arrangements with no interest or dividend payments made until maturity of the security or an enhanced principal amount received at maturity based on the yield and value of the underlying equity security during the security’s term or at maturity.

Synthetic Convertible Securities.  A synthetic convertible security is a derivative position composed of two or more distinct securities whose investment characteristics, taken together, resemble those of traditional convertible securities, i.e., fixed income and the right to acquire the underlying equity security. For example, the Fund may purchase a non-convertible debt security and a warrant or option, which enables the Fund to have a convertible-like position with respect to a security or index.

Synthetic convertibles are typically offered by financial institutions in private placement transactions and are typically sold back to the offering institution. Upon conversion, the holder generally receives from the offering institution an amount in cash equal to the difference between the conversion price and the then- current value of the underlying security. Synthetic convertible securities differ from true convertible securities in several respects. The value of a synthetic convertible is the sum of the values of its fixed-income component and its convertibility component. Thus, the values of a synthetic convertible and a true convertible security will respond differently to market fluctuations. Purchasing a synthetic convertible security may provide greater flexibility than purchasing a traditional convertible security, including the ability to combine components representing distinct issuers, or to combine a fixed income security with a call option on a stock index, when the Adviser determines that such a combination would better further the Fund’s investment goals. In addition, the component parts of a synthetic convertible security may be purchased simultaneously or separately.

The holder of a synthetic convertible faces the risk that the price of the stock or the level of the market index underlying the convertibility component will decline. In addition, in purchasing a synthetic convertible security, the Fund may have counterparty risk with respect to the financial institution or investment bank that offers the instrument.

Alternative Entity Securities.  The Funds may invest in alternative entity securities, which are the securities of entities that are formed as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts or other non-corporate entities that are similar to common or preferred stock of corporations.

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies.  Special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) are investment entities, acquired through stocks, warrants and other securities, that pool funds to seek potential acquisition or merger opportunities. A SPAC is a publicly traded company that raises funds through an initial public offering (“IPO”) for the purpose of acquiring or merging with another company to be identified subsequent to the SPAC’s IPO. The securities of a SPAC are often issued in “units” that include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional common shares or partial shares of the SPAC. In some cases, the rights and warrants may be separated from the common stock at the election of the holder, after which they may become freely tradeable. If the Fund purchases shares of a SPAC in an IPO it will generally bear a sales commission, which may be significant.

Unless and until a business combination transaction is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets (which are constituted solely by the proceeds of the IPO), less a portion retained to cover expenses, in U.S. government securities, money market funds and similar investments whose returns or yields may be significantly lower than those of the Fund’s other investments. If an acquisition or merger that meets the requirements for the SPAC is not completed within a pre-established period of time, the invested funds are returned to the SPAC’s

 

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shareholders, less certain permitted expenses, and any rights or warrants issued by the SPAC will expire worthless. Under any circumstances in which the Fund receives a refund of all or a portion of its original investment in a SPAC, the returns on that investment may be negligible, and the Fund may be subject to opportunity costs to the extent that alternative investments would have produced higher returns. Further, the Fund may be delayed in receiving any redemption or liquidation proceeds from a SPAC to which it is entitled.

Because SPACs are in essence “blank check” companies without operating histories or ongoing business operations (other than identifying and pursuing acquisition or merger opportunities), the potential for the long term capital appreciation of their securities is dependent on the ability of the SPAC’s sponsor to identify and complete a profitable business combination. There is no guarantee that the SPACs in which the Fund invests will complete a business combination or that any transaction completed by the SPACs in which the Fund invests will be profitable. Even if a SPAC in which the Fund has invested identifies a desirable acquisition or merger target and reaches agreement with that company as to the terms of the business combination, there can be no guarantee that the transaction will ultimately be consummated because, among other conditions that must be satisfied, a requisite number of shareholders of the SPAC or of the target company do not vote in favor of the transaction. The values of investments in SPACs may be highly volatile and may depreciate significantly over time. Some SPACs may pursue acquisitions or mergers only within certain industries or regions, which may ultimately lead to an increase in the volatility of their prices following completion of a business combination. In addition, some of these securities may be considered illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on resale, leaving the Fund unable to sell its interest in a SPAC or able to sell its interest only at a price below what the Fund believes is the SPAC interest’s intrinsic value. Additionally, an investment in a SPAC may be diluted by additional later offerings of interests in the SPAC or by other investors exercising their warrants to purchase shares of the SPAC.

Due to the risk of the loss of sponsors’ and other initial investors’ capital if an acquisition or merger is not consummated, sponsors of SPACs may be incentivized to consummate business combinations at less attractive valuations at the expense of SPAC shareholders. In addition, as the number of SPACs grows, there is greater competition among SPACs and traditional purchasers of companies, which further increases the likelihood that SPAC sponsors may be incentivized to consummate acquisitions or mergers at less attractive valuations, as well as the risk that SPACs cannot successfully complete business combinations.

Equity-Linked Notes (ELNs).  ELNs are hybrid derivative-type instruments, in a single note form, that are specially designed to combine the characteristics of one or more reference securities (such as a single stock, exchange-traded fund, exchange-traded note, or an index or basket of securities (underlying securities)) and a related equity derivative, such as a put or call option. Generally, when purchasing an ELN, the Fund pays the counterparty the current value of the underlying securities plus a commission. Upon the maturity of the note, the Fund generally receives the par value of the note plus a return based on the appreciation of the underlying securities. The Fund may or may not hold an ELN until its maturity. If the underlying securities have depreciated in value or if their price fluctuates outside of a preset range, depending on the type of ELN, the Fund may receive only the principal amount of the note, or may lose the entire principal invested in the ELN. ELNs are available with an assortment of features, including periodic coupon payments; limitations on participation in the appreciation of the underlying securities; and different protection levels on the Fund’s principal investment. The Fund will only invest in ELNs for which the underlying security is a permissible investment for the Fund in accordance with its investment policies and restrictions. ELNs are generally in two types: (1) those that provide for protection of the Fund’s principal in exchange for limited participation in the appreciation of the underlying securities, and (2) those that do not provide for such protection and subject the Fund to the risk of loss of its principal investment.

Investments in ELNs possess the risks associated with the underlying securities, such as management risk, market risk and, as applicable, foreign securities and currency risks. In addition, as a note, ELNs are also subject to certain debt securities risks, such as interest rate and credit risk. An investment in an ELN also bears the risk that the ELN issuer will default or become bankrupt. In such an event, the Fund may have difficulty being repaid, or fail to be repaid, the principal amount of, or income from, its investment. ELNs may be structured to be subordinated or unsubordinated to other classes of debt holders’ right of payment. A downgrade or impairment to the credit rating of the issuer may also negatively impact the price of the ELN. The Fund may also experience

 

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liquidity issues when investing in ELNs, as ELN transactions generally take place in the over-the-counter institutional investment market as well as in privately negotiated transactions with ELN issuers. The secondary market for ELNs may be limited, and the lack of liquidity may make ELNs difficult to sell at a desirable time and price and value. The price of an ELN may not correlate with the price of the underlying securities or a fixed-income investment. As the holder of an ELN, the Fund generally has no rights to the underlying securities, including no voting rights or rights to receive dividends. The Adviser’s ability to accurately forecast movements in the underlying securities will determine the success of the Fund’s ELNs investments. Should the prices of the underlying securities move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of its ELN investments, and it may realize losses, which could be significant and could include the Fund’s entire principal investment.

Foreign Investments

Foreign Securities.  Foreign securities are equity or debt securities issued by issuers outside the United States, and include securities in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) or other securities representing underlying securities of foreign issuers (foreign securities). ADRs are receipts, issued by U.S. banks, for the shares of foreign corporations, held by the bank issuing the receipt. ADRs are typically issued in registered form, denominated in U.S. dollars and designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. GDRs are bank certificates issued in more than one country for shares in a foreign company. The shares are held by a foreign branch of an international bank. GDRs trade as domestic shares but are offered for sale globally through the various bank branches. GDRs are typically used by private markets to raise capital and are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. EDRs are similar to ADRs and GDRs, except they are typically issued by European banks or trust companies, denominated in foreign currencies and designed for use outside the U.S. securities markets. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains on the underlying foreign securities, less any fees paid to the bank. Purchasing ADRs, EDRs or GDRs gives the Fund the ability to purchase the functional equivalent of foreign securities without going to the foreign securities markets to do so. ADRs, EDRs or GDRs that are “sponsored” are those where the foreign corporation whose shares are represented by the ADR, EDR or GDR is actively involved in the issuance of the ADR, EDR or GDR and generally provides material information about the corporation to the U.S. market. An “unsponsored” ADR, EDR or GDR program is one where the foreign corporation whose shares are held by the bank is not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, the market value of the ADR, EDR or GDR may not reflect important facts known only to the foreign company.

Foreign debt securities include corporate debt securities of foreign issuers, certain foreign bank obligations (see “Bank Instruments”) and U.S. dollar or foreign currency denominated obligations of foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities (see “Foreign Government Obligations”), international agencies and supranational entities.

The Fund considers various factors when determining whether a company is in a particular country or in a particular region/continent, including whether (1) it is organized under the laws of a country or in a country in a particular region/continent; (2) it has a principal office in a country or in a country in a particular region/continent; (3) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from businesses in a country or in a country in a particular region/continent; (4) its securities are traded principally on a security exchange, or in an over- the-counter (OTC) market, in a particular country or in a country in a particular region/continent; and/or (5) its “country of riskas determined by a third party service provider such as Bloomberg. The issuer’s “country of risk” is determined based on a number of criteria, including its country of domicile, the primary stock exchange on which it trades, the location from which the majority of its revenue comes, and its reporting currency.

Investments by the Fund in foreign securities, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, may entail all of the risks set forth below in addition to those accompanying an investment in issuers in the United States.

Currency Risk.  The value in U.S. dollars of the Fund’s non-dollar-denominated foreign investments will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The U.S. dollar value of a foreign security decreases when the

 

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value of the U.S. dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and increases when the value of the U.S. dollar falls against such currency.

Political and Economic Risk.  The economies of many countries may not be as developed as that of the United States’ economy and may be subject to significantly different forces. Political, economic or social instability and development, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, and limitations on the removal of funds or other assets could also adversely affect the value of portfolio investments. Certain foreign companies may be subject to sanctions, embargoes, or other governmental actions that may impair or otherwise limit the ability to invest in, receive, hold or sell the securities of such companies. These factors may affect the value of investments in those companies. In addition, certain companies may operate in, or have dealings with, countries that the U.S. government has identified as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, such companies may be subject to specific constraints or regulations under U.S. law and, additionally, may be subject to negative investor perception, either of which could adversely affect such companies’ performance.

Regulatory Risk.  Foreign companies may not be registered with the SEC and are generally not subject to the regulatory controls and disclosure requirements imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, corporate governance practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. Therefore, financial information about foreign companies may be incomplete, or may not be comparable to the information available on U.S. companies. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce dividend income payable to the Fund’s shareholders.

There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, dealers, and listed companies in foreign countries than in the U.S., thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Foreign markets may also have different clearance and settlement procedures. If the Fund experiences settlement problems, it may result in temporary periods when a portion of the Fund’s assets are uninvested and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities or create a potential liability to the Fund arising out of its inability to fulfill a contract to sell such securities.

Market Risk.  Investing in foreign markets generally involves certain risks not typically associated with investing in the United States. The securities markets in many foreign countries will have substantially lower trading volume than the U.S. markets. As a result, the securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid and experience more price volatility than comparable domestic securities. Obtaining and/or enforcing judgments in foreign countries may be more difficult, and there is generally less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, each of which may make it more difficult to enforce contractual obligations. Increased custodian costs as well as administrative costs (such as the need to use foreign custodians) may also be associated with the maintenance of assets in foreign jurisdictions. In addition, transaction costs in foreign securities markets are likely to be higher, since brokerage commission rates in foreign countries are likely to be higher than in the United States.

Risks of Developing/Emerging Market Countries.  The Fund may invest in securities of companies located in developing and emerging market countries subject to limits included in the Fund’s prospectus.

Unless the Fund’s prospectus includes a different definition, the Fund considers developing and emerging markets countries to be those countries that are (i) generally recognized to be an emerging market country by the international financial community, including the World Bank, (ii) determined by the Adviser to be an emerging market country or (iii) its “country of risk” is an emerging market country as determined by a third party service provider such as Bloomberg. As of the date of this SAI, the Adviser considers “emerging market countries” to generally include every country in the world except those countries included in the MSCI World Index. The Adviser has broad discretion to identify countries that it considers to be emerging market countries and may consider various factors in determining whether to classify a country as an emerging market country, including a country’s relative interest rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, monetary and fiscal policies, trade and current account balances, legal and political developments and any other specific factors the Adviser believes to be relevant. Because emerging market equity and emerging market debt are distinct asset classes, a country may be

 

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deemed an emerging market country with respect to its equity only, its debt only, both its equity and debt, or neither.

Investments in developing and emerging market countries present risks in addition to, or greater than, those presented by investments in foreign issuers generally, and may include the following risks:

i.  Restriction, to varying degrees, on foreign investment in stocks;

ii.  Repatriation of investment income, capital, and the proceeds of sales in foreign countries may require foreign governmental registration and/or approval;

iii.  Greater risk of fluctuation in the value of foreign investments due to changes in currency exchange rates, currency control regulations or currency devaluation. In addition, there may be higher rates of inflation and more rapid and extreme fluctuations in inflation rates and greater sensitivity to interest rate changes;

iv.  Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates may have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain developing and emerging markets countries;

v.  Many of the developing and emerging market countries’ securities markets are relatively small or less diverse, have low trading volumes, suffer periods of relative illiquidity, and are characterized by significant price volatility;

vi.  There is a risk in developing and emerging market countries that a future economic or political crisis could lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies;

vii.  Investments in such securities markets may be subject to unexpected market closures;

viii.  The taxation systems at the federal, regional and local levels in developing or emerging market countries may be less transparent and inconsistently enforced, and subject to sudden change. Developing or emerging market countries may also have a higher degree of corruption and fraud than developed market countries, as well as counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources;

ix.  Less developed legal systems allowing for enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property, such as bankruptcy. The ability to bring and enforce actions in developing or emerging market countries, or to obtain information needed to pursue or enforce such actions, may be limited and shareholder claims may be difficult or impossible to pursue; and

x.  Less stringent regulatory, disclosure, financial reporting, accounting, auditing and recordkeeping standards than companies in more developed countries and, as a result, the nature and quality of such information may vary. Information about such companies may be less available and reliable and, therefore, the ability to conduct adequate due diligence in developing or emerging markets may be limited which can impede the Fund’s ability to evaluate such companies. In addition, certain developing or emerging market countries may impose material limitations on Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) inspection, investigation and enforcement capabilities which can hinder the PCAOB’s ability to engage in independent oversight or inspection of accounting firms located in or operating in certain developing or emerging markets. There is no guarantee that the quality of financial reporting or the audits conducted by audit firms of developing or emerging market issuers meet PCAOB standards.

Investing in Greater China Risk.  Investments in companies located or operating in Greater China involve risks not associated with investments in Western nations, such as nationalization, expropriation, or confiscation of property; difficulty in obtaining and/or enforcing judgments; alteration or discontinuation of economic reforms; military conflicts, either internal or with other countries; inflation, currency fluctuations and fluctuations in inflation and interest rates that may have negative effects on the economy and securities markets of Greater China; and Greater China’s dependency on the economies of other Asian countries, many of which are developing countries. Events in any one country within Greater China may impact the other countries in the

 

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region or Greater China as a whole. For example, changes to their political and economic relationships with the mainland China could adversely impact the Fund’s investments in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in Greater China, such as China A-shares, are subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations, and clearing and settlement risks. Significant portions of the Chinese securities markets may become rapidly illiquid, as Chinese issuers have the ability to suspend the trading of their equity securities, and have shown a willingness to exercise that option in response to market volatility and other events. The liquidity of Chinese securities may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate.

Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid economic growth. As a result, a reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, the institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. The current political climate has intensified concerns about a potential trade war between China and the United States, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of China’s export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

Additionally, developing countries, such as those in Greater China, may subject the Fund’s investments to a number of tax rules, and the application of many of those rules may be uncertain. Moreover, China has implemented a number of tax reforms in recent years, and may amend or revise its existing tax laws and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in applicable Chinese tax law could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies in China in which the Fund invests. Chinese taxes that may apply to the Fund’s investments include income tax or withholding tax on dividends, interest or gains earned by the Fund, business tax and stamp duty. Uncertainties in Chinese tax rules could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Additionally, any difficulties of the PCAOB to inspect audit work papers and practices of PCAOB-registered accounting firms in China with respect to their audit work of U.S. reporting companies may impose significant additional risks associated with investments in China.

Risks of Investing in Chinese Variable Interest Entities.  Many Chinese companies have created a special structure, which is based in China, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) as a means to circumvent limits on direct foreign ownership of equity in Chinese operating companies in certain sectors, such as internet, media, education and telecommunications, imposed by the Chinese government. Typically in such an arrangement, a China-based operating company establishes an offshore “holding” company in another jurisdiction that likely does not have the same disclosure, reporting, and governance requirements as the United States. The holding company issues shares, i.e., is “listed”, on a foreign exchange such as the New York Stock Exchange or the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The listed holding company enters into service and other contracts with the China-based operating company, typically through the China-based VIE. The VIE must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or other Chinese companies), which often are the VIE’s founders, in order to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in the restricted or prohibited sector in China. The operations and financial position of the VIE are included in consolidated financial statements of the listed holding company. Foreign investors, including mutual funds and ETFs (such as the Fund), hold stock in the listed holding company rather than directly in the China-based operating company.

The VIE structure allows foreign shareholders to exert a degree of control and obtain economic benefits arising from the operating company but without formal legal ownership because the listed holding company’s control over the operating company is predicated entirely on contracts with the VIE. The listed holding company is distinct from the underlying operating company, and an investment in the listed holding company represents exposure to a company that maintains service contracts with the operating company, not equity ownership.

 

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Investments in companies that use VIEs may pose additional risks because the investment is made through the listed holding company’s service and other contractual arrangements with the underlying Chinese operating company. As a result, such investment may limit the rights of an investor with respect to the underlying Chinese operating company. The contractual arrangements between the VIE and the operating company may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership. The Chinese government could determine at any time and without notice that the underlying contractual arrangements on which control of the VIE is based violate Chinese law. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice, well known to Chinese officials and regulators, VIEs historically have not been recognized under Chinese law. The owners of the VIE could decide to breach the contractual arrangements with the listed holding company and it is uncertain whether the contractual arrangements, which may be subject to conflicts of interest between the legal owners of the VIE and foreign investors, would be enforced by Chinese courts or arbitration bodies. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts, from which the shell company derives its value, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent loss, and in turn, adversely affect the Fund’s returns and net asset value.

The Chinese government previously placed restrictions on China-based companies raising capital offshore in certain sectors, including through VIEs, and investors face uncertainty about future actions by the Chinese government that could significantly affect the operating company’s financial performance and the enforceability of the contractual arrangements underlying the VIE structure. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the VIE structure, or whether any new laws, rules or regulations relating to VIE structures will be adopted and what impact such laws may have on foreign investors. There is a risk that China might prohibit the existence of VIEs or sever their ability to transmit economic and governance rights to foreign individuals and entities; if so, the market value of any associated portfolio holdings would likely suffer substantial, detrimental, and possibly permanent loss.

Chinese companies, including those listed on U.S. exchanges, are generally not subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements, accounting standards or auditor oversight as companies in more developed countries. As a result, information about VIEs may be less reliable or complete. Foreign companies with securities listed on U.S. exchanges, including those that utilize VIEs, may be delisted if they do not meet the requirements of the listing exchange, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the U.S. government, which could significantly decrease the liquidity and value of such securities. Actions by the U.S. government, such as delisting of certain Chinese companies from U.S. securities exchanges or otherwise restricting their operations in the U.S., may negatively impact the liquidity and value of such securities.

Risks of Investments in China A-shares through the Stock Connect Program.  The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (both programs collectively referred to as the Connect Program) are securities trading and clearing programs through which the Fund can trade eligible listed China A-shares. The Connect Program is subject to quota limitations and an investor cannot purchase and sell the same security on the same trading day, which may restrict the Fund’s ability to invest in China A-shares through the Connect Program and to enter into or exit trades on a timely basis. The Shanghai and Shenzhen markets may be open at a time when the Connect Program is not trading, with the result that prices of China A-shares may fluctuate at times when the Fund is unable to add to or exit its position. Only certain China A-shares are eligible to be accessed through the Connect Program. Such securities may lose their eligibility at any time, in which case they could be sold but could no longer be purchased through the Connect Program. Because the Connect Program is still relatively in its early stages, the actual effect on the market for trading China A-shares with the introduction of large numbers of foreign investors is currently unknown. The Connect Program is subject to regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities for the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and further regulations or restrictions, such as limitations on redemptions or suspension of trading, may adversely impact the Connect Program, if the authorities believe it necessary to assure orderly markets or for other reasons. There is no guarantee that all three exchanges will continue to support the Connect Program in the future and no assurance that further regulations will not adversely affect the availability of securities under Stock Connect or other operational arrangements.

 

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Investments in China A-shares may not be covered by the securities investor protection programs of the exchanges and, without the protection of such programs, will be subject to the risk of default by the broker. In the event that the depository of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange defaulted, the Fund may not be able to recover fully its losses from the depository or may be delayed in receiving proceeds as part of any recovery process. In addition, because all trades on the Connect Program in respect of eligible China A-shares must be settled in Renminbi (RMB), the Chinese currency, if the Fund invests through the Connect Program, the Fund must have timely access to a reliable supply of offshore RMB, which cannot be guaranteed. The existence of a liquid trading market for China A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such China A-shares. Market volatility and settlement difficulties in the China A-shares markets may also result in significant fluctuations in the prices of the securities traded on such markets.

China A-shares purchased through the Connect Program are held in nominee name and not the Fund’s name as the beneficial owner. It is possible, therefore, that the Fund’s ability to exercise its rights as a shareholder and to pursue claims against the issuer of China A-shares may be limited because the nominee structure has not been tested in Chinese courts, as Chinese courts generally have limited experience in applying the concept of beneficial ownership and the law in that area continues to evolve. In addition, the Fund may not be able to participate in corporate actions affecting China A-shares held through the Connect Program due to time constraints or for other operational reasons.

Trades on the Connect Program are subject to certain requirements prior to trading. If these requirements are not completed prior to the market opening, the Fund cannot sell the shares on that trading day. In addition, these requirements may limit the number of brokers that the Fund may use to execute trades. If an investor holds 5% or more of the total shares issued by a China A-share issuer, whether or not such shares were acquired through the Stock Connect Program, the investor must return any profits obtained from the purchase and sale of those shares if both transactions occur within a six-month period. If the Fund holds 5% or more of the total shares of a China A-share issuer through its Connect Program investments, its profits may be subject to these limitations. All accounts managed by the Adviser and/or its affiliates will be aggregated for purposes of this 5% limitation, which makes it more likely that the Fund’s profits may be subject to these limitations.

Risks of Investments in the China Interbank Bond Market through the Bond Connect Program.  The Fund may invest in China onshore bonds traded on the China Interbank Bond Market (“CIBM”) through the China—Hong Kong Bond Connect Program (“Bond Connect”). In China, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Central Moneymarkets Unit holds Bond Connect securities on behalf of ultimate investors (such as the Fund) in accounts maintained with a China-based custodian (either the China Central Depository & Clearing Co. or the Shanghai Clearing House). This recordkeeping system subjects the Fund to various risks, including the risks of settlement delays and counterparty default of the China custodian and Hong Kong custody agent. In addition, the Fund may have a limited ability to enforce rights as a bondholder because enforcing the ownership rights of a beneficial holder of Bond Connect securities is untested and courts in China have limited experience in applying the concept of beneficial ownership.

Bond Connect uses the trading infrastructure of both Hong Kong and China and is not available on trading holidays in Hong Kong. As a result, prices of securities purchased through Bond Connect may fluctuate at times when the Fund is unable to add to or exit its position. Securities offered through Bond Connect may lose their eligibility for trading through Bond Connect at any time. If Bond Connect securities lose their eligibility for trading through Bond Connect, they may be sold but can no longer be purchased through Bond Connect.

Because Bond Connect trades are settled in RMB, if the Fund invests through Bond Connect, it must have timely access to a reliable supply of offshore RMB, which cannot be guaranteed.

Market volatility and potential lack of liquidity due to low trading volume of certain bonds on the CIBM may result in prices of such bonds fluctuating significantly, exposing the Fund to liquidity and volatility risks. The bid- ask spreads of the prices of such securities may be large, and the Fund may therefore incur significant costs and may suffer losses when selling such investments. Bonds traded on the CIBM may be difficult or impossible to sell, which may impact the Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of such securities at their expected prices. Bond Connect is relatively new and its effects on the Chinese interbank bond market are uncertain.

 

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Trading through Bond Connect is performed through newly developed trading platforms and operational systems, and in the event of systems malfunctions or extreme market conditions, trading via Bond Connect could be disrupted. There can be no assurance as to Bond Connect’s continued existence or whether future developments regarding Bond Connect (including further interpretation and guidance provided by regulators in Hong Kong and China) may restrict or adversely affect the Fund’s investments or returns. Finally, uncertainties in China tax rules governing taxation of income and gains from investments via Bond Connect could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.

Floating Rate Corporate Loans and Corporate Debt Securities of Non-U.S. Borrowers. Floating rate loans are made to and floating rate debt securities are issued by non-U.S. borrowers. Such loans and securities will be U.S. dollar-denominated or otherwise provide for payment in U.S. dollars, and the borrower will meet the credit quality standards established by Invesco and the Sub-Advisers for U.S. borrowers. The Fund similarly may invest in floating rate loans and floating rate debt securities made to U.S. borrowers with significant non-U.S. dollar-denominated revenues; provided that the loans are U.S. dollar-denominated or otherwise provide for payment to the Fund in U.S. dollars. In all cases where the floating rate loans or floating rate debt securities are not denominated in U.S. dollars, provisions will be made for payments to the lenders, including the Fund, in U.S. dollars pursuant to foreign currency swaps.

The Fund may invest in floating rate loans that are made to and floating rate debt securities that are issued by non-U.S. borrowers, provided that the loans are U.S. dollar-denominated or otherwise provide for payment in U.S. dollars, and any such borrower meets the credit quality standards established by Invesco and the Sub-Advisers for U.S. borrowers. The Fund similarly may invest in floating rate loans and floating rate debt securities made to U.S. borrowers with significant non-U.S. dollar-denominated revenues; provided that the loans are U.S. dollar-denominated or otherwise provide for payment to the Fund in U.S. dollars. In cases where the floating rate loans or floating rate debt securities are not denominated in U.S. dollars, provisions will be made for payments to the lenders, including the Fund, in U.S. dollars pursuant to foreign currency swaps or the currency risk of the transaction will be hedged using forward foreign currency contracts.

Foreign Government Obligations. Debt securities issued by foreign governments are often, but not always, supported by the full faith and credit of the foreign governments, or their subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, that issue them. These securities involve the risks discussed above under “Foreign Securities”. Additionally, the issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control repayment of the debt may be unwilling or unable to pay interest or repay principal when due. Political or economic changes or the balance of trade may affect a country’s willingness or ability to service its debt obligations. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt obligations, especially debt obligations issued by the governments of developing countries. Foreign government obligations of developing countries, and some structures of emerging market debt securities, both of which are generally below investment grade, are sometimes referred to as “Brady Bonds.” The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance, or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may impair the debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.

Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Fund may invest in foreign currency-denominated securities and has the authority to purchase and sell put and call options on foreign currencies (foreign currency options), foreign currency futures contracts and related options, and currency-related swaps, and may engage in foreign currency transactions either on a spot (i.e., for prompt delivery and settlement) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market at the time or through forward foreign currency contracts (see “Forward Foreign Currency Contracts”). The use of these instruments may result in a loss to the Fund if the counterparty to the transaction (particularly with respect to OTC derivatives, as discussed further below) does not perform as promised, including because of such counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency.

The Fund will incur costs in converting assets from one currency to another. Foreign exchange dealers may charge a fee for conversion. In addition, dealers may realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies in the spot and forward markets.

 

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The Fund will generally engage in these foreign exchange transactions in order to complete a purchase or sale of foreign currency denominated securities. The Fund may also use foreign currency options, forward foreign currency contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and currency-related swap contracts to increase or reduce exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency to another in a cross currency hedge or to enhance returns. These transactions are intended to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies; however, at the same time, they tend to limit any potential gain which might result should the value of such currencies increase. The Fund may also engage in foreign exchange transactions, such as forward contracts, for non-hedging purposes to enhance returns.

The Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts and purchase and write foreign currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to different foreign currencies. The Fund may also purchase and write foreign currency options in connection with foreign currency futures contracts or forward foreign currency contracts. Foreign currency futures contracts are traded on exchanges and have standard contract sizes and delivery dates. Most foreign currency futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The uses and risks of foreign currency futures contracts are similar to those of futures contracts relating to securities or indices (see “Futures Contracts”). Foreign currency futures contracts’ values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates but may not reflect other factors that affect the value of the Fund’s investments.

Whether or not any hedging strategy will be successful is highly uncertain, and use of hedging strategies may leave the Fund in a less advantageous position than if a hedge had not been established. Moreover, it is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a forward foreign currency contract. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’ predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or securities markets prove inaccurate.

The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in bank deposits denominated in foreign currencies, so as to facilitate investment in foreign securities as well as protect against currency fluctuations and the need to convert such assets into U.S. dollars (thereby also reducing transaction costs). To the extent these monies are converted back into U.S. dollars, the value of the assets so maintained will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. Foreign exchange transactions may involve some of the risks of investments in foreign securities. For a discussion of tax considerations relating to foreign currency transactions, see “Dividends, Distributions and Tax Matters—Tax Matters—Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions—Foreign currency transactions.”

Under definitions adopted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), non-deliverable foreign exchange forwards and OTC foreign exchange options are considered “swaps.” These instruments are therefore included in the definition of “commodity interests” for purposes of determining whether fund service providers qualify for certain exemptions and exclusions from regulation by the CFTC. Although non-deliverable forward foreign currency contracts have historically been traded in the OTC market, as swaps they may in the future be regulated to be centrally cleared and traded on public execution facilities. For more information, see “Forward Foreign Currency Contracts” and “Swaps.”

Risks Related to Russian Invasion of Ukraine. In late February 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, significantly amplifying already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the West. Russia’s invasion, the responses of countries and political bodies to Russia’s actions, and the potential for wider conflict may increase financial market volatility and could have severe adverse effects on regional and global economic markets, including the markets for certain securities and commodities such as oil and natural gas. Following Russia’s actions, various countries, including the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, among others, as well as the European Union, issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia. The sanctions freeze certain Russian assets and prohibit trading by individuals and entities in certain Russian securities, engaging in certain private transactions, and doing business with certain Russian corporate entities, large financial institutions, officials and oligarchs. The sanctions include a commitment by certain countries and the European Union to remove selected Russian banks

 

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from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, commonly called “SWIFT,” the electronic network that connects banks globally, and imposed restrictive measures to prevent the Russian Central Bank from undermining the impact of the sanctions. A number of large corporations have since withdrawn from Russia or suspended or curtailed their Russia-based operations.

The imposition of these current sanctions (and the potential for further sanctions in response to Russia’s continued military activity) and other actions undertaken by countries and businesses may adversely impact various sectors of the Russian economy, including but not limited to, the financials, energy, metals and mining, engineering, and defense and defense-related materials sectors. Such actions also may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble, and could impair the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive, or deliver those securities. Moreover, the measures could adversely affect global financial and energy markets and thereby negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments beyond any direct exposure to Russian issuers or those of adjoining geographic regions. In response to sanctions, the Russian Central Bank raised its interest rates and banned sales of local securities by foreigners. Russia also prevented the export of certain goods and payments to foreign shareholders of Russian securities. Russia may take additional countermeasures or retaliatory actions, which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities and Fund investments. Such actions could, for example, include restricting gas exports to other countries, the seizure of U.S. and European residents’ assets, or undertaking or provoking other military conflict elsewhere in Europe, any of which could exacerbate negative consequences on global financial markets and the economy. The actions discussed above could have a negative effect on the performance of the Fund. While diplomatic efforts have been ongoing, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is unpredictable and has the potential to result in broader military actions. The duration of the ongoing conflict and corresponding sanctions and related events cannot be predicted and may result in a negative impact on Fund performance and the value of Fund investments, particularly as it relates to Russian exposure.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Under U.S. tax laws, passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) are those foreign corporations which generate primarily “passive” income. Passive income is defined as any income that is considered foreign personal holding company income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code). For federal tax purposes, a foreign corporation is deemed to be a PFIC if 75% or more of its gross income during a taxable year is passive income or if 50% or more of its assets during a taxable year are assets that produce, or are held to produce, passive income.

Foreign mutual funds are generally deemed to be PFICs, since nearly all of the income of a mutual fund is passive income. Foreign mutual funds investments may be used to gain exposure to the securities of companies in countries that limit or prohibit direct foreign investment; however, investments in foreign mutual funds by the Fund are subject to limits under the Investment Company Act.

Other types of foreign corporations may also be considered PFICs if their percentage of passive income or passive assets exceeds the limits described above. A determination as to whether a foreign corporation is considered a PFIC is based on an interpretation of complex provisions of the tax law. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a conclusion regarding a corporation’s status as a PFIC will not be challenged by the IRS and conclusions as a corporation’s PFIC status may vary depending on who is doing the analysis. Unless the Fund makes an election with respect to its investment in a PFIC, which election may not always be possible, income from the disposition of a PFIC investment and from certain PFIC distributions may be subject to adverse tax treatment. The application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income with respect to PFIC shares, and may subject the Fund to tax on certain income from PFIC shares. Federal tax laws impose severe tax penalties for failure to properly report investment income from PFICs. Although every effort is made to ensure compliance with federal tax reporting requirements for these investments, foreign corporations that are PFICs for federal tax purposes may not always be recognized as such or may not provide the Fund with all information required to report, or make an election with respect to, such investment.

 

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A foreign issuer will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to a shareholder if such issuer is a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (CFC) and the shareholder holds (directly, indirectly, or constructively) 10% or more of the voting interests in or total value of such issuer. In such a case, the shareholder generally would be required to include in gross income each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain amounts of a CFC’s income, whether or not the CFC distributes such shareholder’s share of such amounts to it. Under proposed regulations, such income will be considered “qualifying income” for purposes of a shareholder’s qualification as a regulated investment company only to the extent such income is timely distributed to that shareholder.

Additional risks of investing in other investment companies are described under “Other Investment Companies.”

Performance Indexed Paper. Performance indexed paper is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper the yield of which is linked to certain foreign exchange rate movements. The yield to the investor on performance indexed paper is between the U.S. dollar and a designated currency as of or about that time (generally, the index maturity two days prior to maturity). The yield to the investor will be within a range stipulated at the time of purchase of the obligation, generally with a guaranteed minimum rate of return that is below, and a potential maximum rate of return that is above, market yields on U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper, with both the minimum and maximum rates of return on the investment corresponding to the minimum and maximum values of the spot exchange rate two business days prior to maturity.

Foreign Bank Obligations. Foreign bank obligations include certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and fixed time deposits and other obligations (a) denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by a foreign branch of a domestic bank (Eurodollar Obligations), (b) denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by a domestic branch of a foreign bank (Yankee Dollar Obligations), or (c) issued by foreign branches of foreign banks. Foreign banks are not generally subject to examination by any U.S. government agency or instrumentality.

Exchange-Traded Funds

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Most ETFs are registered under the 1940 Act as investment companies, although others may not be registered as investment companies and are registered as commodity pools. Therefore, the Fund’s purchase of shares of an ETF may be subject to the restrictions on investments in other investment companies discussed under “Other Investment Companies.” ETFs have management fees, which increase their cost. The Fund may invest in ETFs advised by unaffiliated advisers as well as ETFs advised by Invesco Capital Management LLC (Invesco Capital). Invesco, the Sub-Advisers and Invesco Capital are affiliates of each other as they are all indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Invesco Ltd.

Generally, ETFs hold portfolios of securities, commodities and/or currencies that are designed to replicate, as closely as possible before expenses, the performance of a specified market index. The performance results of ETFs will not replicate exactly the performance of the pertinent index due to transaction and other expenses, including fees to service providers, borne by ETFs. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the portfolio of securities, commodities and/or currencies purchased by an ETF will replicate a particular index. Some ETFs are actively managed and instead of replicating a particular index they seek to outperform it, or outperform a basket of securities or price of a commodity or currency.

Only Authorized Participants (APs) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with ETFs. ETF shares are sold to and redeemed by APs at net asset value only in large blocks called creation units and redemption units, respectively. Such market makers have no obligation to submit creation or redemption orders; consequently, there is no assurance that market makers will establish or maintain an active trading market for ETF shares. In addition, to the extent that APs exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to an ETF and no other AP is able to step forward to create or redeem units of an ETF, an ETF’s shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to net asset value and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. ETF shares may be purchased and sold by all other investors in secondary market trading on national securities exchanges, which allows investors to purchase and sell ETF shares at their market price throughout the day.

 

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Investments in ETFs generally present the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund that has the same investment objective, strategy and policies. Investments in ETFs further involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the types of securities, commodities and/or currencies included in the indices the ETFs are designed to replicate. In addition, shares of an ETF may trade at a market price that is higher or lower than their net asset value and an active trading market in such shares may not develop or continue. Moreover, trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action to be appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

Exchange-Traded Notes

Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs). ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy, minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours; however, investors can also hold the ETN until maturity. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day’s market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk, including the credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A decision to sell ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will accept, or a court will uphold, how ETNs are characterized or treated for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress are considering proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs.

An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, and thus they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form.

The market value of ETNs may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.

Debt Investments

U.S. Government Obligations. U.S. government obligations are obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, including bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as “stripped” or zero couponU.S. Treasury obligations.

U.S. government obligations may be, (i) supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations, or (iv) supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. There is a risk that the U.S. government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so. In that case, if the issuer were to default, the Fund might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. government. For example, while the U.S. government has provided financial support to Federal National Mortgage Association

 

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(FNMA) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. There also is no guarantee that the government would support Federal Home Loan Banks. Accordingly, securities of FNMA, FHLMC and Federal Home Loan Banks, and other agencies, may involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. Any downgrade of the credit rating of the securities issued by the U.S. government may result in a downgrade of securities issued by its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-sponsored entities. Additionally, from time to time uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government to increase the statutory debt limit, commonly called the “debt ceiling,” could increase the risk that the U.S. government may default on payments on certain U.S. government securities, cause the credit rating of the U.S. government to be downgraded, increase volatility in the stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates, reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities, and/or increase the costs of various kinds of debt. If a U.S. government-sponsored entity is negatively impacted by legislative or regulatory action, is unable to meet its obligations, or its creditworthiness declines, the performance of the Fund will be adversely impacted.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds.  Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the Consumer Price Index (CPI) accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.

Inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury have maturities of five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. The U.S. Treasury securities pay interest on a semi-annual basis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if a fund purchased an inflation-indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and inflation over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole years’ inflation equaling 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semiannual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).

If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the bonds is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. The Fund may also invest in other inflation related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds.

While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.

The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed bonds is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index, calculated by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be

 

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no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States.

Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Temporary Investments. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in affiliated money market funds or in other types of money market instruments in which those funds would invest or other short-term U.S. government securities for cash management purposes. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in investments that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies for temporary defensive purposes in anticipation of or in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions. As a result, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Changing Interest Rates. In a low or negative interest rate environment, debt securities may trade at, or be issued with, negative yields, which means the purchaser of the security may receive at maturity less than the total amount invested. In addition, in a negative interest rate environment, if a bank charges negative interest, instead of receiving interest on deposits, a depositor must pay the bank fees to keep money with the bank. To the extent the Fund holds a negatively-yielding debt security or has a bank deposit with a negative interest rate, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment. Cash positions may also subject the Fund to increased counterparty risk to the Fund’s bank. Debt market conditions are highly unpredictable and some parts of the market are subject to dislocations. In the past, the U.S. government and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to stabilize markets by, among other things, reducing interest rates. To the extent such actions are pursued, they present heightened risks to debt securities, and such risks could be even further heightened if these actions are unexpectedly or suddenly reversed or are ineffective in achieving their desired outcomes. In recent years, the U.S. government began implementing increases to the federal funds interest rate and there may be further rate increases. As interest rates rise, there is risk that rates across the financial system also may rise. To the extent rates increase substantially and/or rapidly, the Fund may be subject to significant losses.

In a low or negative interest rate environment, some investors may seek to reallocate assets to other income-producing assets. This may cause the price of such higher yielding instruments to rise, could further reduce the value of instruments with a negative yield, and may limit the Fund’s ability to locate fixed income instruments containing the desired risk/return profile. Changing interest rates, including, rates that fall below zero, could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed income markets to heightened volatility, increased redemptions, and potential illiquidity.

With respect to a money market fund, which seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, a low or negative interest rate environment could impact the money market fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. During a low or negative interest rate environment, such money market fund may reduce the number of shares outstanding on a pro rata basis through reverse stock splits, negative dividends or other mechanisms to seek to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, to the extent permissible by applicable law and its organizational documents. Alternatively, the money market fund may discontinue using the amortized cost method of valuation to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share and establish a fluctuating NAV per share rounded to four decimal places by using available market quotations or equivalents.

In December 2021, the SEC proposed amendments to Rule 2a-7 that, if adopted, would impact the manner in which all types of money market funds operate. The amendments would, among other items, prohibit certain mechanisms for maintaining a stable NAV per share in negative interest rate environments, such as by reducing the number of fund shares outstanding (including through reverse distribution mechanisms).

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities include commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). Mortgage-backed securities are mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or issued by non-government entities, such as commercial banks and other private lenders. Mortgage-related securities represent ownership in pools of mortgage loans assembled for sale to investors by various government agencies such as the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and government-

 

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related organizations such as the FNMA and the FHLMC, as well as by non-government issuers such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers and private mortgage insurance companies. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not so secured. These securities differ from conventional bonds in that the principal is paid back to the investor as payments are made on the underlying mortgages in the pool. Accordingly, the Fund receives monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest along with any unscheduled principal prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Because these scheduled and unscheduled principal payments must be reinvested at prevailing interest rates, mortgage-backed securities do not provide an effective means of locking in long-term interest rates for the investor.

In addition, there are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities they issue. Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as Ginnie Maes) which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest. That guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. GNMA is a corporation wholly-owned by the U.S. government within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mortgage-related securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as Fannie Maes) and are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by FNMA itself and backed by a line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. FNMA is a government-sponsored entity (GSE) wholly-owned by public stockholders. Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as Freddie Macs) and are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by FHLMC itself and backed by a line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. FHLMC is a GSE wholly-owned by public stockholders.

Another type of mortgage-related security issued by GSEs, such as FNMA and FHLMC, is credit risk transfer securities. GSE credit risk transfer securities are unguaranteed and unsecured fixed or floating rate general obligations issued by GSEs, which are typically issued at par and have stated final maturities. In addition, GSE credit risk transfer securities are structured so that: (i) interest is paid directly by the issuing GSE; and (ii) principal is paid by the issuing GSE in accordance with the principal payments and default performance of a pool of residential mortgage loans acquired by the GSE. The issuing GSE selects the pool of mortgage loans based on that GSE’s eligibility criteria, and the performance of the credit risk transfer securities will be directly affected by the selection of such underlying mortgage loans.

GSE credit risk transfer securities are not directly linked to or backed by the underlying mortgage loans. Thus, although the payment of principal and interest on such securities is tied to the performance of the pool of underlying mortgage loans, in no circumstances will the actual cash flow from the underlying mortgage loans be paid or otherwise made available to the holders of the securities and the holders of the securities will have no interest in the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, in the event that a GSE fails to pay principal or interest on its credit risk transfer securities or goes through a bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding, holders of such credit risk transfer securities will have no direct recourse to the underlying mortgage loans. Such holders will receive recovery on par with other unsecured note holders (agency debentures) in such a scenario.

GSE credit risk transfer securities are issued in multiple tranches, which are allocated certain principal repayments and credit losses corresponding to the seniority of the particular tranche. Each tranche will have credit exposure to the underlying mortgage loans and the yield to maturity will be directly related to the amount and timing of certain defined credit events on the underlying mortgage loans, any prepayments by borrowers and any removals of a mortgage loan from the pool. Because credit risk exposure is allocated in accordance with the seniority of the particular tranche, principal losses will be first allocated to the most junior or subordinate tranches, thus making the most subordinate tranches subject to increased sensitivity to dramatic housing downturns. In addition, many credit risk transfer securities have collateral performance triggers (such as those based on credit enhancement, delinquencies or defaults) that could shut off principal payments to subordinate tranches.

The risks associated with an investment in GSE credit risk transfer securities will be different than the risks associated with an investment in mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs, because some or all of the

 

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mortgage default or credit risk associated with the underlying mortgage loans in credit risk transfer securities is transferred to investors, such as the Fund. As a result, investors in GSE credit risk transfer securities could lose some or all of their investment in these securities if the underlying mortgage loans default.

The Fund may also invest in credit risk transfer securities issued by private entities, such as banks or other financial institutions. Credit risk transfer securities issued by private entities are structured similarly to those issued by GSEs, and are generally subject to the same types of risks, including credit, prepayment, extension, interest rate and market risks.

On September 7, 2008, FNMA and FHLMC were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to provide stability in the financial markets, mortgage availability and taxpayer protection by preserving FNMA and FHLMC’s assets and property and putting FNMA and FHLMC in a sound and solvent position. Under the conservatorship, the management of FNMA and FHLMC was replaced.

Since 2009, both FNMA and FHLMC have received significant capital support through U.S. Treasury preferred stock purchases and Federal Reserve purchases of the entities’ mortgage-backed securities.

In February 2011, the Obama Administration produced a report to Congress outlining proposals to wind down FNMA and FHLMC and reduce the government’s role in the mortgage market. In December 2011, Congress enacted the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 which, among other provisions, requires that FNMA and FHLMC increase their single-family guaranty fees by at least 10 basis points and remit this increase to Treasury with respect to all loans acquired by FNMA or FHLMC on or after April 1, 2012 and before January 1, 2022. Discussions among policymakers continue, however, as to whether FNMA and FHLMC should be nationalized, privatized, restructured, or eliminated altogether. FNMA reported in the third quarter of 2016 that it expected continued significant uncertaintyregarding its future and the housing finance system, including how long FNMA will continue to exist in its current form, the extent of its role in the market, how long it will be in conservatorship, what form it will have and what ownership interest, if any, current common and preferred stockholders will hold after the conservatorship is terminated, and whether FNMA will continue to exist following conservatorship. FHLMC faces similar uncertainty about its future role. If FNMA and FHLMC are taken out of conservatorship, it is unclear how the capital structure of FNMA and FHLMC would be constructed and what effects, if any, there may be on FNMA’s and FHLMC’s creditworthiness and guarantees of certain mortgage-backed securities. It is also unclear whether the U.S. Treasury would continue to enforce its rights or perform its obligations related to senior preferred stock. Should FNMA’s and FHLMC’s conservatorship end, there could be an adverse impact on the value of their securities, which could cause Fund losses. FNMA and FHLMC also are the subject of several continuing legal actions and investigations over certain accounting, disclosure or corporate governance matters, which (along with any resulting financial restatements) may continue to have an adverse effect on the guaranteeing entities. Importantly, the future of the entities is in question as the U.S. government considers multiple options regarding the future of FNMA and FHLMC.

Under the direction of the FHFA, FNMA and FHLMC have entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of a uniform mortgage-backed security (the “Single Security Initiative”) that aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. The Single Security Initiative seeks to support the overall liquidity of the TBA market. FNMA and FHLMC began issuing uniform mortgage-backed security in June 2019, and while the initial effects of the issuance of uniform mortgage-backed securities on the market for mortgage-related securities have been relatively minimal, the long-term effects are still uncertain.

Asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales contracts or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements and from sales of personal property. Regular payments received on asset-backed securities include both interest and principal. Asset-backed securities typically have no U.S. Government backing. Additionally, the ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited.

If the Fund purchases a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security at a premium, the premium may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or

 

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prepayments in the underlying collateral. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. Although the value of a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages and loans underlying the securities are prone to prepayment, thereby shortening the average life of the security and shortening the period of time over which income at the higher rate is received. When interest rates are rising, the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the period of time over which income at the lower rate is received. For these and other reasons, a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security’s average maturity may be shortened or lengthened as a result of interest rate fluctuations and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return. In addition, while the trading market for short-term mortgages and asset-backed securities is ordinarily quite liquid, in times of financial stress the trading market for these securities may become restricted.

CMBS and RMBS generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related mortgage-backed securities because there are no direct or indirect government or government agency guarantees of payment. The risk of loss due to default on CMBS and RMBS is historically higher because neither the U.S. government nor an agency or instrumentality have guaranteed them. CMBS and RMBS whose underlying assets are neither U.S. government securities nor U.S. government insured mortgages, to the extent that real properties securing such assets may be located in the same geographical region, may also be subject to a greater risk of default than other comparable securities in the event of adverse economic, political or business developments that may affect such region and, ultimately, the ability of property owners to make payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages. Non-government mortgage-backed securities are generally subject to greater price volatility than those issued, guaranteed or sponsored by government entities because of the greater risk of default in adverse market conditions. Where a guarantee is provided by a private guarantor, the Fund is subject to the credit risk of such guarantor, especially when the guarantor doubles as the originator.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs). A CMO is a hybrid between a mortgage-backed bond and a mortgage pass-through security. A CMO is a type of mortgage-backed security that creates separate classes with varying maturities and interest rates, called tranches. Similar to a bond, interest and prepaid principal is paid, in most cases, semiannually. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans, but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC, or FNMA, and their income streams.

CMOs are structured into multiple classes, each bearing a different fixed or floating interest rate and stated maturity. Actual maturity and average life will depend upon the prepayment experience of the collateral. CMOs provide for a modified form of call protection through a de facto breakdown of the underlying pool of mortgages according to how quickly the loans are repaid. Monthly payment of principal received from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments, is first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class. Investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the first class has been retired. An investor is partially guarded against a sooner than desired return of principal because of the sequential payments.

In a typical CMO transaction, a corporation (issuer) issues multiple series (i.e., Series A, B, C and Z) of CMO bonds (Bonds). Proceeds of the Bond offering are used to purchase mortgages or mortgage pass-through certificates (Collateral). The Collateral is pledged to a third party trustee as security for the Bonds. Principal and interest payments from the Collateral are used to pay principal on the Bonds in the following order: Series A, B, C and Z. The Series A, B, and C Bonds all bear current interest. Interest on a Series Z Bond is accrued and added to principal and a like amount is paid as principal on the Series A, B, or C Bond is currently being paid off. Only after the Series A, B, and C Bonds are paid in full does the Series Z Bond begin to receive payment. With some CMOs, the issuer serves as a conduit to allow loan originators (primarily builders or savings and loan associations) to borrow against their loan portfolios.

CMOs that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities will be considered U.S. government securities by the Fund, while other CMOs, even if collateralized by U.S. government securities, will have the same status as other privately issued securities for purposes of applying the Fund’s diversification tests.

 

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FHLMC CMOs are debt obligations of FHLMC issued in multiple classes having different maturity dates which are secured by the pledge of a pool of conventional mortgage loans purchased by FHLMC. Payments of principal and interest on the FHLMC CMOs are made semiannually. The amount of principal payable on each semiannual payment date is determined in accordance with FHLMC’s mandatory sinking fund schedule, which, in turn, is equal to approximately 100% of FHA prepayment experience applied to the mortgage collateral pool. All sinking fund payments in the FHLMC CMOs are allocated to the retirement of the individual classes of bonds in the order of their stated maturities. Payment of principal on the mortgage loans in the collateral pool in excess of the amount of FHLMC’s minimum sinking fund obligation for any payment date are paid to the holders of the FHLMC CMOs as additional sinking fund payments. Because of the “pass-through” nature of all principal payments received on the collateral pool in excess of FHLMC’s minimum sinking fund requirement, the rate at which principal of the FHLMC CMOs is actually repaid is likely to be such that each class of bonds will be retired in advance of its scheduled maturity date. If collection of principal (including prepayments) on the mortgage loans during any semiannual payment period is not sufficient to meet the FHLMC CMO’s minimum sinking fund obligation on the next sinking fund payment date, FHLMC agrees to make up the deficiency from its general funds.

Classes of CMOs may also include interest only securities (IOs) and principal only securities (POs). IOs and POs are stripped mortgage-backed securities representing interests in a pool of mortgages the cash flow from which has been separated into interest and principal components. IOs receive the interest portion of the cash flow while POs receive the principal portion. IOs and POs can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. POs perform best when prepayments on the underlying mortgages rise since this increases the rate at which the investment is returned and the yield to maturity on the PO. When payments on mortgages underlying a PO are slow, the life of the PO is lengthened and the yield to maturity is reduced.

CMOs are generally subject to the same risks as mortgage-backed securities. In addition, CMOs may be subject to credit risk because the issuer or credit enhancer has defaulted on its obligations and the Fund may not receive all or part of its principal. Obligations issued by U.S. government-related entities are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The performance of private label mortgage-backed securities, issued by private institutions, is based on the financial health of those institutions. Although GNMA guarantees timely payment of GNMA certificates even if homeowners delay or default, tracking the “pass-through” payments may, at times, be difficult.

Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs). A CDO is a security backed by a pool of bonds, loans and other debt obligations. CDOs are not limited to investing in one type of debt and accordingly, a CDO may own corporate bonds, commercial loans, asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and emerging market debt. The CDO’s securities are typically divided into several classes, or bond tranches, that have differing levels of investment grade or credit tolerances. Most CDO issues are structured in a way that enables the senior bond classes and mezzanine classes to receive investment-grade credit ratings. Credit risk is shifted to the most junior class of securities. If any defaults occur in the assets backing a CDO, the senior bond classes are first in line to receive principal and interest payments, followed by the mezzanine classes and finally by the lowest rated (or non-rated) class, which is known as the equity tranche. Similar in structure to a collateralized mortgage obligation (described above) CDOs are unique in that they represent different types of debt and credit risk.

Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs). CLOs are debt instruments backed solely by a pool of other debt securities. The risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the CLO in which the Fund invests. Some CLOs have credit ratings, but are typically issued in various classes with various priorities. Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold (that is, they are not registered under the securities laws) and may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid investments; however, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs that qualify for Rule 144A transactions. In addition to the normal interest rate, default and other risks of fixed income securities, CLOs carry additional risks, including the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments, the quality of the

 

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collateral may decline in value or default the Fund may invest in CLOs that are subordinate to other classes, values may be volatile, and disputes with the issuer may produce unexpected investment results.

Credit Linked Notes (CLNs). A CLN is a security structured and issued by an issuer, which may be a bank, broker or special purpose vehicle. If a CLN is issued by a special purpose vehicle, the special purpose vehicle will typically be collateralized by AAA-rated securities, but some CLNs are not collateralized. The performance and payment of principal and interest is tied to that of a reference obligation which may be a particular security, basket of securities, credit default swap, basket of credit default swaps, or index. The reference obligation may be denominated in foreign currencies. Risks of CLNs include those risks associated with the underlying reference obligation including, but not limited to, market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, default risk and foreign currency risk. In the case of a CLN created with credit default swaps, the structure will be “funded” such that the par amount of the security will represent the maximum loss that could be incurred on the investment and no leverage is introduced. An investor in a CLN also bears counterparty risk or the risk that the issuer of the CLN will default or become bankrupt and not make timely payments of principal and interest on the structured security. Should the issuer default or declare bankruptcy, the CLN holder may not receive any compensation. In return for these risks, the CLN holder receives a higher yield. As with most derivative instruments, valuation of a CLN may be difficult due to the complexity of the security.

Bank Instruments. Bank instruments are unsecured interest bearing bank deposits. Bank instruments include, but are not limited to, certificates of deposit, time deposits, and banker’s acceptances from U.S. or foreign banks, as well as Eurodollar certificates of deposit (Eurodollar CDs) and Eurodollar time deposits of foreign branches of domestic banks. Some certificates of deposit are negotiable interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds, and can typically be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Other certificates of deposit, like time deposits, are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds which earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. A banker’s acceptance is a bill of exchange or time draft drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank.

An investment in Eurodollar CDs or Eurodollar time deposits may involve some of the same risks that are described for Foreign Securities.

Commercial Instruments. Commercial instruments include commercial paper, master notes and other short-term corporate instruments, that are denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies.

Commercial instruments are a type of instrument issued by large banks and corporations to raise money to meet their short-term debt obligations, and are only backed by the issuing bank or corporation’s promise to pay the face amount on the maturity date specified on the note. Commercial paper consists of short-term promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper may be traded in the secondary market after its issuance. Master notes are demand notes that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts of money at varying rates of interest pursuant to arrangements with issuers who meet certain credit quality criteria. The interest rate on a master note may fluctuate based on changes in specified interest rates or may be reset periodically according to a prescribed formula or may be a set rate. Although there is no secondary market in master notes, if such notes have a demand feature, the payee may demand payment of the principal amount of the note upon relatively short notice. Master notes are generally illiquid and therefore typically subject to the Fund’s percentage limitations for investments in illiquid investments. Commercial instruments may not be registered with the SEC.

Synthetic Municipal Instruments. Synthetic municipal instruments are instruments, the value of and return on which are derived from underlying securities. Synthetic municipal instruments in which the Fund may invest include tender option bonds, and fixed or variable rate trust certificates. These types of instruments involve the deposit into a trust or custodial account of one or more long-term tax-exempt bonds or notes (Underlying Bonds), and the sale of certificates evidencing interests in the trust or custodial account to investors such as the Fund. The trustee or custodian receives the long-term fixed rate interest payments on the Underlying Bonds, and pays certificate holders fixed rates or short-term floating or variable interest rates which are reset periodically. A “tender option bond” provides a certificate holder with the conditional right to sell its certificate to the sponsor or some designated third party at specified intervals and receive the par value of the certificate plus accrued interest

 

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(a demand feature). A “fixed rate trust certificateevidences an interest in a trust entitling a certificate holder to fixed future interest and/or principal payments on the Underlying Bonds. A “variable rate trust certificate” evidences an interest in a trust entitling the certificate holder to receive variable rate interest based on prevailing short-term interest rates and also typically provides the certificate holder with the conditional demand feature (the right to tender its certificate at par value plus accrued interest under certain conditions).

All synthetic municipal instruments must meet the minimum quality standards for the Fund’s investments and must present minimal credit risks. In selecting synthetic municipal instruments for the Fund, Invesco considers the creditworthiness of the issuer of the Underlying Bond, the sponsor and the party providing certificate holders with a conditional right to sell their certificates at stated times and prices (a demand feature).

Typically, a certificate holder cannot exercise the demand feature until the occurrence of certain conditions, such as where the issuer of the Underlying Bond defaults on interest payments. Moreover, because synthetic municipal instruments involve a trust or custodial account and a third party conditional demand feature, they involve complexities and potential risks that may not be present where a municipal security is owned directly.

The tax-exempt character of the interest paid to certificate holders is based on the assumption that the holders have an ownership interest in the Underlying Bonds; however, the IRS has not issued a ruling addressing this issue. In the event the IRS issues an adverse ruling or successfully litigates this issue, it is possible that the interest paid to the Fund on certain synthetic municipal instruments would be deemed to be taxable. The Fund relies on opinions of special tax counsel on this ownership question and opinions of bond counsel regarding the tax-exempt character of interest paid on the Underlying Bonds.

Municipal Securities. Municipal Securities are typically debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which, in the opinion of bond counsel or other counsel to the issuers of such securities, is, at the time of issuance, exempt from federal income tax. The issuers of municipal securities obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, housing, mass transportation, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities.

Certain types of municipal securities are issued to obtain funding for privately operated facilities. The credit and quality of private activity debt securities are dependent on the private facility or user, who is responsible for the interest payment and principal repayment.

The two major classifications of Municipal Securities are bonds and notes. Municipal bonds are municipal debt obligations in which the issuer is obligated to repay the original (or “principal”) payment amount on a certain maturity date along with interest. A municipal bond’s maturity date (the date when the issuer of the bond repays the principal) may be years in the future. Short-term bonds mature in one to three years, while long-term bonds usually do not mature for more than a decade. Notes are short-term instruments which usually mature in less than two years. Most notes are general obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. Municipal notes also include tax, revenue notes and revenue and bond anticipation notes (discussed more fully below) of short maturity, generally less than three years, which are issued to obtain temporary funds for various public purposes.

Municipal debt securities may also be classified as general obligation or revenue obligations (or special delegation securities). General obligation securities are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest.

Revenue debt obligations, such as revenue bonds and revenue notes, are usually payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source but not from the general taxing power. The principal and interest payments for industrial development bonds or pollution control bonds are often the sole responsibility of the industrial user and therefore may not be backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. The interest paid on such bonds may be exempt from federal income tax, although current federal tax laws place substantial

 

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limitations on the purposes and size of such issues. Such obligations are considered to be Municipal Securities provided that the interest paid thereon, in the opinion of bond counsel, qualifies as exempt from federal income tax. However, interest on municipal securities may give rise to a federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability for noncorporate taxpayers and may have other collateral federal income tax consequences. There is a risk that some or all of the interest received by the Fund from tax-exempt municipal securities might become taxable as a result of tax law changes or determinations of the IRS.

Another type of revenue obligations is pre-refunded bonds, which are typically issued to refinance debt. In other words, pre-refunded bonds result from the advance refunding of bonds that are not currently redeemable. The proceeds from the issue of the lower yield and/or longer maturing pre-refunding bond will usually be used to purchase U.S. government obligations, such as U.S. Treasury securities, which are held in an escrow account and used to pay interest and principal payments until the scheduled call date of the original bond issue occurs. Like other fixed income securities, pre-refunded bonds are subject to interest rate, market, credit, and reinvestment risks. However, because pre-refunded bonds are generally collateralized with U.S. government obligations, such pre-refunded bonds have essentially the same risks of default as a AAA-rated security. The Fund will treat such pre-refunded securities as investment-grade securities, notwithstanding the fact that the issuer of such securities may have a lower rating (such as a below-investment-grade rating) from one or more rating agencies.

Within these principal classifications of municipal securities, there are a variety of types of municipal securities, including but not limited to, fixed and variable rate securities, variable rate demand notes, municipal leases, custodial receipts, participation certificates, inverse floating rate securities, and derivative municipal securities.

After purchase by the Fund, an issue of Municipal Securities may cease to be rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or S&P Global Ratings Services (S&P), or another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or the rating of such a security may be reduced below the minimum credit quality rating required for purchase by the Fund. Neither event would require the Fund to dispose of the security. To the extent that the ratings applied by Moody’s, S&P or another NRSRO to Municipal Securities may change as a result of changes in these rating systems, the Fund will attempt to use comparable credit quality ratings as standards for its investments in Municipal Securities.

The yields on Municipal Securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including general economic and monetary conditions, money market factors, conditions of the Municipal Securities market, size of a particular offering, and maturity and rating of the obligation. Because many Municipal Securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those related to education, health care, transportation and various utilities, conditions in those sectors and the financial condition of an individual municipal issuer can affect the overall municipal market. The market values of the Municipal Securities held by the Fund will be affected by changes in the yields available on similar securities. If yields increase following the purchase of a Municipal Security, the market value of such Municipal Security will generally decrease. Conversely, if yields decrease, the market value of a Municipal Security will generally increase. The ratings of S&P and Moody’s represent their opinions of the quality of the municipal securities they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while municipal securities of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

Certain of the municipal securities in which the Fund may invest represent relatively recent innovations in the municipal securities markets and the markets for such securities may be less developed than the market for conventional fixed rate municipal securities.

Under normal market conditions, longer-term municipal securities generally provide a higher yield than shorter-term municipal securities. The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity of municipal securities in which it may invest. The Adviser may adjust the average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio from time to time depending on its assessment of the relative yields available on securities of different maturities and its expectations of future changes in interest rates.

 

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The net asset value of the Fund will change with changes in the value of its portfolio securities. With fixed income municipal securities, the net asset value of the Fund can be expected to change as general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a portfolio invested in fixed income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a portfolio invested in fixed income securities generally can be expected to decline. The prices of longer term municipal securities generally are more volatile with respect to changes in interest rates than the prices of shorter term municipal securities. Volatility may be greater during periods of general economic uncertainty.

Municipal Securities, like other debt obligations, are subject to the credit risk of nonpayment. The ability of issuers of municipal securities to make timely payments of interest and principal may be adversely impacted in general economic downturns and as relative governmental cost burdens are allocated and reallocated among federal, state and local governmental units. Such nonpayment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, and could result in a reduction in the value of the municipal securities experiencing nonpayment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Fund. In addition, the Fund may incur expenses to work out or restructure a distressed or defaulted security.

The Fund may invest in Municipal Securities with credit enhancements such as letters of credit and municipal bond insurance. The Fund may invest in Municipal Securities that are insured by financial insurance companies. Since a limited number of entities provide such insurance, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in securities insured by the same insurance company. If the Fund invests in Municipal Securities backed by insurance companies and other financial institutions, changes in the financial condition of these institutions could cause losses to the Fund and affect share price. Letters of credit are issued by a third party, usually a bank, to enhance liquidity and ensure repayment of principal and any accrued interest if the underlying Municipal Bond should default. These credit enhancements do not guarantee payments or repayments on the Municipal Securities and a downgrade in the credit enhancer could affect the value of the Municipal Security. If the IRS determines that an issuer of a Municipal Security has not complied with applicable tax requirements, interest from the security could be treated as taxable, which could result in a decline in the security’s value. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on Municipal Securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of Municipal Securities. For example, 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repeals the exclusion from gross income for interest on pre-refunded municipal securities effective for such bonds issued after December 31, 2017.

Taxable municipal securities are debt securities issued by or on behalf of states and their political subdivisions, the District of Columbia, and possessions of the United States, the interest on which is not exempt from federal income tax. Taxable investments include, for example, hedging instruments, repurchase agreements, and many of the types of securities the Fund would buy for temporary defensive purposes.

At times, in connection with the restructuring of a municipal bond issuer either outside of bankruptcy court in a negotiated workout or in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, the Fund may determine or be required to accept equity or taxable debt securities, or the underlying collateral (which may include real estate or loans) from the issuer in exchange for all or a portion of the Fund’s holdings in the municipal security. Although the Adviser will attempt to sell those assets as soon as reasonably practicable in most cases, depending upon, among other things, the Adviser’s valuation of the potential value of such assets in relation to the price that could be obtained by the Fund at any given time upon sale thereof, the Fund may determine to hold such securities or assets in its portfolio for limited period of time in order to liquidate the assets in a manner that maximizes their value to the Fund.

Municipal Securities also include the following securities:

 

   

Bond Anticipation Notes usually are general obligations of state and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for projects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term debt obligations or bonds.

 

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Revenue Anticipation Debt Securities, including bonds, notes, and certificates, are issued by governments or governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a designated source will be used to repay the securities. In general, they also constitute general obligations of the issuer.

 

   

Tax Anticipation Notes are issued by state and local governments to finance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues.

 

   

Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (Municipal Paper) is similar to taxable commercial paper, except that tax-exempt commercial paper is issued by states, municipalities and their agencies.

 

   

Tax-Exempt Mandatory Paydown Securities (TEMPS) are fixed rate term bonds carrying a short-term maturity, usually three to four years beyond the expected redemption. TEMPS are structured as bullet repayments, with required optional redemptions as entrance fees are collected.

 

   

Zero Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Securities do not immediately produce cash income. These securities are issued at an original issue discount, with the full value, including accrued interest, paid at maturity. Interest income may be reportable annually, even though no annual payments are made. Market prices of zero coupon bonds tend to be more volatile than bonds that pay interest regularly. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. Zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular interest payment periods. Prices on non-cash-paying instruments may be more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s financial condition, fluctuation in interest rates and market demand/supply imbalances than cash-paying securities with similar credit ratings, and thus may be more speculative. Special tax considerations are associated with investing in certain lower-grade securities, such as zero coupon or pay-in-kind securities.

 

   

Capital Appreciation Bonds are municipal securities in which the investment return on the initial principal payment is reinvested at a compounded rate until the bond matures. The principal and interest are due on maturity. Thus, like zero coupon securities, investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks.

 

   

Payments in lieu of taxes (also known as PILOTs) are voluntary payments by, for instance the U.S. government or nonprofits, to local governments that help offset losses in or otherwise serve as a substitute for property taxes.

 

   

Converted Auction Rate Securities (CARS) are a structure that combines the debt service deferral feature of Capital Appreciation Bonds (CABS) with Auction Rate Securities. The CARS pay no debt service until a specific date, then they incrementally convert to conventional Auction Rate Securities. At each conversion date the issuer has the ability to call and pay down any amount of the CARS.

Some bonds may be “callable,” allowing the issuer to redeem them before their maturity date. To protect bondholders, callable bonds may be issued with provisions that prevent them from being called for a period of time. Typically, that is 5 to 10 years from the issuance date. When interest rates decline, if the call protection on a bond has expired, it is more likely that the issuer may call the bond. If that occurs, the Fund might have to reinvest the proceeds of the called bond in investments that pay a lower rate of return, which could reduce the Fund’s yield.

Inverse Floating Rate Obligations. Inverse floating rate obligations are variable rate debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. Because the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations is generally determined by subtracting a variable or floating rate from a predetermined fixed rate, the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations will decrease as such variable or floating rate increases and increase as such variable or floating rate decreases. The inverse floating rate obligations in which the Fund may invest include residual interest bonds, tender option bonds (TOBs) or municipal bond trust certificates. Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust (the TOB Trust) that holds long-term fixed rate bonds, which are sold by the Fund to the TOB Trust (the “underlying

 

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security”), and that in turns sells two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests, which are sold to or held by third party investors (Floaters), and inverse floating residual interests, which are purchased by the Fund (Residuals). The Floaters have first priority on the cash flow from the underlying security held by the TOB Trust, have a tender option feature that allows holders to tender the Floaters back to the TOB Trust for their par value at specified intervals and bear interest at prevailing short-term interest rates. The Fund (as holder of the Residuals) is paid the residual cash flow from the bonds held by the TOB Trust. As such, the Residuals provide the Fund with leveraged exposure to the underlying security. Like most other fixed-income securities, the value of Residuals will decrease as interest rates increase. They are more volatile, however, than most other fixed-income securities because the value of a Residual typically changes at a multiple of the change in the value of the underlying security. Thus, any increase in interest rates causes a correspondingly greater drop in the value of a Residual while a drop in interest rates causes a correspondingly greater increase in the value of a Residual. Inverse floating rate obligations tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Inverse floating rate obligations have varying degrees of liquidity.

The primary risks associated with Residuals are varying degrees of liquidity and decreases in the value of such securities in response to changes in interest rates to a greater extent than fixed rate securities having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity, which may cause the Fund’s net asset value to be more volatile than if it had not invested in the Residuals. In certain instances, the Floaters created by the TOB Trust may not be able to be sold to third parties or, in the case of holders tendering such Floaters for repayment of principal, may not be able to be remarketed to third parties. In such cases, the TOB Trust may be collapsed, with the underlying security (or a portion thereof) sold by the TOB Trust to pay such holders, and the Fund may be required to repay the principal amount of the tendered Floaters not fully redeemed by the liquidation proceeds, (which may require the Fund to sell other portfolio holdings to raise cash to meet that obligation). The Fund could therefore be required to sell other portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time or price to raise cash to meet this obligation, which risk will be heightened during times of market volatility, illiquidity or uncertainty. The embedded leverage in the TOB Trust could cause the Fund to lose more money than the amount it has invested in the Residual, and greater levels of leverage create the potential for greater losses. In addition, the Fund may enter into reimbursement agreements with the liquidity provider of certain TOB transactions in connection with certain Residuals held by the Fund. These agreements commit the Fund to reimburse the liquidity provider to the extent that the liquidity provider must provide cash to a TOB Trust, including following the collapse of a TOB Trust resulting from a mandatory tender event. The reimbursement agreement will effectively make the Fund liable for the amount of the negative difference, if any, between the liquidation value of the underlying security and the purchase price of the Floaters issued by the TOB Trust.

Final rules implementing section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Volcker Rule”) prohibit banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading of certain instruments and limit such entities’ investments in, and relationships with, “covered funds”, as defined in the rules. These rules preclude banking entities and their affiliates from sponsoring and/or providing certain services to TOB Trusts, which constitute covered funds under the Volcker Rule. A new TOB structure is being utilized by the Fund wherein the Fund, as holder of the Residuals, will perform certain duties previously performed by banking entities as “sponsors” of TOB Trusts. These duties may alternatively be performed by a non-bank third-party service provider. The Fund’s expanded role under the new TOB structure may increase its operational and regulatory risk. The new structure is substantially similar to the previous structure; however, pursuant to the Volcker Rule, the remarketing agent would not be able to repurchase tendered Floaters for its own account upon a failed remarketing. In the event of a failed remarketing, a banking entity serving as liquidity provider may loan the necessary funds to the TOB Trust to purchase the tendered Floaters. The TOB Trust, not the Fund, would be the borrower and the loan from the liquidity provider will be secured by the purchased floaters now held by the TOB Trust. However, as previously described, the Fund would bear the risk of loss with respect to any liquidity shortfall to the extent it entered into a reimbursement agreement with the liquidity provider.

Further, the SEC and various banking agencies have adopted rules implementing credit risk retention requirements for asset-backed securities (the Risk Retention Rules), which apply to TOB Trusts. The Risk

 

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Retention Rules require the sponsor of a TOB Trust, which is deemed to be the Fund, to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the underlying security held by the TOB Trust. As applicable, the Fund has adopted policies intended to comply with the Risk Retention Rules. The Risk Retention Rules may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to engage in TOB Trust transactions or increase the costs of such transactions in certain circumstances.

There can be no assurances that the new TOB structure will continue to be a viable form of leverage. Further, there can be no assurances that alternative forms of leverage will be available to the Fund in order to maintain current levels of leverage. Any alternative forms of leverage may be less advantageous to the Fund, and may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value, distribution rate and ability to achieve its investment objective.

Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations are issued by state and local governments or authorities to finance the acquisition of land, equipment and facilities, such as state and municipal vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment, and other capital assets. Municipal lease obligations, which are a type of Municipal Security, may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract or a conditional sales contract. Interest payments on qualifying municipal lease obligations are generally exempt from federal income taxes.

Municipal lease obligations are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds. State laws set forth requirements that states or municipalities must meet in order to issue municipal obligations, and such obligations may contain a covenant by the issuer to budget for, appropriate, and make payments due under the obligation. However, certain municipal lease obligations may contain “non-appropriationclauses which provide that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. If not enough money is appropriated to make the lease payments, the leased property may be repossessed as security for holders of the municipal lease obligation. In such an event, there is no assurance that the property’s private sector or re-leasing value will be enough to make all outstanding payments on the municipal lease obligation or that the payments will continue to be tax-free. Additionally, it may be difficult to dispose of the underlying capital asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default. Direct investments by the Fund in municipal lease obligations may be deemed illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund’s percentage limitations for illiquid investments and the risks of holding illiquid investments.

Municipal Forward Contracts. A municipal forward contract is an agreement by the Fund to purchase a Municipal Security on a when-issued basis with a longer-than-standard settlement period, in some cases with the settlement date taking place up to five years from the date of purchase. Municipal forward contracts typically carry a substantial yield premium to compensate the buyer for the risks associated with a long when-issued period, including shifts in market interest rates that could materially impact the principal value of the bond, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer, loss of alternative investment options during the when-issued period and failure of the issuer to complete various steps required to issue the bonds.

Tobacco Related Bonds. The Fund may invest in two types of tobacco related bonds: (i) tobacco settlement revenue bonds, for which payments of interest and principal are made solely from a state’s interest in the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) and (ii) tobacco bonds subject to a state’s appropriation pledge, for which payments may come from both the MSA revenue and the applicable state’s appropriation pledge.

Tobacco Settlement Revenue Bonds. Tobacco settlement revenue bonds are secured by an issuing state’s proportionate share in the MSA, a litigation settlement agreement reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and six other U.S. jurisdictions and the four largest U.S. tobacco manufacturers at that time. Subsequently, a number of smaller tobacco manufacturers signed on to the MSA, which provides for annual payments by the manufacturers to the states and other jurisdictions in perpetuity. The MSA established a base payment schedule and a formula for adjusting payments each year. Tobacco manufacturers pay into a master escrow trust based on their market share and each state receives a fixed percentage of the payment.

A number of states have securitized the future flow of those payments by selling bonds, some through distinct governmental entities created for such purpose. The bonds are backed by the future revenue flows from the tobacco manufacturers. Annual payments on the bonds, and thus the risk to the Fund, are highly dependent on

 

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the receipt of future settlement payments. The amount of future settlement payments is dependent on many factors including, but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, cigarette consumption, inflation and the financial capability of participating tobacco companies. As a result, payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be reduced if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline. A market share loss by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers could also cause a downward adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or reductions in bond payments, which could affect the Fund’s net asset value.

On June 22, 2009, President Obama signed into law the “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act” which extends the authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to encompass the regulation of tobacco products. Among other things, the legislation authorizes the FDA to adopt product standards for tobacco products, restrict advertising of tobacco products, and impose stricter warning labels. FDA regulation of tobacco products could result in greater decreases in tobacco consumption than originally forecasted. On August 31, 2009, a number of tobacco manufacturers filed suit in federal court in Kentucky alleging that certain of the provisions of the FDA Tobacco Act restricting the advertising and marketing of tobacco products are inconsistent with the freedom of speech guarantees of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The suit does not challenge Congress’ decision to give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco products or the vast majority of the provisions of the law.

Because tobacco settlement bonds are backed by payments from the tobacco manufacturers, and generally not by the credit of the state or local government issuing the bonds, their creditworthiness depends on the ability of tobacco manufacturers to meet their obligations. A market share loss by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers could also cause a downward adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or reductions in bond payments, which could affect the Fund’s net asset value.

The MSA and tobacco manufacturers have been and continue to be subject to various legal claims. An adverse outcome to any litigation matters relating to the MSA or affecting tobacco manufacturers could adversely affect the payment streams associated with the MSA or cause delays or reductions in bond payments by tobacco manufacturers. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges and has, to date, withstood those challenges.

Tobacco Subject to Appropriation (STA) Bonds. In addition to the tobacco settlement bonds discussed above, the Fund also may invest in tobacco related bonds that are subject to a state’s appropriation pledge (“STA Tobacco Bonds”). STA Tobacco Bonds rely on both the revenue source from the MSA and a state appropriation pledge.

These STA Tobacco Bonds are part of a larger category of municipal bonds that are subject to state appropriation. Although specific provisions may vary among states, “subject to appropriation bonds” (also referred to as “appropriation debt”) are typically payable from two distinct sources: (i) a dedicated revenue source such as a municipal enterprise, a special tax or, in the case of tobacco bonds, the MSA funds, and (ii) the issuer’s general funds. Appropriation debt differs from a state’s general obligation debt in that general obligation debt is backed by the state’s full faith, credit and taxing power, while appropriation debt requires the state to pass a specific periodic appropriation to pay interest and/or principal on the bonds as the payments come due. The appropriation is usually made annually. While STA Tobacco Bonds offer an enhanced credit support feature, that feature is generally not an unconditional guarantee of payment by a state and states generally do not pledge the full faith, credit or taxing power of the state.

Litigation Challenging the MSA. The participating manufacturers and states in the MSA are subject to several pending lawsuits challenging the MSA and/or related state legislation or statutes adopted by the states to implement the MSA (referred to herein as the “MSA-related legislation”). One or more of the lawsuits allege, among other things, that the MSA and/or the states’ MSA-related legislation are void or unenforceable under the Commerce Clause and certain other provisions of the U.S. Constitution, the federal antitrust laws, federal civil rights laws, state constitutions, consumer protection laws and unfair competition laws.

 

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To date, challenges to the MSA or the states’ MSA-related legislation have not been ultimately successful, although several such challenges have survived initial appellate review of motions to dismiss or have proceeded to a stage of litigation where the ultimate outcome may be determined by, among other things, findings of fact based on extrinsic evidence as to the operation and impact of the MSA and the states’ MSA- related legislation.

The MSA and states’ MSA-related legislation may also continue to be challenged in the future. A determination that the MSA or states’ MSA-related legislation is void or unenforceable would have a material adverse effect on the payments made by the participating manufacturers under the MSA.

Litigation Seeking Monetary Relief from Tobacco Industry Participants. The tobacco industry has been the target of litigation for many years. Both individual and class action lawsuits have been brought by or on behalf of smokers alleging that smoking has been injurious to their health, and by non-smokers alleging harm from environmental tobacco smoke, also known as “secondhand smoke.” Plaintiffs seek various forms of relief, including compensatory and punitive damages aggregating billions of dollars, treble/multiple damages and other statutory damages and penalties, creation of medical monitoring and smoking cessation funds, disgorgement of profits, legal fees, and injunctive and equitable relief.

The MSA does not release participating manufacturers from liability in either individual or class action cases. Healthcare cost recovery cases have also been brought by governmental and non-governmental healthcare providers seeking, among other things, reimbursement for healthcare expenditures incurred in connection with the treatment of medical conditions allegedly caused by smoking. The participating manufacturers are also exposed to liability in these cases, because the MSA only settled healthcare cost recovery claims of the participating states. Litigation has also been brought against certain participating manufacturers and their affiliates in foreign countries.

The ultimate outcome of any pending or future lawsuit is uncertain. Verdicts of substantial magnitude that are enforceable as to one or more participating manufacturers, if they occur, could encourage commencement of additional litigation, or could negatively affect perceptions of potential triers of fact with respect to the tobacco industry, possibly to the detriment of pending litigation. An unfavorable outcome or settlement or one or more adverse judgments could result in a decision by the affected participating manufacturers to substantially increase cigarette prices, thereby reducing cigarette consumption beyond the forecasts under the MSA. In addition, the financial condition of any or all of the participating manufacturer defendants could be materially and adversely affected by the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, including bonding and litigation costs or a verdict or verdicts awarding substantial compensatory or punitive damages. Depending upon the magnitude of any such negative financial impact (and irrespective of whether the participating manufacturer is thereby rendered insolvent), an adverse outcome in one or more of the lawsuits could substantially impair the affected participating manufacturer’s ability to make payments under the MSA.

Investments in Municipal Preferred Shares Issued by a Closed-End Fund. Closed-end funds (which are a type of investment company) may issue municipal preferred shares, subject to the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, to raise capital that can be used to purchase more securities for its portfolio. While these municipal preferred shares are equity securities that have a fixed, monthly dividend rate payable from the company’s earnings, their fixed dividend rate, among other features, causes preferred shares to have similar characteristics to debt securities. Income earned from investments in these preferred shares is expected to be exempt from federal income taxes.

If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred shares may be less attractive and the price of those securities will likely decline. If interest rates fall their price will likely increase. In addition to interest rate risk, investments in municipal preferred shares issued by a closed-end fund may be subject to credit risk, early redemption risk and reinvestment risk. Municipal preferred shares have provisions for their redemption prior to maturity which can have a negative effect on their prices when interest rates fall. Although these municipal preferred shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, there is a risk that the market for these shares may be thinly traded and relatively illiquid compared to the market for other types of securities.

 

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The Fund may pay transaction fees in connection with acquiring or disposing of the preferred shares. The Fund does not intend to invest in these investment companies unless the Adviser believes that the potential benefits of an investment justify any transaction fees.

Although these municipal preferred shares do not constitute a liability of the issuer and therefore do not offer the same degree of capital protection as debt securities, the municipal preferred shares rank ahead of common stock in claims for dividends and for assets of the issuer in a liquidation or bankruptcy. Investments in other investment companies are subject to limits set forth in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund cannot invest more than 5% of its total assets in any single closed-end fund or other investment company and cannot invest in aggregate more than 10% of its total assets in multiple closed-end funds and other investment companies.

Land-Secured or “Dirt” Bonds. The Fund may invest in municipal securities that are issued in connection with special taxing districts that are organized to plan and finance infrastructure development to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bonds financed by these methods, such as tax assessment, special tax or tax increment financing generally are payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds, without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities.

These projects often are exposed to real estate development-related risks, such as the failure of property development, unavailability of financing, extended vacancies of properties, increased competition, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, lessening demand for properties, and changes in interest rates. These real estate risks may be heightened if a project were subject to foreclosure. Additionally, upon foreclosure the Fund might be required to pay certain maintenance or operating expenses or taxes relating to such projects. These expenses could increase the overall expenses of the Fund and reduce its returns.

In addition, the bonds financing these projects may have more taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings generally are limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if a development failed to progress as anticipated or if taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the projects.

Investment Grade Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations and U.S. commercial banks, U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers or debt obligations of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies.

The Adviser considers investment grade securities to include: (i) securities rated BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or an equivalent rating by another NRSRO, (ii) short-term securities with comparable NRSRO ratings, or (iii) unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. The descriptions of debt securities ratings are found in Appendix A.

In choosing corporate debt securities on behalf of the Fund, portfolio managers may consider:

i.     general economic and financial conditions;

ii.    the specific issuer’s (a) business and management, (b) cash flow, (c) earnings coverage of interest and dividends, (d) ability to operate under adverse economic conditions, (e) fair market value of assets, and (f) in the case of foreign issuers, unique political, economic or social conditions applicable to such issuer’s country; and,

iii.    other considerations deemed appropriate.

Debt securities are subject to a variety of risks, such as interest rate risk, income risk, prepayment risk, inflation risk, credit risk, currency risk and default risk.

Non-Investment Grade Debt Obligations (Junk Bonds). Bonds rated below or determined to be below investment grade (as defined above in “Investment Grade Debt Obligations”) are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Analysis of the creditworthiness of junk bond issuers is more complex than that of investment-grade issuers and the success of the Fund’s adviser in managing these decisions is more dependent upon its own credit analysis than is the case with investment-grade bonds.

 

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The capacity of junk bonds to pay interest and repay principal is considered speculative. While junk bonds may provide an opportunity for greater income and gains, they are subject to greater risks than higher-rated debt securities. The prices of and yields on junk bonds may fluctuate to a greater extent than those of higher-rated debt securities. Junk bonds are generally more sensitive to individual issuer developments, economic conditions and regulatory changes than higher-rated bonds. Issuers of junk bonds are often smaller, less-seasoned companies or companies that are highly leveraged with more traditional methods of financing unavailable to them. Junk bonds are generally at a higher risk of default because such issues are often unsecured or otherwise subordinated to claims of the issuer’s other creditors. If a junk bond issuer defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The secondary markets in which junk bonds are traded may be thin and less liquid than the market for higher-rated debt securities and the Fund may have difficulty selling certain junk bonds at the desired time and price. Less liquidity in secondary trading markets could adversely affect the price at which the Fund could sell a particular junk bond, and could cause large fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. The lack of a liquid secondary market may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations in valuing junk bond assets and elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation.

Floating Rate Corporate Loans and Corporate Debt Securities. Floating rate loans consist generally of obligations of companies and other entities (collectively, borrowers) incurred for the purpose of reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a borrower; acquiring another company; taking over control of a company (leveraged buyout); temporary refinancing; or financing internal growth or other general business purposes. Floating rate loans are often obligations of borrowers who have incurred a significant percentage of debt compared to equity issued and thus are highly leveraged.

Floating rate loans may include both term loans, which are generally fully funded at the time of the Fund’s investment, and revolving loans, which may require the Fund to make additional investments in the loans as required under the terms of the loan agreement. A revolving credit loan agreement may require the Fund to increase its investment in a loan at a time when the Fund might not otherwise have done so, even if the borrower’s condition makes it unlikely that the loan will be repaid.

A floating rate loan is generally offered as part of a lending syndicate to banks and other financial institutions and is administered in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement by an agent bank who is responsible for collection of principal and interest and fee payments from the borrower and apportioning those payments to all lenders who are parties to the agreement. Typically, the agent is given broad discretion to enforce the loan agreement and is compensated by the borrower for its services.

Floating rate loans may be acquired by direct investment as a lender at the inception of the loan or by assignment of a portion of a floating rate loan previously made to a different lender or by purchase of a participation interest. If the Fund makes a direct investment in a loan as one of the lenders, it generally acquires the loan at par. This means the Fund receives a return at the full interest rate for the loan. If the Fund acquires its interest in loans in the secondary market or acquires a participation interest, the loans may be purchased or sold above, at, or below par, which can result in a yield that is below, equal to, or above the stated interest rate of the loan. At times, the Fund may be able to invest in floating rate loans only through assignments or participations.

A participation interest represents a fractional interest in a floating rate loan held by the lender selling the Fund the participation interest. In the case of participations, the Fund will not have any direct contractual relationship with the borrower, the Fund’s rights to consent to modifications of the loan are limited and it is dependent upon the participating lender to enforce the Fund’s rights upon a default.

The Fund may be subject to the credit of both the agent and the lender from whom the Fund acquires a participation interest. These credit risks may include delay in receiving payments of principal and interest paid by the borrower to the agent or, in the case of a participation, offsets by the lender’s regulator against payments received from the borrower. In the event of the borrower’s bankruptcy, the borrower’s obligation to repay the floating rate loan may be subject to defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent.

 

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Historically, floating rate loans have not been registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any securities exchange. As a result, the amount of public information available about a specific floating rate loan has been historically less extensive than if the floating rate loan were registered or exchange traded.

Although loan investments are generally subject to certain restrictive covenants in favor of the investor, certain of the loans in which the Fund may invest may be issued or offered as “covenant lite” loans, which have few or no financial maintenance covenants. “Financial maintenance covenants” are those that require a borrower to maintain certain financial metrics during the life of the loan, such as maintaining certain levels of cash flow or limiting leverage. These covenants are included to permit the lender to monitor the borrower’s performance and declare an event of default if breached, allowing the lender to renegotiate the terms of the loan or take other actions intended to help mitigate losses. Accordingly, the Fund may experience relatively greater difficulty or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant lite loans than its holdings of loans or securities with financial maintenance covenants, which may result in losses to the Fund, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle. Although covenant lite loans contain few or no financial maintenance covenants, information necessary to monitor a borrower’s financial performance may be available without covenants to lenders and the public alike, and can be used to detect such early warning signs as deterioration of a borrower’s financial condition or results. When such information is available, the Adviser will seek to take appropriate action without the help of covenants in the loans.

Floating rate debt securities are typically in the form of notes or bonds issued in public or private placements in the securities markets. Floating rate debt securities will typically have substantially similar terms to floating rate loans, but will not be in the form of participations or assignments.

The floating rate loans and debt securities in which the Fund invests will, in most instances, be secured and senior to other indebtedness of the borrower. Each floating rate loan and debt security will generally be secured by collateral such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, real estate, intangible assets such as trademarks, copyrights and patents, and securities of subsidiaries or affiliates. The value of the collateral generally will be determined by reference to financial statements of the borrower, by an independent appraisal, by obtaining the market value of such collateral, in the case of cash or securities if readily ascertainable, or by other customary valuation techniques considered appropriate by Invesco and/or the Sub-Advisers. The value of collateral may decline after the Fund’s investment, and collateral may be difficult to sell in the event of default. Consequently, the Fund may not receive all the payments to which it is entitled. The Fund’s assets may be invested in unsecured floating rate loans and debt securities or subordinated floating rate loans and debt securities, which may or may not be secured. If the borrower defaults on an unsecured loan or security, there is no specific collateral on which the lender can foreclose. If the borrower defaults on a subordinated loan or security, the collateral may not be sufficient to cover both the senior and subordinated loans and securities.

Most borrowers pay their debts from cash flow generated by their businesses. If a borrower’s cash flow is insufficient to pay its debts, it may attempt to restructure its debts rather than sell collateral. Borrowers may try to restructure their debts by filing for protection under the federal bankruptcy laws or negotiating a work-out. If a borrower becomes involved in a bankruptcy proceeding, access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws. If a court decides that access to collateral is limited or voidable, the Fund may not recover the full amount of principal and interest that is due.

A borrower must comply with certain restrictive covenants contained in the loan agreement or indenture (in the case of floating rate debt securities). In addition to requiring the scheduled payment of principal and interest, these covenants may include restrictions on the payment of dividends and other distributions to the borrower’s shareholders, provisions requiring compliance with specific financial ratios, and limits on total indebtedness. The agreement may also require the prepayment of the floating rate loans or debt securities from excess cash flow. A breach of a covenant that is not waived by the agent (or lenders directly) is normally an event of default, which provides the agent and lenders the right to call for repayment of the outstanding floating rate loan or debt security.

Purchasers of floating rate loans may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments and may include commitment fees, facility fees, and prepayment penalty fees. When the Fund buys a

 

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floating rate loan, it may receive a facility fee, and when it sells a floating rate loan, it may pay an assignment fee.

It is expected that the majority of floating rate loans and debt securities will have stated maturities of three to ten years. However, because floating rate loans and debt securities are frequently prepaid, it is expected that the average maturity will be three to five years. The degree to which borrowers prepay floating rate loans and debt securities, whether as a contractual requirement or at the borrower’s election, may be affected by general business conditions, the borrower’s financial condition and competitive conditions among lenders. Prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Prepayments may result in the Fund investing in floating rate loans and debt securities with lower yields.

Investments in loans, loan participations and assignments present the possibility that the Fund could be held liable as a co-lender under emerging legal theories of lender liability. The Fund anticipates that loans, loan participations and assignments could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. If there is no active secondary market for a loan, it may be more difficult to sell the interests in such a loan at a price that is acceptable or to even obtain pricing information. In addition, some loans, loan participations and assignments may not be rated by major rating agencies. Loans held by the Fund might not be considered securities for the purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and therefore a risk exists that purchasers, such as the Fund may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud provisions of those Acts.

Loans, Loan Participations and Assignments. Loans and loan participations are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other borrowers to another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates, to suppliers of goods or services, or to other parties. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. In addition, the Fund’s rights to consent to modifications of the loan are limited and it is dependent upon the participating lender to enforce the Fund’s rights upon a default. As a result, the Fund will be subject to the credit risk of the borrower, the lender, and the agent who is responsible for collection of principal and interest and fee payments from the borrower and apportioning those payments to all lenders who are parties to the loan agreement. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower. Credit risks relating to the agent may include delay in receiving payments of principal and interest paid by the borrower to the agent. In the event of the borrower’s bankruptcy, the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan may be subject to defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent.

When the Fund purchases assignments from lenders, it acquires direct rights against the borrower on the loan. However, because assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. In addition, if the loan is foreclosed, the Fund could be part owner of any collateral and could bear the costs and liabilities of owning and disposing of the collateral.

Investments in loans, loan participations and assignments present the possibility that the Fund could be held liable as a co-lender under emerging legal theories of lender liability. The Fund anticipates that loans, loan participations and assignments could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. If there is no active secondary market for a loan, it may be more difficult to sell the interests in such a loan at a price that is acceptable or to even obtain pricing information. In addition, some loans, loan participations and assignments may not be rated by major rating agencies. Loans held by the Fund might not be considered securities for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), or the Exchange Act and therefore a risk exists that purchasers, such as the Fund, may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud provisions of those Acts.

 

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The secondary market for certain floating rate loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods (in some cases, longer than seven days).

Public Bank Loans. Public bank loans are privately negotiated loans for which information about the issuer has been made publicly available. Public loans are made by banks or other financial institutions, and may be rated investment grade (as defined above in “Investment Grade Debt Obligations”) or below investment grade. However, public bank loans are not registered under the 1933 Act and are not publicly traded. They usually are second lien loans normally lower in priority of payment to senior loans, but have seniority in a company’s capital structure to other claims, such as subordinated corporate bonds or publicly-issued equity so that in the event of bankruptcy or liquidation, the company is required to pay down these second lien loans prior to such other lower-ranked claims on their assets. Bank loans normally pay floating rates that reset frequently, and as a result, protect investors from increases in interest rates.

Bank loans generally are negotiated between a borrower and several financial institutional lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders, monitoring any collateral, and collecting principal and interest on the loan. By investing in a loan, the Fund becomes a member of a syndicate of lenders. Certain bank loans are illiquid, meaning the Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. Illiquid investments are also difficult to value. To the extent a bank loan has been deemed illiquid, it will be subject to the Fund’s restrictions on illiquid investments. The secondary market for bank loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.

Bank loans are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the loan, and a potential decrease in the Fund’s net asset value. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates. Bank loans are subject to the risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments. As discussed above, however, because bank loans reside higher in the capital structure than high yield bonds, default losses have been historically lower in the bank loan market. Bank loans that are rated below investment grade share the same risks of other below investment grade securities.

Structured Notes and Indexed Securities. Structured notes are derivative debt instruments, the interest rate or principal of which is linked to currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (reference instruments). Indexed securities may include structured notes and other securities wherein the interest rate or principal is determined by a reference instrument.

Most structured notes and indexed securities are fixed income securities that have maturities of three years or less. The interest rate or the principal amount payable at maturity of an indexed security may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared with a fixed interest rate. The reference instrument need not be related to the terms of the indexed security. Structured notes and indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed (i.e., their principal value or interest rates may increase or decrease if the underlying reference instrument appreciates), and may have return characteristics similar to direct investments in the underlying reference instrument or to one or more options on the underlying reference instrument.

Structured notes and indexed securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference instrument. Structured notes or indexed securities also may be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt securities. In addition to the credit risk of the structured note or indexed security’s issuer and the normal risks of price changes in response to changes in interest rates, the principal amount of structured notes or indexed securities may decrease as a result of changes in the value of the underlying reference instruments. Further, in the case of certain structured notes or indexed securities in which the interest rate, or exchange rate in the case of currency, is linked to a reference instrument, the rate may be

 

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increased or decreased or the terms may provide that, under certain circumstances, the principal amount payable on maturity may be reduced to zero resulting in a loss to the Fund.

Senior Secured Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in senior secured floating rate loans and senior secured floating rate debt instruments made to or issued by borrowers (which may include U.S. and non-U.S. companies) that (i) have variable rates which adjust to a base rate, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), on set dates, typically every 30 days but not to exceed one year; and/or (ii) have interest rates that float at a margin above a generally recognized base lending rate such as the Prime Rate of a designated U.S. bank.

U.S. Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations are debt obligations issued or guaranteed by corporations that are denominated in U.S. dollars. Such investments may include, among others, commercial paper, bonds, notes, debentures, variable rate demand notes, master notes, funding agreements and other short-term corporate instruments. Commercial paper consists of short-term promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper may be traded in the secondary market after its issuance. Variable rate demand notes are securities with a variable interest which is readjusted on pre-established dates. Variable rate demand notes are subject to payment of principal and accrued interest (usually within seven days) on the Fund’s demand. Master notes are negotiated notes that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts of money at varying rates of interest pursuant to arrangements with issuers who meet the credit quality criteria of the Fund. The interest rate on a master note may fluctuate based upon changes in specified interest rates or be reset periodically according to a prescribed formula or may be a set rate. Although there is no secondary market in master notes, if such notes have a demand feature, the payee may demand payment of the principal amount of the note upon relatively short notice. Funding agreements are agreements between an insurance company and the Fund covering underlying demand notes. Although there is no secondary market in funding agreements, if the underlying notes have a demand feature, the payee may demand payment of the principal amount of the note upon relatively short notice. Master notes and funding agreements are generally illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund’s percentage limitation for illiquid investments.

Regulation S Securities. Regulation S securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers are offered through private offerings without registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Although Regulation S securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized from these sales could be less than that originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Accordingly, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses.

Duration and Maturity of the Fund’s Portfolio. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a security on a current-value basis expressed in years, using calculations that consider the security’s yield, coupon interest payments, final maturity and call features.

While a debt security’s maturity can be used to measure the sensitivity of the security’s price to changes in interest rates, the term to maturity of a security does not take into account the pattern (or expected pattern) of the security’s payments of interest or principal prior to maturity. Duration, on the other hand, measures the length of the time interval from the present to the time when the interest and principal payments are scheduled to be received (or, in the case of a mortgage-related security, when the interest and principal payments are expected to be received). Duration calculations weigh the present value of each such payment by the time in years until such payment is expected to be received. If the interest payments on a debt security occur prior to the repayment of principal, the duration of the security is less than its stated maturity. For zero- coupon securities, duration and term to maturity are equal. Absent other factors, the lower the stated or coupon rate of interest on a debt security or the longer the maturity or the lower the yield-to-maturity of the debt security, the longer the duration of the security. Conversely, the higher the stated or coupon rate of interest, the shorter the maturity or the higher the yield-to-maturity of a debt security, the shorter the duration of the security.

 

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Futures, options and options on futures in general have durations that are closely related to the duration of the securities that underlie them. Holding long futures positions or call option positions (backed by liquid assets) will tend to lengthen the portfolio’s duration.

In some cases the standard effective duration calculation does not properly reflect the interest rate exposure of a security. For example, floating and variable rate securities often have final maturities of ten or more years. However, their exposure to interest rate changes corresponds to the frequency of the times at which their interest coupon rate is reset. In the case of mortgage pass-through securities, the stated final maturity of the security is typically 30 years, but current rates of prepayments are more important to determine the security’s interest rate exposure. In these and other similar situations, the investment adviser will use other analytical techniques that consider the economic life of the security as well as relevant macroeconomic factors (such as historical prepayment rates) in determining the Fund’s effective duration.

Other Investments

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs are trusts that sell equity or debt securities to investors and use the proceeds to invest in real estate or interest therein. A REIT may focus on particular projects, such as apartment complexes, or geographic regions, such as the southeastern United States or both. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling property that has appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments.

Investments in REITs may be subject to many of the same risks as direct investments in real estate. These risks include difficulties in valuing and trading real estate, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, adverse changes in the climate for real estate, environmental liability risks, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, heavy cash flow dependency and increases in interest rates. To the extent that the Fund invests in REITs, the Fund could conceivably acquire real estate directly as a result of a default on the REIT interests or obligations it owns.

In addition to the risks of direct real estate investment described above, equity REITs may be affected by any changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are also subject to the following risks: they are dependent upon management skill and on cash flows; are not diversified; are subject to defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to maintain an exemption from the 1940 Act; and are subject to interest rate risk. If the Fund invests in REITs, it will bear a proportionate share of the expenses of the REITs.

Furthermore, for tax reasons, a REIT may impose limits on how much of its securities any one investor may own. These ownership limitations (also called “excess share provisions”) may be based on ownership of securities by multiple funds and accounts managed by the same investment adviser and typically result in adverse consequences (such as automatic divesture of voting and dividend rights for shares that exceed the excess share provision) to investors who exceed the limit. A REIT’s excess share provision may result in the Fund being unable to purchase (or otherwise obtain economic exposure to) the desired amounts of certain REITs. In some circumstances, the Fund may seek and obtain a waiver from a REIT to exceed the REIT’s ownership limitations without being subject to the adverse consequences of exceeding such limit were a waiver not obtained, provided that the Fund complies with the provisions of the waiver.

Initial Public Offerings. IPOs of securities issued by unseasoned companies with little or no operating history are risky and their prices are highly volatile, but they can result in very large gains in their initial trading. Attractive IPOs are often oversubscribed and may not be available to the Fund, or only in very limited quantities. Thus, when the Fund’s size is smaller, any gains from IPOs will have an exaggerated impact on the Fund’s reported performance than when the Fund is larger. The Fund may engage in short-term trading in connection with its IPO investments, which could produce higher trading costs and adverse tax consequences. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have favorable IPO investment opportunities.

 

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Other Investment Companies. Unless otherwise indicated in this SAI or in the Fund’s prospectus, the Fund may purchase shares of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), nonexchange traded U.S. registered open-end investment companies (mutual funds), closed-end investment companies, or non-U.S. investment companies traded on foreign exchanges. When the Fund purchases shares of another investment company, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the advisory fees and other operating expenses of such investment company and will be subject to the risks associated with the portfolio investments of the underlying investment company.

The Fund’s investment in the securities of other investment companies is subject to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Specifically, Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act contains various limitations on the ability of a registered investment company (an “acquiring fund”) to acquire shares of another registered investment company (an “acquired fund”). Under these limits, an acquiring fund generally cannot (i) purchase more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of an acquired fund; (ii) invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities issued by an acquired company; and (iii) invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities issued by other investment companies. Likewise, an acquired fund, as well as its principal underwriter or any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act, cannot knowingly sell more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired fund to an acquiring fund, or more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired fund to acquiring funds generally.

Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act, which became effective January 19, 2022, created a regulatory framework for funds’ investments in other funds. Rule 12d1-4 allows a fund to acquire the securities of another investment company in excess of the limitations imposed by Section 12 without obtaining an exemptive order from the SEC, subject to certain limitations and conditions. Among those conditions is the requirement that, prior to a fund relying on Rule 12d1-4 to acquire securities of another fund in excess of the limits of Section 12(d)(1), the acquiring fund must enter into a Fund of Funds Agreement with the acquired fund. (This requirement does not apply when the acquiring fund’s investment adviser acts as the acquired fund’s investment adviser and does not act as sub-adviser to either fund.)

Rule 12d1-4 also is designed to limit the use of complex fund structures. Under Rule 12d1-4, an acquired fund is prohibited from purchasing or otherwise acquiring the securities of another investment company or private fund if, immediately after the purchase, the securities of investment companies and private funds owned by the acquired fund have an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the acquired fund’s total assets, subject to certain limited exceptions. Accordingly, to the extent the Fund’s shares are sold to other investment companies in reliance on Rule 12d1-4, the Fund will be limited in the amount it could invest in other investment companies and private funds.

In addition to Rule 12d1-4, the 1940 Act and related rules provide other exemptions from these restrictions. For example, these limitations do not apply to investments by the Fund in investment companies that are money market funds, including money market funds that have the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser as an investment adviser.

Private Equity and Debt Investments. Privately issued securities, which include private investments in public equity (PIPEs), and private debt investments, involve an extraordinarily high degree of business and financial risk and can result in substantial or complete losses. Some portfolio companies in which the Fund may invest may be operating at a loss or with substantial variations in operating results from period to period and may need substantial additional capital to support expansion or to achieve or maintain competitive positions. Such companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with much greater financial resources, much more extensive development, production, marketing and service capabilities and a much larger number of qualified managerial and technical personnel. The Fund can offer no assurance that the marketing efforts of any particular portfolio company will be successful or that its business will succeed. Additionally, privately held companies are not subject to SEC reporting requirements or the reporting requirements of publicly traded companies in applicable jurisdictions, are not required to maintain their accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and are not required to maintain effective internal controls over

 

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financial reporting. As a result, the Adviser may not have timely or accurate information about the business, financial conditions and results of operations of the privately held companies in which the Fund invests. The more limited financial information and lack of publicly available prices require the Fund to determine a fair value for such investments in accordance with the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures. Difficulty in valuing such investments may make it difficult to accurately determine the Fund’s exposure to privately issued securities. The Fund’s NAV could be adversely affected if the Fund’s determinations regarding the fair value of the Fund’s investments were materially higher than the values that the Fund ultimately realizes upon the disposal of such investments. In addition, input from the Adviser’s investment professionals as part of the Fund’s valuation process could result in a conflict of interest as the Adviser’s management fee is based, in part, on the value of the Fund’s assets.

Investments in private companies may be considered to be illiquid and may be difficult to sell at a desirable time or at the prices at which the Fund has valued the investments. Additional risks include that the Fund could be subject to contingent liabilities in the event a private issuer is acquired by another company during the period it is held by the Fund; and that the company may be using excessive leverage. Privately issued debt securities can often be below investment grade quality and frequently are unrated.

Distressed Debt Securities. Distressed debt securities are securities that are the subject of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise in default or in risk of being in default as to the repayment of principal and/or interest at the time of acquisition by the Fund or that are rated in the lower rating categories by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (for example, Ca or lower by Moody’s and CC or lower by S&P or Fitch) or, if unrated, are in the judgment of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser of equivalent quality (“Distressed Securities”). Investment in Distressed Securities is speculative and involves significant risks. The Fund will generally make such investments only when the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believes it is reasonably likely that the issuer of the Distressed Securities will make an exchange offer or will be the subject of a plan of reorganization pursuant to which the Fund will receive new securities in return for the Distressed Securities. However, there can be no assurance that such an exchange offer will be made or that such a plan of reorganization will be adopted. Additionally, a significant period of time may pass between the time at which the Fund makes its investment in Distressed Securities and the time that any such exchange offer or plan of reorganization is completed, if at all. During this period, it is unlikely that the Fund would receive any interest payments on the Distressed Securities, the Fund will be subject to significant uncertainty as to whether or not the exchange offer or plan of reorganization will be completed and the Fund may be required to bear certain extraordinary expenses to protect and recover its investment. Therefore, the Fund’s ability to achieve current income for its shareholders may be diminished. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the obligations evidenced by the distressed securities will eventually be satisfied (e.g., through a liquidation of the obligor’s assets, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation). Even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to Distressed Securities held by the Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by the Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made or no value. Moreover, any securities received by the Fund upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. Similarly, if the Fund participates in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of Distressed Securities, the Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities. To the extent that the Fund becomes involved in such proceedings, the Fund may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than that assumed generally by an investor. The Fund, however, will not make investments for the purpose of exercising day-to-day management of any issuer’s affairs.

Defaulted Securities. Defaulted securities are debt securities on which the issuer is not currently making interest payments. In order to enforce its rights in defaulted securities, the Fund may be required to participate in legal proceedings or take possession of and manage assets securing the issuer’s obligations on the defaulted securities. This could increase operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value. Risks of defaulted securities may be considerably higher as they are generally unsecured and subordinated to other creditors of the

 

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issuer. Investments in defaulted securities generally will also be considered illiquid investments subject to the limitations described herein, except as otherwise may be determined under the Trust’s applicable policies and procedures.

Variable or Floating Rate Instruments. Variable or floating rate instruments are securities that provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligation. The interest rates for securities with variable interest rates are readjusted on set dates (such as the last day of the month or calendar quarter) and the interest rates for securities with floating rates are reset whenever a specified interest rate change occurs. Variable or floating interest rates generally reduce changes in the market price of securities from their original purchase price because, upon readjustment, such rates approximate market rates. Accordingly, as market interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation or depreciation is less for variable or floating rate securities than for fixed rate obligations. Many securities with variable or floating interest rates have a demand feature allowing the Fund to demand payment of principal and accrued interest prior to its maturity. The terms of such demand instruments require payment of principal and accrued interest by the issuer, a guarantor, and/or a liquidity provider. All variable or floating rate instruments will meet the applicable rating standards of the Fund. The Fund’s Adviser may determine that an unrated floating rate or variable rate demand obligation meets the Fund’s rating standards by reason of being backed by a letter of credit or guarantee issued by a bank that meets those rating standards.

The secondary market for certain floating rate loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods (in some cases, longer than seven days). Certain floating rate loans held by the Fund might not be considered securities for purposes of the Exchange Act and therefore a risk exists that purchasers, such as the Fund, may not be entitled to rely on the antifraud provisions of those Acts.

Zero Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Securities. Zero coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity, unlike debt securities that traditionally provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks of a zero coupon security. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. Zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and lower liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular interest payment periods. Investors may purchase zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents “original issue discount” on the security.

Premium Securities. The Fund may invest in premium securities. Premium securities are securities bearing coupon rates higher than the then prevailing market rates.

Premium securities are typically purchased at a “premium,” in other words, at a price greater than the principal amount payable on maturity. The Fund will not amortize the premium paid for such securities in calculating its net investment income. As a result, in such cases the purchase of premium securities provides the Fund a higher level of investment income distributable to shareholders on a current basis than if the Fund purchased securities bearing current market rates of interest. However, the yield on these securities would remain at the current market rate. If securities purchased by the Fund at a premium are called or sold prior to maturity, the Fund will realize a loss to the extent the call or sale price is less than the purchase price. Additionally, the Fund will realize a loss of principal if it holds such securities to maturity.

Stripped Income Securities. The Fund may invest in stripped income securities. Stripped Income Securities are obligations representing an interest in all or a portion of the income or principal components of an underlying or related security, a pool of securities, or other assets. Stripped income securities may be partially stripped so that each class receives some interest and some principal. However, they may be completely stripped, where one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only class or the IO class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only class or the PO class).

The market values of stripped income securities tend to be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than are conventional income securities. In the case of mortgage-backed stripped income securities, the

 

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yields to maturity of IOs and POs may be very sensitive to principal repayments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgages resulting in the Fund being unable to recoup its initial investment or resulting in a less than anticipated yield. The market for stripped income securities may be limited, making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of its holdings at an acceptable price.

Participation Notes. Participation notes, also known as participation certificates, are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to replicate the performance of foreign companies or foreign securities markets and can be used by the Fund as an alternative means to access the securities market of a country. Participation notes are generally traded OTC. The performance results of participation notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the foreign company or foreign securities market that they seek to replicate due to transaction and other expenses. Investments in participation notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities market that they seek to replicate. In addition, participation notes are subject to counterparty risk, currency risk and reinvestment risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the broker-dealer or bank that issues them will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Participation notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them, and a the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such banks or broker-dealers and has no rights under a participation note against the issuer of the underlying assets. Additionally, there is a currency risk since the dollar value of the Fund’s foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and (a) the currencies in which the notes are denominated, such as euro denominated participation notes, and (b) the currency of the country in which the foreign company sits. Also, there is a reinvestment risk because the amounts from the note may be reinvested in a less valuable investment when the note matures.

Investment Techniques

Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. Securities purchased or sold on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis involve delivery and payment that take place in the future after the trade date or the date of the commitment to purchase or sell the securities at a pre-determined price and/or yield. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. Forward commitments include “to be announced” (TBA) transactions, which are contracts for the purchase and sale of mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. agencies or government sponsored enterprises for delivery at a future settlement date agreed upon by the two parties to the transaction, which is typically a month or more after the trade date of the transaction.. On the trade date of a TBA transaction, the counterparties agree upon certain criteria for the securities that are to be delivered, including the issuer, maturity, coupon, face value and price, but the precise securities to be delivered are not specified. Instead, the actual securities to be delivered, which must satisfy the specified criteria, are communicated by the seller to the buyer shortly before the agreed upon settlement date. Although the Fund generally intends to acquire or dispose of securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund may instead sell these securities or its commitment before the settlement date if deemed advisable. This will frequently be the case for TBA transactions and other forward-settling mortgage-backed securities transactions. No specific limitation exists as to the percentage of the Fund’s assets which may be used to acquire securities on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis.

When purchasing a security on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund assumes the risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net asset value. Securities purchased on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis are subject to changes in value based upon the public’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Accordingly, securities acquired on such a basis may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis may involve the additional risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself.

 

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Many forward commitments, when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, including TBAs, are also subject to the risk that a counterparty may become bankrupt or otherwise fail to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, including making payments or fulfilling delivery obligations to the Fund. The Fund may obtain no or only limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. With respect to TBA transactions and other forward-settling mortgage-backed securities transactions, the counterparty risk may be mitigated by the exchange of variation margin between the counterparties on a regular basis as the market value of the deliverable security fluctuates.

Investment in these types of securities may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must engage in portfolio transactions in order to honor its commitment. In the case of a purchase transaction, the delayed delivery securities, which will not begin to accrue interest or dividends until the settlement date, will be recorded as an asset of the Fund and will be subject to the risk of market fluctuation. The purchase price of the delayed delivery securities is a liability of the Fund until settlement. TBA transactions and other forward-settling mortgage-backed securities transactions may be effected pursuant to a collateral agreement with the counterparty under which the parties exchange collateral consisting of cash or liquid securities in an amount as specified by the agreement that is based on the change in the market value of the TBA transactions governed by the agreement. The Fund or the counterparty will make payments throughout the term of the transaction as collateral values fluctuate to maintain full collateralization for the term of the transaction. Collateral will be marked-to-market every business day. If the counterparty defaults on the transaction or declares bankruptcy or insolvency, the Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, or the Fund might experience delay and costs in recovering collateral or may suffer a loss if the value of the collateral declines.

Short Sales.

A short sale involves the sale of a security which the Fund does not own in the hope of purchasing the same security at a later date at a lower price. To make delivery to the buyer, the Fund must borrow the security from a broker. The Fund normally closes a short sale by purchasing an equivalent number of shares of the borrowed security on the open market and delivering them to the broker. A short sale is typically effected when the Fund’s Adviser believes that the price of a particular security will decline. Open short positions using options, futures, swaps or forward foreign currency contracts are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.

To secure its obligation to deliver the securities sold short to the broker and repay the securities borrowed, the Fund will be required to deposit cash or liquid securities with the broker as collateral. In addition, the Fund may have to pay a fee or rate of interest to borrow the securities, and while the loan of the security sold short is outstanding, the Fund is required to pay to the broker the amount of any dividends paid on shares sold short. The collateral pledged by the Fund to the broker in connection with short sales will be marked to market daily. The collateral pledged does not have the effect of limiting the amount of money that the Fund may lose on a short sale.

Short positions create a risk that the Fund will be required to cover them by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long. Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited. The loss on a long position is limited to what the Fund originally paid for the security together with any transaction costs. The Fund may not always be able to borrow a security the Fund seeks to sell short at a particular time or at an acceptable price. It is possible that the market value of the securities the Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the Fund’s potential volatility and losses. Because the Fund may be required to pay dividends, interest, premiums and other expenses in connection with a short sale, any benefit for the Fund resulting from the short sale will be decreased, and the amount of any ultimate gain or loss will be decreased or increased, respectively, by the amount of such expenses.

Short sales against the box are short sales of securities that the Fund owns or has the right to obtain (equivalent in kind or amount to the securities sold short). If the Fund enters into a short sale against the box, it will be required to set aside securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities

 

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convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund will incur transaction costs including fees or interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales against the box.

Short sales against the box result in a “constructive sale” and require the Fund to recognize any taxable gain unless an exception to the constructive sale applies. See “Dividends, Distributions and Tax Matters—Tax Matters—Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions—Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and hedging transactions.”

Margin Transactions. The Fund will not purchase any security on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. The payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures, swaps or options transactions and the use of a reverse repurchase agreement to finance the purchase of a security will not be considered the purchase of a security on margin.

Interfund Loans. The SEC has issued an exemptive order permitting the Invesco Funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The Invesco Funds’ interfund lending program is subject to a number of conditions, including the requirements that: (1) an interfund loan generally will occur only if the interest rate on the loan is more favorable to the borrowing fund than the interest rate typically available from a bank for a comparable transaction and the rate is more favorable to the lending fund than the rate available on overnight repurchase transactions; (2) an Invesco Fund may not lend more than 15% of its net assets through the program (measured at the time of the last loan); and (3) an Invesco Fund may not lend more than 5% of its net assets to another Invesco Fund through the program (measured at the time of the loan). The Fund may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and investment policies. Interfund loans have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called with one day’s notice and may be repaid on any day.

Borrowing. The Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions (defined below) and Fund Policies. Such borrowings may be utilized (i) for temporary or emergency purposes; (ii) in anticipation of or in response to adverse market conditions; or, (iii) for cash management purposes. All borrowings are limited to an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that exceed this amount will be reduced within three business days to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation even if it is not advantageous to sell securities at that time.

If there are unusually heavy redemptions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. Selling Fund securities under these circumstances may result in a lower net asset value per share or decreased dividend income, or both. Invesco and the Sub- Advisers believe that, in the event of abnormally heavy redemption requests, the Fund’s borrowing ability would help to mitigate any such effects and could make the forced sale of its portfolio securities less likely.

The Fund may borrow from a bank, broker-dealer, or another Invesco Fund. Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with its custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in its account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning interest on such funds; or (ii) compensate the custodian bank by paying it an agreed upon rate. The Fund may not purchase additional securities when any borrowings from banks or broker-dealers exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets or when any borrowings from an Invesco Fund are outstanding.

The Fund participates in a secured line of credit (the “Line of Credit”) with certain commercial paper conduits, as lenders, Citibank N.A. as a secondary lender and administrator, and other banks, each as lenders from time to time. The Line of Credit enables the Fund to participate with certain other Invesco funds, as borrowers, in a committed, secured borrowing facility that permits borrowings by the participants of up to a maximum aggregate amount, as negotiated from time to time. Borrowings by the Fund under the Line of Credit can be used to purchase securities for investment or for other purposes. The Trust’s Board determined that the

 

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Fund’s participation in the Line of Credit is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Under the Line of Credit, in the event that the commercial paper conduit lenders are unable or unwilling to make loans, Citibank N.A. and the other bank lenders, if any, would then be required to make those loans.

Under the Line of Credit, interest is charged to the Fund, based on its borrowings, at current commercial rates. Additionally, the Fund will pay its pro rata portion of a loan commitment fee for the Line of Credit, and pays additional fees annually to the lenders on its outstanding borrowings for management and administration of the facility. The Fund can prepay loans and terminate its participation in the Line of Credit at any time upon prior notice to Citibank N.A. As a borrower under the Line of Credit, the Fund has certain rights and remedies under state and federal law comparable to those it would have with respect to a loan from a bank.

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions involving the types of securities in which it is permitted to invest. Repurchase agreements are agreements under which the Fund purchases a security from a broker-dealer or bank that agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon time and price (which is higher than the purchase price), thereby resulting in a yield to the Fund during the Fund’s holding period. The Fund may enter into a “continuing contract” or “open” repurchase agreement under which the seller is under a continuing obligation to repurchase the underlying securities from the Fund on demand and the effective interest rate is negotiated on a daily basis. Repurchase agreements may be viewed as loans made by the Fund which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase.

In any repurchase agreement, the securities that are subject to the transaction may be obligations issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund may also engage in repurchase agreements collateralized by non-government securities that are rated investment grade or below investment grade by the requisite NRSROs or unrated securities of comparable quality, loan participations, and equities.

If the seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the security in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience a loss on the sale of the security subject to the repurchase agreement to the extent that the sale proceeds including accrued interest are less than the resale price provided in the repurchase agreement, including interest. In addition, although the Bankruptcy Code and other insolvency laws may provide certain protections for some types of repurchase agreements, if the seller of a repurchase agreement should be involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, the Fund may incur delay and costs in selling the underlying security or may suffer a loss of principal and interest if the value of the underlying security declines or the Fund may be deemed to be an unsecured creditor and be required to return the securities to the seller.

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements that involve securities that may be subject to a court- ordered or other “stay” in the event of the seller’s bankruptcy or insolvency. A “stay” will prevent the Fund from selling the securities it holds under a repurchase agreement until permitted by a court or other authority. In these situations the Fund may be subject to greater risk that the value of the securities may decline before they are sold, and that the Fund may experience a loss.

The securities underlying a repurchase agreement will be marked-to-market every business day, and if the value of the securities falls below a specified percentage of the repurchase price (typically 102%), the counterparty will be required to deliver additional collateral to the Fund in the form of cash or additional securities. Custody of the securities will be maintained by the Fund’s custodian or sub- custodian for the duration of the agreement.

The Fund may invest its cash balances in joint accounts with other Invesco Funds for the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements with maturities not to exceed 60 days, and in certain other money market instruments with remaining maturities not to exceed 90 days. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans by the Fund under the 1940 Act.

Restricted and Illiquid Investments. The Fund may not acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments.

 

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For purposes of the above 15% limitation, illiquid investment means any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the 1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder. Illiquid investments may include a wide variety of investments, such as, for example: (1) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days (unless the agreements have demand/redemption features); (2) OTC options contracts and certain other derivatives (including certain swap agreements); (3) fixed time deposits that are not subject to prepayment or that provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits); (4) loan interests and other direct debt instruments; (5) municipal lease obligations; (6) commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act; and (7) securities that are unregistered, that can be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or that are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or otherwise restricted under the federal securities laws, including private placement securities sold pursuant to Regulation S.

Limitations on the resale of restricted investments may have an adverse effect on their marketability, which may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale, and the risk of substantial delays in effecting such registrations. The Fund’s difficulty valuing and selling restricted securities or illiquid investments may result in a loss or be costly to the Fund.

If a substantial market develops for a restricted security or illiquid investment held by the Fund, it may be treated as a liquid investment, in accordance with procedures and guidelines adopted by the Board on behalf of the Fund.

Rule 144A Securities. Rule 144A securities are securities which, while privately placed, are eligible for purchase and resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. This Rule permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in privately placed securities even though such securities are not registered under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund will consider whether securities purchased under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to the Fund’s restriction on illiquid investments. The determination of whether a Rule 144A security is liquid or illiquid will take into account relevant market trading, and investment-specific considerations consistent with applicable SEC guidance. Additional factors that may be considered include the (i) frequency of trades and quotes; (ii) number of dealers and potential purchasers; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (iv) nature of the security and of market place trades (for example, the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). Investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the amount of the Fund’s illiquid investments if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements that involve the sale of securities held by the Fund to financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers, with an agreement that the Fund will repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price and date or upon demand. During the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold, but pays interest to the other party on the proceeds received. The Fund may employ reverse repurchase agreements (i) for temporary emergency purposes, such as to meet unanticipated net redemptions so as to avoid liquidating other portfolio securities during unfavorable market conditions; (ii) to cover short-term cash requirements resulting from the timing of trade settlements; or (iii) to take advantage of market situations where the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction.

Reverse repurchase agreements are a form of leverage and involve the risk that the market value of securities to be repurchased by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund is obligated to repurchase the securities, resulting in a requirement for the Fund to deliver margin to the other party in the amount of the related shortfall, or that the other party may default on its obligation, so that the Fund is delayed or prevented from completing the transaction. Leverage may make the Fund’s returns more volatile and increase the risk of loss. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds from the sale of the securities may be restricted pending a

 

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determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls. The Fund may engage in mortgage dollar rolls (a dollar roll). A dollar roll is a type of transaction that involves the sale by the Fund of a mortgage-backed security to a financial institution such as a bank or broker dealer, with an agreement that the Fund will repurchase a substantially similar (i.e., same type, coupon and maturity) security at an agreed upon price and date. The mortgage securities that are purchased will bear the same interest rate as those sold, but will generally be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest or principal payments on the securities sold but is compensated for the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase. The Fund typically enters into a dollar roll transaction to enhance the Fund’s return either on an income or total return basis or to manage pre-payment risk.

Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities that the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase under the agreement. In the event the buyer of securities under a dollar roll transaction files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds from the sale of the securities may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities.

Unless the benefits of the sale exceed the income, capital appreciation or gains on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the investment performance of the Fund will be less than what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls. The benefits of dollar rolls may depend upon the Adviser or Sub- Adviser’s ability to predict mortgage repayments and interest rates. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

Standby Commitments. The Fund may acquire securities that are subject to standby commitments from banks or other municipal securities dealers. Under a standby commitment a bank or dealer would agree to purchase, at the Fund’s option, specified securities at a specified price. Standby commitments generally increase the cost of the acquisition of the underlying security, thereby reducing the yield. Standby commitments depend upon the issuer’s ability to fulfill its obligation upon demand. Although no definitive creditworthiness criteria are used for this purpose, Invesco reviews the creditworthiness of the banks and other municipal securities dealers from which the Fund obtains standby commitments in order to evaluate those risks.

Contracts for Difference. A contract for difference (CFD) is a contract between two parties, buyer and seller, stipulating that the seller will pay to the buyer the difference between the nominal value of the underlying stock, stock basket or index at the opening of the contract and the stock’s, stock basket’s or index’s value at the close of the contract. The size of the contract and the contract’s expiration date are typically negotiated by the parties to the CFD transaction. CFDs enable the Fund to take long positions on an underlying stock, stock basket or index and thus potentially capture gains on movements in the share prices of the stock, stock basket or index without the need to own the underlying stock, stock basket or index. By entering into a CFD transaction, the Fund could incur losses because it would face many of the same types of risks as owning the underlying equity security directly. For example, the Fund might buy a position in a CFD and the contract value at the close of the transaction may be greater than the contract value at the opening of the transaction. This may be due to, among other factors, an increase in the market value of the underlying equity security. In such a situation, the Fund would have to pay the difference in value of the contract to the seller of the CFD. CFDs also carry counterparty risk, i.e., the risk that the counterparty to the CFD transaction may be unable or unwilling to make payments or to otherwise honor its financial obligations under the terms of the contract. If the counterparty were to do so, the value of the contract, and of the Fund’s shares, may be reduced.

Entry into a CFD transaction may, in certain circumstances, require the payment of an initial margin, and adverse market movements against the underlying stock may require the buyer to make additional margin payments. CFDs may be considered illiquid by the SEC staff and subject to the limitations on illiquid investments. To the extent that there is an imperfect correlation between the return on the Fund’s obligation to its counterparty under the CFD and the return on related assets in its portfolio, the CFD transaction may increase the

 

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Fund’s financial risk. The Fund will not enter into a CFD transaction that is inconsistent with its investment objective, policies and strategies.

Derivatives

A derivative is a financial instrument whose value is dependent upon the value of other assets, rates or indices, referred to as “underlying reference assets.” These underlying reference assets may include, among others commodities, stocks, bonds, interest rates, currency exchange rates or related indices. Derivatives include, among others, swaps, options, futures and forward foreign currency contracts. Some derivatives, such as futures and certain options, are traded on U.S. commodity and securities exchanges, while other derivatives, such as many types of swap agreements, are privately negotiated and entered into in the OTC market. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the Dodd- Frank Act) and implementing rules require certain types of swaps to be traded on public execution facilities and centrally cleared.

Derivatives may be used for “hedging,” which means that they may be used when the portfolio managers seek to protect the Fund’s investments from a decline in value, which could result from changes in interest rates, market prices, currency fluctuations and other market factors. Derivatives may also be used when the portfolio managers seek to increase liquidity, implement a tax or cash management strategy, invest in a particular stock, bond or segment of the market in a more efficient or less expensive way, modify the characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio investments, for example, duration, and/or to enhance return. However derivatives are used, their successful use is not assured and will depend upon, among other factors, the portfolio managers’ ability to predict and understand relevant market movements.

Certain derivatives involve leverage, that is, the amount invested may be smaller than the full economic exposure of the derivative instrument and the Fund could lose more than it invested. The leverage involved in these derivative transactions may result in the Fund’s net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of its investments.

Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) Regulation and Exclusions:

With respect to the Fund, Invesco has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” (CPO) under the CEA and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and, therefore, is not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, Invesco is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition of “commodity trading advisor” (CTA) under the CEA and the rules of the CFTC with respect to the Fund.

The terms of the CPO exclusion requires the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable forwards, as further described below. Because Invesco and the Fund intend to comply with the terms of the CPO exclusion, the Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment objectives, to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Fund is not intended as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved Invesco’s reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its investment strategies, its prospectus or this SAI.

Generally, the exclusion from CPO regulation on which Invesco relies requires the Fund to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Fund’s positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, the Fund may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. If, in the future, the Fund can no longer satisfy these requirements, Invesco would withdraw its notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO, and

 

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Invesco would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Fund, in accordance with the CFTC rules that allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements based on Invesco’s compliance with comparable SEC requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation with respect to the Fund, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.

General risks associated with derivatives:

The use by the Fund of derivatives may involve certain risks, as described below.

Counterparty Risk:  The risk that a counterparty under a derivatives agreement will not live up to its obligations, including because of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Certain agreements may not contemplate delivery of collateral to support fully a counterparty’s contractual obligations; therefore, the Fund might need to rely solely on contractual remedies to satisfy the counterparty’s full obligations. As with any contractual remedy, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in pursuing such remedies, particularly in the event of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Many derivative trading agreements, such as an ISDA Master Agreement governing OTC swaps, provide for netting of derivatives transactions governed by the agreement in the event of a default by either counterparty, pursuant to which the Fund’s and the counterparty’s obligations under the relevant transactions can be netted and set-off against each other, in which case the Fund’s obligation or right will be the net amount owed to or by the counterparty. Netting agreements are intended to function as a counterparty credit risk mitigant, but in the case of a bankruptcy or insolvency of the relevant counterparty, are subject to the risk that the insolvency regime applicable to the counterparty might not recognize the enforceability of the contractual netting provisions. The Fund will not enter into a derivative transaction with any counterparty that Invesco and/or the Sub-Advisers believe does not have the financial resources to honor its obligations under the transaction. Invesco monitors the financial stability of counterparties. Where the obligations of the counterparty are guaranteed, Invesco monitors the financial stability of the guarantor and the counterparty. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the derivative would also likely decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

The Fund will not enter into a transaction with any single counterparty if the net amount owed or to be received under existing transactions under the agreements with that counterparty would exceed 5% of the Fund’s net assets determined on the date the transaction is entered into or as otherwise permitted by law.

Leverage Risk:  Leverage exists when the Fund can lose more than it originally invests because it purchases or sells an instrument or enters into a transaction without investing an amount equal to the full economic exposure of the instrument or transaction. Leverage may cause the Fund to be more volatile because it may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The use of some derivatives may result in economic leverage, which does not result in the possibility of the Fund incurring obligations beyond its initial investment, but that nonetheless permits the Fund to gain exposure that is greater than would be the case in an unlevered instrument.

Liquidity Risk:  The risk that a particular derivative is difficult to sell or liquidate. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses to the Fund.

Pricing Risk:  The risk that the value of a particular derivative does not move in tandem or as otherwise expected relative to the corresponding underlying instruments.

Special Regulatory Risks of Derivatives:  The regulation of derivatives is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.

It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. However, it is possible that developments in government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, such as speculative position limits on certain types of derivatives, or limits or restrictions on the counterparties with which the Fund engages

 

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in derivative transactions, may limit or prevent the Fund from using or limit the Fund’s use of these instruments effectively as a part of its investment strategy, and could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Invesco will continue to monitor developments in the area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into desired swap agreements. New requirements, even if not directly applicable to the Fund, may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of doing business.

Tax Risks:  For a discussion of the tax considerations relating to derivative transactions, see “Dividends, Distributions and Tax Matters—Tax Matters—Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions.”

General risks of hedging strategies using derivatives:

The use by the Fund of hedging strategies involves special considerations and risks, as described below.

Successful use of hedging transactions depends upon Invesco’s and the Sub-Advisers’ ability to predict correctly the direction of changes in the value of the applicable markets and securities, contracts and/or currencies. While Invesco and the Sub-Advisers are experienced in the use of derivatives for hedging, there can be no assurance that any particular hedging strategy will succeed.

In a hedging transaction, there might be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between the price movements of an instrument used for hedging and the price movements of the investments being hedged. Such a lack of correlation might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of the investments being hedged, such as changing interest rates, market liquidity, and speculative or other pressures on the markets in which the hedging instrument is traded.

Hedging strategies, if successful, can reduce risk of loss by wholly or partially offsetting the negative effect of unfavorable price movements in the investments being hedged. However, hedging strategies can also reduce opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements in the hedged investments. Investors should bear in mind that the Fund is not obligated to actively engage in hedging. For example, the Fund may not have attempted to hedge its exposure to a particular foreign currency at a time when doing so might have avoided a loss.

Types of derivatives:

Swaps.

Generally, swap agreements are contracts between the Fund and another party (the counterparty) involving the exchange of payments on specified terms over periods ranging from a few days to multiple years. A swap agreement may be negotiated bilaterally and traded OTC between the two parties (for an uncleared swap) or, in some instances, must be transacted through a futures commission merchant (FCM) and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (for a cleared swap). In a basic swap transaction, the Fund agrees with its counterparty to exchange the returns (or differentials in returns) and/or cash flows earned or realized on a particular asset such as an equity or debt security, commodity, currency, interest rate or index, calculated with respect to a “notional amount.” The notional amount is the set amount selected by the parties to use as the basis on which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. The parties typically do not exchange the notional amount. Instead, they agree to exchange the returns that would be earned or realized if the notional amount were invested in given investments or at given interest rates. Examples of returns that may be exchanged in a swap agreement are those of a particular security, a particular fixed or variable interest rate, a particular foreign currency, or a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Swap agreements can also be based on credit and other events. In some cases, such as cross currency swaps, the swap agreement may require delivery (exchange) of the entire notional value of one designated currency for another designated currency.

The Fund will typically only enter into swap agreements with counterparties who use standard International Swap and Dealers Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) contract documentation. ISDA establishes industry standards for the documentation of swap agreements. Virtually all principal swap participants use ISDA documentation because it has an established set of definitions, contract terms and counterparty obligations, including provisions for master netting agreements. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential

 

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government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. Additionally, ISDA master agreements include credit related contingent features which allow Counterparties to OTC derivatives to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event that, for example, the Fund’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Fund fails to meet the terms of its ISDA master agreements, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty.

Comprehensive swaps regulation.  The Dodd-Frank Act and analogous international laws enacted after the financial crisis imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. The U.S. regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and electronic execution of standardized swaps on swap execution facilities; (3) imposing margin requirements on uncleared swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis, for most swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as “security-based swaps,” which includes swaps on single securities, or narrow-based indices of securities and single name credit default swaps.

Uncleared swaps.  In an uncleared swap, the swap counterparty is typically a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution. In the event that one party to the swap transaction defaults and the transaction is terminated prior to its scheduled termination date, one of the parties may be required to make an early termination payment to the other. An early termination payment may be payable by either the defaulting party or the non-defaulting party, under certain circumstances, depending upon which of them is “in-the-money” with respect to the swap at the time of its termination. Early termination payments may be calculated in various ways, but generally represent the amount that the “in-the-money” party would have to pay to replace the swap as of the date of its termination.

During the term of an uncleared swap, the Fund will be required to pledge to the swap counterparty, from time to time, an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to the total net amount (if any) that would be payable by the Fund to the counterparty if all outstanding swaps between the parties were terminated on the date in question, including any early termination payments (variation margin). Periodically, changes in the amount pledged are made to recognize changes in value of the swap contract resulting from, among other things, market value changes in the underlying investment referenced in the swap. Likewise, the counterparty will be required to pledge cash or other assets to cover its obligations to the Fund. However, the amount pledged will not always be equal to or more than the amount due to the other party. Therefore, if a counterparty defaults in its obligations to the Fund, the amount pledged by the counterparty and available to the Fund may not be sufficient to cover all the amounts due to the Fund and the Fund may sustain a loss.

Regulations requiring initial margin to be posted by certain market participants for uncleared swaps have been adopted and are being phased in over time. When these rules take effect with respect to the Fund, if the Fund is deemed to have material swaps exposure (generally, an average gross notional amount of uncleared swaps and foreign currency forward contracts at certain measurement dates exceeding $8 billion), it will under these regulations be required to post initial margin in addition to variation margin.

Uncleared swaps are not traded on exchanges. As a result, swap participants may not be as protected as participants on organized exchanges. Performance of a swap agreement is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty and not of any exchange or clearinghouse. As a result, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will be unable or will refuse to perform under such agreement, including because of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. The Fund risks the loss of the accrued but unpaid amounts under a swap agreement, which could be substantial, in the event of a default, insolvency or bankruptcy by a swap counterparty. In such an event, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreement, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor. If the counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would likely decline, potentially resulting in losses.

 

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Cleared Swaps.  Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing and trading on execution facilities. The Dodd-Frank Act and analogous international laws will ultimately require the clearing and exchange-trading of many swaps. To date, the CFTC has designated only certain of the most common credit default index swaps and certain interest rate swaps as subject to mandatory clearing and certain public execution facilities have made these swaps available to trade, but it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements.

In a cleared swap, the Fund’s ultimate counterparty is a central clearinghouse rather than a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution. Cleared swaps are submitted for clearing through each party’s FCM, which must be a member of the clearinghouse that serves as the central counterparty.

When the Fund enters into a cleared swap, it must deliver to the clearinghouse (via the FCM) an amount referred to as “initial margin.” Initial margin requirements are determined by the clearinghouse, and are typically calculated as an amount based on the volatility in market value of the cleared swap over a fixed period, but an FCM may require additional initial margin above the amount required by the clearinghouse. During the term of the swap agreement, “variation margin” may also be required to be paid by the Fund or may be received by the Fund. If the value of the Fund’s cleared swap declines, the Fund will be required to make additional “variation margin” payments to the FCM to settle the change in value. Conversely, if the market value of the Fund’s position increases, the FCM will post additional “variation margin” to the Fund’s account. At the conclusion of the term of the swap agreement, if the Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If the Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If the Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain are paid to the Fund.

Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant’s swap, but it does not eliminate those risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by the Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the FCM through which the Fund holds an open position, or the clearinghouse in a swap contract. The assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the FCM or clearinghouse because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund’s assets to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the clearinghouse. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.

With cleared swaps, the Fund may not be able to obtain terms as favorable as it would be able to negotiate for a bilateral, uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally amend the terms of its agreement with the Fund, which may include the imposition of position limits or additional margin requirements with respect to the Fund’s investment in certain types of swaps. Clearinghouses and FCMs can require termination of existing cleared swap transactions upon the occurrence of certain events, and can also require increases in margin above the margin that is required at the initiation of the swap agreement.

Finally, the Fund is subject to the risk that, after entering into a cleared swap with an executing broker, no FCM or clearinghouse is willing or able to clear the transaction. In such an event, the Fund may be required to break the trade and make an early termination payment to the executing broker.

Commonly used swap agreements include:

Credit Default Swaps (CDS):  A CDS is an agreement between two parties where the first party agrees to make one or more payments to the second party, while the second party assumes the risk of certain defaults, generally a failure to pay or bankruptcy of the issuer on a referenced debt obligation. CDS transactions are typically individually negotiated and structured. The Fund may enter into CDS to create long or short exposure to domestic or foreign corporate debt securities or sovereign debt securities.

The Fund may buy a CDS (buy credit protection). In this transaction the Fund makes a stream of payments based on a fixed interest rate (the premium) over the life of the swap in exchange for a counterparty (the seller)

 

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taking on the risk of default of a referenced debt obligation (the Reference Obligation). If a credit event occurs for the Reference Obligation, the Fund would cease making premium payments and it would deliver defaulted bonds to the seller. In return, the seller would pay the notional value of the Reference Obligation to the Fund. Alternatively, the two counterparties may agree to cash settlement in which the seller delivers to the Fund (buyer) the difference between the market value and the notional value of the Reference Obligation. If no event of default occurs, the Fund pays the fixed premium to the seller for the life of the contract, and no other exchange occurs.

Alternatively, the Fund may sell a CDS (sell credit protection). In this transaction the Fund will receive premium payments from the buyer in exchange for taking the risk of default of the Reference Obligation. If a credit event occurs for the Reference Obligation, the buyer would cease to make premium payments to the Fund and deliver the Reference Obligation to the Fund. In return, the Fund would pay the notional value of the Reference Obligation to the buyer. Alternatively, the two counterparties may agree to cash settlement in which the Fund would pay the buyer the difference between the market value and the notional value of the Reference Obligation. If no event of default occurs, the Fund receives the premium payments over the life of the contract, and no other exchange occurs.

Credit Default Index Swaps (CDX):  A CDX is a swap on an index of CDS. A CDX allows an investor to manage credit risk or to take a position on a basket of credit entities (such as CDS or CMBS) in a more efficient manner than transacting in single name CDS. If a credit event occurs in one of the underlying companies, the protection is paid out via the delivery of the defaulted bond by the buyer of protection in return for payment of the notional value of the defaulted bond by the seller of protection or it may be settled through a cash settlement between the two parties. The underlying company is then removed from the index. New series of CDX are issued on a regular basis. A Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index (CMBX) is a type of CDX made up of 25 tranches of commercial mortgage-backed securities (See “Debt Instruments — Mortgage- Backed and Asset-Backed Securities”) rather than CDS. Unlike other CDX contracts where credit events are intended to capture an event of default, CMBX involves a pay-as-you-go (PAUG) settlement process designed to capture non-default events that affect the cash flow of the reference obligation. PAUG involves ongoing, two-way payments over the life of a contract between the buyer and the seller of protection and is designed to closely mirror the cash flow of a portfolio of cash commercial mortgage-backed securities. A CDX index tranche provides access to customized risk, exposing each investor to losses at different levels of subordination. The lowest part of the capital structure is called the “equity tranche” as it has exposure to the first losses experienced in the basket. The mezzanine and senior tranches are higher in the capital structure but can also be exposed to loss in value. Investments are subject to liquidity risks as well as other risks associated with investments in credit default swaps.

Foreign Exchange Swaps:  A foreign exchange swap involves an agreement between two parties to exchange two different currencies on a specific date at a fixed rate, and an agreement for the reverse exchange of those two currencies at a later date and at a fixed rate. Foreign exchange swaps were exempted from the definition of “swaps” by the U.S. Treasury and are therefore not subject to many rules under the CEA that apply to swaps, including the mandatory clearing requirement. They are also not considered “commodity interests” for purposes of CEA Regulations and Exclusions, discussed above. However, foreign exchange swaps nevertheless remain subject to the CFTC’s trade reporting requirements, enhanced anti-evasion authority, and strengthened business conduct standards.

Currency Swaps:  A currency swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange periodic cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential between them. Currency swaps typically involve the delivery of the entire notional values of the two designated currencies. In such a situation, the full notional value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The Fund may also enter into currency swaps on a net basis, which means the two different currency payment streams under the swap agreement are converted and netted out to a single cash payment in just one of the currencies.

Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments.

 

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These actions could result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive a specified currency or funds in settlement of obligations, including swap transaction obligations. These actions could also have an adverse effect on the Fund’s swap transactions or cause the Fund’s hedging positions to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring unnecessary transaction costs.

Interest Rate Swaps:  An agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange a floating rate payment for a fixed rate payment based on a specified principal or notional amount. In other words, Party A agrees to pay Party B a fixed interest rate multiplied by a notional amount and in return Party B agrees to pay Party A a variable interest rate multiplied by the same notional amount.

Commodity Swaps:  A commodity swap agreement is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of a commodity-based underlying instrument (such as a specific commodity or commodity index) in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from another commodity-based underlying instrument. In a total return commodity swap, the Fund receives the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of a commodity index or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee.

Total Return Swaps:  An agreement in which one party makes payments based on a set rate, either fixed or variable, while the other party makes payments based on the return of an underlying asset, which includes both the income it generates and any capital gains.

Volatility and Variance Swaps:  A volatility swap involves an exchange between the Fund and a counterparty of periodic payments based on the measured volatility of an underlying security, currency, commodity, interest rate, index or other reference asset over a specified time frame. Depending on the structure of the swap, either the Fund’s or the counterparty’s payment obligation will typically be based on the realized volatility of the reference asset as measured by changes in its price or level over a specified time period while the other party’s payment obligation will be based on a specified rate representing expected volatility for the reference asset at the time the swap is executed, or the measured volatility of a different reference asset over a specified time period. The Fund will typically make or lose money on a volatility swap depending on the magnitude of the reference asset’s volatility, or size of the movements in its price, over a specified time period, rather than general increases or decreases in the price of the reference asset. Volatility swaps are often used to speculate on future volatility levels, to trade the spread between realized and expected volatility, or to decrease the volatility exposure of other investments held by the Fund. Variance swaps are similar to volatility swaps except payments are based on the difference between the implied and measured volatility mathematically squared.

Inflation Swaps:  Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index, such as the Consumer Price Index, over the term of the swap (with some lag on the referenced inflation index), and the other party pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swap agreements may be used to protect the net asset value of the Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index. The value of inflation swap agreements is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation.

Swaptions:  An option on a swap agreement, also called a “swaption,” is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based premium. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.

Swaptions are considered to be swaps for purposes of CFTC regulation. Although they are currently traded OTC, the CFTC may in the future designate certain options on swaps as subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading.

Interest Rate Locks. An interest rate lock is a hedging agreement in which the parties lock in an interest rate at a future maturity date. A cash settlement payment on that date that reflects changes in agreed upon interest

 

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rates. This settlement payment is designed to offset changes in the cost of borrowing for the hedged bond transaction. An interest rate lock may be terminated prior to its stated maturity date by calculating the payment due as of the termination date.

Bundled Securities. In lieu of investing directly in securities, the Fund may from time to time invest in Targeted Return Index Securities Trusts (TRAINS) or similar instruments representing a fractional undivided interest in an underlying pool of securities often referred to as Bundled Securities. Bundled Securities are typically represented by certificates and the Fund will be permitted at any time to exchange such certificates for the underlying securities evidenced by such certificates and thus the certificates are generally subject to the same risks as the underlying securities held in the trust. The Fund will examine the characteristics of the underlying securities for compliance with investment criteria but will determine liquidity with reference to the certificates itself. TRAINS and other trust certificates are generally not registered under the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act and therefore must be held by qualified purchasers and resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. Investments in certain TRAINS or other trust certificates may have the effect of increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities.

Options. The Fund may engage in certain strategies involving options to attempt to manage the risk of its investments or in certain circumstances, for investment purposes (e.g., as a substitute for investing in securities), to speculate on future volatility levels or to decrease the volatility exposure of other investments held by the Fund.

An option is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option at the exercise price during the term of the option (for American style options) or on a specified date (for European style options), the security, currency or other instrument underlying the option (or delivery of a cash settlement price, in the case of certain options, such as an index option and other cash-settled options). An option on a CDS or a futures contract (described below) gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a CDS or assume a position in a futures contract. Option transactions present the possibility of large amounts of exposure (or leverage), which may result in the Fund’s net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the option.

The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment, the price volatility of the underlying investment and general market and interest rate conditions.

The Fund will not write (sell) options if, immediately after such sale, the aggregate value of securities or obligations underlying the outstanding options would exceed 20% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund will not purchase options if, immediately after such purchase, the aggregate premiums paid for outstanding options would exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets.

The Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into an offsetting closing transaction. For example, the Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option, which is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, the Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option, which is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.

Options may be either listed on an exchange or traded in OTC markets. Listed options are tri-party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller are guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation) and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options are two-party contracts with negotiated strike prices and expiration dates and differ from exchange-traded options in that OTC options are transacted with dealers directly and not through a clearing corporation (which guarantees performance). In the case of OTC options, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option at any specific time; therefore the Fund may be required to treat some or all OTC options as illiquid investments.

 

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Although the Fund will enter into OTC options only with dealers that are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with it, there is no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to exercise or expiration. In the event of insolvency of the dealer, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.

Types of Options:

Put Options on Securities.  A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, to the writer, the underlying security, contract or foreign currency at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option (for American style options) or on a specified date (for European style options), regardless of the market price or exchange rate of the security, contract or foreign currency, as the case may be, at the time of exercise. If the purchaser exercises the put option, the writer of a put option is obligated to buy the underlying security, contract or foreign currency for the exercise price.

Call Options on Securities.  A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, from the writer, the underlying security, contract or foreign currency at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option (for American style options) or on a specified date (for European style options), regardless of the market price or exchange rate of the security, contract or foreign currency, as the case may be, at the time of exercise. If the purchaser exercises the call option, the writer of a call option is obligated to sell to and deliver the underlying security, contract or foreign currency to the purchaser of the call option for the exercise price.

Index Options.  Index options (or options on securities indices) give the option buyer the right to receive, upon exercise, a cash settlement amount instead of the securities included in the relevant index, if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index on the relevant option expiration date and the exercise price of the call or put times a specified multiple (the multiplier), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference.

The risks of investment in index options may be greater than options on securities, especially if the Fund writes index call options. Because index options are settled in cash, when the Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. The Fund can offset some of the risk of writing an index call option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities similar to those included in the underlying index. However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities in the index and, as a result, bears the risk that the value of the securities held will not be perfectly correlated with the value of the index.

CDS Options.  A CDS option transaction gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a CDS at a specified future date and under specified terms in exchange for paying a market based purchase price or premium. The writer of the option bears the risk of any unfavorable move in the value of the CDS relative to the market value on the exercise date, while the purchaser may allow the option to expire unexercised.

Options on Futures Contracts.  Options on futures contracts give the holder the right to assume a position in a futures contract (to buy the futures contract if the option is a call and to sell the futures contract if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option.

Option Techniques:

Writing Options.  The Fund may write options to generate additional income. As the writer of an option, the Fund may have no control over when the underlying reference asset must be sold (in the case of a call option) or purchased (in the case of a put option), if the option was structured as an American style option, because the option purchaser may notify the Fund of exercise at any time prior to the expiration of the option. In addition, if the option is cash-settled instead of deliverable, the Fund is obligated to pay the option purchaser the difference between the exercise price and the value of the underlying reference asset, instead of selling or purchasing the underlying reference asset, if the option is exercised. In general, options are rarely exercised prior to expiration. Whether or not an option expires unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium.

The Fund would write a put option at an exercise price that, reduced by the premium received on the option, reflects the price it is willing to pay for the underlying reference asset. In return for the premium received for

 

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writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that the price of the underlying reference asset will decline below the exercise price, in which case the put option may be exercised and the Fund may suffer a loss.

In return for the premium received for writing a call option on a reference asset, the Fund foregoes the opportunity for profit from a price increase in the underlying reference asset above the exercise price so long as the option remains open, but retains the risk of loss should the price of the reference asset decline.

If an option that the Fund has written expires, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying reference asset, held by the Fund during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying reference asset, which will be increased or offset by the premium received. The obligation imposed upon the writer of an option is terminated upon the expiration of the option, or such earlier time at which the Fund effects a closing purchase transaction by purchasing an option (put or call as the case may be) identical to that previously sold. However, once the Fund has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver (for a call) or purchase (for a put) the underlying reference asset at the exercise price (if deliverable) or pay the difference between the exercise price and the value of the underlying reference asset (if cash-settled).

Purchasing Options. The Fund may purchase a put option on an underlying reference asset owned by the Fund in order to protect against an anticipated decline in the value of the underlying reference asset held by the Fund; may purchase put options on underlying reference assets against which it has written other put options; or may speculate on the value of an underlying reference asset, index or quantitative measure. The premium paid for the put option and any transaction costs would reduce any profit realized when the underlying reference asset is delivered upon the exercise of the put option. Conversely, if the underlying reference asset does not decline in value, the option may expire worthless and the premium paid for the protective put would be lost. A put option may also be purchased on an investment the Fund does not own.

The Fund may purchase a call option for the purpose of acquiring the underlying reference asset for its portfolio, or on underlying reference assets against which it has written other call options. The Fund is not required to own the underlying reference asset in order to purchase a call option. If the Fund does not own the underlying position, the purchase of a call option would enable the Fund to acquire the underlying reference asset at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid. So long as it holds a call option, rather than the underlying reference asset itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected increase in the market price of the underlying reference asset. If the market price does not exceed the exercise price, the Fund could purchase the underlying reference asset on the open market and could allow the call option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the premium paid for the option.

Municipal Market Data Rate Locks. A Municipal Market Data Rate Lock (MMD Rate Lock) permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. MMD Rate Locks may be used for hedging purposes. An MMD Rate Lock is an agreement between two parties, the Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider, pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract.

MMD Rate Locks involve the risk that municipal yields will move in the direction opposite than the direction anticipated by the Fund. The risk of loss with respect to MMD Rate Locks is limited to the amount of payments the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an MMD Rate Lock defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the amount of payments that the Fund contractually is entitled to receive. If there is a default by the counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, but they could be difficult to enforce.

Straddles/Spreads/Collars.

Spread and straddle options transactions.  In “spread” transactions, the Fund buys and writes a put or buys and writes a call on the same underlying instrument with the options having different exercise prices, expiration

 

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dates, or both. In “straddles,” the Fund purchases a put option and a call option or writes a put option and a call option on the same instrument with the same expiration date and typically the same exercise price. When the Fund engages in spread and straddle transactions, it seeks to profit from differences in the option premiums paid and received and in the market prices of the related options positions when they are closed out or sold. Because these transactions require the Fund to buy and/or write more than one option simultaneously, the Fund’s ability to enter into such transactions and to liquidate its positions when necessary or deemed advisable may be more limited than if the Fund were to buy or sell a single option. Similarly, costs incurred by the Fund in connection with these transactions will in many cases be greater than if the Fund were to buy or sell a single option.

Option Collars.  The Fund also may use option “collars.” A “collar” position combines a put option purchased by the Fund (the right of the Fund to sell a specific security within a specified period) with a call option that is written by the Fund (the right of the counterparty to buy the same security) in a single instrument. The Fund’s right to sell the security is typically set at a price that is below the counterparty’s right to buy the security. Thus, the combined position “collars” the performance of the underlying security, providing protection from depreciation below the price specified in the put option, and allowing for participation in any appreciation up to the price specified by the call option.

Rights and Warrants.   Rights are equity securities representing a preemptive right of stockholders to purchase additional shares of a stock at the time of a new issuance, before the stock is offered to the general public. A stockholder who purchases rights may be able to retain the same ownership percentage after the new stock offering. A right usually enables the stockholder to purchase common stock at a price below the initial offering price. If the Fund purchases a right, it takes the risk that the right might expire worthless because the market value of the common stock falls below the price fixed by the right.

A warrant gives the holder the right to purchase securities from the issuer at a specific price within a certain time frame and is similar to a call option. The main difference between warrants and call options is that warrants are issued by the company that will issue the underlying security, whereas options are not issued by the company. Young, unseasoned companies often issue warrants to finance their operations.

Futures Contracts.

A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell a specified amount of a specified security, currency, commodity, interest rate or index (or deliver a cash settlement price, in the case of certain futures such as an index future, interest rate future or volatility future) for a specified price at a designated future date, time and place. A “sale” of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the underlying instrument or asset called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A “purchase” of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to acquire the underlying instrument or asset called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. Futures contracts are generally bought and sold on futures exchanges referred to as designated contract markets and are held through a broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), that is a member of the designated contract market and its related clearinghouse. The designated contract market sets the specifications of the relevant futures contract, including the date, time and place of delivery or settlement of the contract and the quantity of the underlying instrument or asset per contract.

The Fund will only enter into futures contracts that are traded (either domestically or internationally) on futures exchanges or certain exempt markets including exempt boards of trade and electronic trading facilities; and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument or asset. Futures exchanges and trading thereon in the United States are regulated under the CEA by the CFTC. Foreign futures exchanges or exempt markets and trading thereon are not regulated by the CFTC and may not be subject to the same regulatory controls. In addition, futures contracts that are traded on non-U.S. exchanges or exempt markets may not be as liquid as those purchased on CFTC-designated contract markets. For a further discussion of the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, see “Foreign Investments” above.

Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold, and margin deposits must be maintained at all times when a futures contract is outstanding. “Margin” for a futures contract is the amount of

 

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funds that must be deposited by the Fund with the applicable FCM in order to initiate trading in the futures contract and maintain its open positions in futures contract. A margin deposit made when the futures contract is entered (initial margin) is intended to ensure the Fund’s performance under the futures contract. The initial margin required for a particular Futures contract is set by the exchange on which the futures contract is traded and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange or the FCM during the term of the futures contract.

Subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” received from or paid to the FCM through which the Fund holds the futures contract will be made on a daily basis as the futures contract price fluctuates making the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking-to-market. When the futures contract is closed out, if the Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If the Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If the Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain are paid to the Fund and the FCM pays the Fund any excess gain over the margin amount.

There is a risk of loss by the Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a futures contract. The assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the FCM or clearinghouse because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the clearinghouse.

Closing out an open futures contract is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or asset and the same delivery or settlement date. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting contract with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting contract, it will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.

In addition, if the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures contract position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments.

Types of Futures Contracts:

Commodity Futures:  A commodity futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to buy or sell a particular commodity at a specified price at some time in the future. Commodity futures contracts are highly volatile; therefore, the prices of the Fund’s shares may be subject to greater volatility to the extent it invests in commodity futures.

Currency Futures:  A currency futures contract is a standardized, exchange-traded contract to buy or sell a particular currency at a specified price at a future date (commonly three months or more). Currency futures contracts may be highly volatile and thus result in substantial gains or losses to the Fund.

The Fund may either exchange the currencies specified at the maturity of a currency futures contract or, prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. The Fund may also enter into currency futures contracts that do not provide for physical settlement of the two currencies but instead are settled by a single cash payment calculated as the difference between the agreed upon exchange rate and the spot rate at settlement based upon an agreed upon notional amount. Closing transactions with respect to currency futures contracts are usually effected with the counterparty to the original currency futures contract.

Index Futures:  An index futures contract is an exchange-traded contract that provides for the delivery, at a designated date, time and place, of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference

 

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between the index value at the close of trading on the date specified in the contract and the price agreed upon in the futures contract; no physical delivery of securities comprising the index is made. Index futures can be based on stock, bond or other indices. Such indices cannot be purchased or sold directly.

Interest Rate Futures:  An interest rate futures contract is an exchange-traded contract in which the specified underlying security is either an interest-bearing fixed income security or an inter-bank deposit. Two examples of common interest rate futures contracts are U.S. Treasury futures and Eurodollar futures contracts. The specified security for U.S. Treasury futures is a U.S. Treasury security. The specified security for Eurodollar futures is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), which is a daily reference rate based on the interest rates at which banks offer to lend unsecured funds to other banks in the London wholesale money market.

Dividend Futures:  A dividend futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to purchase or sell an amount equal to the total dividends paid by a selected security, basket of securities or index, over a period of time for a specified price that is based on the expected dividend payments from the selected security, basket of securities or index.

Security Futures:  A security futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to purchase or sell, in the future, a specified quantity of a security (other than a Treasury security), or a narrow-based securities index at a certain price.

Options on Futures Contracts.  Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities or currencies except that options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures contract position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures contract margin account.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts.

A forward foreign currency contract is an obligation to buy or sell a particular currency in exchange for another currency, which may be U.S. dollars, at a specified exchange rate on a future date. Forward foreign currency contracts are typically individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers in the interbank market. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts with respect to a specific purchase or sale of a security, or with respect to its portfolio positions generally.

At the maturity of a forward foreign currency contract, the Fund may either exchange the currencies specified at the maturity of the contract or, prior to maturity, the Fund may enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward foreign currency contracts may or may not be effected with the counterparty to the original forward contract. The Fund may also enter into forward foreign currency contracts that do not provide for physical exchange of the two currencies on the settlement date but instead provide for settlement by a single cash payment calculated as the difference between the agreed upon exchange rate and the spot rate at settlement based upon an agreed upon notional amount (non- deliverable forwards).

Under definitions adopted by the CFTC and SEC, non-deliverable forwards are considered swaps, and therefore are included in the definition of “commodity interests.” Although non-deliverable forwards have historically been traded in the OTC market, as swaps they may in the future be required to be centrally cleared and traded on public execution facilities. For more information on central clearing and trading of cleared swaps, see “Swaps” and “Special Regulatory Risks of Derivatives.” Forward foreign currency contracts that qualify as deliverable forwards are not regulated as swaps for most purposes, and are not included in the definition of “commodity interests.” However these forwards are subject to some requirements applicable to swaps, including reporting to swap data repositories, documentation requirements, and business conduct rules applicable to swap dealers. CFTC regulation of forward foreign currency contracts, especially non- deliverable forwards, may restrict the Fund’s ability to use these instruments in the manner described above or subject Invesco to CFTC registration and regulation as a CPO.

 

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The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward foreign currency contracts varies with factors such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period, differences in prevailing interest rates in the jurisdictions associated with the two currencies and the prevailing market conditions. Because forward foreign currency contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are typically involved. The use of forward foreign currency contracts for hedging does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities the Fund owns or intends to acquire, but it does establish a rate of exchange in advance. While forward foreign currency contract sales limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase.

Forward Contract Limitations. As one alternative, the Fund could purchase a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the amount of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract at a price no higher than the forward contract price. As another alternative, the Fund could purchase a put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as high or higher than the forward contract price. The Fund could also cover its short positions by identifying assets on its books equal to the aggregate amount of the Fund’s commitment under forward contracts or the excess amount of those obligations.

LIBOR Transition Risk

The Fund may have investments in financial instruments that utilize the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as the reference or benchmark rate for variable interest rate calculations (including variable or floating rate debt securities or loans and derivatives such as interest rate futures or swaps). LIBOR is intended to measure the rate generally at which banks can lend and borrow from one another in the relevant currency on an unsecured basis. LIBOR was a common benchmark interest rate index used to make adjustments to variable-rate debt instruments, to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments and borrowing arrangements and as reference rate in derivative contracts. The Fund’s investments may pay interest at variable or floating rates based on LIBOR, may be subject to interest caps or floors based on LIBOR or may otherwise reference LIBOR as a reference rate to determine payment obligations or financing terms.

In the years following the 2008 financial crisis, the integrity of LIBOR was increasingly questioned because several banks contributing to its calculation were accused of rate manipulation and because of a general contraction in the unsecured interbank lending market. As a result, regulators and financial industry working groups in several jurisdictions have worked over the past several years to identify alternative reference rates (ARRs) to replace LIBOR and to assist with the transition to the new ARRs. The industry working group in the United States, the Alternative Reference Rate Committee, has recommended adoption of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as a replacement for USD LIBOR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of overnight borrowing of cash through repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.

In connection with the LIBOR transition, on March 5, 2021 the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the regulator that oversees LIBOR, announced that the majority of LIBOR rates would cease to be published or would no longer be representative on January 1, 2022. Specifically, the publication of all settings of British Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc, Euro and Japanese Yen LIBOR, as well as the 1-week and 2-month settings of U.S. Dollar (USD) LIBOR were phased out at the end of 2021. The remaining settings of USD LIBOR, which are the most widely used in financial markets, will continue to be published until June 2023 to allow for an orderly transition away from these rates. Additionally, key regulators have instructed banking institutions to cease entering into new contracts that reference these remaining USD LIBOR settings after December 31, 2021, subject to certain limited exceptions.

There remains uncertainty and risks relating to the continuing LIBOR transition and its effects on the Fund and the instruments in which the Fund may invest. For example, there can be no assurance that the composition or characteristics of any ARRs or financial instruments in which the Fund invests that utilize ARRs will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that these instruments will have the same volume or liquidity. Additionally, although regulators have generally prohibited banking institutions from entering into new contracts that reference those USD LIBOR settings that continue to exist, there remains uncertainty and risks relating to certain “legacy” USD LIBOR instruments that were issued or entered into before

 

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December 31, 2021 and the process by which a replacement interest rate will be identified and implemented into these instruments when USD LIBOR is ultimately discontinued. While some “legacy” USD LIBOR instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative or “fallback” rate-setting methodology, there may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of such alternative or “fallback” methodologies to replicate USD LIBOR; other “legacy” USD LIBOR instruments may not include such “fallback” rate-setting provisions at all. Certain legislation has been promulgated that would replace references to USD LIBOR in certain “legacy” USD LIBOR instruments with a specified replacement rate, such as SOFR, by operation of law; however there remains significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such legislation. As a result, the ongoing LIBOR transition might lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in, or a reduction in the value of, “legacy” USD LIBOR instruments held by the Fund; increased difficulty for borrowers associated with these instruments to refinance, the proceeds of which are needed to repay the Fund; or diminished effectiveness of any hedging strategies that the Fund may seek to implement in connection with these instruments. All of the foregoing may adversely affect the Fund’s performance or NAV.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Considerations

The ESG considerations described herein may not be used by the Fund and will vary depending on the Fund’s particular investment strategy and in accordance with what the Fund’s investment team deems relevant when making investment decisions. The ESG considerations described herein may not be applied or evaluated with respect to each issuer or Fund investment. Further, the Fund’s prospectus may describe additional ESG strategies and risks.

ESG considerations, either quantitative or qualitative, may be utilized as a component of the Fund’s investment process to implement its investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objective. ESG factors may be incorporated to evaluate an issuer, as part of risk analysis, credit analysis or in other manners. ESG factors may vary across types of investments and issuers, and not every ESG factor may be identified or evaluated. The incorporation of ESG factors may affect the Fund’s exposure to certain issuers or industries and may not work as intended. The Fund may underperform other funds that do not assess an issuer’s ESG factors as part of the investment process or that use a different methodology to identify and/or incorporate ESG factors. Because ESG considerations may be used as one part of an overall investment process, the Fund may still invest in securities of issuers that are not considered ESG-focused or that may be viewed as having a high ESG risk profile. As investors can differ in their views regarding ESG factors, the Fund may invest in issuers that do not reflect the views with respect to ESG of any particular investor. Information used by the Fund to evaluate such factors, including information from reliance on third-party research and/or proprietary research, may not be readily available, complete or accurate, and may vary across providers and issuers as ESG is not a uniformly defined characteristic, which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to accurately assess an issuer, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance. There is no guarantee that the evaluation of ESG considerations will be additive to the Fund’s performance.

Receipt of Issuer’s Nonpublic Information

The Adviser or Sub-Advisers (through their portfolio managers, analysts, or other representatives) may receive material nonpublic information about an issuer that may restrict the ability of the Adviser or Sub- Advisers to cause the Fund to buy or sell securities of the issuer on behalf of the Fund for substantial periods of time. This may impact the Fund’s ability to realize profit or avoid loss with respect to the issuer and may adversely affect the Fund’s flexibility with respect to buying or selling securities, potentially impacting Fund performance. For example, activist investors of certain issuers in which the Adviser or Sub-Advisers hold large positions may contact representatives of the Adviser or Sub-Advisers and may disclose material nonpublic information in such communication. The Adviser or Sub-Advisers would be restricted from trading on the basis of such material nonpublic information, limiting their flexibility in managing the Fund and possibly impacting Fund performance.

Business Continuity and Operational Risk

The Adviser, the Fund and the Fund’s service providers may experience disruptions or operating errors, such as processing errors or human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, systems or

 

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technology failures, or other disruptive events, that could negatively impact and cause disruptions in normal business operations of the Adviser, the Fund or the Fund’s service providers. The Adviser has developed a Business Continuity Program (the “Program”) designed to minimize the disruption of normal business operations in the event of an adverse incident affecting the Fund, the Adviser and/or its affiliates. The Program is also designed to enable the Adviser to reestablish normal business operations in a timely manner during such an adverse incident; however, there are inherent limitations in such programs (including the possibility that contingencies have not been anticipated and procedures do not work as intended) and, under some circumstances (e.g. natural disasters, terrorism, public health crises, power or utility shortages and failures, system failures or malfunctions), the Adviser, its affiliates, and any service providers or vendors used by the Adviser, its affiliates, or the Fund could be prevented or hindered from providing services to the Fund for extended periods of time. These circumstances could cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s service providers and the Fund’s business operations, potentially including an inability to process Fund shareholder transactions, an inability to calculate the Fund’s net asset value and price the Fund’s investments, and impediments to trading portfolio securities.

Cybersecurity Risk

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. Cybersecurity incidents involving the Fund and its service providers (including, without limitation, the Fund’s investment adviser, sub-adviser, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs.

Cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate cyberattacks or unintentional events and may arise from external or internal sources. Cyberattacks may include infection by malicious software or gaining unauthorized access to digital systems, networks or devices that are used to service the Fund’s operations (e.g., by “hacking” or “phishing”). Cyberattacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). These cyberattacks could cause the misappropriation of assets or personal information, corruption of data or operational disruptions. Geopolitical tensions may, from time to time, increase the scale and sophistication of deliberate cyberattacks.

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, counterparties with which the Fund engages, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, other financial institutions and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cybersecurity incidents in the future. Although the Fund’s service providers may have established business continuity plans and risk management systems to mitigate cybersecurity risks, there can be no guarantee or assurance that such plans or systems will be effective, or that all risks that exist, or may develop in the future, have been completely anticipated and identified or can be protected against. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk

Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other severe weather-related phenomena generally, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely impacting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments. Given the increasing interdependence among global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region are increasingly likely to adversely affect markets, issuers, and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. These disruptions could prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and negatively impact the Fund’s

 

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ability to achieve its investment objective. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund.

COVID-19.  The COVID-19 strain of coronavirus has resulted in instances of market closures and dislocations, extreme volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations (including business closures) and supply chains, layoffs, lower consumer demand and employee availability, defaults and credit downgrades, among other significant economic impacts, all of which have disrupted global economic activity across many industries and may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks, locally or globally and cause general concern and uncertainty. The full economic impact and ongoing effects of COVID-19 (or other future epidemics or pandemics) at the macro-level and on individual businesses are unpredictable and may result in significant and prolonged effects on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Policies

Fundamental Restrictions. Except as otherwise noted below, the Fund is subject to the following investment restrictions, which may be changed only by a vote of the Fund’s outstanding shares. Fundamental restrictions may be changed only by a vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

(1)  The Fund may not borrow money or issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations, and Exemptions.

(2)  The Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

(3)  The Fund will not make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may be defined or interpreted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions) of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry. This restriction does not limit the Fund’s investments in (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (ii) tax-exempt obligations issued by governments or political subdivisions of governments. In complying with this restriction, the Fund will not consider a bank-issued guaranty or financial guaranty insurance as a separate security.

(4)  The Fund may not purchase real estate or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein.

(5)  The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and any other governing statute, and by the rules thereunder, and by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.

(6)  The Fund may not make personal loans or loans of its assets to persons who control or are under common control with the Fund, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from, among other things, purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning its assets to broker-dealers or institutional investors, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.

(7)  The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.

(8)  The Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in municipal securities at the time of investment.

 

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For purposes of the foregoing, “assets” means net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. Derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the securities described above for the Fund may be counted toward the Fund’s 80% policy.

The investment restrictions set forth above provide the Fund with the ability to operate under new interpretations of the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC without receiving prior shareholder approval of the change. Even though the Fund has this flexibility, the Board has adopted non-fundamental restrictions for the Fund relating to certain of these restrictions which Invesco and, when applicable, the Sub-Advisers must follow in managing the Fund. Any changes to these non- fundamental restrictions, which are set forth below, require the approval of the Board.

Explanatory Note

For purposes of the Fund’s fundamental restriction related to industry concentration above, investments in tax-exempt municipal securities where the payment of principal and interest for such securities is derived solely from a specific project associated with an issuer that is not a governmental entity or a political subdivision of a government are subject to the Fund’s industry concentration policy.

For purposes of the Fund’s fundamental restriction related to physical commodities above, the Fund is currently permitted to invest in futures, swaps and other instruments on physical commodities to the extent permitted by the fundamental restriction and the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning commodities or contracts related to commodities. The extent to which the Fund can invest in futures, swaps and other instruments on physical commodities, and/or commodities or contracts related to commodities is set out in the investment strategies described in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI and permitted by the Fund’s fundamental restriction.

For purposes of the Fund’s fundamental restriction related to real estate above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning real estate. The extent to which the Fund can invest in real estate is set out in the investment strategies described in the Fund’s prospectus or this SAI.

For purposes of the Fund’s fundamental restriction related to senior securities above, the 1940 Act prohibits a fund from issuing a “senior security,” which is generally defined as any bond, debenture, note, or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness, or any stock of a class having priority over any other class of the fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of fund assets, except that the fund may borrow money as described above.

For purposes of the Fund’s fundamental restriction related to loans above made by the Fund, current SEC staff interpretations under the 1940 Act prohibit a fund from lending more than one-third of its total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements.

Non-Fundamental Restrictions. Non-fundamental restrictions may be changed for the Fund without shareholder approval.

(1)    In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding borrowing money and issuing senior securities, the Fund may borrow money in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).

(2)    In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding industry concentration, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.

(3)    In complying with the fundamental restriction with regard to making loans, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its total assets and may lend money to an Invesco Fund, on such terms and conditions as the SEC may require in an exemptive order.

(4)    Notwithstanding the fundamental restriction with regard to investing all assets in an open-end fund, the Fund may not invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and restrictions as the Fund.

 

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It is the intention of the Fund, unless otherwise indicated, that with respect to the Fund’s policies that are a result of application of law, the Fund will take advantage of the flexibility provided by rules or interpretations of the SEC currently in existence or promulgated in the future, or changes to such laws.

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund calculates its portfolio turnover rate by dividing the value of the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal period by the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal period. A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all of the portfolio securities (other than short-term securities) were replaced once during the fiscal period. Portfolio turnover rates will vary from year to year, depending on market conditions.

Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Fund Holdings

The Board has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings (the Holdings Disclosure Policy). Invesco and the Board may amend the Holdings Disclosure Policy at any time without prior notice. Details of the Holdings Disclosure Policy and a description of the basis on which employees of Invesco and its affiliates may release information about portfolio securities in certain contexts are provided below. As used in the Holdings Disclosure Policy and throughout the SAI, the term “portfolio holdings information” includes information with respect to the portfolio holdings of the Fund, including holdings that are derivatives and holdings held as short positions. Information generally excluded from “portfolio holdings information” includes, without limitation, (i) descriptions of allocations among asset classes, regions, countries, industries or sectors; (ii) aggregated data such as average or median ratios, market capitalization, credit quality or duration; (iii) performance attributions by asset class, country, industry or sector; (iv) aggregated risk statistics, analysis and simulations, such as stress testing; (v) the characteristics of the stock and bond components of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and other investment positions; (vi) the volatility characteristics of the Fund; (vii) information on how various weightings and factors contributed to Fund performance; (viii) various financial characteristics of the Fund or its underlying portfolio investments; and (ix) other information where, in the reasonable belief of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (or a designee), the release of such information would not present risks of dilution, arbitrage, market timing, insider trading or other inappropriate trading for the Fund.

Public release of portfolio holdings.  The Fund discloses the following portfolio holdings information at www.invesco.com/us.1

 

Information

    

Approximate Date of Website Posting

    

Information Remains Posted on Website

Select portfolio holdings information , such as top ten holdings as of the month-end     

15 calendar days after month-end

     Until replaced with the following month’s top ten holdings
Select portfolio holdings information (e.g., buys/sells, contributors/detractors and/or relevant to market environment)     

15 calendar days after month-end

    

Until replaced with the following

month’s select portfolio holding information

Complete portfolio holdings information as of calendar month-end     

30 calendar days after month-end

     For 12 months from the date of posting
Complete portfolio holdings information as of fiscal quarter-end     

60-70 calendar days after fiscal quarter-end

     For 12 months from the date of posting

 

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To locate the Fund’s portfolio holdings information go to www.invesco.com/us, select “Financial Professional” or “Individual Investor,” if applicable. Hover over the “Products” tab and then click on “Mutual Funds.” On the “Mutual Funds” page click on “Fund Materials.” Links to the Fund’s portfolio holdings are located under the “Holdings” column.

You may also obtain the publicly available portfolio holdings information described above by contacting us at 1-800-959-4246.

Selective disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to Non-Disclosure Agreement.  Employees of Invesco and its affiliates may disclose non-public full portfolio holdings information on a selective basis only if Invesco approves the parties to whom disclosure of non-public full portfolio holdings information will be made.

 

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Invesco must determine that the proposed selective disclosure will be made for business purposes of the Fund and is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. In making such determination, Invesco will address any perceived conflicts of interest between shareholders of the Fund and Invesco or its affiliates as part of granting its approval.

The Board exercises continuing oversight of the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings information by (1) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Holdings Disclosure Policy and the Invesco Funds’ Code of Ethics by the Chief Compliance Officer (or his designee) of Invesco and the Invesco Funds and (2) considering reports and recommendations by the Chief Compliance Officer concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act)) that may arise in connection with the Holdings Disclosure Policy. Pursuant to the Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Board receives reports on the specific types of situations in which Invesco proposes to provide such selective disclosure and the situations where providing selective disclosure raises perceived conflicts of interest between shareholders of the Fund and Invesco or its affiliates. In any specific situation where Invesco addresses a perceived conflict, Invesco will report to the Board on the persons to whom such disclosures are to be made and the treatment of any such conflicts before agreeing to provide selective disclosure.

Invesco discloses non-public full portfolio holdings information to the following persons in connection with the day-to-day operations and management of the funds advised by Invesco (the Invesco Funds):

 

   

Attorneys and accountants;

 

   

Securities lending agents;

 

   

Lenders to the Invesco Funds;

 

   

Rating and rankings agencies;

 

   

Persons assisting in the voting of proxies;

 

   

Invesco Funds’ custodians;

 

   

The Invesco Funds’ transfer agent(s) (in the event of a redemption in kind);

 

   

Pricing services, market makers, or other fund accounting software providers (to determine the price of investments held by an Invesco Fund);

 

   

Brokers identified by the Invesco Funds’ portfolio management team who provide execution and research services to the team;

 

   

Analysts hired to perform research and analysis for the Invesco Funds’ portfolio management team; and

 

   

Insurance companies which receive portfolio holdings information before Invesco posts portfolio holdings information to Invesco’s website (to allow such insurance companies to post portfolio holdings information to their websites at approximately the same time that Invesco posts portfolio holdings information to Invesco’s website).

In many cases, Invesco will disclose current portfolio holdings information on a daily basis to these persons. In these situations, Invesco has entered into non-disclosure agreements which provide that the recipient of the portfolio holdings information will maintain the confidentiality of such portfolio holdings information and will not trade on such information (Non-disclosure Agreements). Please refer to Appendix B for a list of examples of persons to whom Invesco provides non-public portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis.

Invesco will also disclose non-public portfolio holdings information if such disclosure is required by applicable laws, rules or regulations, or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over Invesco and its affiliates or the Invesco Funds, and where there is no other way to transact the Funds’ business without disclosure of such portfolio holdings information.

The Holdings Disclosure Policy provides that the Fund, Invesco or any other party in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information will not request, receive or accept any compensation (including

 

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compensation in the form of the maintenance of assets in any Fund or other mutual fund or account managed by Invesco or one of its affiliates) for the selective disclosure of portfolio holdings information.

Disclosure of certain portfolio holdings information without Non-Disclosure Agreement.  Invesco and its affiliates that provide services to the Fund, the Sub-Advisers and each of their employees may receive or have access to portfolio holdings information as part of the day to day operations of the Fund.

Employees of Invesco and its affiliates may express their views orally or in writing on one or more of the Fund’s portfolio investments or may state that the Fund has recently purchased or sold, or continues to own, one or more investments. The investments subject to these views and statements may be ones that were purchased or sold since the date on which portfolio holdings was made available on the Fund’s website and therefore may not be reflected on the portfolio holdings information disclosed on the website. Such views and statements may be made to various persons, including members of the press, shareholders in the Fund, persons considering investing in the Fund or representatives of such shareholders or potential shareholders, such as fiduciaries of a 401(k) plan and their advisers. The nature and content of the views and statements provided to each of these persons may differ.

Disclosure of portfolio holdings information to traders.  Additionally, employees of Invesco and its affiliates may disclose one or more of the investments held by the Fund when purchasing and selling investments through broker-dealers, futures commissions merchants, clearing agencies and other counterparties requesting bids on investments, obtaining price quotations on investments, or in connection with litigation involving the Fund’s portfolio investments. Invesco does not enter into formal Non-Disclosure Agreements in connection with these situations; however, the Fund would not continue to conduct business with a person who Invesco believed was misusing the disclosed information.

Disclosure of portfolio holdings of other Invesco-managed products.  Invesco and its affiliates manage products sponsored by companies other than Invesco, including investment companies, offshore funds, and separate accounts. In many cases, these other products are managed in a similar fashion to certain Invesco Funds (as defined herein) and thus have similar portfolio holdings. The sponsors of these other products managed by Invesco and its affiliates may disclose the portfolio holdings of their products at different times than Invesco discloses portfolio holdings for the Invesco Funds.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

Board of Trustees

The Trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during at least the last five years and certain other information concerning them are set forth in Appendix C.

Qualifications and Experience.  In addition to the information set forth in Appendix C, the following sets forth additional information about the qualifications and experiences of each of the Trustees.

Interested Trustee

Martin L. Flanagan, Trustee and Vice Chair

Martin L. Flanagan has been a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the Invesco Funds since 2007. Mr. Flanagan is president and chief executive officer of Invesco Ltd., a position he has held since August 2005. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Invesco Ltd.

Mr. Flanagan joined Invesco, Ltd. from Franklin Resources, Inc., where he was president and co-chief executive officer from January 2004 to July 2005. Previously he had been Franklin’s co-president from May 2003 to January 2004, chief operating officer and chief financial officer from November 1999 to May 2003, and senior vice president and chief financial officer from 1993 until November 1999.

Mr. Flanagan served as director, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Templeton, Galbraith & Hansberger, Ltd. before its acquisition by Franklin in 1992. Before joining Templeton in 1983, he worked with Arthur Andersen & Co.

 

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Mr. Flanagan is a chartered financial analyst and a certified public accountant. He serves as vice chairman of the Investment Company Institute and a member of the executive board at the SMU Cox School of Business.

The Board believes that Mr. Flanagan’s long experience as an executive in the investment management area benefits the Fund.

Independent Trustees

Beth Ann Brown, Trustee and Chair

Beth Ann Brown has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2019 and Chair since August 2022. From 2016 to 2019, Ms. Brown served on the boards of certain investment companies in the Oppenheimer Funds complex.

Ms. Brown has served as Director of Caron Engineering, Inc. since 2018 and as an Independent Consultant since September 2012.

Previously, Ms. Brown served in various capacities at Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC, including Head of Intermediary Distribution, Managing Director, Strategic Relations and Managing Director, Head of National Accounts. She also served as Senior Vice President, National Account Manager from 2002- 2004 and Senior Vice President, Key Account Manager from 1999 to 2002 of Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc. From 2013 through 2022, she served as Director, Vice President (through 2019) and President (2019-2022) of Grahamtastic Connection, a non-profit organization.

From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Brown served on the Board of Advisors of Caron Engineering Inc. and also served as President and Director of Acton Shapleigh Youth Conservation Corps, a non–profit organization, from 2012 to 2015.

The Board believes that Ms. Brown’s experience in financial services and investment management and as a director of other investment companies benefits the Fund.

Cynthia Hostetler, Trustee

Cynthia Hostetler has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2017.

Ms. Hostetler is currently a member of the board of directors of the Vulcan Materials Company, a public company engaged in the production and distribution of construction materials, Trilinc Global Impact Fund LLC, a publicly registered non-traded limited liability company that invests in a diversified portfolio of private debt instruments, Resideo Technologies, Inc., a public company that manufactures and distributes smart home security products and solutions worldwide, and Textainer Group Holdings, a public company that is the world’s second largest shipping container leasing company. Ms. Hostetler also serves on the board of governors of the Investment Company Institute and is a member of the governing council of the Independent Directors Council, both of which are professional organizations in the investment management industry.

Previously, Ms. Hostetler served as a member of the board of directors/trustees of Aberdeen Investment Funds, a mutual fund complex, Edgen Group Inc., a public company that provides products and services to energy and construction companies, from 2012 to 2013, prior to its sale to Sumitomo, and Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., a public company that owns and operates railroads worldwide, from 2018 to 2019, prior to its sale to Brookfield Asset Management. Ms. Hostetler was also a member of the board of directors of the Eisenhower Foundation, a non-profit organization.

From 2001 to 2009, Ms. Hostetler served as Head of Investment Funds and Private Equity at Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), a government agency that supports US investment in the emerging markets. Ms. Hostetler oversaw a multi-billion dollar investment portfolio in private equity funds. Prior to joining OPIC, Ms. Hostetler served as President and member of the board of directors of First Manhattan Bancorporation, a bank holding company, from 1991 to 2007, and its largest subsidiary, First Savings Bank, from 1991 to 2006 (Board Member) and from 1996 to 2001 (President).

 

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The Board believes that Ms. Hostetler’s knowledge of financial services and investment management, her experience as a director of other companies, including a mutual fund complex, her legal background, and other professional experience gained through her prior employment benefit the Fund.

Dr. Eli Jones, Trustee

Dr. Eli Jones has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2016.

Dr. Jones has served on the board of directors of First Financial Bancorp, a regional bank, since 2022 and on the regional board since 2021. Since 2020, Dr. Jones has served as a director on the board of directors of Insperity, Inc. (“Insperity”). From 2004 to 2016, Dr. Jones was chair of the Compensation Committee, a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a director on the board of directors of Insperity.

Dr. Jones is a Professor of Marketing, Lowry and Peggy Mays Eminent Scholar, and Dean Emeritus of Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. From 2015 to 2021, Dr. Jones served as Dean of Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Jones was the dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and holder of the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair in Business. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Arkansas, he was dean of the E. J. Ourso College of Business and Ourso Distinguished Professor of Business at Louisiana State University from 2008 to 2012; professor of marketing and associate dean at the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston from 2007 to 2008; an associate professor of marketing from 2002 to 2007; and an assistant professor from 1997 until 2002. He taught at Texas A&M University for several years before joining the faculty of the University of Houston.

Dr. Jones served as the executive director of the Program for Excellence in Selling and the Sales Excellence Institute at the University of Houston from 1997 to 2007. Before becoming a professor, he worked in sales and sales management for three Fortune 100 companies: Quaker Oats, Nabisco, and Frito-Lay. Dr. Jones is a past director of Arvest Bank. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in journalism in 1982, his MBA in 1986 and his Ph.D. in 1997, all from Texas A&M University.

The Board believes that Dr. Jones’ experience in academia and his experience in marketing benefits the Fund.

Elizabeth Krentzman, Trustee

Elizabeth Krentzman has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2019. From 2014 to 2019, Ms. Krentzman served on the boards of certain investment companies in the Oppenheimer Funds complex.

Ms. Krentzman served from 2017 to 2022 as a member of the Cartica Funds Board of Directors (private investment funds). Ms. Krentzman previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Florida National Board Foundation from 2016 to 2021. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Florida Law Center Association, Inc. from 2016 to 2021, as a member of its Audit Committee from 2016 to 2020, and as a member of its Membership Committee from 2020 to 2021.

Ms. Krentzman served from 1997 to 2004 and from 2007 and 2014 in various capacities at Deloitte & Touche LLP, including Principal and Chief Regulatory Advisor for Asset Management Services, U.S. Mutual Fund Leader and National Director of the Investment Management Regulatory Consulting Practice. She served as General Counsel of the Investment Company Institute from 2004 to 2007.

From 1996 to 1997, Ms. Krentzman served as an Assistant Director of the Division of Investment Management—Office of Disclosure and Investment Adviser Regulation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. She also served from 1991 to 1996 in various positions with the Division of Investment Management—Office of Regulatory Policy of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and from 1987 to 1991 as an Associate at Ropes & Gray LLP.

The Board believes that Ms. Krentzman’s legal background, experience in financial services and accounting and as a director of other investment companies benefits the Fund.

 

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Anthony J. LaCava, Jr., Trustee

Anthony J. LaCava, Jr. has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2019.

Previously, Mr. LaCava served as a member of the board of directors and as a member of the audit committee of Blue Hills Bank, a publicly traded financial institution.

Mr. LaCava retired after a 37-year career with KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) where he served as senior partner for a wide range of firm clients across the retail, financial services, consumer markets, real estate, manufacturing, health care and technology industries. From 2005 to 2013, Mr. LaCava served as a member of the board of directors of KPMG and chair of the board’s audit and finance committee and nominating committee. He also previously served as Regional Managing Partner from 2009 through 2012 and Managing Partner of KPMG’s New England practice.

Mr. LaCava currently serves as Chairman of the Business School Advisory Council of Bentley University and as a member of American College of Corporate Directors and Board Leaders, Inc.

The Board believes that Mr. LaCava’s experience in audit and financial services benefits the Fund.

Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis, Trustee

Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 1998.

Since 2021, Dr. Mathai-Davis has served as a member of the Board of Positive Planet US, a non-profit organization and Healthcare Chaplaincy Network, a non-profit organization.

Previously, Dr. Mathai-Davis served as co-founder and partner of Quantalytics Research, LLC, (a FinTech Investment Research Platform) from 2017 to October 2019, when the firm was acquired by Forbes Media Holdings, LLC.

Dr. Mathai-Davis previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of the USA from 1994 until her retirement in 2000. Prior to joining the YWCA, Dr. Mathai-Davis served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging. She was a Commissioner and Board Member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York, the largest regional transportation network in the U.S. Dr. Mathai-Davis also served as a Trustee of the YWCA Retirement Fund, the first and oldest pension fund for women, and on the advisory board of the Johns Hopkins Bioethics Institute. She was a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, and on the visiting Committee of The Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Mathai-Davis was the president and chief executive officer of the Community Agency for Senior Citizens, a non-profit social service agency that she established in 1981. She also directed the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine-Hunter College Long-Term Care Gerontology Center, one of the first of its kind.

The Board believes that Dr. Mathai-Davis’ extensive experience in running public and charitable institutions benefits the Fund.

Joel W. Motley, Trustee

Joel W. Motley has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2019. From 2002 to 2019, Mr. Motley served on the boards of certain investment companies in the Oppenheimer Funds complex.

In May 2022, Mr. Motley rejoined the Vestry and the Investment Committee of Trinity Church Wall Street. Since 2021, Mr. Motley has served as a Board member of the Trust for Mutual Understanding, which makes grants to arts and environmental organizations in Eastern Europe. Since 2021, Mr. Motley has served as a member of the board of Blue Ocean Acquisition Corp. Since 2016, Mr. Motley has served as an independent director of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. He has served as Managing Director of Carmona Motley, Inc., a privately-held financial advisory firm, since January 2002.

Mr. Motley also serves as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and its Finance and Budget Committee. He is a member of the Investment Committee and is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Human

 

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Rights Watch and a member of the Investment Committee and the Board of Historic Hudson Valley, a non- profit cultural organization.

Since 2011, he has served as a Board Member and Investment Committee Member of the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, a non-profit journalism organization. Mr. Motley also serves as Director and member of the Board and Investment Committee of The Greenwall Foundation, a bioethics research foundation, and as a Director of Friends of the LRC, a South Africa legal services foundation.

Previously, Mr. Motley served as Managing Director of Public Capital Advisors, LLC, a privately held financial advisory firm, from 2006 to 2017. He also served as Managing Director of Carmona Motley Hoffman Inc. a privately-held financial advisor, and served as a Director of Columbia Equity Financial Corp., a privately-held financial advisor, from 2002 to 2007.

The Board believes that Mr. Motley’s experience in financial services and as a director of other investment companies benefits the Fund.

Teresa M. Ressel, Trustee

Teresa Ressel has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2017.

Ms. Ressel has previously served within the private sector and the U.S. government as well as consulting. Formerly, Ms. Ressel served at UBS AG in various capacities, including as Chief Executive Officer of UBS Securities LLC, a broker-dealer division of UBS Investment Bank, and as Group Chief Operating Officer of the Americas.

Between 2001 and 2004, Ms. Ressel served at the U.S. Treasury, initially as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management & Budget and then as Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Ressel was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and anchored financial duties at the Department, including finance, accounting, risk, audit and performance measurement.

From 2012 to 2020, Ms. Ressel served on the board of directors of ON Semiconductor, a publicly traded manufacturer of semiconductors.

From 2017 to 2021, Ms. Ressel served as a director of Elucida Oncology, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutics for cancer treatment. Ms. Ressel also volunteers within her community across a number of functions and serves on the board of GAVI, the Global Vaccine Alliance (non- profit) supporting children’s health.

The Board believes that Ms. Ressel’s risk management and financial experience in both the private and public sectors benefits the Fund.

Robert C. Troccoli, Trustee

Robert C. Troccoli has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2016.

Mr. Troccoli retired after a 39-year career with KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), where he served as a senior Partner. From 2013 to 2017, he was an adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.

Mr. Troccoli’s leadership roles during his career with KPMG included managing partner and partner in charge of the Denver office’s Financial Services Practice. He served regulated investment companies, investment advisors, private partnerships, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, and financial services companies. Toward the end of his career, Mr. Troccoli was a founding member of KPMG’s Private Equity Group in New York City, where he served private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds. Mr. Troccoli also served mutual fund clients along with several large private equity firms as Global Lead Partner of KPMG’s Private Equity Group.

The Board believes that Mr. Troccoli’s experience as a partner in a large accounting firm and his knowledge of investment companies, investment advisors, and private equity firms benefits the Fund.

 

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Daniel S. Vandivort, Trustee

Daniel S. Vandivort has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Funds since 2019. From 2014 to 2019, Mr. Vandivort served on the boards of certain investment companies in the Oppenheimer Funds complex, as a Trustee and as the Governance Committee Chair.

Mr. Vandivort also served as Chairman, Lead Independent Director, and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Value Line Funds from 2008 through 2014.

Previously, Mr. Vandivort also served as a Trustee and Chairman of the Weiss Peck and Greer Mutual Funds Board from 2004 to 2005.

Previously, Mr. Vandivort served at Weiss Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management from 1994 to 2007, as President and Chief Investment Officer and prior to that as Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income. Mr. Vandivort also served in various capacities at CS First Boston from 1984 to 1994, including as Head of Fixed Income at CS First Boston Investment Management.

Mr. Vandivort was also a Trustee on the Board of Huntington Disease Foundation of America from 2007 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2019. He also served as Treasurer and Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee of Huntington Disease Foundation of America from 2016 to 2019.

Mr. Vandivort currently serves as President of Flyway Advisory Services LLC, a consulting and property management company.

The Board believes that Mr. Vandivort’s experience in financial services and investment management and as a director of other investment companies benefits the Fund.

Management Information

The Trustees have the authority to take all actions that they consider necessary or appropriate in connection with oversight of the Trust, including, among other things, approving the investment objectives, investment policies and fundamental investment restrictions for the Fund. The Trust has entered into agreements with various service providers, including the Fund’s investment advisers, administrator, transfer agent, distributor and custodians, to conduct the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Trustees are responsible for selecting these service providers, approving the terms of their contracts with the Fund, and exercising general oversight of these arrangements on an ongoing basis.

Certain Trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with Invesco and Invesco Ltd., the parent corporation of Invesco. All of the Trust’s executive officers hold similar offices with some or all of the other Trusts.

Leadership Structure and the Board of Trustees.  The Board is currently composed of eleven Trustees, including ten Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (collectively, the Independent Trustees and each, an Independent Trustee). In addition to eight regularly scheduled meetings per year, the Board holds special meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may require action prior to the next regular meeting. As discussed below, the Board has established four standing committees—the Audit Committee, the Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee and the Investments Committee (the Committees), to assist the Board in performing its oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee to serve in the role of Chair. The Chair’s primary role is to preside at meetings of the Board and act as a liaison with the Adviser and other service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees between meetings. The Chair also participates in the preparation of the agenda for the meetings of the Board, is active with mutual fund industry organizations, and may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. Except for any duties specified pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-laws, the designation of Chair does not impose on such Independent Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board generally.

The Board believes that its leadership structure, including having an Independent Trustee as Chair, allows for effective communication between the Trustees and management, among the Trustees and among the

 

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Independent Trustees. The existing Board structure, including its Committee structure, provides the Independent Trustees with effective control over Board governance while also allowing them to receive and benefit from insight from the interested Trustee who is an active officer of the Fund’s investment adviser. The Board’s leadership structure promotes dialogue and debate, which the Board believes allows for the proper consideration of matters deemed important to the Fund and its shareholders and results in effective decision-making.

Risk Oversight.  The Board considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at its regular meetings and at regular meetings of its Committees. Invesco prepares regular reports that address certain investment, valuation and compliance matters, and the Board as a whole or the Committees also receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues at the request of the Board, a Committee or the Senior Officer.

The Board also considers liquidity risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities and oversees the Trust’s liquidity risk through, among other things, receiving periodic reporting and presentations by Invesco personnel that address liquidity matters. As required by Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, has approved the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management (LRM) Program, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Trust’s liquidity risk, and has appointed the LRM Program Administrator that is responsible for administering the LRM Program. The Board also reviews, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the LRM Program Administrator that addresses, among other items, the operation of the program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation.

The Audit Committee is apprised by, and discusses with, management its policies on risk assessment and risk management. Such discussion includes a discussion of the guidelines governing the process by which risks are assessed and managed and an identification of the Fund’s major financial risk exposures. In addition, the Audit Committee meets regularly with representatives of Invesco Ltd.’s internal audit group to review reports on their examinations of functions and processes within Invesco that affect the Fund. The Audit Committee also oversees the Adviser’s process for valuing the Fund’s portfolio investments and receives reports from management regarding its process and the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio investments as consistent with the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures.

The Compliance Committee receives regular compliance reports prepared by Invesco’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. The Compliance Committee has recommended and the Board has adopted compliance policies and procedures for the Fund and for the Fund’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are designed to detect, prevent and correct violations of the federal securities laws.

The Governance Committee monitors the composition of the Board and each of its Committees and monitors the qualifications of the Trustees to ensure adherence to certain governance undertakings applicable to the Fund. In addition, the Governance Committee oversees an annual self-assessment of the Board and addresses governance risks, including insurance and fidelity bond matters, for the Trust.

The Investments Committee and its sub-committees receive regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Invesco Funds. In addition, Invesco’s Chief Investment Officers and the portfolio managers of the Fund meet regularly with the Investments Committee or its sub-committees to discuss portfolio performance, including investment risk, such as the impact on the Fund of investments in particular types of securities or instruments, such as derivatives. To the extent that the Fund changes a particular investment strategy that could have a material impact on the Fund’s risk profile, the Board generally is consulted in advance with respect to such change.

Committee Structure

The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. LaCava (Chair) and Troccoli, Dr. Jones, and Mss. Hostetler and Ressel. The Audit Committee performs a number of functions with respect to the oversight of the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting, including: (i) assisting the Board with its oversight of the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accountants; (ii) selecting

 

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independent registered public accountants for the Fund; (iii) to the extent required, pre-approving certain audit and permissible non-audit services; (iv) overseeing the financial reporting process for the Fund; (v) assisting the Board with its oversight of the integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (vi) pre-approving engagements for non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Fund’s investment adviser or to any of its affiliates; and (vii) overseeing the performance of the fair valuation determinations by the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

The members of the Compliance Committee are Messrs. Motley and Vandivort, and Mss. Brown and Krentzman (Chair) and Dr. Mathai-Davis. The Compliance Committee performs a number of functions with respect to compliance matters, including: (i) reviewing and making recommendations concerning the qualifications, performance and compensation of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer; (ii) reviewing recommendations and reports made by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund regarding compliance matters; (iii) overseeing compliance policies and procedures of the Fund and its service providers; (iv) overseeing potential conflicts of interest that are reported to the Compliance Committee by Invesco, the Chief Compliance Officer; (v) reviewing reports prepared by a third party’s compliance review of Invesco; (vi) if requested by the Board, overseeing risk management with respect to the Fund, including receiving and overseeing risk management reports from Invesco that are applicable to the Fund and its service providers; and (vii) reviewing reports by Invesco on correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies with respect to the Fund and recommending to the Board what action, if any, should be taken by the Fund in light of such reports. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Compliance Committee held four meetings.

The members of the Governance Committee are Messrs. Motley and Vandivort (Chair) and Mss. Brown and Hostetler and Dr. Mathai-Davis. The Governance Committee performs a number of functions with respect to governance, including: (i) nominating persons to serve as Independent Trustees and as members of each Committee, and nominating the Chair of the Board, the Chair of each committee and the Chair of each Sub-Committee of the Investments Committee; (ii) reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board regarding the size and composition of the Board and the compensation payable to the Independent Trustees;(iii) overseeing the annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and its Committees; (iv) considering and overseeing the selection of independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) considering and overseeing the selection and engagement of a Senior Officer if and as they deem appropriate, including compensation and scope of services, and recommending all such matters to the Board or the independent trustees as appropriate; (vi) reviewing administrative and/or logistical matters pertaining to the operations of the Board; and (vii) reviewing annually recommendations from Invesco regarding amounts and coverage of primary and excess directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance and allocation of premiums. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Governance Committee held nine meetings.

The Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by a shareholder to serve as trustees, provided: (i) that such submitting shareholder is a shareholder of record at the time he or she submits such names and is entitled to vote at the meeting of shareholders at which trustees will be elected; and (ii) that the Governance Committee or the Board, as applicable, shall make the final determination of persons to be nominated. Notice procedures set forth in the Trust’s bylaws require that any shareholder of the Fund desiring to nominate a candidate for election at a shareholder meeting must provide certain information about itself and the candidate, and must submit to the Trust’s Secretary the nomination in writing not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary date or if the Trust has not previously held an annual meeting, notice by the Shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Trust.

 

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The members of the Investments Committee are Messrs. Flanagan, LaCava, Motley, Troccoli (Sub-Committee Chair) and Vandivort, Mss. Brown, Hostetler (Chair), Krentzman and Ressel (Sub-Committee Chair) and Drs. Jones and Mathai-Davis (Sub-Committee Chair). The Investments Committee’s primary purposes are to assist the Board in its oversight of the investment management services provided by Invesco and the Sub-Advisers and to periodically review Fund performance information, information regarding the Fund’s trading practices and such other reports pertaining to portfolio securities transactions and information regarding the investment personnel and other resources devoted to the management of the Fund and make recommendations to the Board, when applicable. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Investments Committee held four meetings.

The Investments Committee has established three Sub-Committees and delegated to the Sub-Committees responsibility for, among other matters: (i) reviewing the performance of the Invesco Funds that have been assigned to a particular Sub-Committee (for each Sub-Committee, the Designated Funds), except to the extent the Investments Committee takes such action directly; (ii) reviewing with the applicable portfolio managers from time to time the investment objective(s), policies, strategies, performance and risks and other investment-related matters of the Designated Funds; and (iii) being generally familiar with the investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Designated Funds.

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee (i) in the Fund and (ii) on an aggregate basis, in all registered investment companies overseen by the trustee within the Invesco Funds complex, is set forth in Appendix C.

Compensation

Each Trustee who is not affiliated with Invesco is compensated for his or her services according to a fee schedule that recognizes the fact that such Trustee also serves as a Trustee of other Invesco Funds. Each such Trustee receives a fee, allocated among the Invesco Funds for which he or she serves as a Trustee that consists of an annual retainer component and a meeting fee component. The Chair of the Board and of each Committee and Sub-Committee receive additional compensation for their services.

Information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each Trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with Invesco during the year ended December 31, 2022 is found in Appendix D.

Retirement Policy

The Trustees have adopted a retirement policy that permits each Trustee to serve until December 31 of the year in which the Trustee turns 75.

Pre-Amendment Retirement Plan For Trustees

The Trustees have adopted a Retirement Plan for the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser. A description of the pre-amendment Retirement Plan follows. Annual retirement benefits are available from the Fund and/or the other Invesco Funds for which a Trustee serves (each, a Covered Fund), for each Trustee who is not an employee or officer of the Adviser, who either (a) became a Trustee prior to December 1, 2008, and who has at least five years of credited service as a Trustee (including service to a predecessor fund) of a Covered Fund, or (b) was a member of the Board of Trustees of a Van Kampen Fund immediately prior to June 1, 2010 (Former Van Kampen Trustee), and has at least one year of credited service as a Trustee of a Covered Fund after June 1, 2010.

For Trustees other than Former Van Kampen Trustees, effective January 1, 2006, for retirements after December 31, 2005, the retirement benefits will equal 75% of the Trustee’s annual retainer paid to or accrued by any Covered Fund with respect to such Trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement between the Covered Fund and the Trustee. The amount of the annual retirement benefit does not include additional compensation paid for Board meeting fees or compensation paid to the Chair of the Board and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of certain Board committees, whether such amounts are paid directly to the Trustee or deferred. The annual retirement

 

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benefit is payable in quarterly installments for a number of years equal to the lesser of (i) sixteen years or (ii) the number of such Trustee’s credited years of service. If a Trustee dies prior to receiving the full amount of retirement benefits, the remaining payments will be made to the deceased Trustee’s designated beneficiary for the same length of time that the Trustee would have received the payments based on his or her service or, if the Trustee has elected, in a discounted lump sum payment. A Trustee must have attained the age of 65 (60 in the event of disability) to receive any retirement benefit. A Trustee may make an irrevocable election to commence payment of retirement benefits upon retirement from the Board before age 72; in such a case, the annual retirement benefit is subject to a reduction for early payment.

If the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes at least 10 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the retirement benefit will equal 75% of the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s annual retainer paid to or accrued by any Covered Fund with respect to such Trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement between the Covered Fund and such Trustee. The amount of the annual retirement benefit does not include additional compensation paid for Board meeting fees or compensation paid to the Chair of the Board and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of certain Board committees, whether such amounts are paid directly to the Trustee or deferred. The annual retirement benefit is payable in quarterly installments for 10 years beginning after the later of the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s termination of service or attainment of age 72 (or age 60 in the event of disability or immediately in the event of death). If a Former Van Kampen Trustee dies prior to receiving the full amount of retirement benefits, the remaining payments will be made to the deceased Trustee’s designated beneficiary or, if the Trustee has elected, in a discounted lump sum payment.

If the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes less than 10 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the retirement benefit will be payable at the applicable time described in the preceding paragraph, but will be paid in two components successively. For the period of time equal to the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the first component of the annual retirement benefit will equal 75% of the compensation amount described in the preceding paragraph. Thereafter, for the period of time equal to the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the second component of the annual retirement benefit will equal the excess of (x) 75% of the compensation amount described in the preceding paragraph, over (y) $68,041 plus an interest factor of 4% per year compounded annually measured from June 1, 2010 through the first day of each year for which payments under this second component are to be made. In no event, however, will the retirement benefits under the two components be made for a period of time greater than 10 years. For example, if the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes 7 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, he or she will receive 7 years of payments under the first component and thereafter 3 years of payments under the second component, and if the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes 4 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, he or she will receive 4 years of payments under the first component and thereafter 4 years of payments under the second component.

Amendment of Retirement Plan and Conversion to Defined Contribution Plan

The Trustees approved an amendment to the Retirement Plan to convert it to a defined contribution plan for active Trustees (the Amended Plan). Under the Amended Plan, the benefit amount was amended for each active Trustee to the present value of the Trustee’s existing retirement plan benefit as of December 31, 2013 (the Existing Plan Benefit) plus the present value of retirement benefits expected to be earned under the Retirement Plan through the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee attained age 75 (the Expected Future Benefit and, together with the Existing Plan Benefit, the Accrued Benefit). On the conversion date, the Covered Funds established bookkeeping accounts in the amount of their pro rata share of the Accrued Benefit, which is deemed to be invested in one or more Invesco Funds selected by the participating Trustees. Such accounts will be adjusted from time to time to reflect deemed investment earnings and losses. Each Trustee’s Accrued Benefit is not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the accounts, the participating Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Covered Funds. Trustees will be paid the adjusted account balance under the Amended Plan in quarterly installments for the same period as described above.

 

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Deferred Compensation Agreements

Seven former Trustees, as well as Messrs. LaCava, Motley, Troccoli and Vandivort, Ms. Hostetler and Drs. Jones and Mathai-Davis (for purposes of this paragraph only, the Deferring Trustees) have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement (collectively, the Compensation Agreements). Pursuant to the Compensation Agreements, the Deferring Trustees have the option to elect to defer receipt of up to 100% of their compensation payable by the Fund, and such amounts are placed into a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more Invesco Funds selected by the Deferring Trustees.

Distributions from these deferral accounts will be paid in cash, generally in equal quarterly installments over a period of up to ten (10) years (depending on the Compensation Agreement) beginning on the date selected under the Compensation Agreement. If a Deferring Trustee dies prior to the distribution of amounts in his or her deferral account, the balance of the deferral account will be distributed to his or her designated beneficiary. The Compensation Agreements are not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the deferral accounts, the Deferring Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Fund and of each other Invesco Fund from which they are deferring compensation.

Purchase of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value

The Trustees and certain other affiliated persons of the Trust may purchase Class A shares of the Invesco Funds without paying an initial sales charge. Invesco Distributors permits such purchases because there is a reduced sales effort involved in sales to such purchasers, thereby resulting in relatively low expenses of distribution.

Purchases of Class Y Shares of the Funds

The Trustees and certain other affiliated persons of the Trust may purchase Class Y shares of the Invesco Funds.

Code of Ethics

Invesco, the Trust, Invesco Distributors and certain of the Sub-Advisers each have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all Invesco Fund trustees and officers, and employees of Invesco, the Sub-Advisers and their affiliates, and governs, among other things, the personal trading activities of all such persons. Certain Sub-Advisers have adopted their own Code of Ethics. Each Code of Ethics is designed to detect and prevent improper personal trading by portfolio managers and certain other employees that could compete with or take advantage of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Unless specifically noted, to the extent a Sub-Adviser has adopted its own Code of Ethics, each Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics does not materially differ from Invesco’s Code of Ethics discussed below. The Code of Ethics is intended to address conflicts of interest with the Trust that may arise from personal trading in the Invesco Funds. Personal trading, including personal trading involving securities that may be purchased or held by an Invesco Fund, is permitted under the Code of Ethics subject to certain restrictions; however, employees are required to pre-clear security transactions with the Compliance Officer or a designee and to report transactions on a regular basis.

Proxy Voting Policies

Invesco has adopted its own specific Proxy Voting Policies.

The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to Invesco Advisers, Inc.

Invesco (the Proxy Voting Entity) will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures, as outlined above, which have been reviewed and approved by the Board, and which are found in Appendix E. Any material changes to the proxy voting policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. The Board will be supplied with a summary quarterly report of the Fund’s proxy voting record. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the twelve months ended June 30 will be available without charge at our website, http://www.invesco.com/us. This information will also be available at the SEC website, http://www.sec.gov.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Invesco provided the initial capitalization of the Fund and, accordingly, as of the date of this SAI, owned more than 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Fund and therefore could be deemed to “control” the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. It is anticipated that after the commencement of the public offering of the Fund’s shares, Invesco will cease to control the Fund for the purpose of the 1940 Act. Future shareholders with a controlling interest in the Fund could affect the outcome of voting or the direction of management of the Fund. The Fund has no 5% shareholders because, as of the date of the SAI, it had not yet commenced operations.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Adviser

Invesco serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser manages the investment operations of the Fund as well as other investment portfolios that encompass a broad range of investment objectives, and has agreed to perform or arrange for the performance of the Fund’s day-to-day management. The Adviser, as successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, has been an investment adviser since 1976. Invesco Advisers, Inc. is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. Invesco Ltd. and its subsidiaries are an independent global investment management group. Certain of the directors and officers of Invesco are also executive officers of the Trust and their affiliations are shown under “Management Information” herein.

As investment adviser, Invesco supervises all aspects of the Fund’s operations and provides investment advisory services to the Fund. Invesco obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the Fund. The Master Investment Advisory Agreement (Advisory Agreement) provides that, in fulfilling its responsibilities, Invesco may engage the services of other investment managers with respect to the Fund. The investment advisory services of Invesco are not exclusive and Invesco is free to render investment advisory services to others, including other investment companies.

Pursuant to an administrative services agreement with the Fund, Invesco is also responsible for furnishing to the Fund, at Invesco’s expense, the services of persons believed to be competent to perform all supervisory and administrative services required by the Fund, which in the judgment of the trustees, are necessary to conduct the business of the Fund effectively, as well as the offices, equipment and other facilities necessary for its operations. Such functions include the maintenance of the Fund’s accounts and records, and the preparation of all requisite corporate documents such as tax returns and reports to the SEC and shareholders.

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will pay or cause to be paid all expenses of the Fund not assumed by Invesco, including, without limitation: brokerage commissions, taxes, legal, auditing or governmental fees, custodian, transfer and shareholder service agent costs, expenses of issue, sale, redemption, and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to trustee and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the fees and other expenses incurred by the Trust on behalf of the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations, and the cost of printing copies of prospectuses and statements of additional information distributed to the Fund’s shareholders.

Invesco, at its own expense, furnishes to the Trust office space and facilities. Invesco furnishes to the Trust all personnel for managing the affairs of the Trust and each of its series of shares.

Invesco does not receive a fee from the Fund for providing investment advisory services pursuant to its Advisory Agreement with the Trust. Invesco or its affiliates typically receives a fee from the separately managed account client or the separately managed account program sponsor for providing management or advisory services to the separately managed account, including with respect to assets that may be invested in the Fund.

Invesco has contractually agreed to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding (i) interest; (ii) taxes; (iii) dividend expenses on short sales; (iv) extraordinary or non-routine items, including litigation expenses; and (v) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, if applicable) to 0.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are not operating expenses of the Fund directly, but are fees and expenses, including management fees of the investment companies in which the Fund invests. As a result, the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement may exceed the Fund’s expense limit.

If applicable, such expense reduction is set forth in the Fee Table to the Fund’s Prospectus. The expense limitation agreement will continue in effect for so long as Invesco serves as investment adviser to the Fund. The fee waiver agreement cannot be terminated or amended to increase the expense limit without approval of the Board.

The management fees are found in Appendix F.

Investment Sub-Advisers

Invesco has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with certain affiliates to serve as sub-advisers to the Fund (each, a Sub-Adviser), pursuant to which these affiliated sub-advisers may be appointed by Invesco from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services, investment advice, and/or order execution services to the Fund. These affiliated sub-advisers, each of which is a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act are:

 

   

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited (Invesco Japan)

 

   

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH (Invesco Deutschland)

 

   

Invesco Asset Management Limited (Invesco Asset Management)

 

   

Invesco Canada Ltd. (Invesco Canada)

 

   

Invesco Hong Kong Limited (Invesco Hong Kong)

 

   

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (Invesco Senior Secured)

 

   

Invesco Capital Management LLC (Invesco Capital)

 

   

Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited (Invesco India)

The only fees payable to the Sub-Advisers described above under the Sub-Advisory Agreements are for providing discretionary investment management services. For such services, Invesco will pay each Sub- Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, equal to (i) 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Trust, multiplied by (ii) the fraction equal to the net assets of the Fund as to which such Sub-Adviser shall have provided discretionary investment management services for that month divided by the net assets of the Fund for that month. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, this fee is reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary expense limitations by Invesco, if any, in effect from time to time. In no event shall the aggregate monthly fees paid to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement exceed 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Trust pursuant to its advisory agreement with the Trust, as reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary expense limitations by Invesco, if any. Because Invesco does not receive a fee from the Fund for providing investment advisory services pursuant to its Advisory Agreement with the Trust, the Sub-Advisers will not receive compensation for providing investment management services to the Fund.

Invesco and each Sub-Adviser are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Invesco Ltd.

Service Agreements

Administrative Services Agreement.  Invesco and the Trust have entered into a Master Administrative Services Agreement (Administrative Services Agreement) pursuant to which Invesco may perform or arrange for the provision of certain accounting and other administrative services to the Fund which are not required to be performed by Invesco under the Advisory Agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement provides that it will remain in effect and continue from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board, including the independent trustees. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, Invesco is entitled to receive from the Fund reimbursement of its costs or such reasonable compensation. Currently, Invesco is reimbursed for the services of the Trust’s principal financial officer and her staff and any expenses related to fund accounting services.

 

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Administrative services fees are found in Appendix H.

Other Service Providers

Transfer Agent.  Invesco Investment Services, Inc., (Invesco Investment Services), 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77046-1173, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Invesco, Ltd. is the Trust’s transfer agent.

The Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (the TA Agreement) between the Trust and Invesco Investment Services provides that Invesco Investment Services will perform certain services related to the servicing of shareholders of the Invesco Fund. Other such services may be delegated or sub- contracted to third party intermediaries. For servicing accounts holding shares of the fund, the TA Agreement provides that the Trust, on behalf of the Invesco Funds, will pay Invesco Investment Services an annual fee per open shareholder account. This fee is paid monthly at the rate of 1/12 of the annual rate and is based upon the number of open shareholder accounts during each month. For servicing accounts holding shares of the Fund, the TA Agreement provides that the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, will pay Invesco Investment Services an asset-based fee. The TA Agreement also provides that Invesco Investment Services is responsible for out-of-pocket expenses relating to the procurement of goods and services as they relate to its obligations under the TA Agreement. In addition, all fees payable by Invesco Investment Services or its affiliates to third party intermediaries who service accounts pursuant to sub-transfer agency, omnibus account services and sub- accounting agreements are charged back to the Invesco Funds, subject to certain limitations approved by the Board of the Trust as reflected in Board-approved policies. These payments are made in consideration of services that would otherwise be provided by Invesco Investment Services if the accounts serviced by such intermediaries were serviced by Invesco Investment Services directly. For more information regarding such payments to intermediaries, see the discussion under “Payments to Sponsors” found in Appendix K.

Sub-Transfer Agent.  Invesco Canada, 5140 Yonge Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2N6X7, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Invesco Ltd., provides services to the Trust as a sub-transfer agent, pursuant to an agreement between Invesco Canada and Invesco Investment Services. The Trust does not pay a fee to Invesco Canada for these services. Rather Invesco Canada is compensated by Invesco Investment Services, as a sub-contractor.

In addition, Invesco (India) Private Limited, Divyasree Orion, B6 15TH FLOOR, Raidurgam, Serilingampalli, Hyderabad, India K7 500032, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Invesco Ltd., provides services to the Trust as a sub-transfer agent, pursuant to an agreement between Invesco (India) Private Limited and Invesco Investment Services. The Trust does not pay a fee to Invesco (India) Private Limited and Invesco Investment Services. Rather Invesco (India) Private Limited is compensated by Invesco Investment Services, as a sub-contractor.

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company (the Custodian), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is custodian of all securities and cash of the Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon, 2 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, New York 11217-1431, also serves as sub-custodian to facilitate cash management.

The Custodian and sub-custodian are authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign countries and to cause foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held outside the United States in branches of U.S. banks and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, in certain foreign banks and securities depositories. Invesco is responsible for selecting eligible foreign securities depositories and for assessing the risks associated with investing in foreign countries, including the risk of using eligible foreign securities’ depositories in a country. The Custodian is responsible for monitoring eligible foreign securities depositories.

Under its contract with the Trust, the Custodian maintains the portfolio securities of the Fund, administers the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, collects interest and dividends and other distributions made on the securities held in the portfolio of the Fund and performs other ministerial duties. These services do not include any supervisory function over management or provide any protection against any possible depreciation of assets.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the financial statements of the Fund. The Audit Committee of the Board has

 

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selected, and the Board has ratified and approved PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002-5021, as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Fund. In connection with the audit of the Fund’s financial statements, the Fund entered into an engagement letter with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The terms of the engagement letter required by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and agreed to by the Fund’s Audit Committee, include a provision mandating the use of mediation and arbitration to resolve any controversy or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to the engagement letter or the services provided thereunder.

Counsel to the Trust.  Legal matters for the Trust have been passed upon by Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, 2005 Market Street, Suite 2600, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7018.

Portfolio Managers

Appendix G contains the following information regarding the portfolio managers identified in the Fund’s prospectus:

 

   

The dollar range of the managers’ investments in the Fund.

 

   

A description of the managers’ compensation structure.

 

   

Information regarding other accounts managed and potential conflicts of interest that might arise from the management of multiple accounts.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

The Sub-Advisers have adopted compliance procedures that cover, among other items, brokerage allocation and other trading practices. If all or a portion of the Fund’s assets are managed by one or more Sub- Advisers, the decision to buy and sell securities and broker selection will be made by the Sub-Adviser for the assets it manages. Unless specifically noted, the Sub-Advisers brokerage allocation procedures do not materially differ from Invesco Advisers, Inc.’s procedures.

As discussed below, Invesco and the Sub-Advisers, unless prohibited by applicable law, may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer a commission for effecting a transaction that exceeds the amount another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting the same transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by that broker-dealer. Effective January 3, 2018, under the European Union’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), European Union investment advisers, including Invesco Deutschland and Invesco Asset Management, which may act as sub-adviser to certain Invesco Funds as described in such Funds’ prospectuses, must pay for research from broker-dealers directly out of their own resources, rather than through client commissions.

Brokerage Transactions

Placing trades generally involves acting on portfolio manager instructions to buy or sell a specified amount of portfolio securities, including selecting one or more broker-dealers, including affiliated and third- party broker-dealers, to execute the trades, and negotiating commissions and spreads. Various Invesco Ltd. subsidiaries have created a global equity trading desk. The global equity trading desk has assigned local traders in six primary trading centers to place equity securities trades in their regions. Invesco Advisers’ Americas desk, located in Atlanta and Toronto, generally places trades of equity securities trading in North America, Canada and Latin America; the Hong Kong desk of Invesco Hong Kong (the Hong Kong Desk) generally places trades of equity securities in the Asia-Pacific markets, except Japan and China; the Japan trading desk of Invesco Japan generally places trades of equity securities in the Japanese markets; the EMEA trading desk of Invesco Asset Management Limited (the EMEA Desk) generally places trades of equity securities in European, Middle Eastern and African countries; the Australia desk, located in Sydney and Melbourne, for the execution of orders of equity securities trading in the Australian and New Zealand markets and the Taipei desk, located in Taipei, for the execution of orders of securities trading in the Chinese market. Invesco, Invesco Canada, Invesco Japan, Invesco Deutschland, Invesco Hong Kong, Invesco Capital and Invesco Asset Management use the global equity trading desk to place equity trades. Other Sub-Advisers may use the global equity trading desk in the future. The trading procedures for the global trading desks are similar in all material respects.

 

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References in the language below to actions by Invesco or a Sub-Adviser making determinations or taking actions related to equity trading include these entities’ delegation of these determinations/actions to the Americas Desk, the Hong Kong Desk, and the EMEA Desk. Even when trading is delegated by Invesco or the Sub-Advisers to the various arms of the global equity trading desk, Invesco or the Sub-Advisers that delegate trading is responsible for oversight of this trading activity.

Invesco or the Sub-Advisers make decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, select broker- dealers (each, a Broker), effect the Fund’s investment portfolio transactions, allocate brokerage fees in such transactions and, where applicable, negotiate commissions and spreads on transactions. Invesco’s and the Sub-Advisers’ primary consideration in effecting a security transaction is to obtain best execution, which Invesco defines as prompt and efficient execution of the transaction at the best obtainable price with payment of commissions, mark-ups or mark-downs which are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage services provided by the Broker. While Invesco or the Sub-Advisers seek reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund may not pay the lowest commission or spread available. See “Broker Selection” below.

Some of the securities in which the Fund invests are traded in OTC markets. Portfolio transactions in such markets may be effected on a principal basis at net prices without commissions, but which include compensation to the Broker in the form of a mark-up or mark-down, or on an agency basis, which involves the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions to the Broker, including electronic communication networks. Purchases of underwritten issues, which include initial public offerings and secondary offerings, include a commission or concession paid by the issuer (not the Fund) to the underwriter. Purchases of money market instruments may be made directly from issuers without the payment of commissions.

Historically, Invesco and the Sub-Advisers did not negotiate commission rates on stock markets outside the United States. In recent years many overseas stock markets have adopted a system of negotiated rates; however, a number of markets maintain an established schedule of minimum commission rates.

In some cases, Invesco may decide to place trades on a “blind principal bid” basis, which involves combining all trades for one or more portfolios into a single basket, and generating a description of the characteristics of the basket for provision to potential executing brokers. Based on the trade characteristics information provided by Invesco, these brokers submit bids for executing all of the required trades at a designated time for a specific commission rate. Invesco generally selects the broker with the lowest bid to execute these trades.

Commissions

The Fund may engage in certain principal and agency transactions with banks and their affiliates that own 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of an Invesco Fund, provided the conditions of an exemptive order received by the Invesco Funds from the SEC are met. In addition, the Fund may purchase or sell a security from or to certain other Invesco Funds or other accounts (and may invest in the Affiliated Money Market Funds) provided the Fund follows procedures adopted by the Boards of the various Invesco Funds, including the Trust. These inter-fund transactions generally do not generate brokerage commissions but may result in custodial fees or taxes or other related expenses.

Brokerage commissions are found in Appendix I.

Broker Selection

Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’ primary consideration in selecting Brokers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund is to obtain best execution. In selecting a Broker to execute a portfolio transaction in equity securities for the Fund, Invesco or the Sub-Advisers consider the full range and quality of a Broker’s services, including the value of research and/or brokerage services provided (if permitted by applicable law or regulation), execution capability, commission rate, and willingness to commit capital, anonymity and responsiveness. Invesco’s and the Sub-Advisers’ primary consideration when selecting a Broker to execute a portfolio transaction in fixed income securities for the Fund is the Broker’s ability to deliver or sell the relevant fixed income securities; however, Invesco and the Sub-Advisers will, if permitted by applicable law or regulation, also

 

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consider the various factors listed above. In each case, the determinative factor is not the lowest commission or spread available but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution for the Fund. Invesco and the Sub-Advisers will not select Brokers based upon their promotion or sale of Fund shares.

Unless prohibited by applicable law, such as MiFID II (described herein), in choosing Brokers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may select Brokers that provide brokerage and/or research services (Soft Dollar Products) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which Invesco and its affiliates have investment discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, European Union investment advisers, including Invesco Deutschland and Invesco Asset Management, which may act as sub-adviser to certain Invesco Funds as described in such Funds’ prospectuses, must pay for research from broker-dealers directly out of their own resources, rather than through client commissions. Therefore, the use of the defined term “Sub-Advisers” throughout this section shall not be deemed to apply to those Sub-Advisers subject to the MiFID II prohibitions. Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, provides that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers, under certain circumstances, lawfully may cause an account to pay a higher commission than the lowest available. Under Section 28(e)(1), Invesco or the Sub-Advisers must make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are “reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided . viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or [Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’] overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which [it] exercises investment discretion.” The services provided by the Broker also must lawfully and appropriately assist Invesco or the Sub-Advisers in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities. Accordingly, the Fund may pay a Broker commissions higher than those available from another Broker in recognition of the Broker’s provision of Soft Dollar Products to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers.

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers face a potential conflict of interest when they use client trades to obtain Soft Dollar Products. This conflict exists because Invesco and the Sub-Advisers are able to use the Soft Dollar Products to manage client accounts without paying cash for the Soft Dollar Products, which reduces Invesco’s or a Sub-Adviser’s expenses to the extent that Invesco or such Sub-Adviser would have purchased such products had they not been provided by Brokers. Section 28(e) permits Invesco or the Sub-Advisers to use Soft Dollar Products for the benefit of any account it manages. Certain Invesco-managed accounts (or accounts managed by the Sub-Advisers) may generate soft dollars used to purchase Soft Dollar Products that ultimately benefit other Invesco-managed accounts (or Sub-Adviser-managed accounts), effectively cross subsidizing the other Invesco-managed accounts (or the other Sub-Adviser-managed accounts) that benefit directly from the product. Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may not use all of the Soft Dollar Products provided by Brokers through which the Fund effects securities transactions in connection with managing the Invesco Fund whose trades generated the soft dollars used to purchase such products.

Invesco presently engages in the following instances of cross-subsidization:

Fixed income funds normally do not generate soft dollar commissions to pay for Soft Dollar Products. Therefore, soft dollar commissions used to pay for Soft Dollar Products which are used to manage certain fixed income Invesco Funds are generated entirely by equity Invesco Funds and other equity client accounts managed by Invesco. In other words, certain fixed income Invesco Funds are cross-subsidized by the equity Invesco Funds in that the fixed income Invesco Funds receive the benefit of Soft Dollar Products services for which they do not pay. Similarly, other accounts managed by Invesco or certain of its affiliates may benefit from Soft Dollar Products services for which they do not pay.

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers attempt to reduce or eliminate the potential conflicts of interest concerning the use of Soft Dollar Products by directing client trades for Soft Dollar Products only if Invesco or the Sub- Adviser concludes that the Broker supplying the product is capable of providing best execution.

Certain Soft Dollar Products may be available directly from a vendor on a hard dollar basis; other Soft Dollar Products are available only through Brokers in exchange for soft dollars. Invesco and the Sub-Adviser use soft dollars to purchase two types of Soft Dollar Products:

 

   

proprietary research created by the Broker executing the trade, and

 

   

other products created by third parties that are supplied to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers through the Broker executing the trade.

 

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Proprietary research consists primarily of traditional research reports, recommendations and similar materials produced by the in-house research staffs of broker-dealer firms. This research includes evaluations and recommendations of specific companies or industry groups, as well as analyses of general economic and market conditions and trends, market data, contacts and other related information and assistance. Invesco periodically rates the quality of proprietary research produced by various Brokers. Based on the evaluation of the quality of information that Invesco receives from each Broker, Invesco develops an estimate of each Broker’s share of Invesco clients’ commission dollars and attempts to direct trades to these firms to meet these estimates.

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers also use soft dollars to acquire products from third parties that are supplied to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers through Brokers executing the trades or other Brokers who “step in” to a transaction and receive a portion of the brokerage commission for the trade. Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may from time to time instruct the executing Broker to allocate or “step out” a portion of a transaction to another Broker. The Broker to which Invesco or the Sub-Advisers have “stepped out” would then settle and complete the designated portion of the transaction, and the executing Broker would settle and complete the remaining portion of the transaction that has not been “stepped out.” Each Broker may receive a commission or brokerage fee with respect to that portion of the transaction that it settles and completes.

Soft Dollar Products received from Brokers supplement Invesco’s and the Sub-Advisers’ own research (and the research of certain of its affiliates), and may include the following types of products and services:

 

   

Database Services—comprehensive databases containing current and/or historical information on companies and industries and indices. Examples include historical securities prices, earnings estimates and financial data. These services may include software tools that allow the user to search the database or to prepare value-added analyses related to the investment process (such as forecasts and models used in the portfolio management process).

 

   

Quotation/Trading/News Systems—products that provide real time market data information, such as pricing of individual securities and information on current trading, as well as a variety of news services.

 

   

Economic Data/Forecasting Tools—various macro economic forecasting tools, such as economic data or currency and political forecasts for various countries or regions.

 

   

Quantitative/Technical Analysis—software tools that assist in quantitative and technical analysis of investment data.

 

   

Fundamental/Industry Analysis—industry specific fundamental investment research.

 

   

Fixed Income Security Analysis—data and analytical tools that pertain specifically to fixed income securities. These tools assist in creating financial models, such as cash flow projections and interest rate sensitivity analyses, which are relevant to fixed income securities.

 

   

Other Specialized Tools—other specialized products, such as consulting analyses, access to industry experts, and distinct investment expertise such as forensic accounting or custom built investment-analysis software.

If Invesco or the Sub-Advisers determine that any service or product has a mixed use (i.e., it also serves functions that do not assist the investment decision-making or trading process), Invesco or the Sub-Advisers will allocate the costs of such service or product accordingly in its reasonable discretion. Invesco or the Sub- Advisers will allocate brokerage commissions to Brokers only for the portion of the service or product that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers determine assists it in the investment decision-making or trading process and will pay for the remaining value of the product or service in cash.

Outside research assistance is useful to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers because the Brokers used by Invesco or the Sub-Advisers tend to provide more in-depth analysis of a broader universe of securities and other matters than Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’ staff follow. In addition, such services provide Invesco or the Sub-Advisers with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Some Brokers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting

 

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concessions by Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’ clients, including the Fund. However, the Fund is not under any obligation to deal with any Broker in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. In some cases, Soft Dollar Products are available only from the Broker providing them. In other cases, Soft Dollar Products may be obtainable from alternative sources in return for cash payments. Invesco and the Sub-Advisers believe that because Broker research supplements rather than replaces Invesco’s or the Sub- Advisers’ research, the receipt of such research tends to improve the quality of Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’ investment advice. The advisory fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because Invesco or the Sub-Advisers receive such services. To the extent the Fund’s portfolio transactions are used to obtain Soft Dollar Products, the brokerage commissions obtained by the Fund might exceed those that might otherwise have been paid.

Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may determine target levels of brokerage business with various Brokers on behalf of its clients (including the Fund) over a certain time period. Invesco determines target levels based upon the following factors, among others: (1) the execution services provided by the Broker; and (2) the research services provided by the Broker. Portfolio transactions may be effected through Brokers that recommend the Fund to their clients, or that act as agent in the purchase of the Fund’s shares for their clients, provided that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers believe such Brokers provide best execution and such transactions are executed in compliance with Invesco’s policy against using directed brokerage to compensate Brokers for promoting or selling Invesco Fund shares. Invesco and the Sub-Advisers will not enter into a binding commitment with Brokers to place trades with such Brokers involving brokerage commissions in precise amounts.

As noted above, under MiFID II, European Union investment advisers, including Invesco Deutschland and Invesco Asset Management, are not permitted to use Soft Dollar Products to pay for research from brokers but rather must pay for research out of their own profit and loss or have research costs paid by clients through research payment accounts that are funded by a specific client research charge or the research component of trade orders. Such payments for research must be unbundled from the payments for execution. As a result, Invesco Deutschland and Invesco Asset Management are restricted from using Soft Dollar Products in managing the Invesco Funds that they sub-advise.

Directed Brokerage (Research Services)

Directed brokerage (research services) commissions are found in Appendix J.

Affiliated Transactions

The Adviser or Sub-Adviser may place trades with Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. (ICMI), a broker-dealer with whom it is affiliated, provided the Adviser or Sub-Adviser determines that ICMI’s trade execution abilities and costs are at least comparable to those of non-affiliated brokerage firms with which the Adviser or Sub- Adviser could otherwise place similar trades. ICMI receives brokerage commissions in connection with effecting trades for the Fund and, therefore, use of ICMI presents a conflict of interest for the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Trades placed through ICMI, including the brokerage commissions paid to ICMI, are subject to procedures adopted by the Board.

Information regarding any brokerage commissions on affiliated transactions may be found in Appendix I.

Regular Brokers

Information concerning the Fund’s acquisition of securities of its brokers is found in Appendix J.

Allocation of Portfolio Transactions

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers manage numerous Invesco Funds and other accounts. Some of these accounts may have investment objectives similar to the Fund. Occasionally, identical securities will be appropriate for investment by multiple Invesco Funds or other accounts. However, the position of each account in the same security and the length of time that each account may hold its investment in the same security may vary. Invesco and the Sub-Adviser will also determine the timing and amount of purchases for an account based on its cash position. If the purchase or sale of securities is consistent with the investment policies of the Fund and one or more other accounts, and is considered at or about the same time, Invesco or the Sub-Adviser will allocate

 

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transactions in such securities among the Fund and these accounts on a pro rata basis based on order size or in such other manner believed by Invesco to be fair and equitable. In determining what is fair and equitable, Invesco or the Sub-Adviser can consider various factors, including how closely the investment opportunity matches the investment objective and strategy of a Fund or account, the capital available to a Fund or account, and which portfolio management team sourced the opportunity. Invesco or the Sub-Adviser may combine transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations to obtain the most favorable execution. Simultaneous transactions could, however, adversely affect the Fund’s ability to obtain or dispose of the full amount of a security which it seeks to purchase or sell.

Allocation of Initial Public Offering (IPO) Transactions

Certain of the Invesco Funds or other accounts managed by Invesco may become interested in participating in IPOs. Purchases of IPOs by one Invesco Fund or other accounts may also be considered for purchase by one or more other Invesco Funds or accounts. Invesco combines indications of interest for IPOs for all Invesco Funds and accounts participating in purchase transactions for that IPO. When the full amount of all IPO orders for such Invesco Funds and accounts cannot be filled completely, Invesco shall allocate such transactions in accordance with the following procedures.

Invesco or the Sub-Adviser may determine the eligibility of each Invesco Fund and account that seeks to participate in a particular IPO by reviewing a number of factors, including market capitalization/liquidity suitability and sector/style suitability of the investment with the Invesco Fund’s or account’s investment objective, policies, strategies and current holdings. Invesco will allocate securities issued in IPOs to eligible Invesco Funds and accounts on a pro rata basis based on order size.

Invesco Canada, Invesco Hong Kong and Invesco Japan allocate IPOs on a pro rata basis based on size of order or in such other manner which they believe is fair and equitable.

Invesco Asset Management allocates IPOs on a pro rata basis based on account size or in such other manner believed by Invesco Asset Management to be fair and equitable.

Invesco Deutschland and Invesco Senior Secured do not subscribe to IPOs.

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Please refer to Appendix K for information on Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS

Dividends and Distributions

The following discussion of dividends and distributions should be read in connection with the applicable sections in the Prospectus.

All dividends and distributions paid in cash and will not be reinvested in additional Fund shares, as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Purchasing Shares and Shareholder Eligibility—Fund Distribution.”

In the event, the Fund incurs or anticipates any unusual expense, loss or depreciation in the value of a portfolio investment that would adversely affect the net asset value per share of the Fund for a particular period, the Board would at that time consider whether to adhere to the present dividend policy described above or to revise it in light of then prevailing circumstances. For example, if the net asset value per share of the Fund was reduced, or was anticipated to be reduced below $1.00, the Board might suspend further dividend payments on shares of the Fund until the net asset value returns to $1.00. Thus, such expense, loss or depreciation might result in a shareholder receiving no dividends for the period during which it held shares of the Fund and/or its receiving upon redemption a price per share lower than that which it paid.

Tax Matters

The following is a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the

 

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tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.

This “Tax Matters” section is based on the Code and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.

This is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.

Taxation of the Fund.  The Fund intends to elect and qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” (sometimes referred to as a regulated investment company, RIC or fund) under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Fund qualifies, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (i.e., generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains and other taxable ordinary income net of expenses without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders.

Qualification as a regulated investment company.  In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must satisfy the following requirements:

 

   

Distribution Requirement—the Fund must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its tax year are considered distributions attributable to the previous tax year for purposes of satisfying this requirement).

 

   

Income Requirement—the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (QPTPs).

 

   

Asset Diversification Test—the Fund must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government Securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, collectively, in the securities of QPTPs.

In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Fund for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions” with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s income and performance. In lieu of potential disqualification, the Fund is permitted to pay a tax for certain failures to satisfy the Asset Diversification Test or Income Requirement, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.

The Fund may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some cash distributions) in determining the portion of its income and gains that has been distributed. If the Fund uses equalization accounting, it will allocate

 

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a portion of its undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Fund shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and gains that it distributes in cash. However, the Fund intends to make cash distributions for each taxable year in an aggregate amount that is sufficient to satisfy the Distribution Requirement without taking into account its use of equalization accounting. If the IRS determines that the Fund’s allocation is improper and that the Fund has under- distributed its income and gain for any taxable year, the Fund may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax.

If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company thus would have a negative impact on the Fund’s income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain inadvertent failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Fund will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Fund may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

Portfolio turnover.  For investors that hold their Fund shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate (except in a money market fund that maintains a stable net asset value) may result in higher taxes. This is because a fund with a high turnover rate may accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable fund with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Fund’s after-tax performance. See “Taxation of Fund Distributions—Capital gain dividends” below. For non-U.S. investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Fund may cause such investors to be subject to increased U.S. withholding taxes. See “Foreign Shareholders—U.S. withholding tax at the source” below.

Capital loss carryovers.  The capital losses of the Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Fund in succeeding taxable years. The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Fund. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Fund increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate thereby reducing the Fund’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Fund’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Fund undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and redemptions or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another fund. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Fund’s control, there can be no assurance that the Fund will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change.

Deferral of late year losses.  The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year, which may change the timing, amount, or

 

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characterization of Fund distributions (see “Taxation of Fund Distributions—Capital gain dividends” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:

(i)  any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (post-October capital losses); and

(ii)  the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year.

The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence.

Special rules apply to a fund with a fiscal year ending in November or December that elects to use its taxable year for determining its capital gain net income for excise tax purposes.

Undistributed capital gains.  The Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

Federal excise tax.  To avoid a 4% non-deductible excise tax, the Fund must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30 or December 31, for its taxable year), and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Fund may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year which is after the beginning of the Fund’s taxable year. Also, the Fund will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” which would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Fund may make sufficient distributions to avoid liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Fund having to pay an excise tax.

Foreign income tax.  Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source, and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Fund. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Fund will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Fund may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Fund not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Fund on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. These

 

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and other factors may make it difficult for the Fund to determine in advance the effective rate of tax on its investments in certain countries. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through certain eligible foreign income taxes paid by the Fund to shareholders, although it reserves the right not to do so. If the Fund makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Fund in a prior year, the Fund may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Fund to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received. Certain foreign taxes imposed on the Fund’s investments, such as a foreign financial transaction tax, may not be creditable against U.S. income tax liability or eligible for pass through by the Fund to its shareholders.

Taxation of Fund Distributions.  The Fund intends to qualify each year to pay exempt-interest dividends by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year at least 50% of the Fund’s total assets consists of Municipal Securities, which are exempt from federal income tax.

Exempt-interest dividends.  Distributions from the Fund will constitute exempt-interest dividends to the extent of the Fund’s tax-exempt interest income (net of allocable expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends distributed to shareholders of the Fund are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to alternative minimum tax (AMT) in certain circumstances for noncorporate taxpayers and may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below.

Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains.  Any gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of a tax-exempt security generally is treated as either long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon its holding period, and is fully taxable as described in Taxation of Fund Distributions—Capital gain dividends. However, gain recognized from the sale or other disposition of Municipal Security purchased after April 30, 1993, will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount on such security. Distributions by the Fund of ordinary income and capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as discussed under “Taxation of Fund Distributions—Distributions of ordinary income.”

Alternative minimum tax—private activity bonds.  AMT is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular tax and is computed at a maximum rate of 28% for non-corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer’s alternative minimum taxable income (AMTI) over an exemption amount. Exempt- interest dividends derived from certain “private activity” Municipal Securities issued after August 7, 1986, generally will constitute an item of tax preference includable in AMTI for non-corporate taxpayers. However, tax-exempt interest on private activity bonds issued in 2009 and 2010 is not an item of tax preference for purposes of the AMT.

Effect on taxation of social security benefits; denial of interest deduction; substantial users.  Exempt- interest dividends must be taken into account in computing the portion, if any, of social security or railroad retirement benefits that must be included in an individual shareholder’s gross income subject to federal income tax. Further, a shareholder of the Fund is denied a deduction for interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of the Fund. Moreover, a shareholder who is (or is related to) a “substantial user” of a facility financed by industrial development bonds held by the Fund likely will be subject to tax on dividends paid by the Fund that are derived from interest on such bonds. Receipt of exempt-interest dividends may result in other collateral federal income tax consequences to certain taxpayers, including financial institutions, property and casualty insurance companies and foreign corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States.

Exemption from state tax.  To the extent that exempt-interest dividends are derived from interest on obligations of a state or its political subdivisions or from interest on qualifying U.S. territorial obligations (including qualifying obligations of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam), they also may be exempt from that state’s personal income taxes. Most states, however, do not grant tax-free treatment to interest on state and municipal securities of other states.

Failure of a Municipal Security to qualify to pay exempt-interest.  Failure of the issuer of a tax-exempt security to comply with certain legal or contractual requirements relating to a Municipal Security could cause

 

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interest on the Municipal Security, as well as Fund distributions derived from this interest, to become taxable, perhaps retroactively to the date the Municipal Security was issued. In such a case, the Fund may be required to report to the IRS and send to shareholders amended Forms 1099 for a prior taxable year in order to report additional taxable income. This in turn could require shareholders to file amended federal and state income tax returns for such prior year to report and pay tax and interest on their pro rata share of the additional amount of taxable income.

Distributions of ordinary income.  The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities that pay taxable interest. The Fund also may distribute to you any market discount and net short-term capital gains from the sale of its portfolio securities. If you are a taxable investor, Fund distributions from this income are taxable to you as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits. None of the dividends paid by the Fund will qualify for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders or as qualified dividend income subject to reduced rates of taxation in the case of noncorporate shareholders. Provided the Fund otherwise satisfies the Distribution Requirement, the Fund reserves the right to retain, and not distribute to shareholders, income and gains taxable as ordinary income, in which case the Fund would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate.

Capital gain dividends.  Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Shares. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of assets it has owned for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that are properly reported to Fund shareholders as capital gain dividends generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gain. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals are 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on the nature of the capital gain and the individual’s taxable income. Distributions of net short-term capital gains for a taxable year in excess of net long-term capital losses for such taxable year generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as ordinary income.

Return of capital distributions.  Distributions by the Fund that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder’s tax basis in his Fund shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of such Fund shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Fund over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity REITs. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions—Investments in U.S. REITs”.

Impact of realized but undistributed income and gains, and net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. At the time of your purchase of shares (except in a money market fund that maintains a stable net asset value), the Fund’s net asset value may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Fund. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable and would be taxed as either ordinary income (some portion of which may be taxed as qualified dividend income) or capital gain unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Fund may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.

Tax credit bonds.  If the Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more “tax credit bonds” (including build America bonds, clean renewable energy bonds and qualified tax credit bonds) on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, the Fund may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholder’s proportionate share of tax credits from the applicable bonds that otherwise would be allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to their proportionate share of those offsetting tax credits. A shareholder’s ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code. (Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, build America bonds, clean renewable

 

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energy bonds and certain other qualified bonds may no longer be issued after December 31, 2017.) Even if the Fund is eligible to pass-through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.

U.S. government interest.  Income earned on certain U.S. government obligations is exempt from state and local personal income taxes if earned directly by you. States also grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Fund. Income on investments by the Fund in certain other obligations, such as repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government obligations, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., GNMA or FNMA obligations), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations.

Dividends declared in October, November or December and paid in January. Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year in accordance with the guidance that has been provided by the IRS.

Medicare tax.  A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends.

Qualified dividend income for individuals.  Ordinary income dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other noncorporate shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. Qualified dividend income means dividends paid to the Fund (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Fund and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Fund dividends for this treatment. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received “in lieu of” dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. If the qualifying dividend income received by the Fund is equal to 95% (or a greater percentage) of the Fund’s gross income (exclusive of net capital gain) in any taxable year, all of the ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund will be qualifying dividend income.

Sale or Redemption of Fund Shares.  A shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. If you owned your shares as a capital asset, any gain or loss that you realize will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.

Tax basis information.  The Fund is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099 B the cost basis of shares purchased or acquired on or after January 1, 2012 where the cost basis of the shares is known by the Fund (referred to as covered shares) and which are disposed of after that date. However, cost basis reporting is not required for certain shareholders, including shareholders investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, or shareholders investing in a

 

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money market fund that maintains a stable net asset value. When required to report cost basis, the Fund will calculate it using the Fund’s default method of average cost, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different calculation method. In general, average cost is the total cost basis of all your shares in an account divided by the total number of shares in the account. To determine whether short-term or long-term capital gains taxes apply, the IRS presumes you redeem your oldest shares first.

The IRS permits the use of several methods to determine the cost basis of mutual fund shares. The method used will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing share prices, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund does not recommend any particular method of determining cost basis, and the use of other methods may result in more favorable tax consequences for some shareholders. It is important that you consult with your tax advisor to determine which method is best for you and then notify the Fund if you intend to utilize a method other than average cost for covered shares.

In addition to the Fund’s default method of average cost, other cost basis methods offered by Invesco, which you may elect to apply to covered shares, include:

 

   

First-In, First-Out—shares acquired first in the account are the first shares depleted.

 

   

Last-In, First-Out—shares acquired last in the account are the first shares depleted.

 

   

High Cost—shares acquired with the highest cost per share are the first shares depleted.

 

   

Low Cost—shares acquired with the lowest cost per share are the first shares depleted.

 

   

Loss/Gain Utilization—depletes shares with losses before gains, consistent with the objective of minimizing taxes. For shares that yield a loss, shares owned one year or less (short-term) will be depleted ahead of shares owned more than one year (long-term). For gains, long-term shares will be depleted ahead of short-term gains.

 

   

Specific Lot Identification—shareholder selects which lots to deplete at time of each disposition. Transaction amount must be in shares. If insufficient shares are identified at the time of disposition, then a secondary default method of first-in, first-out will be applied.

You may elect any of the available methods detailed above for your covered shares. If you do not notify the Fund of your elected cost basis method, the default method of average cost will be applied to your covered shares upon redemption. The cost basis for covered shares will be calculated separately from any “noncovered shares” (defined below) you may own. You may change or revoke the use of the average cost method and revert to another cost basis method if you notify the Fund by the date of the first sale, exchange, or other disposition of your covered shares. In addition, you may change to another cost basis method at any time by notifying the Fund, but only for shares acquired after the date of the change (the change is prospective). The basis of the shares that were averaged before the change will remain averaged after the date of the change.

The Fund may also provide Fund shareholders (but not the IRS) with information concerning the average cost basis of their shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012 (noncovered shares) in order to assist you with the calculation of gain or loss from a sale or redemption of noncovered shares. With the exception of the specific lot identification method, Invesco first depletes noncovered shares in first-in, first-out order before applying your elected method to your remaining covered shares. If you want to deplete your shares in a different order then you must elect specific lot identification and choose the lots you wish to deplete first. Shareholders that use the average cost method for noncovered shares must make the election to use the average cost method for these shares on their federal income tax returns in accordance with Treasury regulations. This election for noncovered shares cannot be made by notifying the Fund.

The Fund will compute and report the cost basis of your Fund shares sold or exchanged by taking into account all of the applicable adjustments to cost basis and holding periods as required by the Code and Treasury regulations for purposes of reporting these amounts to you and, in the case of covered shares, to the IRS. However, the Fund is not required to, and in many cases the Fund does not possess the information to, take all

 

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possible basis, holding period or other adjustments into account in reporting cost basis information to you. Therefore, shareholders should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Fund, whether this information is provided pursuant to compliance with cost basis reporting requirements for shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, or is provided by the Fund as a service to shareholders for shares acquired prior to that date, and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required by the Code and Treasury regulations when reporting these amounts on their federal income tax returns. Shareholders remain solely responsible for complying with all federal income tax laws when filing their federal income tax returns.

If you hold your Fund shares through a broker (or other nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to the reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account. For more information about the cost basis methods offered by Invesco, please refer to the Tax Center located under the Account Access & Forms menu of our website at www.invesco.com/us.

Wash sale rule.  All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be deferred under the wash sale rules if the shareholder purchases other shares of the Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new Shares.

Sales at a loss within six months of purchase. Any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received on such shares. In the case of shares in a Tax-Free Fund, any such loss will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends that were received within the six-month period. However, this rule does not apply to any loss incurred on a sale or redemption of shares of a Tax-Free Fund that declares exempt-interest dividends daily and distributes them at least monthly for which your holding period began after December 22, 2010.

Deferral of basis any class that bears a front-end sales load.  If a shareholder (a) incurs a sales load in acquiring shares of the Fund, (b) disposes of such shares less than 91 days after they are acquired, and (c) subsequently acquires shares of the Fund or another Fund by January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the disposition of the original shares occurred at a reduced sales load pursuant to a right to reinvest at such reduced sales load acquired in connection with the acquisition of the shares disposed of, then the sales load on the shares disposed of (to the extent of the reduction in the sales load on the shares subsequently acquired) shall not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the shares disposed of, but shall be treated as incurred on the acquisition of the shares subsequently acquired. The wash sale rules may also limit the amount of loss that may be taken into account on disposition after such adjustment.

Reportable transactions.  Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions.  Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a fund. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion under “Description of the Fund and its Investments and Risks—Investment Strategies and Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Fund.

In general.  In general, gain or loss recognized by a fund on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.

 

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Certain fixed-income investments.  Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the fund held the debt obligation unless the fund made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a fund purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the fund generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a fund’s investment in such securities may cause the fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of fund shares.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a fund.  Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.

Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and hedging transactions.  In general, option premiums received by a fund are not immediately included in the income of the fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a fund is exercised and the fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the fund minus (b) the fund’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a fund expires unexercised, the fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a fund as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the fund on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Code (section 1256 contracts). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (60/40), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by a fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked-to-market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap or similar agreement.

In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a fund’s transactions in other derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short- term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the fund, defer losses to the fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the fund’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character

 

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of distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a fund has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax.

Certain of a fund’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If a fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.

Foreign currency transactions.  A fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease a fund’s ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the fund’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, a fund may make an election to treat such gain or loss as capital.

PFIC investments.  A fund may invest in securities of foreign companies that may be classified under the Code as PFICs. In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, a fund intends to mark-to-market these securities under certain provisions of the Code and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of the fund’s fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that a fund is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. You should also be aware that the designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause its income dividends to fall outside of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation on qualified dividends when distributed to you by a fund. Foreign companies are not required to identify themselves as PFICs. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, a fund can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the fund to make a mark-to-market election. If a fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the fund may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on a fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

Investments in non-U.S. REITs.  While non-U.S. REITs often use complex acquisition structures that seek to minimize taxation in the source country, an investment by a fund in a non-U.S. REIT may subject the fund, directly or indirectly, to corporate taxes, withholding taxes, transfer taxes and other indirect taxes in the country in which the real estate acquired by the non-U.S. REIT is located. The fund’s pro rata share of any such taxes will reduce the fund’s return on its investment. A fund’s investment in a non-U.S. REIT may be considered an investment in a PFIC, as discussed above in “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions—PFIC investments.” Additionally, foreign withholding taxes on distributions from the non-U.S. REIT may be reduced or eliminated under certain tax treaties, as discussed above in “Taxation of the Fund—Foreign income tax.” Also, the fund in certain limited circumstances may be required to file an income tax return in the source country and pay tax on any gain realized from its investment in the non-U.S. REIT under rules similar to those in the United States which tax foreign persons on gain realized from dispositions of interests in U.S. real estate.

 

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Investments in U.S. REITs.  A U.S. REIT is not subject to federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to shareholders. Dividends paid by a U.S. REIT, other than capital gain distributions, will be taxable as ordinary income up to the amount of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Capital gain dividends paid by a U.S. REIT to a fund will be treated as long-term capital gains by the fund and, in turn, may be distributed by the fund to its shareholders as a capital gain distribution. Because of certain noncash expenses, such as property depreciation, an equity U.S. REIT’s cash flow may exceed its taxable income. The equity U.S. REIT, and in turn a fund, may distribute this excess cash to shareholders in the form of a return of capital distribution. However, if a U.S. REIT is operated in a manner that fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the U.S. REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the U.S. REIT would be subject to federal income tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Also, see “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions—Investment in taxable mortgage pools (excess inclusion income)” and “Foreign Shareholders—U.S. withholding tax at the source” with respect to certain other tax aspects of investing in U.S. REITs.

Investment in taxable mortgage pools (excess inclusion income).  Under a Notice issued by the IRS, the Code and Treasury regulations to be issued, a portion of a fund’s income from a U.S. REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) or equity interests in a “taxable mortgage pool” (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or, if applicable, taxable mortgage pool directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans, Keogh plans or other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (which generally includes certain cooperatives, governmental entities, and tax-exempt organizations not subject to UBTI) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the corporate income tax rate. The Notice imposes certain reporting requirements upon regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. There can be no assurance that a fund will not allocate to shareholders excess inclusion income.

These rules are potentially applicable to a fund with respect to any income it receives from the equity interests of certain mortgage pooling vehicles, either directly or, as is more likely, through an investment in a U.S. REIT. It is unlikely that these rules will apply to a fund that has a non-REIT strategy.

Investments in partnerships and QPTPs.  For purposes of the Income Requirement, income derived by a fund from a partnership that is not a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the fund. While the rules are not entirely clear with respect to a fund investing in a partnership outside a master- feeder structure, for purposes of testing whether a fund satisfies the Asset Diversification Test, the fund generally is treated as owning a pro rata share of the underlying assets of a partnership. See “Taxation of the Fund—Qualification as a regulated investment company.” In contrast, different rules apply to a partnership that is a QPTP. A QPTP is a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market, (b) that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and (c) that derives less than 90% of its income from sources that satisfy the Income Requirement (e.g., because it invests in commodities). All of the net income derived by a fund from an interest in a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income but the fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in one or more QPTPs. However, there can be no assurance that a partnership

 

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classified as a QPTP in one year will qualify as a QPTP in the next year. Any such failure to annually qualify as a QPTP might, in turn, cause a fund to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company. Although, in general, the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a fund with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. Fund investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

If an MLP is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (whether or not a QPTP), all or portion of the dividends received by a fund from the MLP likely will be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of such MLPs. Further, because of these accelerated deductions, on the disposition of interests in such an MLP, a fund likely will realize taxable income in excess of economic gain with respect to those MLP interests (or if the fund does not dispose of the MLP, the fund could realize taxable income in excess of cash flow with respect to the MLP in a later period), and the fund must take such income into account in determining whether the fund has satisfied its Distribution Requirement. A fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its Distribution Requirement and to meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the fund to sell securities or borrow money at such time. In addition, any gain recognized, either upon the sale of a fund’s MLP interest or sale by the MLP of property held by it, including in excess of economic gain thereon, treated as so-called “recapture income,” will be treated as ordinary income. Therefore, to the extent a fund invests in MLPs, fund shareholders might receive greater amounts of distributions from the fund taxable as ordinary income than they otherwise would in the absence of such MLP investments.

Although MLPs are generally expected to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, some MLPs may be treated as PFICs or “regular” corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The treatment of particular MLPs for U.S. federal income tax purposes will affect the extent to which a fund can invest in MLPs and will impact the amount, character, and timing of income recognized by the Fund.

Investments in convertible securities.  Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange-traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received may be qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles. A change in the conversion ratio or conversion price of a convertible security on account of a dividend paid to the issuer’s other shareholders may result in a deemed distribution of stock to the holders of the convertible security equal to the value of their increased interest in the equity of the issuer. Thus, an increase in the conversion ratio of a convertible security can be treated as a taxable distribution of stock to a holder of the convertible security (without a corresponding receipt of cash by the holder) before the holder has converted the security.

Tax Certification and Backup Withholding.  Tax certification and backup withholding tax laws may require that you certify your tax information when you become an investor in the Fund. For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, this certification is made on IRS Form W-9. Under these laws, the Fund must withhold a portion of your taxable distributions and sales proceeds unless you:

 

   

provide your correct Social Security or taxpayer identification number;

 

   

certify that this number is correct;

 

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certify that you are not subject to backup withholding; and

 

   

certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

The Fund also must withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting.

Non-U.S. investors have special U.S. tax certification requirements. See “Foreign Shareholders—Tax certification and backup withholding.”

Foreign Shareholders.  Shareholders who, as to the United States, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships (foreign shareholder), may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements.

Taxation of a foreign shareholder depends on whether the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder.

U.S. withholding tax at the source.  If the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, distributions to such shareholder will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) upon the gross amount of the distribution, subject to certain exemptions including those for dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as:

 

   

exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund from its net interest income earned on municipal securities;

 

   

capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from its net long-term capital gains (other than those from disposition of a U.S. real property interest), unless you are a nonresident alien present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year; and

 

   

interest-related dividends paid by the Fund from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends.

However, the Fund does not intend to utilize the exemptions for interest-related dividends paid and short- term capital gain dividends paid. Moreover, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Fund shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.

Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.

Amounts reported by the Fund to shareholders as capital gain dividends (a) that are attributable to certain capital gain dividends received from a qualified investment entity (QIE) (generally defined as either (i) a U.S. REIT or (ii) a RIC classified as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” or which would be if the exceptions for holding 5% or less of a class of publicly traded shares or an interest in a domestically controlled QIE did not apply), or (b) that are realized by the Fund on the sale of a “U.S. real property interest” (including gain realized on the sale of shares in a QIE other than one that is domestically controlled), will not be exempt from U.S. federal income tax and may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) if the Fund by reason of having a REIT strategy is classified as a QIE. If the Fund is so classified, foreign shareholders owning more than 5% of the Fund’s shares may be treated as realizing gain from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, causing Fund distributions to be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the corporate income tax rate, and requiring the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return. In addition, if the Fund is classified as a QIE, anti-avoidance rules apply to certain wash sale transactions. Namely, if the Fund is a domestically controlled QIE and a foreign shareholder disposes of the Fund’s shares prior to the Fund paying a distribution attributable to the disposition of a U.S. real property interest and the foreign shareholder later acquires an identical stock interest in a wash sale transaction, the foreign shareholder may still be required to pay U.S. tax on

 

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the Fund’s distribution. Also, the sale of shares of the Fund, if classified as a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” could also be considered a sale of a U.S. real property interest with any resulting gain from such sale being subject to U.S. tax as income “effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.”

Income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.  If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return.

Tax certification and backup withholding.  Foreign shareholders may have special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding (at a rate of 24%) and, if applicable, to obtain the benefit of any income tax treaty between the foreign shareholder’s country of residence and the United States. To claim these tax benefits, the foreign shareholder must provide a properly completed Form W-8BEN (or other Form W-8, where applicable, or their substitute forms) to establish his or her status as a non-U.S. investor, to claim beneficial ownership over the assets in the account, and to claim, if applicable, a reduced rate of or exemption from withholding tax under the applicable treaty. A Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number remains in effect for a period of three years beginning on the date that it is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year. However, non-U.S. investors must advise the Fund of any changes of circumstances that would render the information given on the form incorrect, and must then provide a new W-8BEN to avoid the prospective application of backup withholding. Forms W-8BEN with U.S. taxpayer identification numbers remain valid indefinitely, or until the investor has a change of circumstances that renders the form incorrect and necessitates a new form and tax certification. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).  Under FATCA, the Fund will be required to withhold a 30% tax on income dividends made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (FFI) or non-financial foreign entities (NFFE). After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (IGA) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA.

An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (FFI agreement) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the U.S. accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI’s country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the U.S. and the FFI’s country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report the information to the Fund or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS.

Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that

 

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invests in the Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Fund. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.

U.S. estate tax.  Transfers by gift of shares of the Fund by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a foreign shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent’s estate may nonetheless need to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Fund shares) as to which the U.S. federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to an estate with assets of $60,000).

Local Tax Considerations.  Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation.

DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES

Distributor

The Trust has entered into a master distribution agreement, as amended, relating to the Fund (the Distribution Agreement) with Invesco Distributors, Inc. (Invesco Distributors), a registered broker-dealer and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd., pursuant to which Invesco Distributors acts as the distributor of shares of the Fund. The address of Invesco Distributors is 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77046-1173. Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with Invesco Distributors. See “Management of the Trust.” In addition to the Fund, Invesco Distributors serves as distributor to many other mutual funds that are offered to retail investors.

The Distribution Agreement provides Invesco Distributors with the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund on a continuous basis directly and through other broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries with whom Invesco Distributors has entered into selected dealer and/or similar agreements. Invesco Distributors has not undertaken to sell any specified number of shares of the Fund.

The Trust (on behalf of the Fund) or Invesco Distributors may terminate the Distribution Agreement on 60 days’ written notice without penalty. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Because the Fund is new, financial statements are not yet available for the Fund.

 

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APPENDIX A—RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following is a description of the factors underlying the debt ratings of Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch.

MOODY’S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS

Aaa: Obligations rated ’Aaa’ are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa: Obligations rated ’Aa’ are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A: Obligations rated ’A’ are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Obligations rated ’Baa’ are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba: Obligations rated ’Ba’ are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B: Obligations rated ’B’ are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa: Obligations rated ’Caa’ are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca: Obligations rated ’Ca’ are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C: Obligations rated ’C’ are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms*.

 

*

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

MOODY’S SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM

P-1: Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

P-2: Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

P-3: Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP (Not Prime): Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

MOODY’S MIG/VMIG US SHORT-TERM RATINGS

Short-Term Obligation Ratings

We use the global short-term Prime rating scale for commercial paper issued by US municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity.

 

A-1


For other short-term municipal obligations, we use one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed below.

We use the MIG scale for US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short- term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, we use the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

MIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

VMIG Ratings

For variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), Moody’s assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligation resulting from optional tenders (“on demand”) and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade. Please see our methodology that discusses obligations with conditional liquidity support.

For VRDOs, we typically assign a VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as “NR”.

Industrial development bonds in the US where the obligor is a corporate may carry a VMIG rating that reflects Moody’s view of the relative likelihood of default and loss. In these cases, liquidity assessment is based on the liquidity of the corporate obligor.

VMIG Scale

VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short- term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections.

STANDARD & POOR’S LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings’ analysis of the following considerations:

 

   

The likelihood of payment--the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

A-2


   

The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and

 

   

The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

An issue rating is an assessment of default risk but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA: An obligation rated ’AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA: An obligation rated ’AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

A: An obligation rated ’A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

BBB: An obligation rated ’BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC and C: Obligations rated ’BB’, ’B’, ’CCC’ ’CC’, and ’C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ’BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ’C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

BB: An obligation rated ’BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B: An obligation rated ’B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ’BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CCC: An obligation rated ’CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CC: An obligation rated ’CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ’CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

C: An obligation rated ’C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

D: An obligation rated ’D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ’D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ’D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ’D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

A-3


Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from ’AA’ to ’CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P Global Ratings does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

STANDARD & POOR’S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

A-1: A short-term obligation rated ’A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2: A short-term obligation rated ’A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3: A short-term obligation rated ’A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B: A short-term obligation rated ’B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C: A short-term obligation rated ’C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

D: A short-term obligation rated ’D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ’D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ’D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ’D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

STANDARD & POOR’S MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM NOTE RATINGS DEFINITIONS

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:

 

   

Amortization schedule—the larger final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

   

Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

Note rating symbols are as follows:

SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

A-4


SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

D: ‘D’ is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

STANDARD & POOR’S DUAL RATINGS

Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ’AAA/A-1+’ or ’A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ’SP- 1+/A-1+’).

FITCH CREDIT RATING SCALES

Fitch Ratings credit ratings that are forward-looking opinions on the relative ability of an entity or obligation to meet financial commitments. Issuer default ratings (IDRs) are assigned to corporations, sovereign entities, financial institutions such as banks, leasing companies and insurers, and public finance entities (local and regional governments). Issue level ratings are also assigned, often include an expectation of recovery and may be notched above or below the issuer level rating. Issue ratings are assigned to secured and unsecured debt securities, loans, preferred stock and other instruments, Structured finance ratings are issue ratings to securities backed by receivables or other financial assets that consider the obligations’ relative vulnerability to default. Credit ratings are indications of the likelihood of repayment in accordance with the terms of the issuance. In limited cases, Fitch may include additional considerations (i.e., rate to a higher or lower standard than that implied in the obligation’s documentation). Please see the section Specific Limitations Relating to Credit Rating Scales for details. Fitch Ratings also publishes other ratings, scores and opinions. For example, Fitch provides specialized ratings of servicers of residential and commercial mortgages, asset managers and funds. In each case, users should refer to the definitions of each individual scale for guidance on the dimensions of risk covered in each assessment.

Fitch’s credit rating scale for issuers and issues is expressed using the categories ‘AAA’ to ‘BBB’ (investment grade) and ‘BB’ to ‘D’ (speculative grade) with an additional +/-for AA through CCC levels indicating relative differences of probability of default or recovery for issues. The terms investment grade and speculative grade are market conventions and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. Investment grade categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the speculative categories signal either a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.

Fitch may also disclose issues relating to a rated issuer that are not and have not been rated. Such issues are also denoted as ‘NR’ on its webpage.

Credit ratings express risk in relative rank order, which is to say they are ordinal measures of credit risk and are not predictive of a specific frequency of default or loss. For information about the historical performance of ratings, please refer to Fitch’s Ratings Transition and Default studies, which detail the historical default rates. The European Securities and Markets Authority also maintains a central repository of historical default rates.

Fitch’s credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. Credit ratings do not deal with the risk of market value loss due to changes in interest rates, liquidity and/or other market considerations. However, market risk may be considered to the extent that it influences the ability of an issuer to pay or refinance a financial commitment. Ratings nonetheless do not reflect market risk to the extent that they influence the size or other conditionality of the obligation to pay upon a commitment (for example, in the case of payments linked to performance of an equity index).

 

A-5


Fitch will use credit rating scales to provide ratings to privately issued obligations or certain note issuance programs, or for private ratings using the same public scale and criteria. Private ratings are not published, and are only provided to the issuer or its agents in the form of a rating letter. The primary credit rating scales may also be used to provide ratings for a narrower scope, including interest strips and return of principal or in other forms of opinions such as Credit Opinions or Rating Assessment Services.

Credit Opinions are either a notch- or category-specific view using the primary rating scale and omit one or more characteristics of a full rating or meet them to a different standard. Credit Opinions will be indicated using a lower-case letter symbol combined with either an ‘*’ (e.g. ‘bbb+*’) or (cat) suffix to denote the opinion status. Credit Opinions will be typically point-in-time but may be monitored if the analytical group believes information will be sufficiently available.

Rating Assessment Services are a notch-specific view using the primary rating scale of how an existing or potential rating may be changed by a given set of hypothetical circumstances. While Credit Opinions and Rating Assessment Services are point-in-time and are not monitored, they may have a directional Watch or Outlook assigned, which can signify the trajectory of the credit profile. Ratings assigned by Fitch are opinions based on established, approved and published criteria. A variation to criteria may be applied but will be explicitly cited in our rating action commentaries (RACs), which are used to publish credit ratings when established and upon annual or periodic reviews. Ratings are the collective work product of Fitch, and no individual, or group of individuals, is solely responsible for a rating. Ratings are not facts and, therefore, cannot be described as being “accurate” or “inaccurate.” Users should refer to the definition of each individual rating for guidance on the dimensions of risk covered by the rating.

FITCH LONG-TERM RATING SCALES

Issuer Default Ratings

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns, insurance companies and certain sectors within public finance, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs are also assigned to certain entities in global infrastructure and project finance. IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default.

AAA: Highest credit quality.

’AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality.

’AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality.

’A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

A-6


BBB: Good credit quality.

’BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative.

’BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B: Highly speculative.

’B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial credit risk.

Very low margin of safety. Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk.

Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Near default

A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a ’C’ category rating for an issuer include:

a.    the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

b.    the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or

c. the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;

d.    a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent

RD: Restricted default.

‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced:

a.    an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but

b.    has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and

c.    has not otherwise ceased operating.

This would include:

i.     the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

ii.    the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

iii.    the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

 

A-7


D: Default.

’D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non- payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Notes

The modifiers + or–may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ’AAA’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ’B’.

FITCH SHORT-TERM RATINGS ASSIGNED TO ISSUERS AND OBLIGATIONS

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as short termbased on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

F1: Highest Short-Term Credit Quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Under the agency’s National Rating scale, this rating is assigned to the lowest default risk relative to other in the same country or monetary union. Where the liquidity profile is particularly strong, a “+” is added to the assigned rating.

F2: Good Short-Term Credit Quality. Indicates a good capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union. However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3: Fair Short-Term Credit Quality. Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

B: Speculative Short-Term Credit Quality. Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

C: High Short-Term Default Risk. Indicates a highly uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

RD: Restricted Default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.

D: Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

A-8


APPENDIX B—PERSONS TO WHOM INVESCO PROVIDES NON-PUBLIC PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS ON AN ONGOING BASIS

(AS OF January 31, 2023)

 

Service Provider

  

Disclosure Category

ABN AMRO Financial Services, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Absolute Color

  

Financial Printer

Anglemyer & Co.

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

AXA

  

Other

Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP

  

Special Insurance Counsel

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Blaylock Robert Van LLC

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

BB&T Capital Markets

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Bear Stearns Pricing Direct, Inc.

  

Pricing Vendor (for certain Invesco Funds)

BLNS Securities Ltd.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

BOSC, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

  

Custodian and Securities Lender (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

Cabrera Capital Markets

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Charles River Systems, Inc.

  

System Provider

Chas. P. Young Co.

  

Financial Printer

Cirrus Research, LLC

  

Trading System

Citibank, N.A.

  

Custodian and Securities Lender (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Commerce Capital Markets

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Crane Data, LLC

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Credit Suisse International / Credit Suisse

  

Service Provider

Securities (Europe) Ltd.

  

Crews & Associates

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

D.A. Davidson & Co.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Dechert LLP

  

Legal Counsel

DEPFA First Albany

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

  

Custodian and Securities Lender (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

E.K. Riley Investments LLC

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Empirical Research Partners

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Finacorp Securities

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

First Miami Securities

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

First Southwest Co.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

First Tryon Securities

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Fitch, Inc.

  

Rating & Ranking Agency (for certain Invesco Funds)

FT Interactive Data Corporation

  

Pricing Vendor

FTN Financial Group

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

GainsKeeper

  

Software Provider (for certain Invesco Funds)

GCom2 Solutions

  

Software Provider (for certain Invesco Funds)

George K. Baum & Company

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Glass, Lewis & Co.

  

System Provider (for certain Invesco Funds)

Global Trading Analytics, LLC

  

Software Provider

Global Trend Alert

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Hattier, Sanford & Reynoir

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

ICI (Investment Company Institute)

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

ICRA Online Ltd.

  

Rating & Ranking Agency (for certain Invesco Funds)

Lincoln Investment Advisors Corporation

  

Other

iMoneyNet, Inc.

  

Rating & Ranking Agency (for certain Invesco Funds)

Initram Data, Inc.

  

Pricing Vendor

Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.

  

Proxy Voting Service (for certain Invesco Funds)

Invesco Investment Services, Inc.

  

Transfer Agent

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

  

System Provider (for certain Invesco Funds)

Investment Company Institute

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Investortools, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

ITG, Inc.

  

Pricing Vendor (for certain Invesco Funds)

 

B-1


Service Provider

  

Disclosure Category

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

  

Custodian and Securities Lender (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.\Citigroup Global

  

Lender (for certain Invesco Funds)

Markets Inc.\JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

  

J.P. Morgan Securities

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

John Hancock Investment Management

  

Sub-advisor (for certain sub-advised accounts)

Services, LLC

  

Jorden Burt LLP

  

Special Insurance Counsel

KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

  

Legal Counsel

Lebenthal & Co. LLC

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Lipper, Inc.

  

Rating & Ranking Agency (for certain Invesco Funds)

Loan Pricing Corporation

  

Pricing Service (for certain Invesco Funds)

Loop Capital Markets

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

M.R. Beal

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

MarkIt Group Limited

  

Pricing Vendor (for certain Invesco Funds)

Merrill Communications LLC

  

Financial Printer

Mesirow Financial, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Middle Office Solutions

  

Software Provider

Moody’s Investors Service

  

Rating & Ranking Agency (for certain Invesco Funds)

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Morrison Foerster LLP

  

Legal Counsel

MS Securities Services, Inc. and Morgan

  

Securities Lender (for certain Invesco Funds)

Stanley & Co. Incorporated

  

Muzea Insider Consulting Services, LLC

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Ness USA Inc.

  

System provider

Noah Financial, LLC

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Omgeo LLC

  

Trading System

Piper Jaffray

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

Prager, Sealy & Co.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (for all Invesco Funds)

Protective Securities

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Ramirez & Co., Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

RBC Capital Markets

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

RBC Dain Rauscher Incorporated

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Reuters America LLC

  

Pricing Service (for certain Invesco Funds)

Rice Financial Products

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

RR Donnelley Financial

  

Financial Printer

Ryan Beck & Co.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

SAMCO Capital Markets, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., L.L.C.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Simon Printing Company

  

Financial Printer

Southwest Precision Printers, Inc.

  

Financial Printer

Southwest Securities

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Standard and Poor’s/Standard and Poor’s

  

Pricing Service and Rating and Ranking Agency (each, respectively, for certain

Securities Evaluations, Inc.

  

Invesco Funds)

StarCompliance, Inc.

  

System Provider

State Street Bank and Trust Company

  

Custodian, Lender, Securities Lender, and System Provider (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

  

Legal Counsel

The Bank of New York

  

Custodian and Securities Lender (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

The MacGregor Group, Inc.

  

Software Provider

The Savader Group LLC

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Thomson Information Services

  

Software Provider

Incorporated

  

 

B-2


Service Provider

  

Disclosure Category

TradingHub Group Ltd.

  

Analyst (for certain Invesco Funds)

UBS Financial Services, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

UMB Bank, N.A.

  

Custodian and Securities Lender (each, respectively, for certain Invesco Funds)

VCI Group Inc.

  

Financial Printer

Vining Sparks IBG

  

Broker (for Certain Invesco Funds)

W.H Mell Associates, Inc.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Wachovia National Bank, N.A.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

Western Lithograph

  

Financial Printer

Wiley Bros. Aintree Capital L.L.C.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

William Blair & Co.

  

Broker (for certain Invesco Funds)

XSP, LLC\Solutions Plus, Inc.

  

Software Provider

 

B-3


APPENDIX C—TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

AS OF JANUARY 31, 2023

The address of each trustee and officer is 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The trustees serve for the life of the Trust, subject to their earlier death, incapacitation, resignation, retirement or removal as more specifically provided in the Trust’s organizational documents. Each officer serves for a one year term or until their successors are elected and qualified. Column two below includes length of time served with predecessor entities, if any.

Interested Trustee

 

Name, Year of Birth

  

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

  

Trustee and/or
Officer Since

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

  

Other Trusteeship(s)/
Directorship
Held by
Trustee/Director
During Past 5 Years

Martin L. Flanagan1—1960    Trustee and Vice Chair    2007   

Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Ltd. (ultimate parent of Invesco and a global investment management firm); Trustee and Vice Chair, The Invesco Funds; Vice Chair, Investment Company Institute; and Member of Executive Board, SMU Cox School of Business

 

Formerly: Advisor to the Board, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (registered investment adviser); Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Holding Company (US), Inc. (formerly IVZ Inc.) (holding company), Invesco Group Services, Inc. (service provider) and Invesco North American Holdings, Inc. (holding company); Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Holding Company Limited (parent of Invesco and a global investment management firm); Director, Invesco Ltd.; Chairman, Investment Company Institute and President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc. (global investment management organization)

   173    None

 

1.

Mr. Flanagan is considered an interested person (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Trust because he is an officer of the Adviser to the Trust, and an officer and a director of Invesco Ltd., ultimate parent of the Adviser.

 

C-1


Independent Trustees

 

Name, Year of Birth

  

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

  

Trustee and/or
Officer Since

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

  

Other Trusteeship(s)/
Directorship
Held by
Trustee/Director
During Past 5 Years

Beth Ann Brown—1968    Trustee (2019) and Chair (August 2022)    2019   

Independent Consultant

 

Formerly: Head of Intermediary Distribution, Managing Director, Strategic Relations, Managing Director, Head of National Accounts, Senior Vice President, National Account Manager and Senior Vice President, Key Account Manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC; Vice President, Key Account Manager, Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc.; and Trustee of certain Oppenheimer Funds

   173    Director, Board of Directors of Caron Engineering Inc.; Advisor, Board of Advisors of Caron Engineering Inc.; President and Director, Acton Shapleigh Youth Conservation Corps (non-profit); and formerly President and Director of Grahamtastic Connection (non-profit)
Cynthia Hostetler —1962    Trustee    2017   

Non-Executive Director and Trustee of a number of public and private business corporations

 

Formerly: Director, Aberdeen Investment Funds (4 portfolios); Director, Artio Global Investment LLC (mutual fund complex); Director, Edgen Group, Inc. (specialized energy and infrastructure products distributor); Director, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. (railroads); Head of Investment Funds and Private Equity, Overseas Private Investment Corporation; President, First Manhattan Bancorporation, Inc.; and Attorney, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

   173    Resideo Technologies(smart home technology); Vulcan Materials Company (construction materials company); Trilinc Global Impact Fund; Textainer Group Holdings, (shipping container leasing company); Investment Company Institute (professional organization); and Independent Directors Council (professional organization)
Eli Jones—1961    Trustee    2016   

Professor and Dean Emeritus, Mays Business School at Texas A&M University

 

Formerly: Dean of Mays Business School at Texas A&M University; Professor and Dean, Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas and E.J. Ourso College of Business, Louisiana State University; and Director, Arvest Bank

   173    Insperity, Inc. (formerly known as Administaff) (human resources provider); and Member of Regional Board of Directors and Board of Directors, First Financial Bancorp (regional bank)

 

C-2


Name, Year of Birth

  

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

  

Trustee and/or
Officer Since

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

  

Other Trusteeship(s)/
Directorship
Held by
Trustee/Director
During Past 5 Years

Elizabeth Krentzman—1959    Trustee    2019    Formerly: Principal and Chief Regulatory Advisor for Asset Management Services and U.S. Mutual Fund Leader of Deloitte & Touche LLP; General Counsel of the Investment Company Institute (trade association); National Director of the Investment Management Regulatory Consulting Practice, Principal, Director and Senior Manager of Deloitte & Touche LLP; Assistant Director of the Division of Investment Management—Office of Disclosure and Investment Adviser Regulation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and various positions with the Division of Investment Management – Office of Regulatory Policy of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Associate at Ropes & Gray LLP; and Trustee of certain Oppenheimer Funds    173    Formerly: Member of the Cartica Funds Board of Directors (private investment funds);Trustee of the University of Florida National Board Foundation; and Member of the University of Florida Law Center Association, Inc. Board of Trustees, Audit Committee and Membership Committee
Anthony J. LaCava, Jr.—1956    Trustee    2019    Formerly: Director and Member of the Audit Committee, Blue Hills Bank (publicly traded financial institution) and Managing Partner, KPMG LLP    173    Blue Hills Bank; Chairman, Bentley University; Member, Business School Advisory Council; and Nominating Committee, KPMG LLP
Prema Mathai-Davis—1950    Trustee    2003   

Retired

 

Formerly: Co-Founder & Partner of Quantalytics Research, LLC, (a FinTech Investment Research Platform for the Self-Directed Investor); Trustee of YWCA Retirement Fund; CEO of YWCA of the USA; Board member of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Commissioner of the NYC Department of Aging; and Board member of Johns Hopkins Bioethics Institute

   173    Member of Board of Positive Planet US (non-profit) and HealthCare Chaplaincy Network (non-profit)

 

C-3


Name, Year of Birth

  

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

  

Trustee and/or
Officer Since

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

  

Other Trusteeship(s)/
Directorship
Held by
Trustee/Director
During Past 5 Years

Joel W. Motley—1952    Trustee    2019   

Director of Office of Finance, Federal Home Loan Bank System; Managing Director of Carmona Motley Inc. (privately held financial advisor); Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and its Finance and Budget Committee; Chairman Emeritus of Board of Human Rights Watch and Member of its Investment Committee; Member of Investment Historic Hudson Valley (non-profit cultural organization); Member of Board of Blue Ocean Acquisition Corp.; and Member of the Vestry and the Investment Committee of Trinity Church Wall Street

 

Formerly: Managing Director of Public Capital Advisors, LLC (privately held financial advisor); Managing Director of Carmona Motley Hoffman, Inc. (privately held financial advisor); Trustee of certain Oppenheimer Funds; and Director of Columbia Equity Financial Corp. (privately held financial advisor)

   173    Member of Board of Trust for Mutual Understanding (non- profit promoting the arts and environment); Member of Board of Greenwall Foundation (bioethics research foundation) and its Investment Committee; Member of Board of Friends of the LRC (non-profit legal advocacy); and Board Member and Investment Committee; Member of Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting (non-profit journalism)
Teresa M. Ressel —1962    Trustee    2017   

Non-executive director and trustee of a number of public and private business corporations

 

Formerly: Chief Executive Officer, UBS Securities LLC (investment banking); Chief Operating Officer, UBS AG Americas (investment banking); Sr. Management Team Olayan America, The Olayan Group (international investor/commercial/industrial); and Assistant Secretary for Management & Budget and Designated Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Treasury; and Director, ON Semiconductor Corporation (semiconductor manufacturing)

   173    None

 

C-4


Name, Year of Birth

  

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

  

Trustee and/or
Officer Since

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

  

Other Trusteeship(s)/
Directorship
Held by
Trustee/Director
During Past 5 Years

Robert C. Troccoli—1949    Trustee    2016   

Retired

 

Formerly: Adjunct Professor, University of Denver—Daniels College of Business; and Managing Partner, KPMG LLP

   173    None
Daniel S. Vandivort —1954    Trustee    2019   

President, Flyway Advisory Services LLC (consulting and property management)

 

Formerly: President and Chief Investment Officer, previously Head of Fixed Income, Weiss Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management; Trustee and Chair, Weiss Peck and Greer Funds Board; and various capacities at CS First Boston including Head of Fixed Income at First Boston Asset Management.

   173    Formerly: Trustee and Governance Chair, Oppenheimer Funds; and Treasurer, and Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee, Huntington Disease Foundation of America

Officers

 

Name, Year of Birth

   Position(s) Held
with the Trust
   Trustee and/or
Officer Since
  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Sheri Morris—1964    President and
Principal
Executive
Officer
   2003   

Director, Invesco Trust Company; Head of Global Fund Services, Invesco Ltd.; President and Principal Executive Officer, The Invesco Funds; Vice President, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust and Invesco Exchange- Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust; and Vice President, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

 

Formerly: Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, The Invesco Funds; Vice President, Invesco AIM Advisers, Inc., Invesco AIM Capital Management, Inc. and Invesco AIM Private Asset Management, Inc.; Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, The Invesco Funds; Vice President and Assistant Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc.; Assistant Vice President, Invesco AIM Capital Management, Inc. and Invesco AIM Private Asset Management, Inc.; Treasurer, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; and Senior Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser)

Melanie Ringold—1975    Senior Vice
President,
Chief Legal
Officer and
Secretary
   2023    Head of Legal of the Americas, Invesco Ltd.; Senior Vice President and Secretary, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Secretary, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Distributors, Inc.); Secretary, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Investment Services, Inc.); Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, The Invesco Funds; Secretary, Invesco Investment Advisers LLC;, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc.; Chief Legal Officer, Invesco

 

C-5


Name, Year of Birth

   Position(s) Held
with the Trust
   Trustee and/or
Officer Since
  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

        

Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust and Invesco Exchange-Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust; Secretary and Vice President, Harbourview Asset Management Corporation; Secretary and Senior Vice President, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and Invesco Managed Accounts, LLC; Secretary and Senior Vice President, OFI SteelPath, Inc.; Secretary and Senior Vice President, Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; Secretary, SteelPath Funds Remediation LLC; and Secretary and Senior Vice President, Trinity Investment Management Corporation

 

Formerly: Assistant Secretary, Invesco Distributors, Inc.; Invesco Advisers, Inc. Invesco Investment Services, Inc., Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., Invesco Capital Management LLC and Invesco Investment Advisers LLC; and Assistant Secretary and Investment Vice President, Invesco Funds

Andrew R. Schlossberg—1974    Senior Vice
President
   2019   

Senior Vice President, Invesco Group Services, Inc.; Head of the Americas and Senior Managing Director, Invesco Ltd.; Director and Senior Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Director and Chairman, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Investment Services, Inc.) (registered transfer agent); Senior Vice President, The Invesco Funds; and Director, Invesco Investment Advisers LLC (formerly known as Van Kampen Asset Management)

 

Formerly: Director, President and Chairman, Invesco Insurance Agency, Inc.; Director, Invesco UK Limited; Director and Chief Executive, Invesco Asset Management Limited and Invesco Fund Managers Limited; Assistant Vice President, The Invesco Funds; Senior Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Director and Chief Executive, Invesco Administration Services Limited and Invesco Global Investment Funds Limited; Director, Invesco Distributors, Inc.; Head of EMEA, Invesco Ltd.; President, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II and Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; and Managing Director and Principal Executive Officer, Invesco Capital Management LLC

John M. Zerr—1962    Senior Vice
President
   2006    Chief Operating Officer of the Americas; Senior Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Senior Vice President, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Distributors, Inc.); Director and Vice President, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Investment Services, Inc.); Senior Vice President, The Invesco Funds; Managing Director, Invesco Capital Management LLC; Director, Invesco Investment Advisers LLC (formerly known as Van Kampen Asset Management); Senior Vice President, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. (formerly known as Van Kampen Funds Inc.); Manager, Invesco Indexing LLC; Manager, Invesco Specialized Products, LLC; Member, Invesco Canada Funds Advisory Board; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Corporate Class Inc. (corporate mutual fund company); Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Canada Ltd. (formerly known as Invesco Trimark Ltd./Invesco Trimark Ltèe) (registered investment adviser and registered transfer agent); President, Invesco, Inc.; President, Invesco Global Direct Real Estate Feeder GP Ltd.; President, Invesco IP Holdings (Canada) Ltd; President, Invesco Global Direct Real Estate GP Ltd.; President, Invesco Financial Services Ltd. / Services Financiers Invesco Ltée; and Director and Chairman, Invesco Trust Company

 

C-6


Name, Year of Birth

   Position(s) Held
with the Trust
   Trustee and/or
Officer Since
  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

        

Formerly: President, Trimark Investments Ltd/Services Financiers Invesco Ltee: Director and Senior Vice President, Invesco Insurance Agency, Inc.; Director and Senior Vice President, Invesco Management Group, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Management Group, Inc.); Secretary and General Counsel, Invesco Management Group, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Management Group, Inc.); Secretary, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Investment Services, Inc.); Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, The Invesco Funds; Secretary and General Counsel, Invesco Investment Advisers LLC (formerly known as Van Kampen Asset Management); Secretary and General Counsel, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. (formerly known as Van Kampen Funds Inc.); Chief Legal Officer, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust and Invesco Exchange-Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust; Secretary, Invesco Indexing LLC; Director, Secretary, General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Van Kampen Exchange Corp.; Director, Vice President and Secretary, IVZ Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as INVESCO Distributors, Inc.); Director and Vice President, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Van Kampen Advisors Inc.; Director, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.; Director and Secretary, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco AIM Distributors, Inc.); Director, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Invesco AIM Advisers, Inc. and Van Kampen Investments Inc.; Director, Vice President and Secretary, Fund Management Company; Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Vice President, Invesco AIM Capital Management, Inc.; and Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Liberty Ridge Capital, Inc. (an investment adviser)

 

Gregory G. McGreevey—1962    Senior Vice
President
   2012   

Senior Managing Director, Invesco Ltd.; Director, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Director, Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc. and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.; Senior Vice President, The Invesco Funds; President, SNW Asset Management Corporation and Invesco Managed Accounts, LLC; Chairman and Director, Invesco Private Capital, Inc.; Chairman and Director, INVESCO Private Capital Investments, Inc.; Chairman and Director, INVESCO Realty, Inc.; and Senior Vice President, Invesco Group Services, Inc.

 

Formerly: Senior Vice President, Invesco Management Group, Inc. and Invesco Advisers, Inc.; Assistant Vice President, The Invesco Funds

Adrien Deberghes—1967    Principal
Financial
Officer,
Treasurer
and Vice
President
   2020   

Head of the Fund Office of the CFO and Fund Administration; Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc.; Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Vice President, The Invesco Funds; and Vice President, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust and Invesco Exchange-Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust

 

Formerly: Senior Vice President and Treasurer, Fidelity Investments

Crissie M. Wisdom—1969    Anti-Money
Laundering
Compliance
Officer
   2013    Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC Compliance Officer for Invesco U.S. entities including: Invesco Advisers, Inc. and its affiliates, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., Invesco Distributors, Inc., Invesco Investment Services, Inc., The Invesco Funds, Invesco Capital Management, LLC, Invesco Trust Company; and Fraud Prevention Manager for Invesco Investment Services, Inc.

 

C-7


Name, Year of Birth

   Position(s) Held
with the Trust
   Trustee and/or
Officer Since
  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Todd F. Kuehl—1969    Chief
Compliance
Officer and
Senior Vice
President
   2020   

Chief Compliance Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (registered investment adviser); and Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, The Invesco Funds

 

Formerly: Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer, Legg Mason (Mutual Funds); and Chief Compliance Officer, Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (registered investment adviser)

James Bordewick, Jr.—1959    Senior Vice
President and
Senior
Officer
   2022    Senior Vice President and Senior Officer, The Invesco Funds Formerly, Chief Legal Officer, KingsCrowd, Inc. (research and analytical platform for investment in private capital markets); Chief Operating Officer and Head of Legal and Regulatory, Netcapital (private capital investment platform); Managing Director, General Counsel of asset management and Chief Compliance Officer for asset management and private banking, Bank of America Corporation; Chief Legal Officer, Columbia Funds and BofA Funds; Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel, MFS Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer, MFS Funds; Associate, Ropes & Gray; Associate, Gaston Snow & Ely Bartlett.

 

C-8


TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022

 

Name of Trustee

  Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Per Fund
  Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in
All Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Invesco Funds
Interested Person    
Martin L. Flanagan   None   Over $100,000
Independent Trustees    
Beth A. Brown   None   Over $100,000
Cynthia Hostetler   None   Over $100,0002
Eli Jones   None   Over $100,0002
Elizabeth Krentzman   None   Over $100,000
Anthony J. LaCava, Jr.   None   Over $100,0002
Prema Mathai-Davis   None   Over $100,0002
Joel W. Motley   None   Over $100,0002
Teresa M. Ressel   None   Over $100,000
Robert C. Troccoli   None   Over $100,0002
Daniel S. Vandivort   None   Over $100,0002

 

2.

Includes total amount of compensation deferred by the trustee at his or her election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the Invesco Funds.

 

C-9


APPENDIX D—TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE

Set forth below is information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with Invesco during the year ended December 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted.

 

Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation From
the Trust(1)
     Retirement Benefits
Accrued by All
Invesco Funds
     Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon Retirement(2)
     Total Compensation From
All Invesco Funds Paid to
the Trustees(3)
 
Independent Trustees(4)

 

        
Beth Ann Brown      $53,736                      $509,167  
Cynthia Hostetler      54,920                      470,000  
Eli Jones      50,469                      430,000  
Elizabeth Krentzman      55,218                      467,500  
Anthony J. LaCava, Jr.      57,891                      487,500  
Prema Mathai-Davis      49,578               205,000        427,500  
Joel W. Motley      50,470                      427,500  
Teresa M. Ressel      51,952                      445,000  
Robert C. Troccoli      50,765                      432,500  
Daniel S. Vandivort      53,142                      455,435  

 

(1)

Amounts shown are based on the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022. The total amount of compensation deferred by all trustees of the Trust during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, including earnings, was $308,065.

(2)

These amounts represent the estimated annual benefits payable by the Invesco Funds upon the trustees’ retirement and assumes each trustee serves until his or her normal retirement date. These amounts are not adjusted to reflect deemed investment appreciation or depreciation.

(3)

These amounts represent the compensation paid from all Invesco Funds to the individuals who serve as trustees. All trustees currently serve as trustee of 32 registered investment companies advised by Invesco.

(4)

On October 3, 2021, Jack M. Fields retired. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, aggregate compensation from the Trust for Mr. Fields was $773. On December 31, 2021, James D. Vaughn retired. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, aggregate compensation from the Trust for Mr. Vaughn was $13,212. On August 28, 2022, Christopher L. Wilson resigned. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, aggregate compensation from the Trust for Mr. Wilson was $84,897. Pursuant to a consulting agreement with the Trust, Mr. Wilson may receive payments for consulting services provided to the Trust for up to three years following his retirement. No such fees were paid during the fiscal year. On September 14, 2022, Ann Barnett Stern resigned. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, aggregate compensation from the Trust for Ms. Stern was $56,409.

 

D-1


APPENDIX E—PROXY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

INVESCO’S POLICY STATEMENT ON GLOBAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND PROXY VOTING

The Adviser and each sub-adviser rely on this policy. In addition, Invesco Asset Management

(Japan) Limited has also adopted operating guidelines and procedures for proxy voting particular to

each regional investment center. Such guidelines and procedures are attached hereto.

 

E-1


LOGO

Invesco’s Policy Statement on Global

Corporate Governance and

Proxy Voting

Effective January 2023

 

E-2


I.

INTRODUCTION

Invesco Ltd. and its wholly owned investment adviser subsidiaries (collectively, “Invesco”, the “Company”, “our” or “we”) has adopted and implemented this Policy Statement on Global Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting (“Global Proxy Voting Policy” or “Policy”), which it believes describes policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of its clients. This Policy is intended to help Invesco’s clients understand our commitment to responsible investing and proxy voting, as well as the good governance principles that inform our approach to engagement and voting at shareholder meetings.

 

  A.

Our Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Investment Stewardship and Proxy Voting

Our commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is a core element of our ambition to be the most client-centric asset manager. We aspire to incorporate ESG considerations into all our investment capabilities in the context of financial materiality in the best interest of our clients. In our role as stewards of our clients’ investments, we regard our stewardship activities, including engagement and the exercise of proxy voting rights, as an essential component of our fiduciary duty to maximize long-term shareholder value. Our Global ESG team functions as a center of excellence, providing specialist insights on research, engagement, voting, integration, tools, and client and product solutions with investment teams implementing ESG approaches appropriate to asset class and investment style. Much of our work is rooted in fundamental research and frequent dialogue with companies during due diligence and monitoring of our investments.

Invesco views proxy voting as an integral part of its investment management responsibilities. The proxy voting process at Invesco focuses on protecting clients’ rights and promoting governance structures and practices that reinforce the accountability of corporate management and boards of directors to shareholders.

The voting decision lies with our portfolio managers and analysts with input and support from our Global ESG team. Our proprietary proxy voting platform (“PROXYintel”) facilitates implementation of voting decisions and rationales across global investment teams. Our good governance principles, governance structure and processes are designed to ensure that proxy votes are cast in accordance with clients’ best interests.

As a large active investor, Invesco is well placed to use our ESG expertise and beliefs to engage directly with portfolio companies or by collaborative means in ways which drive corporate change that we believe will enhance shareholder value. We take our responsibility as active owners very seriously and see engagement as an opportunity to encourage continual improvement and ensure that our clients’ interests are represented and protected. Dialogue with portfolio companies is a core part of the investment process. Invesco may engage with investee companies to discuss environmental, social and governance issues throughout the year or on specific ballot items to be voted on.

Our passive strategies and certain other client accounts managed in accordance with fixed income, money market and index strategies (including exchange-traded funds) will typically vote in line with the majority holder of the active-equity shares held by Invesco outside of those strategies. Invesco refers to this approach as “Majority Voting”. This process of Majority Voting ensures that our passive strategies benefit from the engagement and deep dialogue of our active investors, which Invesco believes benefits shareholders in passively-managed accounts. In the absence of overlap between the active and passive holders, the passive holders vote in line with our internally developed voting guidelines (as defined below). Portfolio managers and analysts for accounts employing Majority Voting retain full discretion to override Majority Voting and to vote the shares as they determine to be in the best interest of those accounts, absent certain types of conflicts of interest, which are discussed elsewhere in this Policy.

 

  B.

Applicability of Policy

Invesco may be granted by its clients the authority to vote the proxies of securities held in client portfolios. Invesco’s investment teams vote proxies on behalf of Invesco-sponsored funds and both fund and non-fund

 

E-3


advisory clients that have explicitly granted Invesco authority in writing to vote proxies on their behalf. In the case of institutional or sub-advised clients, Invesco will vote the proxies in accordance with this Policy unless the client agreement specifies that the client retains the right to vote or has designated a named fiduciary to direct voting.

This Policy applies to all entities in Exhibit A. Due to regional or asset-class specific considerations, certain entities may have local proxy voting guidelines or policies and procedures that differ from this Policy. In the event that local policies and the Global Policy differ, the local policy will apply. These entities are also listed in Exhibit A and include proxy voting guidelines specific to: Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd, Invesco Taiwan Ltd and Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. for Invesco Unit Investment Trusts.

 

II.

GLOBAL PROXY VOTING OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Invesco’s global proxy voting operational procedures are in place to implement the provisions of this Policy (the “Procedures”). At Invesco, proxy voting is conducted by our investment teams through PROXYintel. Our investment teams globally are supported by Invesco’s centralized team of ESG professionals and proxy voting specialists. Invesco’s Global ESG team oversees the proxy policy, operational procedures and implementation, inputs to analysis and research, vote execution oversight and leads the Global Invesco Proxy Advisory Committee (“Global IPAC”).

Invesco aims to vote all proxies where we have been granted voting authority in accordance with this Policy, as implemented by the Procedures. Our portfolio managers and analysts review voting items based on their individual merits and retain full discretion on vote execution conducted through our proprietary proxy voting platform. Invesco may supplement its internal research with information from independent third parties, such as proxy advisory firms.

 

  A.

Proprietary Proxy Voting Platform

Invesco’s proprietary proxy voting platform is supported by a dedicated team of internal proxy specialists. PROXYintel streamlines the proxy voting process by providing our investment teams globally with direct access to meeting information and proxies, external proxy research and ESG ratings, as well as related functions, such as management of conflicts of interest issues, significant votes, global reporting and record-keeping capabilities. Managing these processes internally, as opposed to relying on third parties, is designed to provide Invesco greater quality control, oversight and independence in the proxy administration process.

Historical proxy voting information is stored to build institutional knowledge across the Invesco complex with respect to individual companies and proxy issues. Certain investment teams also use PROXYintel to access third-party proxy research and ESG ratings.

Our proprietary systems facilitate internal control and oversight of the voting process. Invesco may choose to leverage this capability to automatically vote proxies based on its internally developed custom voting guidelines and in circumstances where Majority Voting applies.

 

  B.

Oversight of Voting Operations

Invesco’s Global ESG team provides oversight of the proxy voting verification processes which include: (i) the monthly global vote audit review of votes cast containing documented rationales of conflicts of interest votes, market and operational limitations; (ii) the quarterly sampling of proxy votes cast to determine that (a) Invesco is voting consistently with this Policy and (b) third-party proxy advisory firms’ methodologies in formulating the vote recommendation are consistent with their publicly disclosed guidelines; and (iii) quarterly review of rationales with the Global IPAC of occasions where a portfolio manager may take a position that may not be in accordance with Invesco’s good governance principles and our internally developed voting guidelines.

To the extent material errors are identified in the proxy voting process, such errors are reviewed and reported to, as appropriate, the Global Head of ESG, Global Proxy Governance and Voting Manager, legal

 

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and compliance, the Global IPAC and relevant boards and clients, where applicable. Invesco’s Global Head of ESG and Proxy Governance and Voting Manager provide proxy voting updates and reporting to the Global IPAC, various boards and clients. Invesco’s global proxy governance and voting operations are subject to periodic review by Internal Audit and Compliance groups.

 

  C.

Disclosures and Recordkeeping

Unless otherwise required by local or regional requirements, Invesco maintains voting records in either electronic format or hard copy for at least six years. Invesco makes available its proxy voting records publicly in compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices in the regions below:

 

   

In accordance with the US Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, Invesco will file a record of all proxy voting activity for the prior 12 months ending June 30th for each U.S. registered fund. That filing is made on or before August 31st of each year. Each year, the proxy voting records are made available on Invesco’s website here. Moreover, and to the extent applicable, the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), including Department of Labor regulations and guidance thereunder, provide that the named fiduciary generally should be able to review not only the investment manager’s voting procedure with respect to plan-owned stock, but also to review the actions taken in individual proxy voting situations. In the case of institutional and sub-advised Clients, Clients may contact their client service representative to request information about how Invesco voted proxies on their behalf. Absent specific contractual guidelines, such requests may be made on a semi-annual basis.

 

   

In the UK and Europe, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes monthly in compliance with the UK Stewardship Code and for the European Shareholder Rights Directive annually here.

 

   

In Canada, Invesco publicly discloses our annual proxy votes each year here by August 31st, covering the 12-month period ending June 30th in compliance with the National Instrument 81-106 Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure.

 

   

In Japan, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes annually in compliance with the Japan Stewardship Code here.

 

   

In India, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes quarterly here in compliance with The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) Circular on stewardship code for all mutual funds and all categories of Alternative Investment Funds in relation to their investment in listed equities. SEBI has implemented principles on voting for Mutual Funds through circulars dated March 15, 2010 and March 24, 2014, which prescribed detailed mandatory requirements for Mutual Funds in India to disclose their voting policies and actual voting by Mutual Funds on different resolutions of investee companies.

 

   

In Hong Kong, Invesco Hong Kong Limited will provide proxy voting records upon request in compliance with the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) Principles of Responsible Ownership.

 

   

In Taiwan, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy voting policy and proxy votes annually in compliance with Taiwan’s Stewardship Principles for Institutional Investors here.

 

   

In Australia, Invesco publicly discloses a summary of its proxy voting record annually here.

 

   

In Singapore, Invesco Asset Management Singapore Ltd. will provide proxy voting records upon request in compliance with the Singapore Stewardship Principles for Responsible Investors.

 

  D.

Global Invesco Proxy Advisory Committee

Guided by its philosophy that investment teams should manage proxy voting, Invesco has created the Global IPAC. The Global IPAC is an investments-driven committee comprised of representatives from various investment management teams globally, Invesco’s Global Head of ESG and chaired by its Global Proxy

 

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Governance and Voting Manager. The Global IPAC provides a forum for investment teams to monitor, understand and discuss key proxy issues and voting trends within the Invesco complex, to assist Invesco in meeting regulatory obligations, to review votes not aligned with our good governance principles and to consider conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process, all in accordance with this Policy.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Global IPAC meets as necessary, but no less than semi-annually, and has the following responsibilities and functions: (i) acts as a key liaison between the Global ESG team and local proxy voting practices to ensure compliance with this Policy; (ii) provides insight on market trends as it relates to stewardship practices; (iii) monitors proxy votes that present potential conflicts of interest; (iv) the Conflict of Interest sub-committee will make voting decisions on submissions made by portfolio managers on conflict of interest issues to override the Policy; and (v) reviews and provides input, at least annually, on this Policy and related internal procedures and recommends any changes to the Policy based on, but not limited to, Invesco’s experience, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws or regulations.

In addition to the Global IPAC, for some clients, third parties (e.g., U.S. fund boards) provide oversight of the proxy voting process.

 

  E.

Market and Operational Limitations

In the great majority of instances, Invesco will vote proxies. However, in certain circumstances, Invesco may refrain from voting where the economic or other opportunity costs of voting exceeds any benefit to clients. Moreover, ERISA fiduciaries, in voting proxies or exercising other shareholder rights, must not subordinate the economic interests of plan participants and beneficiaries to unrelated objectives. These matters are left to the discretion of the relevant portfolio manager. Such circumstances could include, for example:

 

   

In some countries the exercise of voting rights imposes temporary transfer restrictions on the related securities (“share blocking”). Invesco generally refrains from voting proxies in share blocking countries unless Invesco determines that the benefit to the client(s) of voting a specific proxy outweighs the client’s temporary inability to sell the security.

 

   

Some companies require a representative to attend meetings in person to vote a proxy, additional documentation or the disclosure of beneficial owner details to vote. Invesco may determine that the costs of sending a representative, signing a power-of-attorney or submitting additional disclosures outweigh the benefit of voting a particular proxy.

 

   

Invesco may not receive proxy materials from the relevant fund or client custodian with sufficient time and information to make an informed independent voting decision.

 

   

Invesco held shares on the record date but has sold them prior to the meeting date.

In some non-U.S. jurisdictions, although Invesco uses reasonable efforts to vote a proxy, proxies may not be accepted or may be rejected due to changes in the agenda for a shareholder meeting for which Invesco does not have sufficient notice, due to a proxy voting service not being offered by the custodian in the local market or due to operational issues experienced by third parties involved in the process or by the issuer or sub-custodian. In addition, despite the best efforts of Invesco and its proxy voting agent, there may be instances where our votes may not be received or properly tabulated by an issuer or the issuer’s agent.

 

  F.

Securities Lending

Invesco’s funds may participate in a securities lending program. In circumstances where shares are on loan, the voting rights of those shares are transferred to the borrower. If the security in question is on loan as part of a securities lending program, Invesco may determine that the benefit to the client of voting a particular proxy outweighs the benefits of securities lending. In those instances, Invesco may determine to recall securities that are on loan prior to the meeting record date, so that we will be entitled to vote those shares. There may be instances where Invesco may be unable to recall shares or may choose not to recall shares. The relevant portfolio manager will make these determinations.

 

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  G.

Conflicts of Interest

There may be occasions where voting proxies may present a perceived or actual conflict of interest between Invesco, as investment manager, and one or more of Invesco’s clients or vendors.

Firm-Level Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest may exist if Invesco has a material business relationship with either the company soliciting a proxy or a third party that has a material interest in the outcome of a proxy vote or that is actively lobbying for a particular outcome of a proxy vote. Such relationships may include, among others, a client relationship, serving as a vendor whose products / services are material or significant to Invesco, serving as a distributor of Invesco’s products, a significant research provider or broker to Invesco.

Invesco identifies potential conflicts of interest based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the materiality of the relationship between the issuer or its affiliates to Invesco.

Material firm-level conflicts of interests are identified by individuals and groups within Invesco globally based on criteria established by the global ESG team. These criteria are monitored and updated periodically by the global ESG team so an updated view is available when conducting conflicts checks. Operating procedures and associated governance are designed to seek to ensure conflicts of interest are appropriately considered ahead of voting proxies. The Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee maintains oversight of the process. Companies identified as conflicted will be voted in line with the principles below as implemented by Invesco’s internally developed voting guidelines. To the extent a portfolio manager disagrees with the Policy, our processes and procedures seek to ensure justification and rationales are fully documented and presented to the Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee for approval by a majority vote.

As an additional safeguard, persons from Invesco’s marketing, distribution and other customer-facing functions may not serve on the Global IPAC. For the avoidance of doubt, Invesco may not consider Invesco Ltd.’s pecuniary interest when voting proxies on behalf of clients. To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, Invesco will not vote proxies issued by Invesco Ltd. that may be held in client accounts.

Personal Conflicts of Interest

A conflict also may exist where an Invesco employee has a known personal or business relationship with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors, or candidates for directorships. Under Invesco’s Global Code of Conduct, Invesco entities and individuals must act in the best interests of clients and must avoid any situation that gives rise to an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

All Invesco personnel with proxy voting responsibilities are required to report any known personal or business conflicts of interest regarding proxy issues with which they are involved. In such instances, the individual(s) with the conflict will be excluded from the decision-making process relating to such issues.

Voting Fund of Funds

There may be conflicts that arise from Invesco voting on matters when shares of Invesco-sponsored funds are held by other Invesco funds or entities. The scenarios below set out how Invesco votes in these instances.

 

   

Proportional voting will be implemented in the following scenarios:

 

   

When required by law or regulation, shares of an Invesco fund held by other Invesco funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the shares.

 

   

When required by law or regulation, shares of an unaffiliated registered fund held by one or more Invesco funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the shares.

 

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For US fund of funds where proportional voting is not required by law or regulation, shares of Invesco funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will vote in line with our internally developed voting guidelines (as defined below).

 

   

Non-US fund of funds will not be voted proportionally, Invesco will vote in line with local policies as per Exhibit A. If no local policies exist, Invesco will vote non-US funds of funds in line with the firm level conflicts of interest process described above.

 

   

For US fund of funds where proportional voting is not required by law, Invesco will still apply proportional voting. In the event this is not operationally possible, Invesco will vote in line with our internally developed voting guidelines (as defined below).

 

   

For non-US fund of funds Invesco will vote in line with our above-mentioned firm-level conflicts of interest process unless local policies are in place as per Exhibit A.

 

  H.

Use of Third-Party Proxy Advisory Services

Invesco may supplement its internal research with information from independent third-parties, such as proxy advisory firms, to assist us in assessing the corporate governance of investee companies. Globally, Invesco leverages research from Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis (“GL”). Invesco generally retains full and independent discretion with respect to proxy voting decisions.

ISS and GL both provide research reports, including vote recommendations, to Invesco and its portfolio managers and analysts. Invesco retains ISS to provide written analysis and recommendations based on Invesco’s internally developed custom voting guidelines. Updates to previously issued proxy research reports may be provided to incorporate newly available information or additional disclosure provided by the issuer regarding a matter to be voted on, or to correct factual errors that may result in the issuance of revised proxy vote recommendations. Invesco’s global ESG team may periodically monitor for these research alerts issued by ISS and GL that are shared with our investment teams. Invesco will generally endeavor to consider such information where such information is considered material provided it is delivered in a timely manner ahead of the vote deadline.

Invesco also retains ISS to assist in the implementation of certain proxy voting-related functions, including, but not limited to, operational and reporting services. These administrative services include receipt of proxy ballots, vote execution through PROXYintel and vote disclosure in Canada, the UK and Europe to meet regulatory reporting obligations.

As part of its fiduciary obligation to clients, Invesco performs extensive initial and ongoing due diligence on the proxy advisory firms it engages globally. This includes reviews of information regarding the capabilities of their research staff, methodologies for formulating voting recommendations, the adequacy and quality of personnel and technology, as applicable, and internal controls, policies and procedures, including those relating to possible conflicts of interest.

The proxy advisory firms Invesco engages globally complete an annual due diligence questionnaire submitted by Invesco, and Invesco conducts annual due diligence meetings in part to discuss their responses to the questionnaire. In addition, Invesco monitors and communicates with these firms and monitors their compliance with Invesco’s performance and policy standards. ISS and GL disclose conflicts to Invesco through a review of their policies, procedures and practices regarding potential conflicts of interests (including inherent internal conflicts) as well as disclosure of the work ISS and GL perform for corporate issuers and the payments they receive from such issuers. As part of our annual policy development process, Invesco engages with external proxy and governance experts to understand market trends and developments and to weigh in on the development of these policies at these firms, where appropriate. These meetings provide Invesco with an opportunity to assess the firms’ capabilities, conflicts of interest and service levels, as well as provide investment professionals with direct insight into the advisory firms’ stances on key governance and proxy topics and their policy framework/methodologies.

 

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Invesco completes a review of the System and Organizational Controls (“SOC”) Reports for each proxy advisory firm to ensure the related controls operated effectively to provide reasonable assurance.

In addition to ISS and GL, Invesco may use regional third-party research providers to access regionally specific research.

 

  I.

Review of Policy

The Global IPAC and Invesco’s Global ESG team, compliance and legal teams annually communicate and review this Policy and our internally developed custom voting guidelines to seek to ensure that they remain consistent with clients’ best interests, regulatory requirements, investment team considerations, governance trends and industry best practices. At least annually, this Policy and our internally developed voting guidelines are reviewed by various groups within Invesco to ensure that they remain consistent with Invesco’s views on best practice in corporate governance and long-term investment stewardship.

 

III.

OUR GOOD GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES

Invesco’s good governance principles outline our views on best practice in corporate governance and long-term investment stewardship. These principles have been developed by our global investment teams in collaboration with the Global ESG team. The broad philosophy and guiding principles in this section inform our approach to long-term investment stewardship and proxy voting. The principles and positions reflected in this Policy are designed to guide Invesco’s investment professionals in voting proxies; they are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive.

Our portfolio managers and analysts retain full discretion on vote execution in the context of our good governance principles and internally developed custom voting guidelines, except where otherwise specified in this Policy. The final voting decisions may consider the unique circumstances affecting companies, regional best practices and any dialogue we have had with company management. As a result, different Portfolio Management Teams may vote differently on particular votes for the same company. To the extent a portfolio manager chooses to vote a proxy in a way that is not aligned with the principles below, such manager’s rationales are fully documented.

The following guiding principles apply to operating companies. We apply a separate approach to open-end and closed-end investment companies and unit investment trusts. Where appropriate, these guidelines are supplemented by additional internal guidance that considers regional variations in best practices, disclosure and region-specific voting items. Invesco may vote on proposals not specifically addressed by these principles based on an evaluation of a proposal’s likelihood to enhance long-term shareholder value.

Our good governance principles are divided into six key themes that Invesco endorses:

 

  A.

Transparency

We expect companies to provide accurate, timely and complete information that enables investors to make informed investment decisions and effectively carry out their stewardship activities. Invesco supports the highest standards in corporate transparency and believes that these disclosures should be made available ahead of the voting deadlines for the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting to allow for timely decision-making.

Financial reporting: Company accounts and reporting must accurately reflect the underlying economic position of a company. Arrangements that may constitute an actual or perceived conflict with this objective should be avoided.

 

   

We will generally support proposals to accept the annual financial statements, statutory accounts and similar proposals unless these reports are not presented in a timely manner or significant issues are identified regarding the integrity of these disclosures.

 

   

We will generally vote against the incumbent audit committee chair, or nearest equivalent, where the non-audit fees paid to the independent auditor exceed audit fees for two consecutive years or

 

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other problematic accounting practices are identified such as fraud, misapplication of audit standards or persistent material weaknesses/deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting.

 

   

We will generally not support the ratification of the independent auditor and/or ratification of their fees payable if non-audit fees exceed audit and audit related fees or there are significant auditing controversies or questions regarding the independence of the external auditor. We will consider an auditor’s length of service as a company’s independent auditor in applying this policy.

 

  B.

Accountability

Robust shareholder rights and strong board oversight help ensure that management adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, are held to account for poor performance and responsibly deliver value creation for stakeholders over the long-term. We therefore encourage companies to adopt governance features that ensure board and management accountability. In particular, we consider the following as key mechanisms for enhancing accountability to investors:

One share one vote: Voting rights are an important tool for investors to hold boards and management teams accountable. Unequal voting rights may limit the ability of investors to exercise their stewardship obligations.

 

   

We generally do not support proposals that establish or perpetuate dual classes of voting shares, double voting rights or other means of differentiated voting or disproportionate board nomination rights.

 

   

We generally support proposals to decommission differentiated voting rights.

 

   

Where unequal voting rights are established, we expect these to be accompanied by reasonable safeguards to protect minority shareholders’ interests.

Anti-takeover devices: Mechanisms designed to prevent or unduly delay takeover attempts may unduly limit the accountability of boards and management teams to shareholders.

 

   

We generally will not support proposals to adopt antitakeover devices such as poison pills. Exceptions may be warranted at entities without significant operations and to preserve the value of net operating losses carried forward or where the applicability of the pill is limited in scope and duration.

 

   

In addition, we will generally not support capital authorizations or amendments to corporate articles or bylaws at operating companies that may be utilized for antitakeover purposes, for example, the authorization of classes of shares of preferred stock with unspecified voting, dividend, conversion or other rights (“blank check” authorizations).

Shareholder rights: We support the rights of shareholders to hold boards and management teams accountable for company performance. We generally support best practice aligned proposals to enhance shareholder rights, including but not limited to the following:

 

   

Adoption of proxy access rights

 

   

Rights to call special meetings

 

   

Rights to act by written consent

 

   

Reduce supermajority vote requirements

 

   

Remove antitakeover provisions

 

   

Requirement that directors are elected by a majority vote

In addition, we oppose practices that limit shareholders’ ability to express their views at a general meeting such as bundling unrelated proposals or several significant article or bylaw amendments into a single voting

 

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item. We will generally vote against these proposals unless we are satisfied that all the underlying components are aligned with our views on best practice.

Director Indemnification: Invesco recognizes that individuals may be reluctant to serve as corporate directors if they are personally liable for all related lawsuits and legal costs. As a result, reasonable limitations on directors’ liability can benefit a company and its shareholders by helping to attract and retain qualified directors while preserving recourse for shareholders in the event of misconduct by directors. Accordingly, unless there is insufficient information to make a decision about the nature of the proposal, Invesco will generally support proposals to limit directors’ liability and provide indemnification and/or exculpation, provided that the arrangements are reasonably limited in scope to directors acting in good faith and, in relation to criminal matters, limited in scope to directors having reasonable grounds for believing the conduct was lawful.

Responsiveness: Boards should respond to investor concerns in a timely fashion, including reasonable requests to engage with company representatives regarding such concerns, and address matters that receive significant voting dissent at general meetings of shareholders.

 

   

We will generally vote against the lead independent director and/or the incumbent chair of the governance committee, or nearest equivalent, in cases where the board has not adequately responded to items receiving significant voting opposition from shareholders at an annual or extraordinary general meeting.

 

   

We will generally vote against the lead independent director and/or incumbent chair of the governance committee, or nearest equivalent, where the board has not adequately responded to a shareholder proposal which has received significant support from shareholders.

 

   

We will generally vote against the incumbent chair of the compensation committee if there are significant ongoing concerns with a company’s compensation practices that have not been addressed by the committee or egregious concerns with the company’s compensation practices for two years consecutively.

 

   

We will generally vote against the incumbent compensation committee chair where there are ongoing concerns with a company’s compensation practices and there is no opportunity to express dissatisfaction by voting against an advisory vote on executive compensation, remuneration report (or policy) or nearest equivalent.

 

   

Where a company has not adequately responded to engagement requests from Invesco or satisfactorily addressed issues of concern, we may oppose director nominations, including, but not limited to, nominations for the lead independent director and/or committee chairs.

Virtual shareholder meetings: Companies should hold their annual or special shareholder meetings in a manner that best serves the needs of its shareholders and the company. Shareholders should have an opportunity to participate in such meetings. Shareholder meetings provide an important mechanism by which shareholders provide feedback or raise concerns without undue censorship and hear from the board and management.

 

   

We will generally support management proposals seeking to allow for the convening of hybrid shareholder meetings (allowing shareholders the option to attend and participate either in person or through a virtual platform).

 

   

Management or shareholder proposals that seek to authorize the company to hold virtual-only meetings (held entirely through virtual platform with no corresponding in-person physical meeting) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Companies have a responsibility to provide strong justification and establish safeguards to preserve comparable rights and opportunities for shareholders to participate virtually as they would have during an in-person meeting. Invesco will consider, among other things, a company’s practices, jurisdiction and disclosure, including the items set forth below:

 

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meeting procedures and requirements are disclosed in advance of a meeting detailing the rationale for eliminating the in-person meeting;

 

   

clear and comprehensive description of which shareholders are qualified to participate, how shareholders can join the virtual-only meeting, how and when shareholders submit and ask questions either in advance of or during the meeting;

 

   

disclosure regarding procedures for questions received during the meeting, but not answered due to time or other restrictions; and

 

   

description of how shareholder rights will be protected in a virtual-only meeting format including the ability to vote shares during the time the polls are open.

 

  C.

Board Composition and Effectiveness

Director election process: Board members should generally stand for election annually and individually.

 

   

We will generally support proposals requesting that directors stand for election annually.

 

   

We will generally vote against the incumbent governance committee chair or lead independent director if a company has a classified board structure that is not being phased out. We may make exceptions to this policy for non-operating companies (e.g., open-end and closed-end funds) or in regions where market practice is for directors to stand for election on a staggered basis.

 

   

When a board is presented for election as a slate (e.g., shareholders are unable to vote against individual nominees and must vote for or against the entire nominated slate of directors) and this approach is not aligned with local market practice, we will generally vote against the slate in cases where we otherwise would vote against an individual nominee.

 

   

Where market practice is to elect directors as a slate we will generally support the nominated slate unless there are governance concerns with several of the individuals included on the slate or we have broad concerns with the composition of the board such as a lack independence.

Board size: We will generally defer to the board with respect to determining the optimal number of board members given the size of the company and complexity of the business, provided that the proposed board size is sufficiently large to represent shareholder interests and sufficiently limited to remain effective.

Board assessment and succession planning: When evaluating board effectiveness, Invesco considers whether periodic performance reviews and skills assessments are conducted to ensure the board represents the interests of shareholders. In addition, boards should have a robust succession plan in place for key management and board personnel.

Definition of independence: Invesco considers local market definitions of director independence but applies a proprietary standard for assessing director independence considering a director’s status as a current or former employee of the business, any commercial or consulting relationships with the company, the level of shares beneficially owned or represented and familial relationships, among others.

Board and committee independence: The board of directors, board committees and regional equivalents should be sufficiently independent from management, substantial shareholders and conflicts of interest. We consider local market practices in this regard and in general we look for a balance across the board of directors. Above all, we like to see signs of robust challenge and discussion in the boardroom.

 

   

We will generally vote against one or more non-independent directors when a board is less than majority independent, but we will take into account local market practice with regards to board independence in limited circumstances where this standard is not appropriate.

 

   

We will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the audit committee.

 

   

We will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the compensation committee.

 

   

We will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the nominating committee.

 

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In relation to the board, compensation committee and nominating committee we will consider the appropriateness of significant shareholder representation in applying this policy. This exception will generally not apply to the audit committee.

Separation of Chair and CEO roles: We believe that independent board leadership generally enhances management accountability to investors. Companies deviating from this best practice should provide a strong justification and establish safeguards to ensure that there is independent oversight of a board’s activities (e.g., by appointing a lead or senior independent director with clearly defined powers and responsibilities).

 

   

We will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair where the board chair is not independent unless a lead independent or senior director is appointed.

 

   

We will generally support shareholder proposals requesting that the board chair be an independent director.

 

   

We will generally not vote against a CEO or executive serving as board chair solely on the basis of this issue, however, we may do so in instances where we have significant concerns regarding a company’s corporate governance, capital allocation decisions and/or compensation practices.

Attendance and over boarding: Director attendance at board and committee meetings is a fundamental part of their responsibilities and provides efficient oversight for the company and its investors. In addition, directors should not have excessive external board or managerial commitments that may interfere with their ability to execute the duties of a director.

 

   

We will generally vote against directors who attend less than 75% of board and committee meetings held in the previous year unless an acceptable extenuating circumstance is disclosed, such as health matters or family emergencies.

 

   

We will generally vote against directors who have more than four total mandates at public operating companies. We apply a lower threshold for directors with significant commitments such as executive positions and chairmanships.

Diversity: We encourage companies to continue to evolve diversity and inclusion practices. Boards should be comprised of directors with a variety of relevant skills and industry expertise together with a diverse profile of individuals of different genders, ethnicities, race, skills, tenures and backgrounds to provide robust challenge and debate. We consider diversity at the board level, within the executive management team and in the succession pipeline.

 

   

We will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair of a board where women constitute less than two board members or 25% of the board, whichever is lower, for two or more consecutive years, unless incremental improvements are being made to diversity practices.

 

   

In addition, we will consider a company’s performance on broader types of diversity which may include diversity of skills, non-executive director tenure, ethnicity, race or other factors where appropriate and reasonably determinable. We will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair if there are multiple concerns on diversity issues.

 

   

We generally believe that an individual board’s nominating committee is best positioned to determine whether director term limits would be an appropriate measure to help achieve these goals and, if so, the nature of such limits. Invesco generally opposes proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors through mandatory retirement ages.

 

  D.

Long-Term Stewardship of Capital

Capital allocation: Invesco expects companies to responsibly raise and deploy capital towards the long-term, sustainable success of the business. In addition, we expect capital allocation authorizations and

 

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decisions to be made with due regard to shareholder dilution, rights of shareholders to ratify significant corporate actions and pre-emptive rights, where applicable.

Share issuance and repurchase authorizations: We generally support authorizations to issue shares up to 20% of a company’s issued share capital for general corporate purposes. Shares should not be issued at a substantial discount to the market price or be repurchased at a substantial premium to the market price.

Stock splits: We generally support management proposals to implement a forward or reverse stock split, provided that a reverse stock split is not being used to take a company private. In addition, we will generally support requests to increase a company’s common stock authorization if requested to facilitate a stock split.

Increases in authorized share capital: We will generally support proposals to increase a company’s number of authorized common and/or preferred shares, provided we have not identified concerns regarding a company’s historical share issuance activity or the potential to use these authorizations for antitakeover purposes. We will consider the amount of the request in relation to the company’s current authorized share capital, any proposed corporate transactions contingent on approval of these requests and the cumulative impact on a company’s authorized share capital, for example, if a reverse stock split is concurrently submitted for shareholder consideration.

Mergers, acquisitions, proxy contests, disposals and other corporate transactions: Invesco’s investment teams will review proposed corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, proxy contests, private placements, dissolutions and divestitures based on a proposal’s individual investment merits. In addition, we broadly approach voting on other corporate transactions as follows:

 

   

We will generally support proposals to approve different types of restructurings that provide the necessary financing to save the company from involuntary bankruptcy.

 

   

We will generally support proposals to enact corporate name changes and other proposals related to corporate transactions that we believe are in shareholders’ best interests.

 

   

We will generally support reincorporation proposals, provided that management have provided a compelling rationale for the change in legal jurisdiction and provided further that the proposal will not significantly adversely impact shareholders’ rights.

 

   

With respect to contested director elections, we consider the following factors, among others, when evaluating the merits of each list of nominees: the long-term performance of the company relative to its industry, management’s track record, any relevant background information related to the contest, the qualifications of the respective lists of director nominees, the strategic merits of the approaches proposed by both sides, including the likelihood that the proposed goals can be met, and positions of stock ownership in the company.

 

  E.

Environmental, Social and Governance Risk Oversight

Director responsibility for risk oversight: The board of directors are ultimately responsible for overseeing management and ensuring that proper governance, oversight and control mechanisms are in place at the companies they oversee. Invesco may take voting action against director nominees in response to material governance or risk oversight failures that adversely affect shareholder value.

Invesco considers the adequacy of a company’s response to material oversight failures when determining whether any voting action is warranted. In addition, Invesco will consider the responsibilities delegated to board subcommittees when determining if it is appropriate to hold certain director nominees accountable for these material failures.

Material governance or risk oversight failures at a company may include, without limitation:

 

  i.

significant bribery, corruption or ethics violations;

 

  ii.

events causing significant climate-related risks;

 

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  iii.

significant health and safety incidents; or

 

  iv.

failure to ensure the protection of human rights.

Reporting of financially material ESG information: Companies should report on their environmental, social and governance opportunities and risks where material to their business operations.

 

   

Where Invesco finds significant gaps in management and disclosure of environmental, social and governance risk policies, we will generally vote against the annual reporting and accounts or an equivalent resolution.

 

   

Climate risk management: We encourage companies to report on material climate-related risks and opportunities and how these are considered within the company’s strategy, financial planning, governance structures and risk management frameworks in accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”), or other relevant reporting frameworks. For companies in industries that materially contribute to climate change, we encourage comprehensive disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions and Paris-aligned emissions reduction targets, where appropriate. Invesco may take voting action at companies that fail to adequately address climate-related risks, including opposing director nominations in cases where we view the lack of effective climate transition risk management as potentially detrimental to long-term shareholder value.

Shareholder proposals addressing environmental and social risks: Invesco may support shareholder resolutions requesting that specific actions be taken to address environmental and social (“E&S”) issues or mitigate exposure to material E&S risks, including reputational risk, related to these issues. When considering such proposals, we will consider a company’s track record on E&S issues, the efficacy of the proposal’s request, whether the requested action is unduly burdensome, and whether we consider the adoption of such a proposal would promote long-term shareholder value. We will also consider company responsiveness to the proposal and any engagement on the issue when casting votes.

 

   

We generally do not support resolutions where insufficient information has been provided in advance of the vote or a lack of disclosure inhibits our ability to make fully informed voting decisions.

 

   

We will generally support shareholder resolutions requiring additional disclosure on material environmental, social and governance risks facing their businesses, provided that such requests are not unduly burdensome or duplicative with a company’s existing reporting. These may include, but are not limited to, reporting on the following: gender and racial diversity issues, political contributions and lobbying disclosure, information on data security, privacy, and internet practices, human capital and labor issues and the use of natural capital, and reporting on climate change-related risks.

Ratification of board and/or management acts: We will generally support proposals to ratify the actions of the board of directors, supervisory board and/or executive decision-making bodies, provided there are no material oversight failures as described above. When such oversight concerns are identified, we will consider a company’s response to any issues raised and may vote against ratification proposals instead of, or in addition to, director nominees.

 

  F.

Executive Compensation and Alignment

Invesco supports compensation polices and equity incentive plans that promote alignment between management incentives and shareholders’ long-term interests. We pay close attention to local market practice and may apply stricter or modified criteria where appropriate.

Advisory votes on executive compensation, remuneration policy and remuneration reports: We will generally not support compensation-related proposals where more than one of the following is present:

 

  i.

there is an unmitigated misalignment between executive pay and company performance for at least two consecutive years;

 

E-15


  ii.

there are problematic compensation practices which may include among others incentivizing excessive risk taking or circumventing alignment between management and shareholders’ interests via repricing of underwater options;

 

  iii.

vesting periods for long-term incentive awards are less than three years;

 

  iv.

the company “front loads” equity awards;

 

  v.

there are inadequate risk mitigating features in the program such as clawback provisions;

 

  vi.

excessive, discretionary one-time equity grants are awarded to executives;

 

  vii.

less than half of variable pay is linked to performance targets, except where prohibited by law.

Invesco will consider company reporting on pay ratios as part of our evaluation of compensation proposals, where relevant.

Equity plans: Invesco generally supports equity compensation plans that promote the proper alignment of incentives with shareholders’ long-term interests, and generally votes against plans that are overly dilutive to existing shareholders, plans that contain objectionable structural features which may include provisions to reprice options without shareholder approval, plans that include evergreen provisions or plans that provide for automatic accelerated vesting upon a change in control.

Employee stock purchase plans: We generally support employee stock purchase plans that are reasonably designed to provide proper incentives to a broad base of employees, provided that the price at which employees may acquire stock represents a reasonable discount from the market price.

Severance Arrangements: Invesco considers proposed severance arrangements (sometimes known as “golden parachute” arrangements) on a case-by-case basis due to the wide variety among their terms. Invesco acknowledges that in some cases such arrangements, if reasonable, may be in shareholders’ best interests as a method of attracting and retaining high-quality executive talent. We generally vote in favor of proposals requiring shareholder ratification of senior executives’ severance agreements where the proposed terms and disclosure align with good market practice.

 

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Exhibit A

Harbourview Asset Management Corporation

Invesco Advisers, Inc.

Invesco Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd*1

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited*1

Invesco Asset Management (Schweiz) AG

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH

Invesco Asset Management Limited1

Invesco Asset Management Singapore Ltd

Invesco Australia Ltd

Invesco European RR L.P

Invesco Canada Ltd.1

Invesco Capital Management LLC

Invesco Capital Markets, Inc.*1

Invesco Hong Kong Limited

Invesco Investment Advisers LLC

Invesco Investment Management (Shanghai) Limited

Invesco Investment Management Limited

Invesco Loan Manager, LLC

Invesco Managed Accounts, LLC

Invesco Management S.A

Invesco Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Limited

Invesco Pensions Limited

Invesco Private Capital, Inc.

Invesco Real Estate Management S.a.r.l1

Invesco RR Fund L.P.

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

Invesco Taiwan Ltd*1

Invesco Trust Company

Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.

WL Ross & Co. LLC

 

*

Invesco entities with specific proxy voting guidelines

1

Invesco entities with specific conflicts of interest policies

 

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PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

FOR

INVESCO ASSET MANAGEMENT (JAPAN) LIMITED

 

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Invesco Japan Proxy Voting Guideline

Invesco Japan (hereinafter “we” or “our) votes proxies to maximize the interests of our clients (investors) and beneficiaries in the long term, acknowledging the importance of corporate governance based on fiduciary duties to our clients (investors) and beneficiaries. We do not vote proxies for the interests of ourselves and any third party other than clients (investors) and beneficiaries. The interests of clients (investors) and beneficiaries are to expand the corporate value or the shareholders’ economic interests or prevent damage thereto. Proxy voting is an integral part of our stewardship activities, and we make voting decisions considering whether the proposal would contribute to corporate value expansion and sustainable growth.

To vote proxies adequately, we have established the Responsible Investment Committee and developed the Proxy Voting Guideline to govern the decision-making process of proxy voting. While we may seek advice from an external service provider based on our own guidelines, our investment professionals make voting decisions in principle, based on the proxy voting guideline, taking into account whether they contribute to increasing the subject company’s shareholder value.

Responsible proxy voting and constructive dialogue with investee companies are important components of stewardship activities. While the Proxy Voting Guideline are principles for our voting decisions, depending on the proposals, we may make an exception if we conclude that such a decision is in the best interests of clients (investors) and beneficiaries after having constructive dialogue with the investee companies. In such a case, approval of the Responsible Investment Committee shall be obtained.

The Responsible Investment Committee consists of members including Chief Investment Officer, as the chair, Head of Compliance, Head of ESG, investment professionals nominated by the chair and the other members, including persons in charge at the Client Reporting department.

We have established the Conflict of Interest Management Policy. In the situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest, we aim to control it in the best interests of clients (investors) and beneficiaries. The Compliance department is responsible for governing company-wide control of a conflict of interest. The Compliance department is independent of Investment and Sales departments and shall not receive any command or order for the matters compliant with the laws and regulations, including a conflict of interest, from them.

Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

1.

Appropriations of Retained Earnings and Dividends

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking approval for appropriations of retained earnings and dividends, taking into account the subject company’s financial conditions and business performance, shareholders’ economic interests and so on.

 

   

Taking into account the company’s capital adequacy, business strategies, and so on if the total payout ratio, including dividends and share repurchases, is significantly low, we consider voting against the proposals unless reasonable explanations are given by the company.

 

   

With respect to the company where the Board of Directors determines appropriations of retained earnings, taking into account the subject company’s capital adequacy, business strategies, and so on if the total payout ratio, including dividends and share repurchases, is significantly low, we consider voting against the reappointment of board directors unless reasonable explanations are given by the company.

 

   

Taking into account the subject company’s capital adequacy, business strategies, and so on if the total payout ratio, including dividends and share repurchases, is significantly low, we consider voting for shareholder proposals increasing shareholder returns.

 

2.

Appointment of Board Directors

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the appointment of board directors, taking into account their independence, competence, anti-social activity records (if any), and so on. Furthermore, we decide how to

 

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vote on the reappointment of board directors, taking into account their corporate governance practices, accountability during their tenures, the company’s business performance and anti-social records (if any), and so on in addition to the above factors.

Board directors should make best efforts to continuously gain knowledge and skills to fulfill the critical role and responsibilities in the company’s governance. A company should also provide sufficient training opportunities.

Independent outside directors are expected to play a significant role, such as safeguarding minority shareholders’ interests through action based on their insights to increase the company’s corporate value. It is desirable to enhance the board’s governance function with independent outside directors accounting for the board majority. However, given the challenge to secure competent candidates, we also recognize that it is difficult for all the companies, irrespective of their size, to deploy the independent outside directors’ majority on the Board.

Sufficient disclosure is a prerequisite for reflecting the assessment of independence and suitability of director candidates and board composition in voting decisions. Currently, there are cases where sufficient information cannot be obtained due to insufficient disclosure on a board chair, each committee’s function and committee chairs in Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a corporate governance report, as well as untimeliness of these issuances. We generally make decisions based on Notice of AGM, a corporate governance report and an annual securities report disclosed by the time of voting. However, this shall not apply if we obtain such information from direct engagement with the company or find relevant disclosure elsewhere.

(1) Independence

We generally vote for the appointment of outside directors. However, we generally vote against if a candidate is not regarded as independent of the subject company. It is desirable that the company discloses information, such as numerical data, which supports our decision on board independence.

 

   

We view the following outside director candidates are not independent enough.

 

   

Candidates who have been working for the following companies for the last ten years or are those people’s relatives.

 

   

The subject company

 

   

Its subsidiary

 

   

Its parent company

 

   

Candidates who have been working for the following companies for the last five years or are those people’s relatives.

 

   

Shareholders who own more than 10% of the subject company

 

   

Principal loan lenders

 

   

Principal securities brokers

 

   

Major business partners

 

   

Auditors

 

   

Audit companies, consulting companies or any related service providers which have any consulting contracts with the subject company

 

   

Any other counterparts which have any interests in the subject company

In cases other than above, we separately scrutinize the independence of candidates who are regarded as not independent enough.

 

   

We take extra care when we assess the independence of candidates from a company which is regarded as a policy shareholder under cross shareholding, mutually sends outside directors to each other, and so on, as such cases potentially raise doubts about their independence. The company should give reasonable

 

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explanations. It is also desirable that the company contrives the timing and method of disclosure to allow investors to understand those relationships enough.

 

   

We judge board independence according to the stock exchange’s independence criteria with emphasizing independence ensured practically. We consider each company’s business environment and make the best effort to engage with the subject company to determine the independence of the candidates.

 

   

We regard an outside director with a significantly long tenure as non-independent and consider voting against the reappointment of such an outside director. We generally consider voting against the reappointment of outside directors whose tenures are longer than ten years.

 

   

If the subject company is a company with Audit Committee, we judge the independence of outside director candidates who become audit committee board members using the same independence criteria for the appointment of statutory auditors in principle.

 

   

We generally consider voting against the appointment of top executives and a nominating committee chair at a company with three Committees if independent outside directors of the subject company account for less than 1/3 of the Board after the AGM. However, this shall not apply if we confirm sufficient planning or special circumstances on increasing the number of independent outside directors in engagements.

 

   

In case the subject company has a parent company, we generally consider voting against the appointment of top executives and a nominating committee chair at a company with three Committees if independent outside directors account for less than half of the Board after the AGM. However, this shall not apply if we confirm sufficient planning or special circumstances on increasing the number of independent outside directors in engagements.

(2) Attendance rate and concurrent duties

 

   

All members are expected to attend board and respective committee meetings in principle. A Company is generally obligated to facilitate all members to attend these meetings. We generally vote against the reappointment of board directors who attended less than 75% of board or respective committee meetings.

 

   

We take into account not only the number of attendance but nomination reasons and candidates’ real contributions if disclosed.

 

   

We take extra care when we assess the capability of board directors who have many concurrent duties as an outside director or outside statutory auditor of listed companies, as such cases potentially arise doubts about their capacity given the importance of outside directors’ role and responsibilities. Accordingly, we consider voting against the appointment of board directors who perform five or more duties as a director or statutory auditor of a listed company or equivalent company.

 

   

If a company nominates a board director with many concurrent duties, it should provide reasonable explanations. It is also desirable that the company contrives disclosure timing and methods to allow investors to understand the situation enough.

(3) Company’s business performance

 

   

We consider voting against the reappointment of board directors if the subject company made a loss for the three consecutive years during their tenures.

 

   

We consider voting against the reappointment of board directors if we judge that the subject company’s business performance significantly lags the peers in the same industry during their tenures.

 

   

We consider voting against top executives if, concerning capital efficiency including return on capital, business strategies achieving corporate value expansion and sustainable growth are not demonstrated, and constructive dialogues are not conducted.

(4) Company’s anti-social activities

 

   

If we judge that a corporate scandal damages or is likely to damage shareholder value with having a significant effect on society during a board tenure, we conduct adequate dialogues with the subject company

 

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on the background and subsequent resolutions of the scandal. Based on the dialogues, we decide how to vote on the reappointment of top executives, board directors in charge of those cases and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee or three Committees, considering the impact on shareholder value.

 

   

With respect to domestic corporate scandals, at the time a company receives administrative dispositions to cartel, bid-rigging, and so on from authorities, such as the Fair Trade Commission, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives, directors in charge and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee or three Committees. However, in case final dispositions are subsequently determined based on appeal or complaints resolutions, we do not vote against the reappointment again at that time. We vote on a case-by-case basis concerning compensation orders in a civil case, dispositions from the Consumer Affairs Agency or administrative dispositions from overseas authorities.

 

   

With respect to administrative dispositions to an unlisted subsidiary or affiliate, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives, directors in charge and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee or three Committees of the holding or parent company. If a subsidiary or affiliate is listed, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives, directors in charge and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee or three Committees of both the subsidiary or affiliate and the holding or parent company. However, we may vote on a case-by-case basis, depending on the importance of the disposition to the subsidiary or affiliate, its impact on the holding or parent company’s financial performance, and so on.

 

   

With respect to employees’ scandals, if the scandal damages or is likely to damage shareholder value, and we judge that the subject company owes management responsibility, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives, directors in charge and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee or three Committees.

 

   

We consider voting against the reappointment of board directors if the subject company engages in window dressing or inadequate accounting practices during their tenures.

(5) Activities against shareholder interest

 

   

If a company raises capital through an excessively dilutive third-party allotment without a shareholders’ meeting’s approval, we consider voting against the reappointment of board directors, particularly top executives.

 

   

If a company raises capital through a large-scale public offering without reasonable explanations, we consider voting against the reappointment of board directors, particularly top executives.

 

   

If a company does not execute a shareholder proposal regarded as favorable for minority shareholders receiving the majority support from shareholders or does not make a similar company proposal at an AGM in the following year, we consider voting against the appointment of top executives.

(6) Others

 

   

If a company insufficiently discloses board director candidates’ information, we generally vote against such candidates.

 

3.

Composition of Board of Directors

While each company’s board structure would differ depending on its size and so on, we believe that a company with three Committees (Nomination, Audit and Remuneration) is desirable to achieve better governance as a listed company. For a company with Board of Statutory Auditors (Kansayaku) or Audit Committee, it is also desirable to voluntarily deploy a Nomination Committee, a Remuneration Committee and other necessary committees. Besides, it is desirable that Board Chair is an independent outside director. We believe that a highly transparent board composition ensures management accountability and contributes to

 

E-22


sustained enterprise value expansion. Finally, the disclosure of the third-party assessment on the Board of Directors is desirable.

To strengthen the Board of Directors’ monitoring function and increase its transparency and effectiveness, we believe it is important to ensure gender, nationality, career, and age diversity in principle. It is desirable that each company adopts a skills matrix that defines the diversity and expertise required to fulfill the Board’s responsibilities reflecting its situation and selects director candidates accordingly.

We are concerned about retired directors assuming consulting, advisory or other similar positions which could negatively impact transparency and decision making of the Board. If such positions exist, and retired directors assume them, it is desirable that the company discloses their existence, their expected roles and contributions and compensations for such posts.

(1) Number of board members and change in board composition

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the number of board members and change in board composition, taking into account the impacts on the subject company and shareholders’ economic interests compared to the current situations.

 

   

The number of board members should be optimized to make the right management decision at the right time. We may consider each company’s business situation and scale. However, we generally consider voting against the appointment of top executives and a nominating committee chair at a company three Committees if the number of board members is expected to exceed 20 without decreasing from the previous AGM, and reasonable explanations are not given.

 

   

We generally vote against the appointment of top executives and a nomination committee chair at a company three Committees if a decrease in outside directors or an increase in internal directors reduces the percentage of outside directors to less than half of the board members.

 

   

If there are no females on the Board, we consider voting against the appointment of top executives and a nomination committee chair at a company three Committees. However, this shall not apply if we confirm sufficient planning or special circumstances on increasing the number of female directors in engagements.

 

   

We believe that board diversity is important and may set a higher target for a female board member ratio in the future. Similarly, we may set a racial and nationality diversity target, especially for companies with global business operations.

(2) Procedures of board director appointment, scope of their responsibilities and so on

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning change in board director appointment procedures, taking into account the rationales, and so on, compared to the current procedures.

 

   

We generally vote against proposals reducing board directors’ responsibilities for financial damages on fiduciary duty breach.

 

   

Board directors’ responsibilities include effective monitoring of top executives succession planning. The Nomination Committee at a company with three Committees or the arbitrary Nomination Committee created at a company with the other governance structures should provide effective monitoring of successor development and appointment with transparency. It is desirable that an independent outside director serves as Nomination Committee Chair. If we judge that the succession procedure significantly lacks transparency and rationality, we consider voting against the appointment of top executives.

 

4.

Appointment of Statutory Auditors (Kansayaku)

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the appointment of statutory auditors, taking into account their independence, competence and anti-social activities records (if any), and so on. We decide how to vote on the reappointment of statutory auditors, taking into account their corporate governance practices and accountability during their tenures, the company’s anti-social activity records, and so on in addition to the above factors.

 

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Statutory auditors and audit committee board directors at a company with Audit committee or three Committees should have deep knowledge specialized in accounting, laws and regulations and should make best efforts to continuously gain knowledge and skills to fulfill the critical role and responsibilities in the company’s governance. A company should also provide sufficient training opportunities.

(1) Independence

 

   

We generally vote against the appointment of outside statutory auditors without independency.

 

   

In general, a person who has no relationship with the subject company other than a statutory auditor appointment is regarded as independent.

 

   

We regard that an outside statutory auditor with a significantly long tenure is not independent and generally vote against the reappointment of such an outside statutory auditor. We generally consider voting against the candidate whose tenure is longer than ten years.

(2) Attendance rate and concurrent duties

 

   

All statutory auditors are expected to attend board or board of statutory auditors meetings in principle. A companies is generally obligated to facilitate all statutory auditors to attend these meetings. We generally vote against the reappointment of statutory auditors who attended less than 75% of board or board of statutory auditors meetings.

 

   

We take into account not only the number of attendance but nomination reasons and candidates’ real contributions if disclosed.

 

   

We take extra care when we assess the capability of statutory auditors who have many concurrent duties as an outside director or outside statutory auditor of listed companies, as such cases potentially arise doubts about their capacity given the importance of outside statutory auditors’ role and responsibilities. Accordingly, we consider voting against the appointment of statutory auditors who perform five or more duties as a board director or statutory auditor of a listed company or equivalent company. If a company nominates a statutory auditor with many concurrent duties, it should give reasonable explanations. It is also desirable that the company contrives disclosure timing and methods to allow investors to understand the situation enough.

(3) Accountability

 

   

If there are material concerns about a published audit report or audit procedures, or insufficiencies of required disclosures, we vote against the reappointment of statutory auditors.

(4) Company’s anti-social activities

 

   

If we judge that a corporate scandal damages or is likely to damage shareholder value with having a significant impact on society during a statutory auditor’s tenure, we conduct adequate dialogues with the subject company on the background and subsequent resolutions of the scandal. Based on the dialogues, we decide how to vote on the reappointment of statutory auditors, considering the impact on shareholder value.

 

   

With respect to domestic corporate scandals, at the time a company receives administrative dispositions to cartel, bid-rigging, and so on from authorities, such as the Fair Trade Commission, we consider voting against the reappointment of statutory auditors. However, in case the final dispositions are subsequently determined based on appeal or complaints resolutions, we do not vote against the reappointment again at that time. We vote on a case-by-case basis concerning compensation orders in a civil case, dispositions from the Consumer Affairs Agency or administrative dispositions from overseas authorities.

 

   

With respect to administrative dispositions to an unlisted subsidiary or affiliate, we consider voting against the reappointment of statutory auditors of the holding or parent company. If a subsidiary or affiliate is listed, we consider voting against the reappointment of statutory auditors of both the subsidiary or affiliate and the holding or parent company. However, we may decide on a case-by-case basis, depending on the importance of the dispositions to the subsidiary or affiliate, its impact on the holding or parent company’s financial performance, and so on.

 

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With respect to employees’ scandals, if the scandal damages or is likely to damage shareholder value, and we judge that the subject company owes management responsibility, we consider voting against the reappointment of statutory auditors.

 

   

We consider voting against the reappointment of statutory auditors if the subject company engages in window-dressing or inadequate accounting practices during their tenures

 

5.

Composition of Board of Statutory Auditors (Kansayaku)

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the number of members or change in composition of the board of statutory auditors, taking into account the impact on the subject company and shareholders’ economic interests compared to the current situations.

 

   

We consider an increase in statutory auditors favorably. However, in case of a decrease, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives unless clear and reasonable explanations are given.

 

6.

Appointment of Accounting Auditors

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the appointment and replacement of accounting auditors, taking into account their competence, audit fee levels, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote against the reappointment of statutory auditors (Kansayaku) or audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee or three Committees if we judge that a company reappoints an accounting auditor without replacing it despite the following accounting audit problems.

 

   

It is determined that an accounting auditor provides an unfair opinion on the company’s financial conditions.

 

   

In case there are concerns on financial statements, required disclosures are insufficient.

 

   

In case an accounting auditor has a service contract other than accounting audit services with the subject company, it is regarded that such a contract creates a conflict of interest between them.

 

   

Excessive audit fees are paid.

 

   

It is regarded that an accounting auditor makes fraud or negligence.

 

   

If it is regarded that an accounting auditor has issues in other company’s audits, in case a company appoints or reappoints the accounting auditor without replacing it, we take the impact on the company’s corporate value full consideration into voting decisions.

 

   

We generally vote against proposals concerning accounting auditor replacement if it is regarded that a company changes an incumbent accounting auditor due to a dispute about accounting principles.

 

7.

Compensation for Board Directors, Statutory Auditors (Kansayaku) and Employees

(1) Board directors’ salaries and bonuses

 

   

It is desirable to increase the proportion of stock incentive plans in board directors’ salaries and bonuses, on condition that a performance-based compensation structure is established, transparency, such as disclosures of a benchmark or formula laying the foundations for calculation, ensures accountability, and the impact on shareholders, such as dilution, are taken into considerations. The Remuneration Committee at a company with three Committees (Nomination, Audit and Remuneration) or the arbitrary Remuneration Committee preferably deployed at a company with the other governance structures should ensure the accountability of compensation schemes. It is desirable that an independent outside director serves as Remuneration Committee Chair.

 

   

We consider voting against proposals seeking approval for salaries and bonuses in the following cases.

 

   

Negative correlation between company’s financial performance and directors’ salaries and bonuses are observed.

 

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Inappropriate systems and practices are in place.

 

   

The total amount of salaries and bonuses is not disclosed.

 

   

Management failures, such as a significant share price decline or serious earnings deterioration, are apparent.

 

   

The remuneration proposal includes people determined to be responsible for activities against shareholder interest.

 

   

We generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting disclosure of individual directors’ salaries and bonuses.

 

   

If a company implements any measures ensuring transparency other than disclosure, we take it into consideration.

 

   

If there is no proposal seeking approval for directors’ salaries and bonuses, and the compensation structure lacks transparency, we consider voting against the appointment of top executives.

 

   

We generally vote against bonuses for statutory auditors at a company with Board of Statutory Auditors and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee.

 

   

We separately consider voting to audit committee board members at a company with three Committees.

(2) Stock incentive plans

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning stock incentive plans, including stock options and restricted stock units, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, compensation levels, the scope, the rationales, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote against proposals seeking to lower the strike price of stock options.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to change the strike price on condition that shareholders’ approval is required every time.

 

   

We generally vote against stock incentive plans if the terms and conditions for exercising options, including equity dilution, lack transparency. We generally consider voting against proposals potentially causing 10% or more equity dilution.

 

   

It is desirable that stock incentive plans is a long-term incentive aligned with sustainable growth and corporate value expansion. As such, we generally vote against stock incentive plans allowing recipients to exercise all the rights within two years after vested for the subject fiscal year. However, this shall not apply to recipients who retire during the subject fiscal year. We assess the validity if a vesting period is regarded as too long.

 

   

We generally vote against stock incentive plans granted to statutory auditors and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committee.

 

   

We separately consider stock incentive plans granted to audit committee board members, including both inside and outside directors, at a company with three Committees.

 

   

We generally vote against stock incentive plans granted to any third parties other than employees.

 

   

We generally vote against stock incentive plans in case a company is likely to adopt the plans as takeover defense.

(3) Employee stock purchase plan

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning employee stock purchase plans, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, the scope and the rationales, and so on.

 

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(4) Retirement benefits for board directors

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning grant of retirement benefits, taking into account the scope and scandals (if any) of recipients and business performance and scandals (if any) of the subject company, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals granting retirement benefits if all the following criteria are satisfied.

 

   

The granted amount is disclosed.

 

   

Outside directors, statutory auditors and audit committee board members at a company with Audit Committees are excluded.

 

   

Recipients do not cause any significant scandals during their tenures.

 

   

The subject company does not make a loss for the three consecutive years, or its business performance is not determined to significantly lag behind the peers in the same industry.

 

   

The company does not cause scandals that significantly impact society and damage, or are unlikely to damage, shareholder value during their tenures.

 

   

The company does not engage in window-dressing or inadequate accounting practices during their tenures.

 

8.

Cross-shareholdings

If a company holds shares for the sake of business relations (cross shareholdings), the company should explain the medium- to long-term business and financial strategies, including capital costs, and disclose proxy voting guidelines, voting results, and so on. If the company does not give reasonable explanations and engage in constructive dialogues, we consider voting against the appointment of top executives. It is important that the company does not hinder the sales/reduction of cross shareholdings when a policy shareholder intends.

 

   

If a company’s cross shareholdings account for 20% or more of its net assets, we generally consider voting against the appointment of top executives. However, this shall not apply if we confirm that the company makes a reduction, does sufficient planning or has industry- specific circumstances that should be taken into consideration in engagement.

 

9.

Capital Policy

As a listed companies’ capital policy is likely to significantly impact shareholder value and interests, a company should implement a rational capital policy and explain capital policy guidelines to shareholders. We consider voting against proposals concerning capital policies that we judge damage shareholder value. If a company has a capital policy that is not part of proposals at an AGM but regarded to damage shareholder value, we consider voting against the reappointment of board directors.

 

   

It is undesirable that a company intends to maintain or increase so-called “friendly” stable shareholders and infringes minority shareholders’ rights by the third-party allotment, treasury stocks transfer or company management holdings’ transfer to foundations affiliated with the company.

(1) Change in authorized shares

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to increase authorized shares, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, the rationales, the impact on the sustainability of stock market listing and a going concern, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to increase authorized shares if we judge that not increasing authorized shares is likely to lead to delisting or have a significant impact on a going concern.

 

   

We generally vote against proposals seeking to increase authorized shares after an acquirer emerges.

 

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(2) New share issue

 

   

We decide how to vote on new share issues, taking into account the rationales, the terms and conditions of issues, the impact of dilution on shareholder value and rights and the impact on the sustainability of stock market listing or a going concern, and so on.

(3) Share repurchase and reissue

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning share repurchase or reissue, taking into account the rationales, and so on.

(4) Stock split

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking a stock split.

(5) Consolidation of shares (reverse stock split)

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking consolidation of shares, taking into account the rationale, and so on.

(6) Preferred shares

 

   

We generally vote against proposals seeking to issue blank-cheque preferred shares or increase authorized shares without specifying voting rights, dividends, conversion and other rights.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to issue preferred shares or increase authorized shares if voting rights, dividends, conversion and other rights are specified, and those rights are regarded as reasonable.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals requiring approvals for preferred shares issues from shareholders.

(7) Convertible bonds

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to issue convertible bonds, taking into account the number of new shares, the time to maturity, and so on.

(8) Corporate bonds and credit facilities

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning a corporate bond issue or a credit facility expansion, taking into account the subject company’s financial conditions, and so on.

(9) Debt capitalization

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to change the number of authorized shares or issue shares for debt restructuring, taking into account the terms and conditions of the change or the issue, the impact on shareholder value and rights, the rationales, the impact on the sustainability of stock market listing and a going concern, and so on.

(10) Capital reduction

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning capital reduction, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, the rationales and the impact on the sustainability of stock market listing and a going concern, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking capital reduction following standard accounting procedures.

(11) Financing plan

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning a financing plan, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, the rationales and the impact on the sustainability of stock market listing and a going concern, and so on.

(12) Capitalization of reserves

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking capitalization of reserves, taking into account the rationales, and so on.

 

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10.

Amendment to Articles of Incorporation and Other Legal Documents

(1) Change in an accounting period

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to change an accounting period unless it is regarded as an aim to delay an AGM.

(2) Amendment to articles of incorporation

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals to amend an article of incorporation, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, the necessity, the rationales, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to amend an article of incorporation if it is required by law.

 

   

We generally vote against proposals seeking to amend an article of incorporation if we judge that it is likely to infringe shareholder rights or damage shareholder value.

 

   

We generally vote for transition to a company with three Committees.

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to relax or eliminate special resolution requirements, taking into account the rationale.

 

   

We are concerned about retired directors assuming advisory, consulting, or other similar positions which could negatively impact on transparency and decision making of the Board of Directors. We generally vote against proposals seeking to create such a position.

(3) Change in a quorum for an annual general meeting (AGM)

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning change in quorum for an AGM, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, and so on.

 

11.

Company Organization Change

(1) Change in a registered company name and address

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to change a registered company name, taking into account the impact on shareholder value, and so on.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to change a registered address.

(2) Company reorganization

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the following company reorganization, taking into account their respective impacts on shareholder value and rights, the subject company’s financial conditions and business performance, and the sustainability of stock market listing or a going concern, and so on.

Mergers and acquisitions

Business transfers

Company split (spin-off)

Asset sale

Company sale

Liquidation

 

12.

Proxy Fight

(1) Proxy fight

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals concerning the appointment of directors with opposition candidates, taking into account their independence, competence, anti-social activity records (if any), corporate governance practices and accountability of the candidates and business performance and anti-social activity records (if any) of the subject company, the proxy fight background, and so on.

 

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(2) Proxy context defense

 

   

Classified board

 

   

We generally vote against proposals seeking to introduce a classified board.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to set a director’s term of one year.

 

   

Shareholder rights to remove a director

 

   

We generally vote against proposals seeking to tighten requirements for shareholders to remove a director.

 

   

Cumulative voting

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to introduce cumulative voting for director appointments, taking into account the background, and so on.

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to terminate cumulative voting for director appointment, taking into account the background, and so on.

 

13.

Takeover Defense

We believe that management and shareholder interest is not always aligned. As such, we generally vote against the creation, amendment and renewal of takeover defense measures that we judge decrease shareholder value or infringes shareholder rights. We generally vote against the reappointment of directors if takeover defense measures are not part of proposals at an AGM but are regarded to decrease shareholder value or infringes shareholder rights.

 

   

Relaxing requirements to amend articles of incorporation and company policies

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to relax requirements to amend articles of incorporation or company policies, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, and so on.

 

   

Relaxing of requirements for merger approval

 

   

We decide how to vote on proposals seeking to relaxing requirements for merger approval, taking into account the impact on shareholder value and rights, and so on.

 

14.

Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)

We support the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and acknowledge that company’s ESG practices are an important factor in investment decision making. Thus, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives and directors in charge if we judge that there is an issue that could significantly damage corporate value. We consider voting for proposals related to ESG materiality, including climate change or diversity, if we judge that such proposals contribute to preventing from damaging or expanding corporate value. If not, we consider voting against such proposals.

 

15.

Disclosure

Disclosure and constructive dialogues based thereon are important in proxy voting and investment decision making. Furthermore, proactive disclosure and effective engagement are desirable as demand for ESG disclosure, including climate change, has been increasing, and the disclosure frameworks have been rapidly progressing.

 

   

We generally vote against proposals that lack sufficient disclosure to make proxy voting decisions.

 

   

We generally vote for proposals seeking to enhance disclosures if such information is beneficial to shareholders.

 

   

If a company’s financial and non-financial disclosures is significantly poor, and if the level of investor relations activities by management or people in charge is significantly low, we consider voting against the reappointment of top executives and directors in charge.

 

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16.

Conflict of Interest

We abstain from voting proxies of the following companies that are likely to have a conflict of interest. We also abstain from voting proxies with respect to the following investment trusts that are managed by us or Invesco group companies, as a conflict of interest may rise.

 

   

Companies and investment trusts that we abstain from voting proxies:

 

   

Invesco Ltd.

We have established the Conflict of Interest Management Policy. In the situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest, we aim to control it in the best interests of clients (investors) and beneficiaries. The Compliance department is responsible for governing company-wide control of a conflict of interest. The Compliance department is independent of the Investment and Sales departments and shall not receive any command or order for the matters compliant with the laws and regulations, including a conflict of interest, from the Investment and Sales departments.

Proxy voting and stewardship activities are reported to the Responsible Investment Committee. The Responsible Investment Committee approves them. Besides, the Compliance department reviews whether conflicts of interest are properly managed in proxy voting and then reports the results to the Conflict of Interest Oversight Committee. Furthermore, the results are reported to the Executive Committee in Tokyo and the Invesco Proxy Advisory Committee.

 

17.

Shareholder Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals while we follow the Proxy Voting Guidelines in principle.

DISCLAIMER: The English version is a translation of the original in Japanese for information purposes only. In case of a discrepancy, the Japanese original will prevail. You can download the Japanese version from our website: http://www.invesco.co.jp/footer/proxy.html.

 

E-31


2092318-JP

 

E-32


APPENDIX F—MANAGEMENT FEES

Because the Fund is new, no management fees have been paid.

 

F-1


APPENDIX G—PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

PORTFOLIO MANAGER FUND HOLDINGS AND INFORMATION ON OTHER MANAGED ACCOUNTS

Invesco’s portfolio managers develop investment models which are used in connection with the management of certain Invesco Funds as well as other mutual funds for which Invesco or an affiliate acts as sub-adviser, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals. The ‘Investments’ chart reflects the portfolio managers’ investments in the Fund and includes investments in the Fund’s shares beneficially owned by a portfolio manager, as determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (beneficial ownership includes ownership by a portfolio manager’s immediate family members sharing the same household). The ‘Assets Managed’ chart reflects information regarding accounts other than the Funds for which each portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities. Accounts are grouped into three categories: (i) other registered investment companies; (ii) other pooled investment vehicles; and (iii) other accounts. To the extent that any of these accounts pay advisory fees that are based on account performance (performance-based fees), information on those accounts is specifically noted. In addition, any assets denominated in foreign currencies have been converted into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of the applicable date.

INVESTMENTS

The following information is as of December 31, 2022 (unless otherwise noted):

 

Fund

   Portfolio Managers    Dollar Range of Investments in the Fund
Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund      
   Mark Paris    None
   John Connelly    None
   Tim Benzel    None
   John Schorle    None
   Galen True    None

ASSETS MANAGED

The following information is as of December 31, 2022 (unless otherwise noted):

 

Portfolio Managers

   Other Registered
Investment Companies
Managed
   Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles Managed
   Other Accounts Managed
Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund    Number of
Accounts
   Assets
(in millions)
   Number of
Accounts
   Assets
(in millions)
   Number
of Accounts
   Assets
(in millions)
Mark Paris    26    $46,613.2    None    None    31    $99.51
John Connelly    15    $24,154.5    None    None    31    $99.51
Tim Benzel    1    $88,519.9    None    None    None    None
John Schorle    16    $24,184.4    None    None    31    $99.51
Galen True    1    $88,519.9    None    None    None    None

 

1

These are accounts of individual investors for which Invesco provides investment advice. Invesco offers separately managed accounts that are managed according to the investment models developed by its portfolio managers and used in connection with the management of certain Invesco Funds. These accounts may be invested in accordance with one or more of those investment models and investments held in those accounts are traded in accordance with the applicable models.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one Fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple Funds and/or other accounts may be presented with one or more of the following potential conflicts:

 

   

The management of multiple Funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Fund and/or other account. The Adviser and

 

G-1


 

each Sub-Adviser seek to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most other accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment models that are used in connection with the management of the Funds.

 

   

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one Fund or other account, a Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible Funds and other accounts. To deal with these situations, the Adviser, each Sub-Adviser and the Funds have adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.

 

   

The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser determine which broker to use to execute each order for securities transactions for the Funds, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, for certain other accounts (such as mutual funds for which Invesco or an affiliate acts as sub-adviser, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, trades for a Fund in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of the Fund or other account(s) involved.

 

   

Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where the Adviser or Sub-Adviser has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one Fund or account but not all Funds and accounts for which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities. None of the Invesco Fund accounts managed have a performance fee.

The Adviser, each Sub-Adviser, and the Funds have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

Description of Compensation Structure

For the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser

The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser seek to maintain a compensation program that is competitively positioned to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals. Portfolio managers receive a base salary, an incentive cash bonus opportunity and a deferred compensation opportunity. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and may be modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market, as well as to adjust the factors used to determine bonuses to promote competitive Fund performance. The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser evaluate competitive market compensation by reviewing compensation survey results conducted by an independent third party of investment industry compensation. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following three elements:

Base Salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. In setting the base salary, the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser’s intention is to be competitive in light of the particular portfolio manager’s experience and responsibilities.

Annual Bonus. The portfolio managers are eligible, along with other employees of the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser, to participate in a discretionary year-end bonus pool. The Compensation Committee of Invesco Ltd. reviews and approves the firm-wide bonus pool based upon progress against strategic objectives and annual operating plan, including investment performance and financial results. In addition, while having no direct impact on individual bonuses, assets under management are considered when determining the starting bonus funding levels. Each portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus which is based on quantitative (i.e. investment performance) and non-quantitative factors (which may include, but are not limited to, individual performance, risk management and teamwork).

 

G-2


Each portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the Funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager as described in Table 1 below.

 

Sub-Adviser

  

Performance time period5

Invesco6    One-, Three- and Five-year performance against Fund peer group
Invesco Deutschland   
Invesco Hong Kong6   
Invesco Asset Management   
Invesco India   
Invesco Listed Real Assets Division6   
Invesco Senior Secured6, 7    Not applicable
Invesco Capital6, 8   
Invesco Canada6    One-year performance against Fund peer group and three- and five-year performance against entire universe of Canadian funds
Invesco Japan    One-, Three- and Five-year performance

 

5

Rolling time periods based on calendar year-end.

6

Portfolio Managers may be granted an annual deferral award that vests on a pro-rata basis over a four-year period.

7

Invesco Senior Secured’s bonus is based on annual measures of equity return and standard tests of collateralization performance.

8

Portfolio Managers for Invesco Capital base their bonus on Invesco results as well as overall performance of Invesco Capital.

High investment performance (against applicable peer group and/or benchmarks) would deliver compensation generally associated with top pay in the industry (determined by reference to the third-party provided compensation survey information) and poor investment performance (versus applicable peer group) would result in low bonus compared to the applicable peer group or no bonus at all. These decisions are reviewed and approved collectively by senior leadership which has responsibility for executing the compensation approach across the organization.

With respect to Invesco Capital, there is no policy regarding, or agreement with, the Portfolio Managers or any other senior executive of the Adviser to receive bonuses or any other compensation in connection with the performance of any of the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers.

Deferred / Long Term Compensation. Portfolio managers may be granted a deferred compensation award based on a firm-wide bonus pool approved by the Compensation Committee of Invesco Ltd. Deferred compensation awards may take the form of annual deferral awards or long-term equity awards. Annual deferral awards may be granted as an annual stock deferral award or an annual fund deferral award. Annual stock deferral awards are settled in Invesco Ltd. common shares. Annual fund deferral awards are notionally invested in certain Invesco Funds selected by the Portfolio Manager and are settled in cash. Long-term equity awards are settled in Invesco Ltd. common shares. Both annual deferral awards and long-term equity awards have a four-year ratable vesting schedule. The vesting period aligns the interests of the Portfolio Managers with the long-term interests of clients and shareholders and encourages retention.

Retirement and health and welfare arrangements. Portfolio managers are eligible to participate in retirement and health and welfare plans and programs that are available generally to all employees.

 

G-3


APPENDIX H—ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES

Because the Fund is new, no administrative services fees have been paid.

 

H-1


APPENDIX I—BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS AND COMMISSIONS ON AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

Because the Fund is new, no brokerage commissions have been paid.

 

I-1


APPENDIX J—DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES) AND PURCHASES OF SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS

Directed Brokerage

Because the Fund is new, no research services have been purchased.

Purchases of Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers

Because the Fund is new, no securities have been purchased.

 

J-1


APPENDIX K—PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Shares of the Fund may be purchased and held by or on behalf of wrap fee, separately managed and other discretionary accounts where Invesco or its affiliates have an agreement with the program sponsor (the “Program Sponsor”) (typically, a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer), or directly with the client, to provide management or advisory services to the account. For more information on buying shares if you hold shares through a wrap fee, separately managed or other discretionary account program, please contact your Program Sponsor.

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

Initial Sales Charges. Shares of the Fund are purchased at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge or to a CDSC. Please refer to the prospectus for more information.

Payments to Sponsors. Invesco may pay Program Sponsor’s fees in exchange for the Program Sponsor’s continuing due diligence, analysis, office access, training, operations and systems support and marketing assistance. These fees may be deducted from management fees remitted to Invesco or billed separately. In lieu of making such payments, Invesco or its affiliates may agree to pay Program Sponsors a lump sum payment and/or payment(s) related to specific events such as sponsorship of conferences, seminars or informational meetings or payment for attendance by persons associated with the Program Sponsors at conferences, seminars or informational meetings, provide Program Sponsors or their personnel with occasional tickets to events or other entertainment, meals and small gifts, and make charitable contributions to valid charitable organizations at the request of Program Sponsors to the extent permitted by applicable law, rules and regulations. In some cases, these payments may be based on assets in the wrap accounts or new assets added to those accounts, and may or may not be documented in advisory agreements between Invesco and the Program Sponsor.

The Distributor, Invesco, and/or their affiliates also may make payments or reimbursements to Program Sponsors or their affiliated companies, which may be used for the development, maintenance and availability of services including, but not limited to, platform education and communications, relationship management support, development to support new or changing products, trading platforms and related infrastructure/technology and/or legal risk management and regulatory compliance infrastructure in support of investment-related products, programs and services (collectively, “platform support”) or for various studies, surveys, industry data, access to databases, and research.

Subject to applicable law, Invesco and its affiliates may also provide investment advisory services to Program Sponsors and their affiliates and may execute brokerage transactions on behalf of the Portfolios with such Program Sponsors’ affiliates. These Program Sponsors or their affiliates may, in the ordinary course of their financial firm business, recommend that their clients utilize Invesco’s investment advisory services or invest in products sponsored or distributed by the Distributor. In addition, the Distributor may pay investment consultants or their affiliated companies for certain services including sales personnel coaching and training.

In addition, some Program Sponsors receive payments from the Distributor and/or Invesco for providing services with respect to “wrap” account clients holding Fund shares through the Program Sponsor, including, but not limited to, the following services: maintaining separate records for each client’s account with respect to the Fund; aggregating and processing redemption and transfer orders, and processing purchase orders on behalf of clients, and calculating and disbursing to clients or crediting to clients’ accounts all proceeds of redemptions of shares of the Fund and all dividends and other distributions not reinvested in shares of the Fund; preparing and transmitting to clients periodic clients account statements showing the total number of shares owned by them as of the statement closing date, purchases, redemptions, and transfers of Fund shares by the clients during the period covered by the statement, and the dividends and other distributions paid to the clients during the statement period; transmitting to clients proxy materials, reports, and other information received by the Program Sponsor from the Fund and required to be sent to shareholders under the federal securities laws; transmitting (a) state codes, and (b) detailed Fund share purchase transaction and purchase-exchange and redemption-exchange information, as necessary to enable the Fund and the Distributor to comply with certain requirements and state Blue Sky laws, respectively; providing clients support concerning Fund positions maintained in client accounts, including answering questions and responding to inquiries regarding such investments, trading, and servicing of

 

K-1


client accounts; providing clients with tax documents related to their investment in the Fund for clients’ tax reporting purposes; and other additional administrative services to clients and/or support services to the Fund as may be provided from time to time by the Program Sponsor, as agreed by the parties and is permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation to provide such information or services. These fees are typically assessed on a per-account basis for those accounts maintained by the Program Sponsor and/or may be assessed to offset the transfer agency costs of maintaining those accounts that would otherwise be incurred.

A number of factors will be considered in determining the amount of these payments to Program Sponsors. On some occasions, such payments may be conditioned upon levels of assets in the wrap accounts and the quality of the Program Sponsor’s relationship with Invesco and its affiliates. The level of such payments made to Program Sponsors will vary from time to time. In general, the payments by Invesco to Program Sponsors are material relative to the wrap account financial compensation received by Program Sponsors on wrap account assets invested in the Fund. If Program Sponsors and financial advisers receive payments or other incentives in differing amounts, they may have financial incentives for recommending a particular investor adviser or investment medium for wrap accounts.

You should consult your financial adviser and review carefully any disclosure by the Program Sponsor of your wrap account as to compensation received by the Program Sponsor and your financial adviser.

Representatives of Invesco visit financial advisors on a regular basis to educate financial advisors about wrap accounts and the role of the Fund in such accounts. The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals, to the extent permitted by law.

 

K-2


Certain Financial Intermediaries That Received One or More Types of Payments

 

Admin Partners LLC

  

Envoy Plan Services Inc

   Morgan Stanley

ADP Broker Dealer Inc

  

Equitable Advisors LLC

   MSCS Financial Services Inc

Advisor Group

  

Equitable Life

   Mutual Securities Inc

Advisory Services

  

Farmers Financial Solutions LLC

   Nassau Companies of NewYork

AIG Capital Services Inc

  

Fidelity Brokerage Services

   National Benefit Services LLC

Alight Financial Solutions LLC

  

Fidelity Institutional

   National Financial Services Corporation

Allianz Life

  

Fidelity Investments

   National Financial Services LLC

Allstate

  

Fifth Third

   National Plan Administrators Inc

Alta Montclair

  

Financial Data Services Inc

   National Securities Corporation

American Enterprise Investment

  

First Command

   Nationwide

American Fidelity Assurance Company

  

Foley and Lardner LLP

   New Mexico

American General

  

Forethought Life Insurance Company

   New York Life

American Portfolios Financial

  

Forrest T Jones & Company

   New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation

American United Life Insurance Company

  

Frost Brokerage Services Inc

   Newport Retirement Plan Services Inc

Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping

  

Frost National Bank

   Next Financial Group Inc

Services LLC

  

FSC Securities Corporation

   Northwestern Mutual Investment Services

Ascensus LLC

  

Genworth Financial

   Oppenheimer & Co Inc

Avantax Investment Services Inc

  

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

   ORANJ

AXA Advisors LLC

  

Global Atlantic Distributors LLC

   Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLC

AXA Equitable

  

Goldman Sachs & Co

   Pacific Life Insurance Company

Bank of America NA

  

Great West

   Penserv Plan Services Inc

Bank of New York Mellon

  

Guardian

   Pershing

Bank of Oklahoma – Nabank & Co

  

Guardian Insurance &Annuity Co Inc

   Pershing LLC

Bay Bridge Administrators LLC

  

GWFS Equites Inc

   PFS Investments

Benefit Consultants Group

  

GWN Marketing

   PFS Shareholder Services

Benefit Plans Administrators

  

Hantz Financial Services Inc

   Piper Jaffray

Benefit Trust Company

  

Hare and Company

   Plains Capital Bank

BMO Harris Bank NA

  

Hartford Life

   Plan Administrators Inc

BOSC Inc

  

Hartford Life Insurance Co Inc

   PNC Bank NA

Branch Banking & Trust Co

  

Hilltop Securities Inc

   PNCCapital Markets LLC

Brighthouse Life Insurance Co

  

Huntington Securities Inc

   PNC Investments LLC

Brighthouse Services LLC

  

ING Life Insurance Annuity Company

   Principal Life Insurance Company

Broadway National Bank

  

Institutional Cash Distributors LLC

   Princor Financial Services Corporation

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co

  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

   Protective Life

Cadaret Grant and Co Inc

  

Jefferson National Life Insurance Company

   Pruco Life Insurance Company

Cambridge Investment Research Inc

  

Jefferson National Life Insurance Company of New York

   Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey

Cantella & Company

  

JNT Resource Partners, LP

   Pruco Securities LLC

Cavu Securities, LLC

  

John Hancock

   Prudential

Cetera Financial Group Inc

  

JP Morgan Chase Bank

   Raymond James

Cetera Investment Services LLC

  

JP Morgan Clearing Corp

   RBC Capital Markets LLC

Charles Schwab and Company Inc

  

JP Morgan Securities LLC

   RBC Wealth Management

Citibank NA

  

Kestra Investment Services LLC

   Reliance Trust Company

Citigroup Global Markets

  

Key Bank National Association

   Research Affiliates LLC

Citistreet

  

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc

   Rhode Island

City Bank Trust

  

Legend Group Adserv

   Riversource Life Insurance Company

CLS Investments

  

Lincoln Benefit Life Company

   Robert W Baird and Co Inc

CoBank

  

Lincoln Financial

   Russell Investment Management LLC

Comerica Bank

  

Lincoln Financial Securities Corp

   Sammons Financial Network LLC

Commonwealth Annuity and Life Insurance Company

  

Lincoln Investment Planning

   Santander Bank NA

Commonwealth Financial Network

  

Lincoln National Life Insurance

   SB Business Services LLC

CUSO Financial Services LP

  

LPL Financial LLC

   Schools First Plan Administration

Delaware Life Insurance Company

  

M&T Bank

   Security Benefit Life

Digital Retirement Solutions

  

Mass Mutual

   Security Distributors Inc

Donnelley Financials LLC

  

Merrill Lynch

   Security Financial Resources

E Trade Financial

  

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith Inc.

   Security Life of Denver

Educators Benefit Consultants LLC

  

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

   SEI Private Trust Company

Edward Jones & Co

  

Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation

   Siracusa Benefits Programs, Inc

EKON Benefits

  

Minnesota Life

   Sorrento Pacific Financial LLC

Empire Fidelity Investments

  

MML Investors Services LLC

   Standard Insurance Company

Envestnet Asset Management Inc

  

Moreton Asset Management Moreton Capital Markets LLC

  

State Street Corporation

 

K-3


Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc

  

Tuition Plan Consortium LLC

   VOYA Insurance and Annuity Company

Stifel Trust Company Delaware NA

  

UBS Financial Services Inc

   VOYA Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

Sungard

  

Ultimas Asset Services LLC

   VOYA Services Company

T Rowe Price Associates Inc

  

UMB Bank

   VRSCO-American General Distributors

Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company

  

Union Bank

   Wachovia Bank NA

TD Ameritrade

  

US Bancorp Investments Inc

   Wedbush Securities Inc

TDS Group Inc

  

US Bank

   Wells Fargo

The OMNI Group

  

VALIC Financial

   Wells Fargo Bank NA

TIAA-CREF

  

Vanguard Brokerage Services

   Wells Fargo Securities LLC

Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company

  

Vanguard Group Inc

   Western International Securities Inc

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

  

Variable Annuity Life Insurance Co

   Woodforest National Bank

Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Co

  

Variable Life Insurance Co

   Zions First National Bank

Treasury Curve Truist

  

VOYA Financial Advisors Inc

   Zurich American Life Insurance Company

Trust Management Network LLC

   VOYA Institutional Plan Services LLC   

TSA Consulting Group Inc

     

Redemptions

General. Shares of the Fund may be redeemed through an order placed on an investor’s behalf by Invesco or the Program Sponsor to the broker-dealer that executes trades for the separately managed account. A redemption is effected at the net asset value per share of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in good order. To be in good order, the investor, through Invesco or the Program Sponsor must give the Fund’s transfer agent or authorized intermediary, such as the broker-dealer that executes trades for the account, all required information and documentation. Payments from a redemption generally constitute taxable events. Because such payments are funded by the redemption shares, they may result in a return of capital and in capital gains or losses, rather than in ordinary income.

An investor or Program Sponsor may submit a written request to the Funds’ transfer agent for correction of transactions involving Fund shares. If the Funds’ transfer agent agrees to correct a transaction, and the correction requires a dividend adjustment, the investor or Program Sponsor must agree in writing to reimburse the Funds for any resulting loss.

Payment for redeemed institutional shares is normally settled through the NSCC. Any changes to bank instructions must be submitted to the Funds’ transfer agent in writing. The Funds’ transfer agent may request additional documentation.

The Funds’ transfer agent may request that an intermediary maintain separate master accounts in the Funds for shares held by the intermediary (a) for its own account, for the account of other institutions and for accounts for which the intermediary acts as a fiduciary; and (b) for accounts for which the intermediary acts in some other capacity. An intermediary may aggregate its master accounts and sub-accounts to satisfy the minimum investment requirement.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Imposed upon Redemption of Shares

No CDSC is imposed upon redemption of shares of the Fund.

General Information Regarding Purchases and Redemptions

Good Order. Purchase and redemption orders must be received in good order in accordance with the Transfer Agent’s policies and procedures and U.S. regulations. The Transfer Agent or authorized intermediary, such as the broker-dealer that executes trades for the separately managed account reserves the right to refuse transactions. Transactions not in good order will not be processed and once brought into good order, will receive the current price. To be in good order, an investor or Program Sponsor must supply the Transfer Agent with all required information and documentation.

Authorized Agents. The Transfer Agent and Invesco Distributors, such as the broker-dealer that executes trades for the separately managed accounts, may authorize agents to accept purchase and redemption orders that

 

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are in good order on behalf of the Invesco Funds. In certain cases, these authorized agents are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received the purchase or redemption order when the Fund’s authorized agent or its designee accepts the order. The order will be priced at the net asset value next determined after the order is accepted by the Fund’s authorized agent or its designee. Orders submitted through a financial intermediary that has not received authorization to accept orders on a Fund’s behalf are priced at the Fund’s net asset value next calculated by the Fund after it receives the order from the financial intermediary and accepts it, which may not occur on the day submitted to the financial intermediary. (maintained for six months), requests for confirmation of the shareholder’s Social Security Number and current address, and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transactions. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to modify or terminate the telephone exchange privilege at any time without notice. An investor may elect not to have this privilege by marking the appropriate box on the application. Then any exchanges must be effected in writing by the investor.

Abandoned Property. It is the responsibility of the investor to ensure that the Transfer Agent maintains a correct address for his account(s). An incorrect address may cause an investor’s account statements and other mailings to be returned to the Transfer Agent. Upon receiving returned mail, the Transfer Agent will attempt to locate the investor or rightful owner of the account. If the Transfer Agent is unable to locate the investor, then it will determine whether the investor’s account has legally been abandoned. The Transfer Agent is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The investor’s last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.

Miscellaneous Fees. In certain circumstances, the Program Sponsor maintaining the separately managed account through which your Fund shares are held may assess various fees related to the maintenance of that account, such as:

 

   

an annual custodial fee on accounts where Invesco Distributors acts as the prototype sponsor;

 

   

expedited mailing fees in response to overnight redemption requests; and

 

   

copying and mailing charges in response to requests for duplicate statements. Please consult with your Program Sponsor for further details concerning any applicable fees.

Offering Price

Shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value.

Calculation of Net Asset Value

The Fund generally determines its net asset value per share once daily on each day the NYSE is open for trading (a business day) as of approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (the customary close of regular trading) or earlier in the case of a scheduled early close. In the event of an unscheduled early close of the NYSE, the Fund generally still will determine the net asset value of its shares as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on that business day. The Fund determines net asset value per share by dividing the value of its securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected), less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends payable), by the total number of shares outstanding. Determination of the Fund’s net asset value per share is made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Generally, the portfolio securities are recorded in the NAV no later than trade date plus one, except on fiscal quarter ends, such securities are recorded on trade date.

The net asset value for shareholder transactions may be different than the net asset value reported in the Fund’s financial statement due to adjustments required by generally accepted accounting principles made to the net asset value of the Fund at period end.

Futures contracts may be valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. U.S. exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices from the exchange on which they principally trade. Non-U.S. exchange-traded options are valued at the final

 

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settlement price set by the exchange on which they trade. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. A security listed or traded on an exchange (excluding convertible bonds) held by an Invesco Fund is valued at its last sales price or official closing price on the exchange where the security is principally traded or, lacking any trades or official closing price on a particular day, the security may be valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each equity security traded in the over-the-counter market is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services vendors or market makers. Debt securities (including convertible bonds) and unlisted equities are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing vendor. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing vendor may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods may be valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations the mean between the last bid and ask prices. Senior secured floating rate loans, corporate loans and senior secured floating rate debt securities are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may reflect appropriate factors such as ratings, tranche type, industry, company performance, spread, individual trading characteristics, institution-size trading in similar groups of securities and other market data. Investments in open-end and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share.

Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. Government securities and money market instruments is substantially completed each day prior to the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of an Invesco Fund’s shares are determined at such times. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such securities may occur between the times at which such values are determined and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE. If the Adviser believes a development/event has actually caused a closing price to no longer reflect current market value, the closing price may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected security as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith using the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures.

Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. If market quotations are available and reliable for foreign exchange traded equity securities, the securities will be valued at the market quotations. Because trading hours for certain foreign securities end before the close of the NYSE, closing market quotations may become unrepresentative of market value in the Adviser’s judgment (unreliable). If between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session on the NYSE, events occur that are significant and may make the closing price unreliable, the Adviser may fair value the security. If an issuer specific event has occurred that the Adviser determines, in its judgment, is likely to have affected the closing price of a foreign security, it will price the security at fair value in good faith using the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process from a pricing vendor to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current market value as of the close of the NYSE. For foreign securities where the Adviser believes, at the approved degree of certainty, that the price is not reflective of current market value, the Adviser will use the indication of fair value from the pricing vendor to determine the fair value of the security. The pricing vendor, pricing methodology or degree of certainty may change from time to time. Multiple factors may be considered by the pricing vendor in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, American Depositary Receipts, domestic and foreign index futures, and exchange-traded funds.

Invesco Fund securities primarily traded in foreign markets may be traded in such markets on days that are not business days of the Invesco Fund. Because the net asset value per share of each Invesco Fund is determined only on business days of the Invesco Fund, the value of the portfolio securities of an Invesco Fund that invests in foreign securities may change on days when an investor cannot exchange or redeem shares of the Invesco Fund.

 

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Securities for which market quotations are not available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust’s officers in accordance with the valuation policy approved by the Board and related procedures. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security’s fair value.

Redemptions in Kind

Although the Invesco Funds generally intend to pay redemption proceeds solely in cash, the Invesco Funds reserve the right to determine, in their sole discretion, whether to satisfy redemption requests by making payment in securities or other property (known as a redemption in kind). For instance, an Invesco Fund may make a redemption in kind if a cash redemption would disrupt its operations or performance.

Securities that will be delivered as payment in redemptions in kind will be valued using the same methodologies that the Invesco Fund typically utilizes in valuing such securities. Shareholders receiving such securities are likely to incur transaction and brokerage costs on their subsequent sales of such securities, and the securities may increase or decrease in value until the shareholder sells them. The Trust, on behalf of the Invesco Funds, made an election under Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act (a Rule 18f-1 Election) and therefore, the Trust, on behalf of an Invesco Fund, is obligated to redeem for cash all shares presented to such Invesco Fund for redemption by any one shareholder in an amount up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of that Invesco Fund’s net assets in any 90-day period. The Rule 18f-1 Election is irrevocable while Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act is in effect unless the SEC by order permits withdrawal of such Rule 18f-1 Election.

Backup Withholding

Accounts submitted without a correct, certified taxpayer identification number (TIN) or, alternatively, a correctly completed and currently effective IRS Form W-8 (for non-resident aliens) or Form W-9 (for U.S. persons including resident aliens) accompanying the registration information, generally will be subject to backup withholding.

Each Invesco Fund, and other payers, generally must withhold 24% of reportable dividends (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Invesco Fund shares), including exempt-interest dividends, in the case of any shareholder who fails to provide the Invesco Funds with a TIN and a certification that he is not subject to backup withholding.

An investor is subject to backup withholding if:

1.     The investor fails to furnish a correct TIN to the Invesco Fund;

2.     the IRS notifies the Invesco Fund that the investor furnished an incorrect TIN;

3.     the investor or the Invesco Fund is notified by the IRS that the investor is subject to backup withholding because the investor failed to report all of the interest and dividends on such investor’s tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only);

4.     the investor fails to certify to the Invesco Fund that the investor is not subject to backup withholding under (3) above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only); or

5.     the investor does not certify his TIN. This applies only to non-exempt mutual fund accounts opened after 1983.

Interest and dividend payments are subject to backup withholding in all five situations discussed above. Redemption proceeds are subject to backup withholding only if (1), (2) or (5) above applies.

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. Invesco or the Transfer Agent will not provide Form 1099 to those payees.

Investors should contact the IRS if they have any questions concerning withholding.

 

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IRS Penalties. Investors who do not supply the Invesco Funds with a correct TIN will be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS unless such failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. If an investor falsifies information on this form or makes any other false statement resulting in no backup withholding on an account which should be subject to backup withholding, such investor may be subject to a $500 penalty imposed by the IRS and to certain criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Nonresident Aliens. Nonresident alien individuals and foreign entities with a valid Form W-8 are not subject to the backup withholding previously discussed. The Form W-8 generally remains in effect for a period starting on the date the Form is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year. Such shareholders may, however, be subject to federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate on ordinary income dividends and other distributions. Under applicable treaty law, residents of treaty countries may qualify for a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption. Nonresident alien individuals and some foreign entities failing to provide a valid Form W-8 may be subject to backup withholding and Form 1099 reporting.

 

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APPENDIX L—SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH THE FUND INVESTS

As explained in the Fund’s prospectus, the Fund’s investments are highly sensitive to the fiscal stability of the jurisdictions in which the Fund principally invests, including the subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities of those jurisdictions that issue municipal securities contained in the Fund’s portfolio. You should consider carefully the special risks inherent in the Fund’s investments in municipal securities.

The Fund may invest in municipal securities issued by certain territories, commonwealths and possessions of the United States that pay interest that is exempt (in the opinion of the issuer’s legal counsel when the security is issued) from federal income tax. Therefore, the Fund’s investments could be affected by the fiscal stability of, for example, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, the Fund’s investments could be affected by economic, legislative, regulatory or political developments affecting issuers in those territories, commonwealths or possessions.

The following information represents a summary of the risks associated with the concentration of the Fund’s investments in the municipal securities of these jurisdictions. This information is intended to supplement the information contained in the Fund’s prospectus, and does not purport to be a complete analysis of every risk factor that may affect the obligations of the issuers of these municipal securities.

The following information is based on publicly available reports prepared by officials of each jurisdiction’s government or their designees. The information may also be based on official statements and other offering documents relating to securities issued by or on behalf of these jurisdictions, their agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions, as available on of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Although this information is generally compiled from government resources, the Fund does not make any representation as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Municipal bond issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure obligations as other bond issuers, which may impact the reliability of the information provided by municipal issuers that is used to determine fund investments and can potentially make investments in municipal securities riskier than other investments. The Fund has not independently verified this information and the Fund does not have any obligation to update this information throughout the year.

In addition, this information is subject to change rapidly, substantially and without notice. Such changes may negatively impact the fiscal condition of the jurisdictions in which the Fund invests, which could harm the performance of the Fund. Accordingly, inclusion of the information herein shall not create an implication that there has not been any change in the affairs of the relevant jurisdictions since the date of this Statement of Additional Information. More information about the specific risks facing each jurisdiction may be available from official resources published by those jurisdictions.

The bond ratings provided below are current as of the date specified. Unless otherwise stated, the ratings indicated are for obligations of the jurisdiction referenced below. The political subdivisions of a given jurisdiction may have different ratings that are unrelated to the ratings assigned to the obligations of the state, commonwealth or territory. Investors should note that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by a jurisdiction’s local municipal issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the jurisdiction itself, and that there may be no obligation on the part of the jurisdiction to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.

To the extent that any statements made below involve matters of forecasts, projections, opinions, assumptions or estimates, whether or not expressly stated to be such, they are made as such and not as representations of fact or certainty, and no representation is made that any of these statements have been or will be realized. All forecasts, projections, assumptions, opinions or estimates are “forward looking statements,” which must be read with an abundance of caution because they may not be realized or may not occur in the future.

In addition, investors should note that municipal securities may be more susceptible to being downgraded, and issuers of municipal securities may be more susceptible to default, insolvency or bankruptcy, during

 

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recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Factors contributing to the economic stress on municipalities may include lower property tax collections, lower sales tax revenue and lower income tax revenue, among others. In addition, as certain municipal obligations may be secured or guaranteed by banks and other institutions, the risk to the Fund could increase if the banking or financial sector suffers an economic downturn or if the credit ratings of the institutions issuing the guarantee are downgraded or at risk of being downgraded by a national rating organization. Such a downward revision or risk of being downgraded may have an adverse effect on the market prices of the municipal securities and thus the value of the Fund’s investments in those securities.

Recent downgrades of certain municipal securities insurers have negatively impacted the price of certain insured municipal securities. Given the large number of potential claims against municipal securities insurers, there is a risk that they will be unable to meet all future claims. Certain municipal issuers either have been unable to issue securities or access the market to sell their issues. For some issuers that have been able to access the market, they have had to issue securities at much higher rates, which may reduce revenues available for the municipal issuers to pay existing obligations.

Should a jurisdiction, or its applicable municipalities or subdivisions, fail to sell their securities when and at the rates projected, the jurisdiction or its subdivisions could experience a weakened overall cash position in the current fiscal year.

An insolvent municipality may take steps to reorganize its debt, which might include extending debt maturities, reducing the amount of principal or interest, refinancing the debt or taking other measures that may significantly affect the rights of creditors and the value of the securities issued by the municipality and the value of the Fund’s investments in those securities. Pursuant to Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, certain municipalities that meet specific conditions may be provided protection from creditors while they develop and negotiate plans for reorganizing their debts. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides that individual U.S. states are not permitted to pass their own laws purporting to bind non-consenting creditors to a restructuring of a municipality’s indebtedness, and thus all such restructurings must be pursuant to Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Introduction. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the “Commonwealth”) is in the midst of a profound fiscal, economic and liquidity crisis, the culmination of many years of significant governmental deficits, a prolonged economic recession (which commenced in 2006), high unemployment, population decline, and high levels of debt and pension obligations. Further stressing the Commonwealth’s liquidity are large healthcare, pension and debt service costs. As the Commonwealth’s tax base has shrunk and its revenues affected by prevailing economic conditions, healthcare, pension, and debt service costs have become an increasing portion of the General Fund budget, which has resulted in reduced funding available for other essential services. The Commonwealth’s very high level of debt and unfunded pension liabilities and the resulting required allocation of revenue to service debt and pension obligations have contributed to significant budget deficits during the past several years, which deficits the Commonwealth has financed, further increasing the amount of its debt. Certain issuers of Puerto Rico municipal securities have failed to make payments on obligations that have come due, and additional missed payments and defaults may be likely to occur in the future. These financial challenges have been compounded by the two hurricanes that impacted the Commonwealth in 2017, the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Puerto Rico in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, and hurricane Fiona in 2022.

On June 30, 2016, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) was signed into law by President Obama. PROMESA established a federally-appointed oversight board (the “Oversight Board”) to oversee the Commonwealth’s financial operations and allows the Commonwealth and its instrumentalities, with approval of the Oversight Board, to file cases to restructure debt and other obligations in a “Title III” proceeding. U.S. territories do not have the ability to file for bankruptcy under the federal Bankruptcy Code. Title III incorporates many provisions of the federal Bankruptcy Code, and incorporates legal mechanisms for a litigation stay and restructuring of pension and debt obligations, among other provisions. Title III petitions were filed for, among others, the Commonwealth, the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (COFINA), and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), three of the largest issuers of

 

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Commonwealth debt. It is possible that petitions under Title III or other provisions of PROMESA, including Title VI, for additional Commonwealth instrumentalities will be filed in the future. These restructuring proceedings create uncertainty as to the treatment of claims of varying degrees of seniority in the levels and priorities of payment from the affected entities.

Puerto Rico’s economy has major components in Trade, Transportation and Utilities, Professional and Business Services, and Education and Health Services. In addition, government agencies at the local and federal levels employ a significant number of the Commonwealth’s residents. Based on March 2020 data, these sectors employed 59% of the Commonwealth’s workers. Because these sectors represent the largest share of employment in the Commonwealth, economic problems or factors that adversely impact these sectors may have a negative effect on the value of the Commonwealth’s municipal securities, which may reduce the performance of a fund.

There can be no assurances that the Commonwealth will not continue to face severe fiscal stress or that such circumstances will not become even more difficult in the future. Furthermore, there can be no guarantee that future developments will not have a materially adverse impact on the Commonwealth’s finances. Any deterioration in the Commonwealth’s financial condition may have a negative effect on the payment of principal and interest, the marketability, liquidity or value of the securities issued by the Commonwealth, which could reduce the performance of a fund.

Current Economic Climate. Puerto Rico’s civilian labor force consists of approximately 1.2 million individuals. As of August 2022, Puerto Rico had an unemployment rate of 5.8%, which was down from 8.2% in August 2021. Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate was higher than the national average of 3.7% in August 2022. Puerto Rico’s high unemployment continues a trend of high unemployment and a shrinking workforce in the Commonwealth.

On April 30, 2021, the Commonwealth filed a notice with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) that the Commonwealth would not file its audited financial statements for FY2020, as required by its continuing disclosure undertakings.

On April 11, 2022, the Commonwealth filed its audited financial statements for fiscal year 2019 with EMMA. Total assets plus deferred outflows of resources and total liabilities plus deferred inflows or resources of the primary government as of June 30, 2019 amounted to approximately $27.4 billion and $86.7 billion, respectively, for a net deficit of approximately $59.3 billion as of June 30, 2019, compared to a net deficit of approximately $72.3 billion as of June 30, 2018 (as restated). As was also noted in the audited financial statements for the 2014 through 2018 fiscal years, the 2019 audited financial statements noted that there is substantial doubt as to the ability of the primary government and various component units to continue as a going concern.

Puerto Rico’s economy is closely linked to the economy of the United States, as most of the external factors that affect the Commonwealth’s economy (other than oil prices) are determined by the policies and performance of the mainland economy. In recent years, however, the performance of Puerto Rico’s economy has significantly diverged from the performance of the United States economy. In May 2018, the Oversight Board projected that the Commonwealth’s real gross national product declined by 13.3% on a year-over-year basis, due, in part, to adverse effects from hurricanes that impacted the Commonwealth in 2017 (as discussed below). In addition, in December 2017, Congress enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which subjects companies located in the Commonwealth to a tax on income generated from certain intellectual property. Previously, companies located in the Commonwealth had been exempt from paying federal income taxes on such income. It is not presently possible to predict the extent of the impact that the tax will have on the Commonwealth’s economy. In January 2022, the Oversight Board noted that since the 2008 recession the Commonwealth’s economy has continued to worsen—Puerto Rico has seen its gross national product shrink by 20%, labor participation fallen to a record low of 39%, and the Island’s population fallen by 15%.

 

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Fiscal Plan and Budget. The Commonwealth has faced a number of significant fiscal challenges, including a structural imbalance between its General Fund revenues and expenditures. Such challenges contributed to the passage of PROMESA, which established the Oversight Board and empowered it to approve Puerto Rico’s fiscal plans and budgets. The Oversight Board is comprised of seven members appointed by the President who are nominated by a bipartisan selection process. The budget process requires the Oversight Board, the Governor, and the Commonwealth’s Legislative Assembly to develop a budget that complies with the fiscal plan developed by the Oversight Board and the Governor.

On January 27, 2022, the Oversight Board certified the 2022 Fiscal Plan for Puerto Rico. Relative to the 2021 Fiscal Plan, the 2022 Fiscal Plan arrives at a new set of expenditure projections that factor in the now-established debt service and other costs related to the Plan of Adjustment, as well as additional investments enabled by the increased resources available to the Commonwealth. Priorities in the 2022 Fiscal Plan include: (i) investing in the operational capacity of government to deliver services with civil service reform, including increasing salaries; (ii) setting aside resources to fund the Commonwealth’s pension obligations; and (iii) creating a fiscally responsible post-bankruptcy government. This fiscal plan also introduces the Financial Management Agenda, a plan of action designed to implement and institutionalize the reforms necessary for the Oversight Board’s termination and Puerto Rico’s fiscal sustainability and economic renewal. Separate 2022 Fiscal Plans were certified for Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) and COFINA in May of 2022 and PREPA in June of 2022.

The 2022 Fiscal Plan projects a post-pandemic recovery in FY 2022, followed by limited contraction between FY 2023 and FY 2026 and real growth again in FY 2027 to FY 2029 (average real growth of -1.5% between FY 2023 and FY 2029). As disaster relief funding and the spending of COVID-19 federal and local stimulus funds drop off considerably and structural reform growth rates are muted, gross national product growth returns to its historical negative trend starting in FY2029. Population is estimated to steadily decline at an average rate of approximately 0.9% annually, due to a combination of outmigration and demographic factors.

There is no certainty that any certified fiscal plan will be fully implemented, or if implemented will ultimately provide the intended results.

Investors should be aware that Puerto Rico relies heavily on transfers from the federal government related to specific programs and activities in the Commonwealth. These transfers include, among others, entitlements for previously performed services, or those resulting from contributions to programs such as Social Security, Veterans’ Benefits, Medicare and U.S. Civil Service retirement pensions, as well as grants such as Nutritional Assistance Program grants and Pell Grant scholarships for higher education. There is considerable uncertainty about which federal policy changes may be enacted in the coming years and the economic impact of those changes. Due to the Commonwealth’s dependence on federal transfers, any actions that reduce or alter these transfers may cause increased fiscal stress in Puerto Rico, which may have a negative effect on the value of the Commonwealth’s municipal securities.

Retirement Systems. The Commonwealth’s retirement systems include the Employees Retirement System (“ERS”), the Teachers Retirement System (“TRS”) and the Judiciary Retirement System (“JRS” and together with the ERS and TRS, the “Pension Systems”). As of July 1, 2017, the total actuarial liabilities for the ERS, the TRS and the JRS were approximately $31.0 billion, $17.0 billion and $700 million, respectively. The total annual benefits due from the ERS, TRS and JRS for FY2018 totaled approximately $1.5 billion, $700 million, and $25 million, respectively. In 2017, the Legislative Assembly enacted laws to reform the operation and funding of the Pension Systems. Those laws required the ERS to sell its assets and transfer the proceeds to the General Fund. In addition, employer contributions to the Pension Systems, which had been operating on a “pay-as-you-go” basis, were eliminated, and the General Fund assumed any payments that the Pension Systems could not make. As was noted in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 audited financial statements, substantial doubt existed about each of the retirement systems’ ability to continue as a going concern.

The Oversight Board reported in its 2022 Fiscal Plan that, over many decades, successive Commonwealth governments have failed to adequately fund these retirement plans, and today the ERS, TRS and JRS are

 

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insolvent. Commonwealth expenditures to provide pension benefits are expected to continue constituting 20% of General Fund expenditures without further action. The Plan of Adjustment (see “Debt” section below) provides that a pension reserve trust will be established and funded to ensure that future benefits can be supported regardless of the future economic or political situation in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth may have to make additional contributions to the Pension Systems, which could result in reduced funding for other priorities, including payments on its outstanding debt obligations. Alternatively, the Commonwealth may be forced to raise revenue or issue additional debt. Either outcome could increase the pressure on the Commonwealth’s budget, which could have an adverse impact on a fund’s investments in Puerto Rico.

Debt. Certain of the Commonwealth’s component units defaulted on debt service payments during fiscal year 2016. As a result, the Governor issued several executive orders declaring emergency periods and suspending certain transfers and payments with respect to the Commonwealth and several of its component units. It is expected that the Commonwealth and its component units will need to seek further relief under existing or potential future laws regarding receivership, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and/or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, to the extent available.

On July 1, 2016, the Commonwealth and various additional component units were unable to comply with their scheduled debt service obligations, and defaulted on $911 million of their scheduled debt obligations, including $779 million in general obligation debt service. Since 2016, the Commonwealth has continued to default on debt service payments for multiple bonds, including general obligation bonds and those issued by various component units, including PREPA, the Puerto Rico Public Finance Corporation, and the Puerto Rico Public Building Authority, among others.

In 2017, the Oversight Board filed petitions pursuant to Title III of PROMESA in federal court on behalf the Commonwealth and certain of its instrumentalities, including the Puerto Rico Electric Power Utility (“PREPA”), to begin proceedings to restructure their outstanding debt. As a result of these petitions, the ability of the creditors of the Commonwealth and its instrumentalities that have filed for Title III to take action with respect to outstanding obligations were temporarily stayed. The judge assigned to oversee the Title III proceedings initiated a confidential mediation process administered by five federal judges.

In February 2019, the U.S. District Court approved the Plan of Adjustment for the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (COFINA), the first debt restructuring completed under PROMESA’s Title III. It reduced COFINA debt by $6 billion, from $18 billion to $12 billion.

In August 2019, the PRASA and the Government of Puerto Rico reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture to a consensual modification of about $1 billion of outstanding loans under PROMESA’s Section 2017. This agreement lowers PRASA’s debt service payments on the U.S. Government program loans by about $380 million over the next 10 years and eliminates approximately $1 billion in guaranty claims against the Puerto Rico Government. Additionally, it provides PRASA with access to $400 million in new federal funding through various clean water programs over the next five years to support PRASA’s ongoing effort to improve water quality and safety for the people of Puerto Rico.

On January 18, 2022, Judge Laura Taylor Swain confirmed the Commonwealth Plan of Adjustment restructuring approximately $35 billion of debt and other claims against the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Public Buildings Authority (PBA), and ERS, as well as more than $50 billion of unfunded pension liabilities. The Plan of Adjustment saves Puerto Rico more than $50 billion in debt service and reduces outstanding obligations to just over $7 billion. On January 18, 2022, the Title III Court entered its Findings of Fact and Confirmation Order with respect to the Eighth Amended Plan. Between January 28, 2022, and February 17, 2022, six appeals of the Confirmation Order were filed in the First Circuit. By March 11, 2022, the First Circuit denied all parties’ motions for stay pending appeal. On March 15, 2022, the conditions precedent to the Effective Date of the Eighth Amended Plan were satisfied and/or waived by the Oversight Board, and the plan became effective.

 

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On the Effective Date, the principal elements of the Eighth Amended Plan were executed reducing the Commonwealth’s total funded debt obligations from approximately $34.3 billion of prepetition debt to approximately $7.4 billion, representing a total debt reduction of 78%. This debt reduction will also reduce the Commonwealth’s maximum annual debt service (inclusive of COFINA) from approximately $4.2 billion to $1.15 billion, representing a total debt service reduction of 73%. Also as of the Effective Date, all of the legacy Commonwealth general obligation bonds, ERS bonds, and PBA bonds were discharged, and all of the Commonwealth, ERS, and PBA obligations and guarantees related thereto were discharged. In addition, all Commonwealth laws that required the transfer of funds from the Commonwealth to other entities have been deemed preempted, and the Commonwealth has no obligation to transfer additional amounts pursuant to those laws. Importantly, effectuating the Eighth Amended Plan provides a path for Puerto Rico to access the credit markets and develop balanced annual budgets.

A critical component of the Eighth Amended Plan is the post-effective date issuance of new general obligation bonds (the New GO Bonds) and contingent value instruments (CVIs) that will be used to provide recoveries to GO and PBA bondholders, and to Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority and Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority bondholders under separate restructurings.

With respect to PREPA’s Title III proceeding, the Oversight Board announced on September 16, 2022 that it had reached an impasse in mediations with bondholders over the restructuring of PREPA’s debt and filed a required schedule with the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico to resume litigation against PREPA bondholders. The Oversight Board also encouraged further mediations and negotiations with all parties as the litigation progresses.

As of the date of this SAI, this process is ongoing. Any future negative developments could adversely affect Fund performance. It is not presently possible to predict the results of all of the restructurings and related planned issuance of the New GO Bonds and CVIs and other debt securities, but such outcomes will have significant impact on bondholders. If the Commonwealth or its instrumentalities are unable to obtain favorable results, there would be negative impacts on Fund performance.

Other Considerations. On September 6, 2017 and September 20, 2017, respectively, Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing unprecedented humanitarian, economic, and infrastructure-related damages and upending the daily lives of Puerto Rico’s over three million residents. Thousands of residents were left homeless, basic utilities were completely shut down, and schools, hospitals, and businesses were destroyed. Tens of thousands of local residents fled the Island. The Federal Government’s response has become one of the largest and most complex disaster relief efforts in U.S. history. In addition, the southwestern part of Puerto Rico has been struck by a swarm of earthquakes that began on December 28, 2019, and continued into 2021. On September 18, 2022 Hurricane Fiona made landfall, again causing significant infrastructure damages and loss of basic utilities.

With the onset of the pandemic, the economy of Puerto Rico virtually ground to a halt as the public health imperative for people to stay at home left all but the most essential workers unable to travel to their places of business. The economy responded to the vast amount of local and federal stimulus funding, and an economic recovery is now underway, though there is still significant uncertainty about the future of the Puerto Rican economy.

The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are currently unpredictable. The long-term behavioral changes associated with the pandemic (i.e., reduced travel, increased work from home, reduced activity in large gathering places, etc.) are also unknown.

Outstanding issues relating to the potential for a transition to statehood may also have broad implications for Puerto Rico and its financial and credit positions. The power to grant statehood resides with the U.S. Congress.

Litigation. In addition to the litigation described above, the Commonwealth, its officials and employees are named as defendants in legal proceedings that occur in the normal course of governmental operations. Some of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts, which if decided against the Commonwealth might require the Commonwealth to make significant future expenditures or substantially impair future revenue

 

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sources. Because of the prospective nature of these proceedings, it is not presently possible to predict the ultimate outcome of such proceedings, estimate the potential impact on the ability of the Commonwealth to pay debt service costs on its obligations, or determine what impact, if any, such proceedings may have on a fund’s investments.

Credit Rating. In February 2014, Puerto Rico’s then outstanding general obligation bonds were downgraded to non-investment grade or “junk” status by Moody’s and S&P. Following multiple further downgrades S&P discontinued its ratings for the Commonwealth’s general obligation bonds in 2018 and Moody’s withdrew its ratings for the Commonwealth’s general obligation bonds in 2021. On May 12, 2022, following the Effective Date of the Plan of Adjustment, Fitch withdrew its D rating and announced that it will no longer provide ratings for the Commonwealth.

Guam

Introduction. Guam’s economy is heavily dependent upon revenues from tourism and U.S. federal and military spending. As a result, economic problems or factors that adversely impact these sources of revenue may have a negative effect on the value of Guam’s municipal securities, which may reduce the performance of a fund.

Guam faces significant fiscal challenges including a high unemployment rate, uncertainty in the tourism industry and a reliance on a foreign workforce affecting key industry segments. Furthermore, the economic outlook in the rest of the United States remains uncertain, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. An economic downturn in the United States or countries such as Japan, China, or Korea, which provide large sources of tourism to the island, could significantly impact the finances of Guam and, therefore, its municipal securities. Moreover, the level of public debt in Guam may affect long-term growth prospects and could cause Guam to experience financial hardship. As a result of these and other factors, Guam has faced fiscal stress in recent years.

From year-to-year, Guam may experience a number of political, social, economic and environmental circumstances that influence Guam’s economic and fiscal condition. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: (i) persistent structural imbalances; (ii) rising debt levels; (iii) significant pension underfunding; (iv) revenue volatility; (v) developments with respect to the U.S. and world economies; (vi) environmental considerations, natural disasters and widespread diseases, including pandemics and epidemics; and (vii) U.S. federal economic and fiscal policies, including the amount of federal aid provided to Guam. There can be no guarantee that future developments, including events affecting Guam’s economic and fiscal condition, will not have a materially adverse impact on Guam’s finances. Any deterioration in Guam’s financial condition may have a negative effect on the marketability, liquidity or value of the securities issued by Guam, which could reduce the performance of a fund.

Current Economic Climate. As of December 2021, Guam’s civilian labor force consisted of approximately 72,170 individuals. This figure includes citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Marshall Islands, who are authorized by compact to accept employment in the United States and also, citizens of the Republic of Palau who are authorized by covenant to accept employment in the United States. The unemployment rate in Guam for December 2021 was 7.2%, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points from the September 2021 figure of 8.1%, and a reduction of 12.2 percentage points from December 2020, but up 3.6 percentage points from the September 2019 figure pre-pandemic. Guam’s unemployment rate was above the national average of 3.9% in December 2021. Approximately 76% of Guam’s workforce is employed in the private sector, with the remainder employed by the federal and local government. Based upon preliminary reports for June 2022, employment in Guam’s private and public sector jobs increased 3.5%.

Guam’s 2021 gross domestic product was $6.12 billion. Gross domestic product for Guam increased 1.1% in 2021 after decreasing 11.4% in 2020. The increase in real domestic product reflected increases in personal consumption expenditures, government spending, and private fixed investment. These increases were partly offset by a decline in exports of goods and services.

In 2021, the Guam economy was affected by the continued federal government response related to the COVID–19 pandemic. Territorial government and consumer spending were supported by federal payments

 

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authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020; the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act of 2021; and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Guam’s economy has been and is expected to continue to be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While work on most construction projects already in progress continues, certain planned construction projects have been delayed or otherwise negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and may experience further delays or additional negative impacts.

Tourism has represented the primary source of income for Guam’s economy for over twenty-five years. Economic, social and political conditions in Japan, South Korea and throughout the Pacific Rim, and the resulting effect on overseas travel from these countries, are a major determinant of tourism on Guam. Tourism, particularly from South Korea and Japan, where approximately 85% of visitors originated over the past several fiscal years (including FY 2021), represents a significant share of the economic activity on Guam. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, many countries, including South Korea and Japan, issued shelter-in-place orders and travel restrictions and warnings. As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, calendar year 2020 visitor arrivals to Guam fell by approximately 80%.

The United States’ military presence on Guam also contributes significantly to the island’s economy. Its strategic location close to Asia has increased its importance in the overall military strategy of the United States, but also has exposed Guam to certain geopolitical risks, including threats of military confrontation. In the years following 2010, Guam began to experience a decrease in U.S. military personnel as the plan to relocate certain forces from Japan to Guam was delayed. There can be no guarantee that the relocation will occur or to what extent Guam’s local economy will benefit from any relocation. However, current plans anticipate that approximately 5,000 marines and 1,300 dependents from Okinawa, Japan and other locations will be relocated to Guam by FY 2028, with the first 2,500 marines moving to a new base camp by Fiscal Year 2025. The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law on December 27, 2021 and included approximately $765 million for construction projects on Guam.

Budget. On February 2, 2022, the Governor of Guam submitted the Executive Budget Proposal request for FY2023 (Proposed Budget). The Governor’s proposed $998.1 million budget for 2023 is an increase of $61 million from the adopted FY 2022 budget of $927 million. The Proposed Budget projects $695.8 million in General Fund revenues, $194.2 million in Special Fund revenues and $108.1 million in federal fund match.

Debt. Guam is prohibited from authorizing or allowing the issuance of public debt in excess of 10% of the assessed tax valuation of the property in Guam. Public debt does not include bonds or other obligations payable solely from revenues derived from any public improvement or undertaking, and obligations for the payment of which appropriations are required on an annual basis. As of October 31, 2020, the public debt of Guam may not exceed $1.35 billion. As of September 30, 2021, the Government of Guam had $989.3 million total debt outstanding subject to the debt ceiling limitation.

Litigation. Guam, its officials and employees are named as defendants in legal proceedings that occur in the normal course of governmental operations. Some of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts, which if decided against Guam might require Guam to make significant future expenditures or substantially impair future revenue sources. Because of the prospective nature of these proceedings, it is not presently possible to predict the ultimate outcome of such proceedings, estimate the potential impact on the ability of Guam to pay debt service costs on its obligations, or determine what impact, if any, such proceedings may have on a fund’s investments.

Natural Disasters. Like other Pacific islands, Guam is periodically subject to typhoons and tropical storms. From 1962 to date, the eyes of 15 tropical storms passed directly over or just south of the island. During this period, eight typhoons caused damage great enough to result in federal disaster relief. Super Typhoon Karen in 1962, Typhoon Pamela in 1976, Typhoon Russ in 1990, Super Typhoon Omar in 1992, Super Typhoon Paka in 1997, Typhoon Chata’an and Super Typhoon Pongsona in 2002, and Typhoon Dolphin in 2015.

Although the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes disaster relief assistance available after significant typhoon or earthquake damage, there can be no assurance that future

 

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typhoons and/or earthquakes will not cause significant damage to business in Guam, or that FEMA will provide disaster relief assistance if significant damage is experienced. There can also be no assurance that, even with FEMA assistance, damage that results from future typhoons or earthquakes will not adversely affect business activity on Guam.

Potential impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, excessive rainfall, stronger tropical storms, drought, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, saltwater intrusion, storm surges, rising temperatures and increased migration, may threaten Guam’s security and resources. The impact of climate change and climate variability may also have detrimental socioeconomic impacts to Guam.

Credit rating. On December 16, 2021, S&P affirmed its BB- rating on Guam’s general obligation debt and revised its outlook to stable from negative. On May 4, 2021, Moody’s affirmed its Ba1 rating on Guam’s outstanding general obligation debt and revised the outlook to stable from negative. These ratings reflect only the views of the respective rating agency, an explanation of which may be obtained from each such rating agency. As of February 7, 2023, the above ratings had not been revised or withdrawn. There is no assurance that these ratings will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies if, in the judgment of such rating agencies, circumstances so warrant. A downward revision or withdrawal of any such rating may have an adverse effect on the market prices of the securities issued by Guam or its political subdivisions, instrumentalities and authorities.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Introduction. The United States Virgin Islands (“Virgin Islands”) is an unincorporated territory of the United States with separate executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. The economy of the Virgin Islands is heavily dependent upon revenues from tourism, but other major sectors of the Virgin Islands’ economy include the trade, transportation and utilities sector; the professional and business services sector; the leisure and hospitality sector; and the government sector. As these sectors represent the largest share of employment in the Virgin Islands, economic problems or factors that adversely impact these sectors may have a negative effect on the value of the Virgin Islands’ municipal securities, which may reduce the performance of a fund.

The economy of the Virgin Islands has faced substantial fiscal challenges in recent years, including damage to infrastructure caused by natural disasters and widespread diseases, a high unemployment rate, a structural deficit, declining government revenues, and considerable unfunded pension and healthcare liabilities. The level of public debt in the Virgin Islands may affect long-term growth prospects and may make it difficult for the Virgin Islands to make full repayment on its obligations. Furthermore, the economic outlook in the rest of the United States remains uncertain. A future economic downturn in the United States could significantly impact the finances of the Virgin Islands and, therefore, its municipal securities.

There can be no guarantee that economic and fiscal conditions in the Virgin Islands will improve or that future developments will not have a materially adverse impact on the finances of the Virgin Islands. Any deterioration in the Virgin Islands’ financial condition may have a negative effect on the value of the securities issued by the Virgin Islands, which could reduce the performance of a fund.

Current Economic Climate. The impact of the pandemic on employment in the U.S. Virgin Islands was substantial. From February to May 2020, the Territory’s unemployment rate grew from 4.5% to 13.6% but has since fallen to 5.6% as of August 2022. Exports declined partially due to the unprecedented losses in travel and tourism. Tourism is the Territory’s primary export and the sector most impacted by the pandemic. The industry experienced a near halt to air leisure and business travel in 2020 and the cancellation of all cruise ship calls throughout most of 2020 and early 2021. Consequently, air visitors fell 35.1% in 2020 to 442,027 from 640,887 in 2019 before rebounding 96.7% to a high of 824,460 in 2021. Cruise passenger visitors plunged 69.3% to 442,027 in 2020 but began to recover in the second half of 2021 and by year’s end, reached 245,695—still about 82.9% below the 1.4 million cruise passengers in 2019.

Businesses also spent less money on construction and equipment, triggering a 27.7% decline in private fixed investment. In addition, declining government spending from fading disaster response and hurricane recovery

 

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activities weighed on gross domestic product growth, decreasing that component by 4%. Imports fell 10.6%, reflecting declines in imports of goods, including consumer goods and equipment, and other services.

The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 decennial census counts in 2021. Between 2010 and 2020, the Virgin Islands’ population fell 18.1%.

As of August 2022, the Virgin Islands’ had an unemployment rate of approximately 5.6%, which was down from 9.6% in August 2021. The Virgin Islands’ unemployment rate was significantly above the national average which was 3.7% and 5.2%, respectively, for the same periods.

The Virgin Islands’ economy has faced setbacks in recent years largely as a result of the lingering effects of the economic recession in the United States, the impact of natural disasters, the closure of the HOVENSA petroleum refinery and the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have placed financial stress on key segments of the Virgin Islands’ economy.

The tourism sector constitutes a significant portion of the Virgin Islands’ economy. However, because of its geographical location, the Virgin Islands is subject to natural disasters, including hurricanes, that can cause considerable damage to the territory and disrupt the tourism industry. In September 2017, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, discussed in more detail below, caused substantial damage and destruction to the Virgin Islands and significantly disrupted travel. For the one-year period ended August 2018, the number of tourists arriving by air decreased by 47.4% and the number of tourists arriving by cruise ship decreased by 13.3%. Any additional natural disasters that impact tourism could adversely affect the Virgin Islands’ economy. Furthermore, the Virgin Islands was closed to tourists from March to May 2020 and from August to September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 19, 2020,the Virgin Islands has reopened to tourism. However, the current and long- term impact of the pandemic remains unknown.

The United States continues to be the primary source of visitors to the Virgin Islands. Therefore, any gains in the tourism industry are closely related to economic growth in the United States. In order to expand its tourism industry and insulate the islands from potential economic declines in the United States, the Virgin Islands has begun, in recent years, increasing its tourism marketing to other countries and regions and is evaluating ways to reposition itself as a leading tourism destination through a private-sector driven approach.

Important private sector activities in the Virgin Islands include wholesale and retail trade, leisure and hospitality, financial activities, and construction and mining activities. The agricultural sector remains small, which requires most of the territory’s food to be imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy.

In 2012, the operators of the HOVENSA oil refinery, one of the largest employers in the Virgin Islands at the time, announced that they would close the refinery, laying off approximately 1,200 employees and 950 subcontractors. However, in January 2016, Limetree Bay Terminals, LLC and its affiliates (Limetree) finalized its purchase of the HOVENSA oil refinery, including HOVENSA’s storage and docking facilities. Limetree re-opened the refinery in February 2021. Following multiple major flaring incidents resulting in significant air pollutant and oil releases, the EPA issued notices of violations of the Clean Air Act, and ordered Limetree to pause all operations at the refinery for at least 60 days. In June 2021, Limetree announced the indefinite closing of its oil refining facility on the island of St. Croix and the layoff of 271 plant employees. In December 2021 Limetree sold the refinery through a Chapter 11 asset auction to joint bidders, West Indies Petroleum and Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation. Because of these and subsequent other events, including West Indies Petroleum’s announcement in June 2022 disavowing ownership of the refinery, ongoing litigation, an August 2022 fire at the refinery, and the September and October 2022 announcements of additional EPA action and reopening requirements, it is not possible to predict the extent of the impact of the sale of the refinery on the Virgin Islands’ economy.

In fiscal year 2019, the Virgin Islands reported a total net pension liability for the primary government and component units of $3.2 billion. Additionally, the Virgin Islands reported an other post-employment benefits liability of $774.5 million in fiscal year 2019. By October 1, 2020, the pension liability totaled approximately

 

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$5.78 billion and Virgin Islands officials were continuing to project that the public pension system would reach insolvency by 2024 absent a reduction in member benefits or infusion of cash into the system.

Overall, the underlying fundamentals of the Virgin Islands economy are volatile. Increasing unemployment, decreasing revenues and the loss of many high-paying jobs have combined to place significant fiscal pressure on the local government. It is possible that fiscal challenges facing the Virgin Islands could impact the ability of the territory to satisfy the obligations on its outstanding debt. Any such outcome would likely reduce the value of the municipal securities issued by the Virgin Islands and its political subdivisions, instrumentalities, and authorities, which may reduce the performance of a fund.

Budget. In recent fiscal years, the government has experienced substantial fluctuations in revenues and expenditures, as well as recurring deficits. The Virgin Islands has taken a series of actions in recent years to reduce the size of its operating budget and address its recurring operating deficit. However, these actions have not addressed the structural imbalances that have led to recurring deficits. Rather, annual shortfalls have been addressed by an ad hoc combination of inter-fund transfers and debt financing.

The Proposed Executive Biennial Budget includes $919.4 million in General Funds for FY2023 and $921.6 million in General Funds for FY 2024. The total operating budget including appropriated, non-appropriated, and federal funds is $1.35 billion and $1.34 billion in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The Proposed Executive Biennial Budget reflects a 100% reduction in transfers from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund (IMRF). The great majority of revenues collected through the IRMF have now been pledged towards the reduction of the unfunded liability of the Government Employees Retirement System. There is no guarantee that the Government’s efforts to reverse the pending insolvency of the Government Employees Retirement System through a matching fund special purpose securitization bond offering will be entirely successful.

Debt. Current law prohibits the Virgin Islands from authorizing or issuing general obligation bonds in excess of 10% of the aggregate assessed valuation of taxable real property in the territory. As of September 30, 2019, the net amount of bonds outstanding, including both general obligation and revenue bonds, was estimated at $2.0 billion. The large fiscal risks faced by the Virgin Islands, coupled with its exclusion from capital markets, may hamper the Virgin Islands ability to repay its public debts.

Natural Disasters. In September 2017, two successive hurricanes—Irma and Maria—caused severe damage to the Virgin Islands. The infrastructure of the Virgin Islands was severely damaged by high winds and substantial flooding, leaving much of the Virgin Islands without power. According to officials, Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused an estimated $10.76 billion in damage to the public infrastructure and economy of the Virgin Islands. In February 2018, Congress appropriated $89.3 billion for disaster recovery efforts for areas affected by hurricanes in 2017. Approximately $11 billion of these funds were made available to the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and $2 billion was designated to help repair and reconstruct the electrical system of the islands. Before the storms made landfall, the Virgin Islands was already facing a severe economic crisis due to mounting debt obligations and declining revenues. There can be no assurances that the Virgin Islands will receive sufficient aid to rebuild from the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and it is not currently possible to predict the long-term impact that Hurricanes Irma and Maria will have on the Virgin Island’s economy. All these developments have a material adverse effect on the Virgin Island’s finances and negatively impact the marketability, liquidity and value of securities issued by the Virgin Islands that are held by the Fund.

Litigation. The Virgin Islands, its officials and employees are named as defendants in legal proceedings that occur in the normal course of governmental operations. Some of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts, which if decided against the Virgin Islands might require the Virgin Islands to make significant future expenditures or substantially impair future revenue sources. Because of the prospective nature of these proceedings, it is not presently possible to predict the ultimate outcome of such proceedings, estimate the potential impact on the ability of the Virgin Islands to pay debt service costs on its obligations, or determine what impact, if any, such proceedings may have on a fund’s investments.

 

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Credit rating. On October 26, 2021, Moody’s affirmed its Caa3 issuer rating (with a stable outlook) for the U.S. Virgin Islands. This rating reflects only the view of Moody’s, an explanation of which may be obtained from that rating agency. As of February 7, 2023, the above rating had not been revised or withdrawn. On September 28, 2017, Fitch withdrew its implied rating for the Virgin Islands’ general obligation debt. Fitch withdrew its ratings due to the Virgin Islands’ communication that it intended to stop participating in the ratings process, and Fitch indicated that it no longer had sufficient information to maintain the ratings.

Northern Mariana Islands

Introduction. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (the “Commonwealth” or “CNMI”) is a commonwealth of the United States with a political status similar to that of Puerto Rico. The economy of the Commonwealth is heavily dependent upon revenues from tourism and transfers from the federal government. As these sources represent a significant share of the Commonwealth’s revenue, economic problems or factors that adversely impact these sources may have a negative effect on the value of the Commonwealth’s municipal securities, which may reduce the performance of a fund.

Although the Commonwealth has faced significant setbacks, the economy has shown signs of modest growth in recent years. Such growth in may be slow as the Commonwealth continues to face substantial fiscal challenges including high unemployment, severe reductions in key industry segments and large government deficits. Furthermore, the economic outlook in the rest of the United States remains uncertain, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. An economic downturn in the United States or countries such as Japan, China or Korea, which provide large sources of tourism to the islands, could significantly impact the finances of the Commonwealth and, therefore, its municipal securities. Moreover, the level of public debt in the Commonwealth may affect long-term growth prospects and could cause the Commonwealth to experience continued financial hardship.

From year-to-year, the Commonwealth may experience a number of political, social, economic and environmental circumstances that influence the Commonwealth’s economic and fiscal condition. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: (i) persistent structural imbalances; (ii) rising debt levels; (iii) significant pension underfunding; (iv) revenue volatility; (v) developments with respect to the U.S. and world economies; (vi) environmental considerations, natural disasters and widespread diseases, including pandemics and epidemics; and (vii) U.S. federal economic and fiscal policies, including the amount of federal aid provided to the Commonwealth. There can be no guarantee that future developments, including events affecting the Commonwealth’s economic and fiscal condition, will not have a materially adverse impact on the Commonwealth’s finances. Any further deterioration in the Commonwealth’s financial condition may have a negative effect on the marketability, liquidity or value of the securities issued by the Commonwealth and may jeopardize the ability of the Commonwealth to satisfy its obligations on its outstanding debt, which could reduce the performance of a fund.

Current Economic Climate. After joining the United States in 1978, the federal government agreed to exempt the Commonwealth from federal minimum wage and immigration laws in an effort to help stimulate the Commonwealth’s economy. As a result of these exemptions, the Commonwealth was able to build a large garment industry, which at one time accounted for nearly 40% of the Commonwealth’s economy. A significant portion of the Commonwealth’s residents and a large number of temporary workers from throughout the region worked in the textile industry. Critical to this growth was duty-free access to U.S. markets and local authority over immigration and the minimum wage.

Over the last two decades, however, the Commonwealth’s economy underwent an involuntary transformation resulting from federal policy actions that led to the dissolution of the Commonwealth’s garment industry. Following the collapse of the garment industry, tourism emerged as the major driver of the Commonwealth’s economy. The majority of the Commonwealth’s visitors are from Japan, Korea, China, and the United States, and federal immigration policy has also greatly impacted tourism in the Commonwealth. Any future developments that make international travel to the islands more difficult may have a negative impact on the Commonwealth’s economy. In addition, the relaxation of laws restricting gambling helped to attract outside private investment and spur economic growth.

 

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The CNMI economy faced challenges prior to the pandemic. It was still recovering from the effects of Super Typhoon Yutu, which devastated the CNMI in October 2018, causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, including to the Saipan International Airport.

The Commonwealth’s real gross domestic product decreased by 19.6% in 2018, after increasing 25.5% in 2017. The decline primarily reflects decreases in exports of services and private fixed investment that were partly offset by growth in government spending. Exports of services decreased 38.8% in 2018, due to a decrease in visitor spending. Revenues from casino gambling dropped over 50%. The number of visitors to the Commonwealth decreased 21.5%, reflecting the effects of Typhoon Yutu, which made landfall on Saipan and Tinian in October 2018. This is in contrast to 2017, which saw record high levels of tourism and casino income.

The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant negative impact on tourism, the Commonwealth’s primary industry. Tourism from Asia declined significantly beginning in January 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, leading to a sharp reduction in anticipated general revenue. To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Commonwealth suspended commercial air travel in April 2020 and again in December 2021. There is considerable uncertainty on its duration, which negatively impacted business in the Commonwealth and resulted in employee furloughs in the private and public sectors. Other financial impacts could occur though such potential impact is unknown at this time.

The Commonwealth also faces certain unique risks, including its reliance on a foreign workforce that has the potential to result in a labor shortage. In addition, because of its geographical location, the Commonwealth is subject to natural disasters. The Commonwealth has previously experienced severe weather events that significantly impacted its economy, and any future storms, or other natural disasters, that have an adverse effect on the Commonwealth’s finances could negatively impact the marketability, liquidity or value of securities issued by the Commonwealth.

Budget. The Commonwealth has run a budget deficit for many years, which means spending has consistently outpaced revenue collection. The Commonwealth’s governmental activities deficit net position increased from $455.8 million (inclusive of prior period adjustments of $404.4 million) to a deficit net position of $504.7 million, an increase of 10.7% between fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

On September 30, 2022, the Governor signed into law the Commonwealth’s budget for FY2023 (Enacted Budget). The Enacted Budget identifies total budgetary resources of approximately $150.4 million, which, after adjustments and transfers, including debt service, would leave $109.8 million for appropriations during the fiscal year.

Unfunded liabilities of the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund and minimum annual payments required to the Northern Mariana Islands Settlement Fund (“NMISF”) as part of a 2013 pension-related settlement present a significant risk to the fiscal condition of the Commonwealth. Pursuant to law, the Commonwealth is required to make contributions to the retirement fund each year on an actuarially funded basis toward the annuities related to retirement and other benefits. Due to recurring budget deficits, the Commonwealth has often delayed or suspended payments to the retirement fund. The Commonwealth has, however, made the minimum annual payments to the NMISF for FY2016, FY2017, FY2018, FY2019 and FY2020 of $30 million, $33 million, $45 million, $44 million and $42 million, respectively. There can be no guarantee in the future that the Commonwealth’s pension fund will not face additional financial risk, including the possibility of going bankrupt, or that the Commonwealth will be able to make required payments.

Debt. As of September 30, 2019, the Commonwealth had $66.3 million in long-term debt outstanding, which represents a net decrease of $4.9 million or 7.0% from the prior year. The expected annual debt service requirements on the Commonwealth’s general obligation bonds are $8.51 million for FY2020 and $6.98 million for FY2021. Total public debt outstanding per capita decreased from $2,308 in FY2017 to $1,958 in FY2019.

Natural Disasters. The Commonwealth underwent two typhoons during the months of September and October 2018. Typhoon Mangkhut destroyed much of the resources for the island of Rota, and Super Typhoon Utu devastated the islands of Tinian and Saipan. The disasters had detrimental effects on the Commonwealth’s economic activity, leaving two main sectors of the economy (tourism and gaming) at a standstill for the first

 

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quarter of the 2019 fiscal year. These events had a material adverse effect on the Commonwealth’s finances and may negatively impact the payment of principal and interest, marketability, liquidity, and value of securities issued by the Commonwealth that are held by the Fund.

Litigation. The Commonwealth, its officials and employees are named as defendants in legal proceedings that occur in the normal course of governmental operations. Some of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts, which if decided against the Commonwealth might require the Commonwealth to make significant future expenditures or substantially impair future revenue sources. Because of the prospective nature of these proceedings, it is not presently possible to predict the ultimate outcome of such proceedings, estimate the potential impact on the ability of the Commonwealth to pay debt service costs on its obligations, or determine what impact, if any, such proceedings may have on a fund’s investments.

Credit rating. On December 9, 2019, Moody’s assigned the Northern Mariana Islands an issuer rating of Ba3 with a negative outlook. On April 1, 2020, Moody’s withdrew its issuer rating for the Commonwealth of Ba3 with a negative outlook. S&P, Fitch and Moody’s do not currently maintain a credit rating for CNMI general obligation debt (confirmed as of February 7, 2023).

 

L-14


PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28.    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
a        Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated September 20, 2022. (*)
b        Bylaws of Registrant adopted effective September 20, 2022. (86)
c        Articles II, VI, VII, VIII and IX of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Articles IV, V and VI of the Bylaws define rights of holders of shares.
d   (1)    (a)   Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (69)
d   (1)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated August 21, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (71)
d   (1)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated September 30, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (71)
d   (1)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated October 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (71)
d   (1)    (e)   Amendment No. 4, dated April 23, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (80)
d   (1)    (f)   Amendment No. 5, dated July 15, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (82)
d   (1)    (g)   Amendment No. 6 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (*)
d   (2)    (a)   Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.(69)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
d   (2)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated August 21, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (71)
d   (2)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated September 30, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (71)
d   (2)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated October 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (71)
d   (2)    (e)   Amendment No. 4, dated April 23, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (80)
d   (2)    (f)   Amendment No. 5, dated July 15, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (86)
d   (2)    (g)   Amendment No. 6 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (*)
d   (3)    (a)   Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (69)
d   (3)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated August 5, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (71)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
d   (3)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated September 4, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract – Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (71)
d   (3)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated October 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (71)
d   (3)    (e)   Amendment No. 4, dated December 22, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (76)
d   (3)    (f)   Amendment No. 5, dated February 18, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (77)
d   (3)    (g)   Amendment No. 6, dated March 31, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (78)
d   (3)    (h)   Amendment No. 7, dated July 1, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (3)    (i)   Amendment No. 8, dated August 2, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (3)    (j)   Amendment No. 9, dated February 28, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (3)    (k)   Amendment No. 10, dated April 29, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (3)    (l)   Amendment No. 11 dated September 28, 2022 to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract – Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (86)
d   (3)    (m)   Amendment No. 13 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract – Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020. (*)
d   (4)    (a)   Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (71)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
d   (4)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated August 5, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (71)
d   (4)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated September 4, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (71)
d   (4)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated October 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (71)
d   (4)    (e)   Amendment No. 4, dated December 22, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (76)
d   (4)    (f)   Amendment No. 5, dated February 18, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (77)
d   (4)    (g)   Amendment No. 6, dated March 31, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (78)
d   (4)    (h)   Amendment No. 7, dated July 1, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (4)    (i)   Amendment No. 8, dated August 2, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (4)    (j)   Amendment No. 9, dated February 28, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (83)
d   (4)    (k)   Amendment No. 10, dated April 29, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (83)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
d   (4)    (l)   Amendment No. 13 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract – Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020. (*)
d   (5)    (a)   Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. dated July 1, 2020. (69)
d   (5)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated September 4, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. dated July 1, 2020. (72)
d   (5)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated March 31, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. dated July 1, 2020. (78)
d   (5)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated April 23, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract - Invesco Advisers, Inc. and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. dated July 1, 2020. (78)
e   (1)    (a)   Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (69)
e   (1)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated August 5, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (71)
e   (1)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated September 4, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (71)
e   (1)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated October 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (71)
e   (1)    (e)   Amendment No. 4, dated December 22, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (75)
e   (1)    (f)   Amendment No. 5, dated February 18, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (77)
e   (1)    (g)   Amendment No. 6, dated March 31, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (78)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
e   (1)    (h)   Amendment No. 7, dated July 15, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (83)
e   (1)    (i)   Amendment No. 8, dated August 2, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (83)
e   (1)    (j)   Amendment No. 9, dated February 28, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (83)
e   (1)    (k)   Amendment No. 10, dated April 29, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (83)
e   (1)    (l)   Amendment No. 11, dated September 28, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (86)
e   (1)    (m)   Amendment No. 14, dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (*)
e   (2)      Form of Selected Dealer Agreement between Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc. and selected dealers. (24)
e   (3)      Form of Bank Selling Group Agreement between Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc. and banks. (24)
f   (1)      Form of Invesco Funds Retirement Plan for Eligible Directors/Trustees, as approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on December 31, 2013. (42)
f   (2)    (a)   Form of Invesco Funds Trustee Deferred Compensation Agreement, as approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on December 31, 2011. (42)
f   (2)    (b)   Form of Amendment to Form of Invesco Funds Trustee Deferred Compensation Agreement. (44)
g        Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 1, 2018. (55)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
h   (1)    (a)   Fifth Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Investment Services, Inc.(69)
h   (1)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated July 1, 2021, to the Fifth Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Investment Services, Inc.(82)
h   (2)    (a)   Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc.(69)
h   (2)    (b)   Amendment No. 1, dated August 21, 2020, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (71)
h   (2)    (c)   Amendment No. 2, dated September 30, 2020, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (71)
h   (2)    (d)   Amendment No. 3, dated October 9, 2020, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (71)
h   (2)    (e)   Amendment No. 4, dated April 23, 2021, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (80)
h   (2)    (f)   Amendment No. 5, dated July 15, 2021, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (82)
h   (2)    (g)   Amendment No. 6 dated February 13, 2023, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (*)
h   (3)      Memorandum of Agreement, dated December 1, 2022, regarding expense limitations, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (86)
h   (4)      Memorandum of Agreement, dated December 1, 2022, regarding advisory fee waivers and affiliated money market fund waivers, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (86)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
h   (5)      Eighth Amended and Restated Memorandum of Agreement, regarding securities lending, dated July 1, 2014, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (42)
h   (6)      Interfund Lending Agreement, dated December 12, 2016, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (48)
i        Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP. (*)
j        Other Opinions – None
k        Omitted Financial Statements - Not Applicable.
l   (1)    (a)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Registrant’s AIM Structured Core Fund, AIM Structured Growth Fund and AIM Structured Value Fund, dated March 29, 2006. (14)
l   (1)    (b)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Registrant’s AIM Select Real Estate Income Fund, dated March 8, 2007. (19)
l   (1)    (c)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Investor Class shares of Registrant’s AIM Structured Core Fund dated December 20, 2007. (19)
l   (1)    (d)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of AIM Core Plus Bond Fund dated June 1, 2009. (26)
l   (1)    (e)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Class Y shares of Registrant’s AIM Core Plus Bond Fund, AIM Floating Rate Fund, AIM Multi-Sector Fund, AIM Select Real Estate Income Fund, AIM Structured Core Fund, AIM Structured Growth Fund and AIM Structured Value Fund dated October 2, 2008. (26)
l   (1)    (f)   Agreement concerning Initial Capital Investment in Portfolios of the Registrant dated June 1, 2010, for Class B Shares and Class C Shares of Invesco Large Cap Relative Value Fund, Class Y Shares of Invesco Balanced Fund and Invesco Van Kampen Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund and Institutional Class Shares of Invesco Van Kampen Equity and Income Fund and Invesco Van Kampen Growth and Income Fund. (31)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
l   (1)    (g)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Class R5 Shares of Registrant’s Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund and Class R6 Shares of Registrant’s Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund and Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund dated September 24, 2012. (38)
l   (1)    (h)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Invesco Strategic Real Return Fund dated April 21, 2014. (42)
l   (1)    (i)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund dated September 29, 2015. (44)
l   (1)    (j)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Class R6 Shares of Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund dated October 8, 2020. (71)
l   (1)    (k)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund dated February 21, 2023 (*)
m   (1)      Fifth Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan (Compensation), effective July 1, 2022. (84)


Exhibit

Number

   Description
m   (2)   
  
   Fourth Amended and Restated Distribution Plan (Reimbursement), effective July 1, 2022. (84)
m   (3)       Second Amended and Restated Service Plan (Reimbursement), effective July 1, 2022. (84)
n   (1)       Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan of The Invesco Funds effective January 22, 2021. (82)
o         Reserved.
p   (1)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for North America, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Advisers, Inc. (85)
p   (2)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for EMEA, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Asset Management Limited. (85)
p   (3)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for APAC, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited. (85)
p   (4)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for APAC, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Hong Kong Limited. (85)
p   (5)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for North America, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Canada Ltd. (85)
p   (6)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for EMEA, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Asset Management Deutschland (GmbH). (85)
p   (7)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for North America, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (85)
p   (8)       Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for North America, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Capital Management, LLC. (85)


Exhibit

Number

  Description
p   (9)      Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy for APAC, dated January 2022, relating to Invesco Asset Management (India) PVT. LTD. (85)
q      (a)   Powers of Attorney for Flanagan, Hostetler, Jones, Mathai-Davis, Ressel and Troccoli dated March 28, 2018. (57)
q      (b)   Power of Attorney for LaCava dated March 1, 2019. (57)
q      (c)   Powers of Attorney for Brown, Krentzman, Motley and Vandivort dated June 10, 2019. (57)

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(1)

Previously filed with PEA No. 13 to the Registration Statement on August 28, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein.

(2)

Previously filed with PEA No. 38 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO Sector Funds, Inc. on July 15, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM Counselor Series Trust) and the date).

(3)

Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form N-14 of AIM Special Opportunities Funds on August 13, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.

(4)

Previously filed with PEA No. 77 to the Registration Statement of AIM Equity Funds filed on July 7, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein.

(5)

Previously filed with PEA No. 15 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on November 25, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein.

(6)

Previously filed with PEA No. 16 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on March 1, 2004 and incorporated by reference herein.

(7)

Previously filed with PEA No. 17 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on November 30, 2004 and incorporated by reference herein.

(8)

Previously filed with PEA No. 18 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on October 19, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein.

(9)

Previously filed with PEA No. 19 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 7, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein.


(10)

Previously filed with PEA No. 20 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 20, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein.

(11)

Previously filed with PEA No. 21 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on January 13, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(12)

Previously filed with PEA No. 22 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on February 17, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(13)

Previously filed with PEA No. 23 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on March 24, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(14)

Previously filed with PEA No. 24 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on April 13, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(15)

Previously filed with PEA No. 25 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on September 22, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(16)

Previously filed with PEA No. 26 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on October 13, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(17)

Previously filed with PEA No. 28 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 28, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.

(18)

Previously filed with PEA No. 29 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on March 12, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein.

(19)

Previously filed with PEA No. 30 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on October 18, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein.

(20)

Previously filed with PEA No. 31 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 20, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein.

(21)

Previously filed with PEA No. 32 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on February 15, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein.

(22)

Previously filed with PEA No. 33 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on September 23, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein.

(23)

Previously filed with PEA No. 34 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 17, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein.

(24)

Previously filed with PEA No. 35 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on March 11, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.

(25)

Previously filed with PEA No. 36 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on May 28, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.

(26)

Previously filed with PEA No. 38 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.

(27)

Previously filed with PEA No. 39 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on February 5, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(28)

Previously filed with PEA No. 40 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on February 12, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(29)

Previously filed with PEA No. 41 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on May 28, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(30)

Previously filed with PEA No. 42 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on June 29, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(31)

Previously filed with PEA No. 43 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on July 26, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(32)

Previously filed with PEA No. 44 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on October 15, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(33)

Previously filed with PEA No. 45 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on October 28, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(34)

Previously filed with PEA No. 46 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 21, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.

(35)

Previously filed with PEA No. 48 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 14, 2011 and incorporated by reference herein.

(36)

Previously filed with PEA No. 50 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on July 20, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein.

(37)

Previously filed with PEA No. 51 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on September 21, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein.

(38)

Previously filed with PEA No. 53 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 19, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein.

(39)

Previously filed with PEA No. 55 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 17, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.

(40)

Previously filed with PEA No. 57 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on January 29, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.


(41)

Previously filed with PEA No. 59 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on April 22, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.

(42)

Previously filed with PEA No. 61 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 17, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.

(43)

Previously filed with PEA No. 63 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on July 15, 2015 and incorporated by reference herein.

(44)

Previously filed with PEA No. 65 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 16, 2015 and incorporated by reference herein.

(45)

Previously filed with PEA No. 67 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 14, 2016 and incorporated by reference herein.

(46)

Previously filed with PEA No. 69 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on January 10, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.

(47)

Previously filed with PEA No. 70 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on March 9, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.

(48)

Previously filed with PEA No. 71 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on March 31, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.

(49)

Previously filed with PEA No. 75 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on May 31, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.

(50)

Previously filed with PEA No. 77 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on June 5, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.

(51)

Previously filed with PEA No. 85 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 13, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.

(52)

Previously filed with PEA No. 92 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on May 3, 2018 and incorporated by reference herein.

(53)

Previously filed with PEA No. 95 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on July 10, 2018 and incorporated by reference herein.

(54)

Previously filed with PEA No. 102 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on November 2, 2018 and incorporated by reference herein.

(55)

Previously filed with PEA No. 104 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 19, 2018 and incorporated by reference herein.

(56)

Previously filed with PEA No. 115 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on May 23, 2019 and incorporated by reference herein.

(57)

Previously filed with PEA No. 120 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on August 27, 2019 and incorporated by reference herein.

(58)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 26, 2019.

(59)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to AIM Equity Funds (Invesco Equity Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on November 21, 2019.

(60)

Previously filed with PEA No. 124 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on November 21, 2019 and incorporated by reference herein.

(61)

Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 154 to AIM Growth Series (Invesco Growth Series) Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 9, 2019.

(62)

Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 70 to AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust) Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 19, 2019.

(63)

Previously filed with PEA No. 131 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on February 12, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein.

(64)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on February 27, 2020.

(65)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 to AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on March 30, 2020.

(66)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to AIM Funds Group (Invesco Funds Group) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on April 27, 2020.

(67)

Previously filed with PEA No. 132 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on June 5, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein.

(68)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on June 29, 2020.

(69)

Previously filed with PEA No. 137 to Registration Statement of Registrant filed on August 20, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein.

(70)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on August 28, 2020.

(71)

Previously filed with PEA No. 139 to Registration Statement of Registrant filed on October 13, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein.


(72)

Previously filed with PEA No. 143 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 18, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein.

(73)

Previously filed with PEA No. 149 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on May 14, 2021 and incorporated by reference herein.

(74)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds) Registration Statement on June 29, 2020.

(75)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 to AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on February 22, 2021.

(76)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to AIM Equity Funds (Invesco Equity Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on February 25, 2021.

(77)

Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 192 to AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on March 30, 2021.

(78)

Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.163 to AIM Growth Series (Invesco Growth Series) Registration on Form N-1A on April 29, 2021.

(79)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds) Registration Statement on June 28, 2021.

(80)

Previously filed with PEA No. 152 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on July 14, 2021 and incorporated by reference herein.

(81)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds) Registration Statement on September 7, 2021.

(82)

Previously filed with PEA No. 159 to the Registration Statement of Registrant filed on December 16, 2021 and incorporated by reference herein.

(83)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds) Registration Statement on June 27, 2022.

(84)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds) Registration Statement on August 25, 2022.

(85)

Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 193 to AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds) Registration Statement on Form N-1A on February 25, 2022.

(86)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 174 to AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust) Registration Statement on December 15, 2022.

(87)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust) Registration Statement on December 5, 2022.

(*)

Filed herewith electronically.

Item 29.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund.

None.

Item 30.    Indemnification.

Indemnification provisions for officers, trustees, and employees of the Registrant are set forth in Article VIII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Article VIII of its Bylaws and are hereby incorporated by reference. See Items 28(a) and (b) above. Under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, effective as of September 20, 2022, (i) Trustees or officers, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable for any act, omission or obligation of the Registrant or any Trustee or officer except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office with the Trust; (ii) every Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the Registrant’s Bylaws and other applicable law; (iii) in case any shareholder or former shareholder of the Registrant shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a shareholder of the Registrant or any portfolio or class and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or general successor) shall be entitled, out of the assets belonging to the applicable portfolio (or allocable to the applicable class), to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability in accordance with the Bylaws and applicable law. The Registrant, on behalf of the affected portfolio (or class), shall upon request by the shareholder, assume the defense of any such claim made against the shareholder for any act or obligation of that portfolio (or class).


The Registrant and other investment companies and their respective officers and trustees are insured under a joint Mutual Fund Directors and Officers Liability Policy, issued by ICI Mutual Insurance Company and certain other domestic insurers, with limits up to $100,000,000 and an additional $50,000,000 of excess coverage (plus an additional $30,000,000 limit that applies to independent directors/trustees only).

Section 16 of the Master Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (Invesco Advisers) provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of Invesco Advisers or any of its officers, directors or employees, that Invesco Advisers shall not be subject to liability to the Registrant or to any series of the Registrant, or to any shareholder of any series of the Registrant for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security. Any liability of Invesco Advisers to any series of the Registrant shall not automatically impart liability on the part of Invesco Advisers to any other series of the Registrant. No series of the Registrant shall be liable for the obligations of any other series of the Registrant.

Section 10 of the Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds (the Sub-Advisory Contract) between Invesco Advisers, on behalf of Registrant, and each of Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Canada Ltd, Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc., and separate Sub-Advisory Agreements with each of Invesco Capital Management, LLC, Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (each a Sub-Adviser, collectively the Sub-Advisers) provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any costs or liabilities arising from any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by any series of the Registrant or the Registrant in connection with the matters to which the Sub-Advisory Contract relates except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser in the performance by the Sub-Adviser of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Sub-Adviser of its obligations and duties under the Sub-Advisory Contract.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Act) may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31.    Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser.

The only employment of a substantial nature of Invesco’s directors and officers is with Invesco and its affiliated companies. For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc., Invesco Capital Management, LLC, Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (each a Sub-Adviser, collectively the Sub-Advisers) reference is made to Form ADV filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by each Sub-Adviser herein incorporated by reference. Reference is also made to the discussion under the caption “Fund Management - The Adviser(s)” in each Prospectus which comprises Part A of this Registration Statement, and to the discussion under the caption “Management of the Trust” of the Statement of Additional Information which comprises Part B of this Registration Statement, and to Item 32(b) of this Part C.


Item 32.    Principal Underwriters.

(a) Invesco Distributors, Inc., the Registrant’s principal underwriter, also acts as a principal underwriter to the following investment companies:

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

AIM Equity Funds (Invesco Equity Funds)

AIM Funds Group (Invesco Funds Group)

AIM Growth Series (Invesco Growth Series)

AIM International Mutual Funds (Invesco International Mutual Funds)

AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds)

AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds)

AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds)

AIM Tax-Exempt Funds (Invesco Tax-Exempt Funds)

AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust)

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunity Fund

Invesco Senior Loan Fund

Invesco Management Trust

Short-Term Investments Trust

Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust

Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II

Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

Invesco Exchange-Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust

(b) The following are the Officers and Managers of Invesco Distributors, Inc., the Registrant’s underwriter.


NAME AND PRINCIPAL

BUSINESS ADDRESS*

  

POSITIONS AND OFFICES

WITH REGISTRANT

  

POSITIONS AND OFFICES

WITH UNDERWRITER

Rocco Benedetto

   None    Senior Vice President

David Borrelli

   None    Senior Vice President

Ken Brodsky

   None    Senior Vice President

George Fahey

   None    Senior Vice President

Jay Fortuna

   None    Senior Vice President

Mark W. Gregson

   None   

Chief Financial Officer,

Financial & Operations Principal

Trisha B. Hancock

   None   

Chief Compliance Officer &

Senior Vice President

Clint Harris

   None    President

John Hoffman

   None    Senior Vice President

Eliot Honaker

   None    Senior Vice President

Greg Ketron

   None    Treasurer

Brian Kiley

   None    Senior Vice President

Melanie Ringold

  

Secretary, Senior Vice President

& Chief Legal Officer

   Secretary

Brian Levitt

   None    Senior Vice President

John McDonough

   None    Director & Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Neznek

   None    Senior Vice President

Adam Rochlin

   None    Senior Vice President

Benjamin Stewart

   None    Senior Vice President

Paul E. Temple

   None    Senior Vice President


NAME AND PRINCIPAL

BUSINESS ADDRESS*

  

POSITIONS AND OFFICES

WITH REGISTRANT

  

POSITIONS AND OFFICES

WITH UNDERWRITER

Ben Utt

   None    Executive Vice President

Terry Gibson Vacheron

   None    Executive Vice President

Gary K. Wendler

   Assistant Vice President   

Senior Vice President, Director,

Marketing Research & Analysis

Donna White

   None    Senior Vice President

Crissie Wisdom

  

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Officer

  

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Officer

John M. Zerr

   Senior Vice President    Senior Vice President

 

*

The principal business address for all directors and executive officers is Invesco Distributors, Inc., 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77046-1173.

(c) Not applicable.

Item 33.    Location of Accounts and Records.

Invesco Advisers, Inc., 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309, maintains physical possession of each such account, book or other document of the Registrant at the Registrant’s principal executive offices, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77046-1173, except for those maintained at its Atlanta offices at the address listed above or at its Louisville, Kentucky offices, 400 West Market Street, Suite 3300, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 and except for those relating to certain transactions in portfolio securities that are maintained by the Registrant’s Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, and the Registrant’s Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent, Invesco Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box 219078, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9078.

Records may also be maintained at the offices of:

 

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH

An der Welle 5, 1st Floor

Frankfurt, Germany 60322


Invesco Asset Management Ltd.

Perpetual Park

Perpetual Park Drive

Henley-on-Thames

Oxfordshire, RG91HH

United Kingdom

 

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited

Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 14F

6-10-1 Roppongi

Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-6114 Japan

 

Invesco Hong Kong Limited

41/F, Champion Tower

Three Garden Road, Central

Hong Kong

 

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

 

Invesco Canada Ltd.

120 Bloor Street East

Suite 700

Toronto, Ontario

Canada M4W 1B7

 

Invesco Capital Management LLC

3500 Lacey Road, Suite 700

Downers Grove, IL 60515

 

Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited

3rd Floor, GYS Infinity, Subhash Road

Paranjpe B Scheme, Ville Parle (East)

Mumbai - 400 057, India

 

OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281


Item 34.    Management Services.

None.

Item 35.    Undertakings.

Not applicable.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the city of Houston, Texas, on the 17th day of February, 2023.

 

AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST

(INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)

By:

 

/s/ Sheri Morris

 

 

Sheri Morris

Title:

 

President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.


SIGNATURE    TITLE    DATE

/s/ Sheri Morris

   President    February 17, 2023

(Sheri Morris)

   (Principal Executive Officer)   

 

/s/ Beth Ann Brown***

   Chair and Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Beth Ann Brown)

     

/s/ Martin L. Flanagan*

   Vice Chair and Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Martin L. Flanagan)

     

/s/ Cynthia Hostetler*

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Cynthia Hostetler)

     

/s/ Eli Jones*

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Eli Jones)

     

/s/ Elizabeth Krentzman***

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Elizabeth Krentzman)

     

/s/ Anthony J. LaCava, Jr.**

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Anthony J. LaCava, Jr.)

     

/s/ Prema Mathai-Davis*

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Prema Mathai-Davis)

     

/s/ Joel W. Motley***

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Joel W. Motley)

     

/s/ Teresa M. Ressel*

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Teresa M. Ressel)

     

/s/ Robert C. Troccoli*

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Robert C. Troccoli)

     

/s/ Daniel S. Vandivort***

   Trustee    February 17, 2023

(Daniel S. Vandivort)

     

/s/ Adrien Deberghes

   Vice President & Treasurer    February 17, 2023

Adrien Deberghes

   (Principal Financial Officer)   

 


/s/ Sheri Morris

  

 

   February 17, 2023

Sheri Morris

     

Attorney-In-Fact

     

 

*

Sheri Morris, pursuant to powers of attorney dated March 28, 2018, filed in the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on August 27, 2019.

**

Sheri Morris, pursuant to power of attorney dated March 1, 2019, filed in the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on August 27, 2019.

***

Sheri Morris, pursuant to powers of attorney dated June 10, 2019, filed in the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on August 27, 2019.


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

a   Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated September 20, 2022
d(1)(g)  

Amendment No. 6 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc.

d(2)(g)  

Amendment No. 6 dated February 13, 2023, to the to the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract for Mutual Funds, dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc., on behalf of the Registrant, and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

d(3)(m)   Amendment No. 13 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract – Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Capital Management, LLC dated July 1, 2020.
d(4)(l)   Amendment No. 13 dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract – Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited, dated July 1, 2020.
e(1)(m)   Amendment No. 14, dated February 13, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Invesco Distributors, Inc.
h(2)(g)   Amendment No. 6 dated February 13, 2023, to the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc.
i   Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
l(1)(k)   Initial Capitalization Agreement of Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund dated February 21, 2023
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document- the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST (INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST (“AGREEMENT”) of AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust) is made the 20th day of September, 2022 by the parties signatory hereto, as Trustees.

WHEREAS the Trust was formed on July 29, 2003 by the filing of a Certificate of Trust with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to a Declaration of Trust, dated as of July 29, 2003 (the “Original Declaration”);

WHEREAS the Trust has been formed to carry on the business of an open-end management investment company as defined in the 1940 Act;

WHEREAS the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into their hands as trustees of a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as amended from time to time, and the provisions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS the Board of Trustees desires to amend and restate the Original Declaration in the manner hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that:

(i)    the Original Declaration is amended and restated in its entirety in the manner hereinafter set forth;

(ii)    all cash, securities and other assets that the Trust may from time to time acquire in any manner shall be managed and disposed of upon the terms and conditions as hereinafter set forth; and

(iii)    this Agreement and the Bylaws shall be binding in accordance with their terms on every Trustee, by virtue of having become a Trustee of the Trust, and on every Shareholder, by virtue of having become a Shareholder of the Trust, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Bylaws.

 

1


ARTICLE I

NAME, DEFINITIONS, PURPOSE AND CERTIFICATE OF TRUST

Section 1.1    Name. The name of the statutory trust is AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), and the Trustees may transact the Trust’s affairs in that name or any other name as the Board of Trustees may from time to time designate. The Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, change the name of the Trust or any Portfolio or Class. Any name change of any Portfolio or Class shall become effective upon approval by the Trustees of such change or any document (including any Registration Statement) reflecting such change. Any name change of the Trust shall become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment under the Delaware Act reflecting such change. Any such action shall have the status of an amendment to this Agreement. In the event of any name change, the Trustees shall cause notice to be given to the affected Shareholders within a reasonable time after the implementation of such change, which notice will be deemed given if the changed name is reflected in any Registration Statement. The Trust shall constitute a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Section 1.2    Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided in the Governing Instrument:

 

  (a)

“Affiliated Person,” “Commission,” “Company,” “investment company,” “Interested Person,” “Person,” and “principal underwriter” shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder;

 

  (b)

“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as it may be amended, restated, or supplemented from time to time;

 

  (c)

“allocable” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d);

 

  (d)

“allocated” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d);

 

  (e)

“Board of Trustees” or “Board” shall mean the governing body of the Trust, that is comprised of the number of Trustees of the Trust fixed from time to time pursuant to Article III hereof, having the powers and duties set forth herein;

 

  (f)

“Bylaws” means the Bylaws of the Trust as amended, restated, or supplemented from time to time solely by the Trustees;

 

  (g)

“Certificate of Trust” shall mean the certificate of trust of the Trust filed on July 29, 2003 with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required under the Delaware Act, as such certificate may be amended or restated from time to time;

 

  (h)

“Class” means a portion of Shares of a Portfolio of the Trust established in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(b);

 

  (i)

“Class Expenses” means expenses incurred by a particular Class in connection with a shareholder services arrangement or a distribution plan that is specific to such Class or any other differing share of expenses or differing fees, in each case pursuant to a plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, as such plan or Rule may be amended from time to time;

 

2


  (j)

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

  (k)

“Covered Person” means a person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, or is or was serving at the request of the Trustees as a director, trustee, partner, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, trust, partnership, joint venture or other enterprise;

 

  (l)

“Delaware Act” refers to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § 3801 et seq., as such Act may be amended from time to time;

 

  (m)

“Governing Instrument” means collectively this Agreement, the Bylaws and all written committee and sub-committee charters adopted by the Trustees and any amendments or modifications thereto;

 

  (n)

“Majority Shareholder Vote” means the vote of “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, Portfolio, or Class, as applicable;

 

  (o)

“Majority Trustee Vote” means (a) with respect to a vote of the Board of Trustees, the vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office and (b) with respect to a vote of a committee or sub-committee of the Board of Trustees, a vote of the majority of the members of such committee or sub-committee;

 

  (p)

“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules promulgated thereunder;

 

  (q)

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, and the rules promulgated thereunder;

 

  (r)

“Outstanding Shares” means Shares shown on the books of the Trust or any Portfolio or the Trust’s transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, and includes Shares of one Portfolio that the Trust has purchased on behalf of another Portfolio, but excludes Shares of a Portfolio that the Trust has redeemed or repurchased;

 

  (s)

“Portfolio” means a series of Shares of the Trust within the meaning of Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, established in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(a);

 

  (t)

“Proportionate Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d);

 

  (u)

“Purchasing Portfolio” has the meaning specified in Section 2.9;

 

  (v)

“Record Owner” means, as of any particular time, a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust shown on the books of the Trust or any Portfolio or the Trust’s transfer agent as then issued and outstanding at such time;

 

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  (w)

“Schedule A” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(a);

 

  (x)

“Registration Statement” shall mean the Trust’s registration statement or statements as filed with the Commission, as from time to time in effect and shall include any prospectus or statement of additional information forming a part thereof;

 

  (y)

“Selling Portfolio” has the meaning specified in Section 2.9;

 

  (z)

“Shareholder” means, as of any particular time, an owner of Outstanding Shares, whether beneficially or of record, of the Trust;

 

  (aa)

“Shares” means, as to a Portfolio or any Class thereof, the equal proportionate transferable units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of such Portfolio or such Class thereof shall be divided and may include fractions of Shares in 1/1000th of a Share or integral multiples thereof as well as whole Shares;

 

  (bb)

“Trust” means AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), the Delaware statutory trust formed under the Original Declaration, as amended and restated by this Agreement, and by filing of the Certificate of Trust with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and governed by this Agreement, as such instruments may be further amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, and reference to the Trust, when applicable to one or more Portfolios, shall refer to each such Portfolio;

 

  (cc)

“Trust Property” means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or any Portfolio, or by the Trustees on behalf of the Trust or any Portfolio; and

 

  (dd)

“Trustees” means the natural persons who have signed this Agreement as trustees, and all other natural persons who may from time to time be duly appointed as Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.4, or elected as Trustee by the Shareholders, in each case so long as they shall continue to serve as trustees of the Trust in accordance with the terms hereof and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer to such natural persons in their capacity as Trustees hereunder.

In this Agreement or in any amended, restated, or supplemented Agreement, references to this Agreement, and all expressions like “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder,” shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement as amended, restated or supplemented. All expressions like “his,” “he,” and “him,” shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders.

Section 1.3    Purpose. The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the business of an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act through one or more Portfolios investing primarily in securities and other financial instruments or property and to carry on such other business as the Trustees may from time to time determine pursuant to their authority under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE II

BENEFICIAL INTEREST

Section 2.1    Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interests of the Trust shall be divided into an unlimited number of Shares. The Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, authorize the Trust (A) to establish and designate one or more series of beneficial interests within the meaning of Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, which shall constitute the Trust’s Portfolio(s) and (B) to divide the Shares of any Portfolio into one or more separate and distinct Classes. All Shares issued hereunder, including, without limitation, Shares issued in connection with a dividend or other distribution in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

Section 2.2    Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to time, without vote of the Shareholders, create and issue Shares, in addition to the then issued and Outstanding Shares, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, subject to applicable law, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or 1/1,000th of a Share or integral multiples thereof.

Section 2.3    Establishment of Portfolios and Classes.

 

  (a)

The Trust shall consist of one or more separate and distinct Portfolios, each with an unlimited number of Shares unless otherwise specified. The Trustees hereby establish and designate the Portfolios listed on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof (“Schedule A”). Each additional Portfolio shall be established by the adoption of one or more resolutions by the Trustees that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Portfolio, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Portfolio, including any Registration Statement, any amendment of this Agreement and/or Schedule A or as otherwise provided in such resolution. Upon the establishment of any Portfolio or the termination of any existing Portfolio, Schedule A shall be amended to reflect the addition or termination of such Portfolio and any officer of the Trust is hereby authorized to make such amendment; provided that the amendment of Schedule A shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment or termination of any Portfolio in accordance with this Agreement. The Shares of each Portfolio shall have the relative rights and preferences provided for herein and such rights and preferences as may be designated by the Trustees in any amendment or modification to the Trust’s Governing Instrument, unless the establishing resolution or any other resolution adopted pursuant to this Section 2.3 or the Registration Statement otherwise provides. The Trust shall maintain separate and distinct records of each Portfolio and shall hold the assets belonging to such Portfolio in such separate and distinct records and shall account for such assets in such separate and distinct records separately from the other Trust Property and the assets belonging to any other Portfolio. Each Share of a Portfolio shall represent an equal beneficial interest in the net assets belonging to that Portfolio, except to the extent of Class Expenses and other expenses separately allocated to Classes thereof (if any Classes have been established) as permitted herein.

 

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  Any action that may be taken by the Trustees with respect to any Portfolio, including any addition, modification, division, combination, classification, reclassification, change of name or termination may be made in the same manner as the establishment of such Portfolio.

 

  (b)

The Trustees may establish one or more Classes of Shares of any Portfolio, each with an unlimited number of Shares unless otherwise specified. The Trustees hereby establish and designate the Classes listed on Schedule A attached hereto and made part hereof. Each additional Class shall be established by the adoption of one or more resolutions by the Trustees that set(s) forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Class, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Class including any Registration Statement, any amendment of this Agreement and/or Schedule A or as otherwise provided in such resolution. Upon the establishment of any Class or Shares of any Portfolio or the termination of any existing Class of Shares, Schedule A shall be amended to reflect the addition or termination of such Class and any officer of the Trust is hereby authorized to make such amendment; provided that the amendment of Schedule A shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment or termination of any Class in accordance with this Agreement. The Shares of each Class shall have the relative rights and preferences provided for herein and such rights and preferences as may be designated by the Trustees in any amendment or modification to the Trust’s Governing Instrument, unless the establishing resolution or any other resolution adopted pursuant to Section 2.3 or the Registration Statement otherwise provides. Each Class so established and designated shall represent a Proportionate Interest (as defined in Section 2.5(d)) in the net assets belonging to that Portfolio and shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights and be subject to the same terms and conditions, except that (1) Class Expenses allocated to a Class for which such expenses were incurred shall be borne solely by that Class, (2) other expenses, costs, charges, and reserves allocated to a Class in accordance with Section 2.5(e) may be borne solely by that Class, provided that the allocation of such other expenses, costs, charges, and reserves is not specifically required to be set forth in a plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, (3) dividends declared and payable to a Class pursuant to Section 7.1 shall reflect the items separately allocated thereto pursuant to the preceding clauses, (4) each Class may have separate rights to convert to another Class, exchange rights, and similar rights, each as determined by the Trustees, and (5) each Class may have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters affecting only that Class.

Section 2.4    Actions Affecting Portfolios and Classes. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of any Portfolio, or Class thereof, to establish and designate and to change in any manner any Portfolio of Shares, or any Class or Classes thereof; to fix or change such preferences, voting powers, rights, and privileges of any Portfolio, or Classes thereof, as the Trustees may from time to time determine, including any change that may adversely affect a Shareholder; to divide or combine the Shares of any Portfolio, or Classes thereof, into a greater or lesser number of Shares; to classify or reclassify or convert any issued or unissued Shares of any Portfolio, or Classes thereof, into one or more Portfolios or Classes of Shares of a Portfolio and in connection therewith, to cause some or all of the Shareholders of such Portfolio or Class to be admitted as Shareholders of such other Portfolio or Class; and to take such

 

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other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. A Portfolio and any Class thereof may issue any number of Shares but need not issue any Shares. At any time that there are no Outstanding Shares of any particular Portfolio or Class previously established and designated, the Trustees may abolish that Portfolio or Class and the establishment and designation thereof.

Section 2.5    Relative Rights and Preferences. Unless the establishing resolution or any other resolution adopted pursuant to Section 2.3 or the Registration Statement otherwise provides, Shares of each Portfolio or Class thereof established hereunder shall have the following relative rights and preferences:

 

  (a)

Except as set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.5, each Share of a Portfolio, regardless of Class, shall represent an equal pro rata interest in the assets belonging to such Portfolio and shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and designations and terms and conditions with each other Share of such Portfolio.

 

  (b)

Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or other Portfolio (or Class).

 

  (c)

All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Portfolio, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange, or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall be held in separate and distinct records and accounted for in such separate and distinct records separately from the other assets of the Trust and of every other Portfolio and may be referred to herein as “assets belonging to” that Portfolio. The assets belonging to a particular Portfolio shall belong to that Portfolio for all purposes, and to no other Portfolio, subject only to the rights of creditors of that Portfolio. In addition, any assets, income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto, which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Portfolio shall be allocated by the Trustees between and among one or more of the Portfolios in such manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Portfolios thereof for all purposes, and such assets, income, earnings, profits, or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto shall be assets belonging to that Portfolio.

 

  (d)

Each Class of a Portfolio shall have a proportionate undivided interest (as determined by or at the direction of, or pursuant to authority granted by, the Trustees, consistent with industry practice) (“Proportionate Interest”) in the net assets belonging to that Portfolio. References herein to assets, expenses, charges, costs, and reserves “allocable” or “allocated” to a particular Class of a Portfolio shall mean the aggregate amount of such item(s) of the Portfolio multiplied by the Class’s Proportionate Interest.

 

  (e)

A particular Portfolio shall be charged with the liabilities of that Portfolio, and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to any particular Portfolio shall be borne by such Portfolio; provided that the Trustees may, in their sole

 

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  discretion, allocate or authorize the allocation of particular expenses, costs, charges, and/or reserves of a Portfolio to fewer than all the Classes thereof. Class Expenses shall, in all cases, be allocated to the Class for which such Class Expenses were incurred. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust (or any Portfolio) that are not readily identifiable as chargeable to or bearable by any particular Portfolio (or any particular Class) shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among any one or more of the Portfolios (or Classes) in such manner as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Portfolios (or Classes) for all purposes. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5(e), (i) the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Portfolio shall be enforceable against the assets of such Portfolio only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or assets belonging to any other Portfolio, and (ii) none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally that have not been allocated to a specified Portfolio, or with respect to any other Portfolio, shall be enforceable against the assets of such specified Portfolio. Notice of this contractual limitation on inter-Portfolio liabilities is set forth in the Trust’s Certificate of Trust described in Section 1.2, and, accordingly, the statutory provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act relating to limitations on inter-Portfolio liabilities (and the statutory effect under Section 3804 of setting forth such notice in the Certificate of Trust) are applicable to the Trust and each Portfolio.

 

  (f)

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no dividend or distribution on the Shares of any Portfolio, including any distribution paid in connection with termination of the Trust or such Portfolio or any Class of such Portfolio, nor any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of such Portfolio or Class shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets held with respect to such Portfolio, nor shall any Shareholder of any particular Portfolio otherwise have any right or claim against the assets held with respect to any other Portfolio except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Portfolio.

 

  (g)

Except as provided for in Section 2.9, Shares redeemed or repurchased by a Portfolio or the Trust shall be deemed to be canceled.

 

  (h)

Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization in which any such Person has an economic or other interest, may acquire, own, hold and dispose of Shares in the Trust, whether such Shares are authorized but unissued, or already outstanding, to the same extent as if such Person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell and may purchase such Shares from any such Person or any such organization, subject to the limitations, restrictions or other provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of such shares herein, the 1940 Act and other applicable law.

 

  (i)

The Trust may issue Shares in fractional denominations of 1/1000th of a Share or integral multiples thereof to the same extent as its whole Shares, and Shares in fractional denominations shall be Shares having proportionately to the respective fractions represented thereby all the rights of whole Shares of the same Portfolio (or Class), including without limitation, the right to vote, the right to receive dividends and distributions and the right to participate upon termination of the Trust or any Portfolio.

 

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  (j)

The Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the Shareholders of any Portfolio or Class shall have the right to exchange such Shares for Shares of one or more other Portfolio or Class of Shares or for interests in one or more trusts, corporations or other business entities (or a portfolio or series or class of any of the foregoing) in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.

All references to Shares in this Agreement shall be deemed to be shares of any or all Portfolios, or Classes thereof, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Portfolio of the Trust, and each Class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.

Section 2.6    Investment in the Trust. Investments may be accepted by the Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such consideration, which may consist of cash or tangible or intangible property or a combination thereof, as the Trustees from time to time may authorize. At the Trustees’ sole discretion, such investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities in which the affected Portfolio is authorized to invest, valued as provided in applicable law. Each such investment shall be recorded in the individual Shareholder’s account in the form of full and fractional Shares of the Trust, in such Portfolio (or Class) as the Shareholder shall select. The Trustees and their authorized agents shall have the right to refuse to issue Shares to any Person at any time and for any reason.

Section 2.7    Personal Liability of Shareholders. No Shareholder of the Trust shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or any Portfolio (or Class) thereof. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise. The Shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation of personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust or to any Portfolio shall include a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust and its assets or to one or more Portfolios and the assets belonging thereto (but the omission of such a recitation shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the Trust or otherwise limit any benefits set forth in the Delaware Act that may be applicable to such Persons).

Section 2.8    Assent to Agreement. Every Shareholder, by virtue of having purchased a Share, shall be bound by the terms of the Governing Instrument. The death, incapacity, dissolution, termination or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to rights of said decedent under the Governing Instrument. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners. Ownership of Shares shall not make the Shareholders third party beneficiaries of any contract entered into by the Trust.

 

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Section 2.9    Purchases of Shares Among Portfolios. The Trust may purchase, on behalf of any Portfolio (the “Purchasing Portfolio”), Shares of another Portfolio (the “Selling Portfolio”) or any Class thereof. Shares of the Selling Portfolio so purchased on behalf of the Purchasing Portfolio shall be Outstanding Shares, and shall have all preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges established for such Shares.

Section 2.10    Disclosure of Holding. The Shareholders shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct or indirect ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem to be (i) in the best interests of the Trust or (ii) necessary to comply with the provisions of the Code, the 1940 Act or other applicable laws or regulations, or to comply with the requirements of any other taxing or regulatory authority.

Section 2.11    Tax Status; Partnership Provisions.

(a) Power to Make Tax Status Election.    The Board of Trustees shall have the power, in its discretion, to make an initial entity classification election, and to change any such entity classification election, of the Trust and any Portfolio for U.S. federal income tax purposes as may be permitted or required under the Code, without the vote or consent of any Shareholder. In furtherance thereof, the Board of Trustees, or an appropriate officer as determined by the Board of Trustees, is authorized (but not required) to make and sign any such entity classification election on Form 8832, Entity Classification Election (or successor form thereto), on behalf of the Trust or any Portfolio, sign the consent statement contained therein on behalf of all of the Shareholders thereof, and file the same with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

(b) Series Established as a Partnership.    Unless the resolution, as may be amended, establishing a Portfolio or changing the classification of a Portfolio as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes provides otherwise, the shares of each Portfolio taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall possess the following relative rights, privileges and restrictions:

(i) “Book Capital Accounts” are to be determined and maintained for each Shareholder in accordance with Section 704(b) of the Code (and any successor provision thereto). The Book Capital Account balances of a Shareholder shall evidence their beneficial interest in the Portfolio and shall be determined daily, at such time or times as the Trustees may determine. All determinations of Book Capital Accounts shall be in accordance with Section 704(b) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704 1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and (g) and 1.704 1(b)(4)(i) relating to revaluations of property. The power and duty to determine and maintain the Book Capital Account balances of Shareholders may be delegated by the Trustees to the investment advisor, administrator, custodian, or such other person as the Trustees may determine.

(ii)    Except as provided in Section 2.11(b)(iv) hereof or as otherwise required by Sections 704(b) and (c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, the income, gain, loss, deductions, or credits (or items thereof) of the Portfolio for a fiscal year shall be allocated to each Shareholder in accordance with each such Shareholder’s beneficial interest in the Portfolio.

(iii)    Upon the liquidation, termination, or abolishment of the Portfolio, or the liquidation or complete redemption of a Shareholder’s beneficial interest therein, any liquidating distributions shall be made in accordance with the positive Book Capital Account balances of the Shareholders, as determined after taking into account all Book Capital Account adjustments for the Portfolio’s taxable year during which such liquidation occurs, by the end of such taxable year (or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation).

 

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(iv)    The following special allocations shall be made in the following order:

(A)    Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 2(f) and notwithstanding any other provision of Section 2.11(b)(i) or (ii) hereof, if there is a net decrease in partnership minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704 2(b)(2) and 1.704 2(d)) during any fiscal year of the Portfolio, each Shareholder shall be specially allocated items of income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent fiscal years) in an amount equal to that Shareholder’s share of the net decrease in partnership minimum gain (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 2(g)(2)). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Shareholder pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704 2(f)(6) and 1.704 2(j)(2). The provisions of this Section 2.11(b)(iv)(A) are intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 2(f) and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith.

(B)    Deficit Capital Accounts and Qualified Income Offset. Notwithstanding Section 2.11(b)(i) or (ii) hereof, no amounts will be allocated to any Shareholder to the extent such allocation would cause or increase a deficit balance in such Shareholder’s Book Capital Account (in excess of any dollar amount of such deficit balance that such Shareholder is obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 1(b)(2)(ii)(c), taking into account the next to last sentence of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704 2(g)(1) and (i)(5)) as of the end of the Portfolio’s fiscal year to which such allocation relates. In determining the extent to which an allocation would cause or increase a deficit balance in a Shareholder’s Book Capital Account, such Shareholder’s Book Capital Account shall be hypothetically decreased by the adjustments, allocations, and distributions described in paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 1(b)(2)(ii)(d). If any Holder unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation, or distribution described in paragraphs (4), (5), or (6) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 1(b)(2)(ii)(d), which adjustment, allocation, or distribution creates or increases a deficit balance in that Shareholder’s Book Capital Account, such Shareholder shall be allocated items of income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of income, including gross income, and gain for such year) in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit balance as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section shall only be made if and to the extent that a Shareholder would have a deficit Book Capital Account balance after all other allocations provided in Section 2.11(b)(i) or (ii) hereof have been tentatively made. Any allocation made pursuant to this Section is intended to constitute a qualified income offset within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith.

(C)    Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse deductions for any fiscal year of the Portfolio or other period shall be allocated in accordance with Section 2.11(b)(i) or (ii) hereof.

(v)    Tax Controversies. The following shall apply in connection with the application of the partnership audit rules set forth in Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code:

(A)    For each taxable year of a Portfolio not subject to the BBA Audit Rules (defined below), the Portfolio shall designate on its annual Federal information tax return, as the tax matters partner of the Portfolio for purposes of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (“Tax Matters Partner”), with full powers and responsibilities as such, either (i) Invesco Advisers, Inc. or (ii) if the Invesco Advisers, Inc. is not a Shareholder of the Portfolio for Federal tax purposes, a Shareholder selected by Invesco Advisers, Inc. Any beneficial owner designated as the Tax Matters Partner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby delegates to Invesco Advisers, Inc. all of its rights, powers and authority to act as such Tax Matters Partner and hereby constitutes and appoints Invesco Advisers, Inc. as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power

 

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to act in its name and on its behalf, including the power to act through such agents or attorneys as it shall elect or appoint, to receive notices, to make, execute and deliver, swear to, acknowledge and file any and all reports, responses and notices and to do any and all things required or advisable, in Invesco Advisers, Inc.’s judgment, to be done by such a Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Portfolio from any and all liabilities and obligations that arise from or by reason of such designation and actions taken in such capacity. Each person (for purposes of this Section 2.11(b)(v), called a “Pass-Thru Partner”) that holds or controls an interest as a Shareholder on behalf of, or for the benefit of, another person or persons, or which Pass-Thru Partner is beneficially owned (directly or indirectly) by another person or persons shall, within 30 days following receipt from the Tax Matters Partner of any notice, demand, request for information or similar document, convey such notice or other document in writing to all holders of beneficial interests in the Portfolio holding such interests through such Pass-Thru Partner. In the event the Portfolio shall be the subject of an income tax audit by any Federal, state or local authority, to the extent the Portfolio is treated as an entity for purposes of such audit, including administrative settlement and judicial review, the Tax Matters Partner shall be authorized to act for, and its decision shall be final and binding upon, the Portfolio and each Shareholder or other beneficial owner thereof. All expenses incurred in connection with any such audit, investigation, settlement or review shall be borne by the Portfolio.

(B)    For each taxable year of the a Portfolio subject to the BBA Audit Rules (defined below), Invesco Advisers, Inc. will be designated, and will be specifically authorized to act as, the Portfolio’s “Partnership Representative” within the meaning of Section 6223 of the Code, as amended by the 2015 Budget Act (defined below). The Partnership Representative shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Portfolio from any and all liabilities and obligations that arise from or by reason of such designation and actions taken in such capacity. Because the Partnership Representative is not an individual, each Shareholder hereby understands and agrees that the Partnership Representative has full authority and discretion to appoint the “designated individual” through which the Partnership Representative acts and hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of such person by the Partnership Representative as the “designated individual.” The Partnership Representative will apply the provisions of the BBA Audit Rules with respect to any audit, imputed underpayment, other adjustment, or any such decision or action by the IRS with respect to the Portfolio or the Shareholders for such taxable years, in the manner determined by the Partnership Representative. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Partnership Representative shall be authorized to take any action, including, but not limited to, seeking judicial review of an audit, extending the statute of limitations for the assessment of any tax, and entering into a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. To the maximum extent permitted under the BBA Audit Rules, as reasonably determined by the Partnership Representative in consultation with a Portfolio’s tax advisers:

(1)    The Portfolio may elect, on an annual basis, for the application of the election out procedure under Section 6221(b)(1 of the Code if permitted under applicable law (the “small partnership exception”), and if the Portfolio does not or is unable to make such election, it may make an election under the provisions of Section 6226(a)(1) of the Code (each an “Election Out Procedure”), provided, however, the Partnership Representative shall have the authority to change or elect the audit procedure employed by the Portfolio as it deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

(2)    In the event that the Partnership Representative cannot or does not utilize an Election Out Procedure, the Portfolio shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the financial burden of any partnership adjustment to each Shareholder and former Shareholder that held interests in the Portfolio during the reviewed taxable year through the application of the

 

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procedures established pursuant to Section 6225(c) of the Code. If the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority imposes any liability for taxes (including associated interest, penalties, or additions to tax) on the Portfolio, each Shareholder (or each person who was previously a Shareholder of the Portfolio (and, in the case of a prior Shareholder, its transferee), hereinafter a “Former Beneficial Owner”) shall be obligated to contribute to the Portfolio an amount equal such Shareholder’s share of the imposed tax liability, as reasonably determined by the Partnership Representative, within thirty (30) days of notice provided to the Beneficial Owner. The Partnership Representative, or its designee, shall also be authorized to withhold from distributions, with respect to any Shareholder, in order to collect such Shareholder’s share of the imposed tax liability. Any amount due from a Shareholder or a Former Beneficial Owner to the Portfolio pursuant to the foregoing shall bear interest at an annual rate of interest equal to (x) the lesser of the Federal Portfolios Rate or the LIBOR Rate then in effect plus (y) two percent (2%), from the time of payment by the Portfolio of the tax or imputed underpayment to the time of payment by the Shareholder or Former Beneficial Owner, and the Portfolio may offset such amounts against distributions or other amounts due from the Portfolio to such Shareholder. A Shareholder’s obligations pursuant to this Section 2.11(b)(v)(B) shall continue even if such Shareholder ceases to be a Shareholder. Each Shareholder shall provide, reasonably promptly, any tax form, certification or documentation reasonably requested by the Portfolio to comply with its tax withholding and tax information reporting responsibilities under applicable law.

(3)    If the Partnership Representative determines that the Portfolio and/or the Shareholders should file amended returns to facilitate a resolution to any audit or other dispute with any taxing authority, the Shareholders hereby agree to timely file such amended returns in a manner consistent with the determination of the Partnership Representative. The Shareholders agree to promptly provide any reasonable information in connection with any audit or tax return of the Portfolio, upon the request of the Partnership Representative.

(4)    The Shareholders shall provide such information as the Partnership Representative deems necessary or appropriate in order effect or facilitate any action pursuant to this Section 2.11(b)(v), or otherwise in furtherance of its function as Partnership Representative.

(5)    The Partnership Representative may require a Beneficial Owner who is transferring its interest to deposit an amount equal to such Beneficial Owner’s anticipated share of any tax liability, as reasonably determined by the Partnership Representative. “BBA Audit Rules” means the provisions of Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code, as revised by Section 1101 of the 2015 Budget Act, as such provisions may thereafter be amended and including Treasury regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. “2015 Budget Act” means the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-74).

ARTICLE III

THE TRUSTEES

Section 3.1    Management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Agreement. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of the United States of America, and in any and all foreign jurisdictions and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests

 

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of the Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any construction or interpretation of this Agreement and the Bylaws by the Trustees and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive and binding on all Shareholders and all other persons for all purposes. In construing the provisions of this Agreement, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.

The enumeration of any specific power in this Agreement shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court or other authority.

Section 3.2    Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a Majority Trustee Vote; provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2) nor more than fifteen (15). The natural persons who have executed this Agreement shall be the Trustees as of the date hereof.

Section 3.3    Terms of Office of Trustees. The Trustees shall hold office during the lifetime of this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided; except that (A) any Trustee may resign his or her trusteeship or may retire by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the other Trustees, which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (B) any Trustee may be removed at any time by written instrument signed by at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the number of Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (C) any Trustee who has died, become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; (D) a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of the Shareholders by a vote of the Shareholders owning at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the Outstanding Shares; and (E) a Trustee shall be retired in accordance with the terms of any retirement policy adopted by the Trustees and in effect from time to time.

Section 3.4    Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees. In case of a vacancy arising from a Trustee’s declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability to serve, the size of the Board shall be automatically reduced by the number of vacancies arising therefrom (but not to less than two) unless or until the Board by resolution expressly maintains or increases the size of the Board. Whenever the size of the Board of Trustees is reduced due to such a vacancy, the other remaining Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the determination of the remaining Trustees shall be conclusive. In the case of a vacancy arising from a Board resolution to maintain or increase the size of the Board, the remaining Trustees may fill such vacancy or add additional Board members, as the case may be, by appointing such other person as they in their discretion shall see fit. Such appointment shall be evidenced by (i) a resolution of the Board of Trustees, duly adopted by a Majority Trustee Vote, which shall be recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees, or (ii)    a written instrument signed by a requisite number of Trustees in office sufficient to constitute a Majority Trustee Vote, in each case whereupon the appointment shall take effect.

Section 3.5    Temporary Absence of Trustee. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall fewer than two Trustees personally exercise the other powers hereunder except as herein otherwise expressly provided.

Section 3.6    Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee. The declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created

 

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pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Whenever there shall be fewer than the designated number of Trustees, until additional Trustees are elected or appointed as provided herein to bring the total number of Trustees equal to the designated number, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Agreement.

Section 3.7    Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust and of each Portfolio thereof shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. Legal title in all of the assets of the Trust and the right to conduct any business shall at all times be considered to be held by or in the name of the Trust, except that the Trustees may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by the Trustees or in the name of any other Person as nominee on behalf of the Trust. In the event that any Trust Property is held by the Trustees, the right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter become a Trustee. Upon the resignation, retirement, removal, declination to serve, incapacity, or death of a Trustee, he or she shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust Property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered. No creditor of any Trustee shall have any right to obtain possession, or otherwise exercise legal or equitable remedies with respect to, any Trust Property with respect to any claim against, or obligation of, such Trustee in its individual capacity and not related to the Trust or any Portfolio or Class of the Trust. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust, or belonging to any Portfolio, or allocable to any Class thereof, or any right of partition or possession thereof,

 

15


but each Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the Trust or in assets belonging to the Portfolio (or allocable to the Class) in which the Shareholder holds Shares. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.8    Legal Standard. The Trustees shall be subject to the same fiduciary duties to which the directors of a Delaware corporation would be subject if the Trust were a Delaware corporation, the Shareholders were shareholders of such Delaware corporation and the Trustees were directors of such Delaware corporation. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all actions and omissions of the Trustees shall be evaluated under the doctrine commonly referred to as the “business judgment rule,” as defined and developed under Delaware law, to the same extent that the same actions or omissions of directors of a Delaware corporation in a substantially similar circumstance would be evaluated under such doctrine. The appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as chair of the Trustees, a member or chair of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert), or the lead Independent Trustee, or any other special appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification, and no Trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is appointed, designated or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof. In addition, no appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as aforesaid shall affect in any way that Trustee’s rights or entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses. Except to the extent required by applicable law or expressly stated herein, (a) no Trustee or Trust officer shall have any fiduciary duty or other legal duty or obligation to the Trust, the Shareholders or any other Person, and (b) the Trust shall have no fiduciary duty or other legal duty or obligation to the Shareholders or any other Person except the Trustees. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or required by federal law including the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall act in their sole discretion and may take any action or exercise any power without any vote or consent of the Shareholders.

Section 3.9    Other Business Interests. The Trustees shall devote to the affairs of the Trust such time as may be necessary for the proper performance of their duties hereunder, but neither the Trustees nor the officers, directors, Shareholders, partners or employees of the Trustees, if any, shall be expected to devote their full time to the performance of such duties. The Trustees, or any Affiliated Person, Shareholder, officer, director, partner or employee thereof, or any Person owning a legal or beneficial interest therein, may engage in, or possess an interest in, any business or venture other than the Trust, of any nature and description, independently or with or for the account of others. None of the Trust or any Shareholder shall have the right to participate or share in such other business or venture or any profit or compensation derived therefrom.

ARTICLE IV

POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES

Section 4.1    Powers. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and the Trustees shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility including the power to engage in securities transactions of all kinds on behalf of the Trust. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all

 

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contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing and subject to any applicable limitation in the Governing Instrument or applicable law, the Trustees shall have power and authority:

 

  (a)

To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested, without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by Trustees, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on, distribute and otherwise deal with and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;

 

  (b)

To operate as, and to carry on the business of, an investment company, and to exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such operations;

 

  (c)

To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation or engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust Property;

 

  (d)

To provide for the distribution of Shares either through a principal underwriter in the manner hereafter provided for or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any kind;

 

  (e)

To adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Agreement providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them all without a vote of the Shareholders; such Bylaws shall be deemed incorporated and included in the Governing Instrument;

 

  (f)

To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate;

 

  (g)

To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national securities exchange or such other domestic or foreign entities as custodians of any assets of the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in the Governing Instrument;

 

  (h)

To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents;

 

  (i)

To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the Bylaws;

 

  (j)

To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, manager, administrator, custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;

 

  (k)

To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust;

 

  (l)

To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies and powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustee shall deem proper;

 

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  (m)

To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise that in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;

 

  (n)

To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in the name of the Trust or of a Portfolio or a custodian or a nominee or nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of Delaware statutory trusts or investment companies;

 

  (o)

To establish separate and distinct Portfolios with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof and to establish Classes of such Portfolios having relative rights, powers and duties as they may provide consistent with this Agreement and applicable law;

 

  (p)

Subject to the provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act, to allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular Portfolio or to apportion the same between or among two or more Portfolios, provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular Portfolio shall be payable solely out of the assets belonging to that Portfolio as provided for in Article II hereof;

 

  (q)

To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, with respect to any security held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;

 

  (r)

To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;

 

  (s)

To declare and pay dividends and make distributions of income and of capital gains and capital to Shareholders in the manner hereinafter provided;

 

  (t)

To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Portfolios or Classes, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any Shareholder whose investment is less than such minimum upon giving notice to such Shareholder;

 

  (u)

To redeem or repurchase Shares as provided for in this Agreement, upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees shall establish;

 

  (v)

To establish one or more committees or sub-committees, to delegate any of the powers of the Trustees to said committees or sub-committees and to adopt a written charter for one or more of such committees or sub-committees governing its membership, duties and operations and any other characteristics as the Trustees may deem proper, each of which committees shall be comprised of one or more members as determined by the Trustees and sub-committees shall be comprised of one or more members as determined by the committee or sub-

 

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  committee (which may be less than the whole number of Trustees then in office), and may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees, the Trust and the Portfolios, as if the acts of such committee or sub-committee were the acts of all the Trustees then in office;

 

  (w)

To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of any Portfolios;

 

  (x)

To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the State of Delaware;

 

  (y)

To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and any other combinations and associations;

 

  (z)

Subject to the 1940 Act, to engage in any other lawful act or activity in which a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Act may engage; and

 

  (aa)

In general, to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers.

The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers, and the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust or the applicable Portfolio, and not an action in an individual capacity.

The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible termination of the Trust.

No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.

Section 4.2    Issuance, Redemption and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject to the provisions set forth in Articles II and VII hereof, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or any assets belonging to the particular Portfolio or any assets allocable to the particular Class, with respect to which such Shares are issued.

Section 4.3    Action by the Trustees. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Board of Trustees or any committee or sub-committee thereof shall act by majority vote of those present at a meeting duly called as set forth in the Bylaws at which a quorum required by the Bylaws is present. Any action that may be taken by the Board of Trustees or any committee or sub-committee thereof by majority vote of those present at a meeting duly called and at which a quorum required by the Bylaws is present, may also be taken by written consent of a Majority

 

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Trustee Vote of the Trustees or members of the committee or sub-committee, as the case may be, without a meeting, provided that the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee or sub-committee. Written consents or waivers of the Trustees may be executed in one or more counterparts. Any written consent or waiver may be provided and delivered to the Trust by any means by which notice may be given to a Trustee. Subject to the requirements of the Governing Instrument and the 1940 Act, the Trustees by Majority Trustee Vote may delegate to any Trustee or Trustees or committee or sub-committee of Trustees, officer or officers of the Trust or any agent of the Trust authority to approve particular matters or take particular actions on behalf of the Trust or any Portfolio.

Section 4.4    Principal Transactions. The Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any investment adviser, distributor, or transfer agent for the Trust or with any Affiliated Person of such Person; and the Trust may employ any such Person, or firm or Company in which such Person is an Affiliated Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment adviser, distributor, administrator, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, custodian, or in any capacity upon customary terms, subject in all cases to applicable laws, rules, and regulations and orders of regulatory authorities.

Section 4.5    Payment of Expenses by the Trust. The Trustees are authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust or any Portfolio, or partly out of the principal and partly out of income, and to charge or allocate to, between or among such one or more of the Portfolios (or Classes), as they deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust or Portfolio (or Class), or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees’ compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust’s officers, employees, investment adviser and manager, administrator, principal underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.

Section 4.6    Trustee Compensation. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust. They may fix the amount of their compensation. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory, management, administrative, legal, accounting, investment banking, underwriting, brokerage, or investment dealer or other services and the payment for the same by the Trust.

Section 4.7    Independent Trustee. A Trustee who is an “Independent Trustee,” as that term is defined in the Delaware Act, shall be deemed to be independent and disinterested for all purposes including when making any determinations or taking any action as a Trustee.

Section 4.8    Determinations by Trustees. The Trustees may make any determinations they deem necessary with respect to the provisions of this Agreement, including the following matters: the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the Trust or any Class; the amount of the net income of the Trust or any Class from dividends, capital gains, interest or other sources for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends or distributions; which items are to be treated as income and which as capital or principal; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid

 

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or discharged); the market value, or any other price to be applied in determining the market value, or the fair value, of any security or other asset owned or held by the Trust or any Class; the number of Shares of the Trust or any Class issued or issuable; and the net asset value per Share.

ARTICLE V

INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND

TRANSFER AGENT

Section 5.1    Investment Adviser. The Trustees may in their discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or contracts with respect to the Trust or any Portfolio whereby the other party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trustees with such management, investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services and such other facilities and services, if any, and all upon such terms and conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.

The Trustees may authorize the investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon among the Trustees, the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any references in this Agreement to the investment adviser shall be deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 5.2    Other Service Contracts. The Trustees may authorize the engagement of a principal underwriter, transfer agent, administrator, custodian, and any other service providers they deem to be in the best interest of the Trust.

Section 5.3    Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust, association or other legal entity, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, member, employee or agent or hold any similar office with respect to such other party to the contract.

Section 5.4    Miscellaneous.

 

  (a)

The fact that (i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, manager, adviser, principal underwriter or distributor or agent of or for any Company or of or for any parent or affiliate of any Company, with which an advisory or administration contract, or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing, custodian or other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made, or that any such Company, or any parent or affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the Trust, or that (ii) any Company with which an advisory or administration contract or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing, custodian, or other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made also has an advisory or administration contract, or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing, custodian or other agency contract with one or more other companies, or has other business or interests shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders.

 

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  (b)

The authority of the Trustees hereunder to authorize the Trust to enter into contracts or other agreements or arrangements shall include the authority of the Trustees to modify, amend, waive any provision of, supplement, assign all or a portion of, novate, or terminate such contracts, agreements or arrangements. The enumeration of any specific contracts in this Article V shall in no way be deemed to limit the power and authority of the Trustees as otherwise set forth in this Agreement to authorize the Trust to employ, contract with or make payments to such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust.

ARTICLE VI

SHAREHOLDERS’ VOTING POWERS AND MEETING

Section 6.1    Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only: (i) for the election or removal of Trustees as and to the extent provided in Section 3.4, (ii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by federal law including the 1940 Act, or any Registration Statement and (iii) as the Trustees may otherwise consider necessary or desirable in their sole discretion.

Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law or the Governing Instrument that may be taken by Shareholders.

On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted together, except when required by applicable law or when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of one or more Portfolios (or Classes), then only the Shareholders of all such affected Portfolios (or Classes) shall be entitled to vote thereon. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Provisions relating to meetings, quorum, required vote, record date and other matters relating to Shareholder voting rights are as provided in the Bylaws.

Shareholders shall not be entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Trustees or on any other matter.

Only Record Owners shall have the power to cast a vote at a meeting of Shareholders subject to the voting provisions set forth in the Governing Instrument. Beneficial owners of Shares who are not Record Owners shall not be entitled to cast a vote at a meeting of Shareholders but shall be entitled to provide voting instructions to corresponding Record Owners, subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law.

Section 6.2    Additional Voting Powers and Voting Requirements for Certain Actions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Shareholders shall have power to vote to approve any amendment to Section 8.4 of this Agreement that would have the effect of reducing the indemnification provided thereby to Shareholders or former Shareholders, and any repeal or amendment of this sentence, and any such action shall require the affirmative vote or consent of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon. In addition, the removal of one or more Trustees by the Shareholders shall require the affirmative vote or consent of Shareholders owning at least two- thirds (66 2/3%) of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon.

 

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The voting requirements set forth in this Section 6.2 shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any vote or consent of the Shareholders otherwise required by applicable law (including, without limitation, any separate vote by Portfolio (or Class) that may be required by the 1940 Act or by other applicable law) or by this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

NET ASSET VALUE, DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS

Section 7.1    Net Asset Value. Subject to applicable federal law including the 1940 Act and Article II hereof, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may prescribe (and delegate to any officer of the Trust or any other Person or Persons the right and obligation to prescribe) such bases and time (including any methodology or plan) for determining the per Share or net asset value of the Shares of any Portfolio or Class or net income attributable to the Shares of any Portfolio or Class, or the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions on the Shares of any Portfolio or Class and the method of determining the Shareholders to whom dividends and distributions are payable, as they may deem necessary or desirable.

Section 7.2    Distributions. The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends and make other distributions with respect to any Portfolio, or Class thereof, which may be from income, capital gains or capital or distributions in kind of the assets of a Portfolio or class thereof. The amount of such dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether they are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees, although the Trustees pursuant to Section 4.1(j) may delegate the authority to set record, declaration, payment and ex-dividend dates, determine the amount of dividends and distributions and pay such dividends and distributions. Dividends and other distributions may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution adopted once or more often as the Trustees determine. The Trustees shall have the power and authority to amend, correct or change the amount of any declared dividend or distribution from time to time until such dividend or distribution has been paid to Shareholders. All dividends and other distributions on Shares of a particular Portfolio or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the Shareholders of that Portfolio or Class, as the case may be, in proportion to the number of Shares of that Portfolio or Class they held on the record date established for such payment, provided that such dividends and other distributions on Shares of a Class shall appropriately reflect Class Expenses and other expenses allocated to that Class. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans, cash distribution payment plans, or similar plans as the Trustees deem appropriate.

Section 7.3    Redemptions. The Trust shall purchase such Shares as are offered by any Shareholder for redemption, upon the presentation of a proper instrument of transfer together with a request directed to the Trust or a Person designated by the Trust that the Trust purchase such Shares or in accordance with such other procedures for redemption as the Trustees may from time to time authorize; and the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof as determined by the Trustees (or by such Person or Persons to whom such determination has been delegated), in accordance with any applicable provisions of this Agreement and applicable law, less any fees imposed on such redemption. Unless extraordinary circumstances exist, payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven (7) days after the date on which the request is made in proper form. The obligation set forth in this Section 7.3 is subject to the provision that in the event that any time the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) is closed for other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules and regulations or an order of the Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted or during any emergency which makes it

 

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impracticable for the Trust to dispose of the investments of the Trust or any applicable Portfolio or to determine fairly the value of the net assets held with respect to the Trust or such Portfolio or during any other period permitted by order of the Commission for the protection of investors, such obligations may be suspended or postponed by the Trustees. In the case of a suspension of the right of redemption as provided herein, a Shareholder may either withdraw the request for redemption or receive payment based on the net asset value per Share next determined after the termination of such suspension, less any fees imposed on such redemption. Subject to applicable federal law including the 1940 Act, the redemption price may in any case or cases be paid wholly or partly in kind if the Trustees determine in their sole discretion that such payment is advisable in the interest of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust or any applicable Portfolio or Class thereof for which the Shares are being redeemed, and the fair value, selection and quantity of securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the redemption price may be determined under procedures approved by the Trustees in their sole discretion. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.

Section 7.4    Redemptions at the Option of the Trust. At the option of the Board of Trustees, the Trust may, from time to time, without the vote of the Shareholders, but subject to the 1940 Act, redeem shares of any Shareholder or authorize the closing of any Shareholder account, subject to such conditions as may be established from time to time by the Board of Trustees and disclosed to Shareholders.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1    Limitation of Liability. A Trustee or officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any person for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which the Trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office with the Trust.

Section 8.2 Indemnification of Covered Persons. Every Covered Person shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Act, the Bylaws and other applicable law.

Section 8.3    Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Board of Trustees shall have the authority to purchase with Trust Property insurance for liability and for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be paid by a Covered Person in connection with any proceeding in which such Covered Person becomes involved by virtue of such Covered Person’s actions, or omissions to act, in its capacity or former capacity with the Trust, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Covered Person against such liability.

Section 8.4    Indemnification of Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder of the Trust or any Portfolio or Class and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or general successor) shall be entitled, out of the assets belonging to

 

24


the applicable Portfolio (or allocable to the applicable Class), to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability in accordance with the Bylaws and applicable law. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Portfolio (or Class), shall upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any such claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of that Portfolio (or Class).

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1    Trust Not a Partnership; Taxation. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby. No Trustee hereunder shall have any power to bind personally either the Trust’s officers or any Shareholder. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees in their capacity as such shall look only to the assets of the appropriate Portfolio or, until the Trustees shall have established any separate Portfolio, of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders, the Trustees, nor the Trust’s officers nor any of the agents of the Trustees whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.

The Board of Trustees shall have the power, in its discretion, to make an initial entity classification election, and to change any such entity classification election, of the Trust and any Portfolio for U.S. federal income tax purposes as may be permitted or required under the Code, without the vote or consent of any Shareholder. In furtherance thereof, the Board of Trustees, or an appropriate officer as determined by the Board of Trustees, is authorized (but not required) to make and sign any such entity classification election on Form 8832, Entity Classification Election (or successor form thereto), on behalf of the Trust or any Portfolio, sign the consent statement contained therein on behalf of all of the Shareholders thereof, and file the same with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Section 9.2    Trustees Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII and to Section 9.1, the Trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may rely in good faith upon advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Agreement and their duties as Trustees hereunder, and subject to the provisions of Article VIII and Section 9.1, shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice; provided that the Trustees shall be under no liability for failing to follow such advice. A Trustee shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented by another Trustee or any officer, employee or other agent of the Trust, or by any other Person as to matters the Trustee believes in good faith are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Trust, or the value and amount of assets or reserves or contracts, agreements or other undertakings that would be sufficient to pay claims and obligations of the Trust or to make reasonable provision to pay such claims and obligations, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Shareholders or creditors of the Trust might properly be paid. Except with respect to any bonds required to be provided for the advancement of expenses pursuant to the Governing Instrument, the Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is obtained.

 

25


Section 9.3    Termination of Trust or Portfolio or Class.

 

  (a)

Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust may be dissolved at any time by the Trustees (without Shareholder approval). A Portfolio may be terminated at any time by the Trustees (without Shareholder approval) . Any Class may be terminated at any time by the Trustees (without Shareholder approval). In addition, the dissolution of the Trust shall automatically terminate each Portfolio and each Class.

 

  (b)

On dissolution of the Trust or termination of any Portfolio pursuant to paragraph (a) above,

 

  (1)

the Trust or that Portfolio thereafter shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding up its affairs,

 

  (2)

the Trustees shall (i) proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust or that Portfolio, and all powers of the Trustees under this Agreement with respect thereto shall continue until such affairs have been wound up, including the powers to fulfill or discharge the contracts of the Trust or that Portfolio, (ii) collect its assets or the assets belonging thereto, (iii) sell, convey, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of those assets to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration that may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities, or other property of any kind, ((iv) pay or make reasonable provision (including through the use of a liquidating trust) to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust or that Portfolio, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured claims and obligations known to the Trust or that Portfolio, and all claims and obligations which are known to the Trust or that Portfolio, but for which the identity of the claimant is unknown, and claims and obligations that have not been made known to the Trust or that Portfolio or that have not arisen but that, based on the facts known to the Trust or that Portfolio, are likely to arise or to become known to the Trust within 10 years after the date of dissolution, and (v) do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its business, and

 

  (3)

after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities, and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining assets ratably among the Shareholders of the Trust or that Portfolio.

 

  (c)

On termination of any Class pursuant to paragraph (a) above,

 

  (1)

the Trust thereafter shall no longer issue Shares of that Class,

 

  (2)

the Trustees shall do all other acts appropriate to terminate the Class, and

 

  (3)

the Trustees shall distribute ratably among the Shareholders of that Class, in cash or in kind, an amount equal to the Proportionate Interest of that Class in the net assets of the Portfolio (after taking into account any

 

26


  Class Expenses or other fees, expenses, or charges allocable thereto), and in connection with any such distribution in cash the Trustees are authorized to sell, convey, assign, exchange or otherwise dispose of such assets of the Portfolio of which that Class is a part as they deem necessary. Alternatively, in connection with the termination of any Class, the Trustees may treat such termination as a redemption of the Shareholders of such Class effected pursuant to Section 7.3 of this Agreement provided that the costs relating to the termination of such Class shall be included in the determination of the net asset value of the Shares of such Class for purposes of determining the redemption price to be paid to the Shareholders of such Class (to the extent not otherwise included in such determination).

 

  (d)

In connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Trust or the termination of any Portfolio or any Class, the Trustees may provide for the establishment of a liquidating trust or similar vehicle.

 

  (e)

On dissolution of the Trust, following completion of winding up of its business, any one (1) Trustee shall execute, and cause to be filed, a certificate of cancellation, with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the provisions of Section 3810 of the Delaware Act, whereupon the Trust shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall be discharged from all further liabilities and duties hereunder with respect thereto. The Trustees shall not be personally liable to the claimants of the dissolved Trust by reason of the Trustees’ actions in winding up the Trust’s affairs if the Trustees complied with Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Act.

Section 9.4    Sale of Assets; Merger and Consolidation. The Trustees may cause (i) the Trust or one or more of its Portfolios to the extent consistent with applicable law to sell all or substantially all of its assets to, or be merged into or consolidated with, another Portfolio, statutory trust (or series thereof) or Company (or series thereof), (ii) the Shares of the Trust or any Portfolio (or Class) to be converted into beneficial interests in another statutory trust (or series thereof) created pursuant to this Section 9.4, (iii) the Shares of any Class to be converted into another Class of the same Portfolio, or (iv) the Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law. In all respects not governed by statute or applicable law, the Trustees shall have power to prescribe the procedure necessary or appropriate to accomplish a sale of assets, merger or consolidation including the power to create one or more separate statutory trusts to which all or any part of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Trust may be transferred and to provide for the conversion of Shares of the Trust or any Portfolio (or Class) into beneficial interests in such separate statutory trust or trusts (or series or class thereof).

Section 9.5    Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy of this Agreement or any amendment hereto or any supplemental agreement shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this Agreement, rather than the headings, shall control. This Agreement and any document, consent or instrument referenced in or contemplated by this Agreement or the Bylaws may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, (i) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Agreement or

 

27


the Bylaws that is to be executed by one or more Trustees may be executed by means of original, facsimile or electronic signature and (ii) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Agreement or the Bylaws that is to be delivered by one or more Trustees may be delivered by facsimile or electronic means (including e-mail), unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), otherwise determined by the Trustees. The terms “include,” “includes” and “including” and any comparable terms shall be deemed to mean “including, without limitation.” Any reference to any statute, law, code, rule or regulation shall be deemed to refer to such statute, law, code, rule or regulation as amended or restated from time to time and any successor thereto.

Section 9.6    Governing Law. The Trust and the Governing Instrument (including this Agreement) and the rights, obligations and remedies of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be governed by and construed and administered according to the Delaware Act, including the provision that gives maximum freedom to contract, and the other laws of the State of Delaware and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following provisions shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees, the Shareholders or the Governing Instrument: (A) the provisions of Sections 3533, 3540, 3561 and 3583(a) of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (B) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts which relate to or regulate (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the indemnification, acts or powers of trustees or other Persons, which are inconsistent with the limitations of liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees or officers of the Trust set forth or referenced in the Governing Instrument.

The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a “statutory trust,” and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by trusts under the Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions; provided, however, that the exercise of any such power, privilege or action shall not otherwise violate applicable law.

Section 9.7    Amendments. The Trustees may amend this Agreement by making an amendment to this Agreement or to Schedule A, an agreement supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated trust instrument; and no vote or consent of any Shareholder shall be required for any amendment to this Agreement except as specifically provided in Article VI hereof, as determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion, or as required by federal law including the 1940 Act, but only to the extent so required. Any such amendment, having been approved by a Majority Trustee Vote, shall become effective, unless otherwise provided by such Trustees, upon being executed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust. A certification signed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust setting forth an amendment to this Agreement and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or by the Trustees as aforesaid, or a copy of this

 

28


Agreement, as amended, executed by a majority of the Trustees, or a duly authorized officer of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when lodged among the records of the Trust. Any officer of the Trust is authorized from time to time to restate this Agreement into a single instrument to reflect all amendments hereto made in accordance with the terms hereof. The Certificate of Trust of the Trust may be restated and/or amended by any Trustee as necessary or desirable to reflect any change in the information set forth therein, and any such restatement and/or amendment shall be effective immediately upon filing with the office of the Secretary of the State of Delaware or upon such future date as may be stated therein.

Section 9.8    Provisions in Conflict with Law. The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with applicable law, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Agreement; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction.

Section 9.9    Inspection of Records. Every Trustee shall have the right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the Trust. This inspection by a Trustee may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents. Except as may be required by Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, no Shareholder shall have the right to obtain from the Trust a list of the Trust’s Shareholders. Except as required by the 1940 Act, Shareholders shall have no right to inspect the records, documents, accounts and books of the Trust. Any request to inspect the records of the Trust shall be submitted by the Shareholder to the Trust in writing. Upon receipt of any such request, the Trustees shall determine whether delivery of records pertaining to such request is required by the 1940 Act or is otherwise necessary or appropriate, as determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion, and whether such request complies with the requirements of the 1940 Act and, if so, establish procedures for such inspection. To preserve the integrity of the records, the Trust may provide certified copies of Trust records rather than originals. The Trust shall not be required to create records or obtain records from third parties to satisfy a Shareholder request. The Trust may require a requesting Shareholder to pay in advance or otherwise indemnify the Trust for the costs and expenses of such Shareholder’s inspection of records. The rights provided for in this Section 9.9 shall not extend to any Person who is a Shareholder but not also a Record Owner.

Section 9.10    Use of the Name Invesco. The Board of Trustees expressly agrees and acknowledges that the name “Invesco” is the sole property of Invesco Ltd. (“Invesco”). Invesco has granted to the Trust a non-exclusive license to use such name as part of the name of the Trust now and in the future. The Board of Trustees further expressly agrees and acknowledges that the non-exclusive license granted herein may be terminated by Invesco if the Trust ceases to use Invesco or one of its Affiliated Persons as investment adviser or to use other Affiliated Persons or successors of Invesco for such purposes. In such event, the non- exclusive license may be revoked by Invesco and the Trust shall cease using the name “Invesco” or any name misleadingly implying a continuing relationship between the Trust and Invesco or any of its Affiliated Persons, as part of its name unless otherwise consented to by Invesco or any successor to its interests in such name.

 

29


The Board of Trustees further understands and agrees that so long as Invesco and/or any future advisory Affiliated Person of Invesco shall continue to serve as the Trust’s investment adviser, other registered open- or closed-end investment companies (“funds”) and other types of investment vehicles as may be sponsored or advised by Invesco or its Affiliated Persons shall have the right permanently to adopt and to use the name “Invesco” in their names and in the names of any series or class of shares of such funds.

Section 9.11    Derivative Actions. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met:

 

  (a)

The Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed. For purposes of this Section 9.11(a), a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees is composed of Trustees who are not Independent Trustees and the Board of Trustees has not established a committee to consider the merits of such action or, if the Board of Trustees has established such a committee, a majority of that committee is composed of Trustees who are not Independent Trustees;

 

  (b)

Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this Section 9.11, Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who collectively hold Shares representing ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined net asset value of all Shares issued and outstanding, or of the Portfolios or Classes to which such action relates if it does not relate to all Portfolios and Classes, must join in the pre-suit demand for the Trustees to commence such action. If a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this Section 9.11, Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who hold at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares of the Trust shall join in the demand for the Board of Trustees to commence such action; and

 

  (c)

Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this Section 9.11, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

 

  (d)

For purposes of this Section 9.11, the Board of Trustees may designate a committee of one or more Trustees to consider a Shareholder demand if necessary to create a committee with a majority of Trustees who are Independent Trustees. The Trustees on that committee shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees on the committee determine not to bring such action.

 

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  (e)

In addition to all suits, claims or other actions (collectively, “claims”) that under applicable law must be brought as derivative claims, each Shareholder of the Trust or any Portfolio or Class thereof agrees that any claim that affects all Shareholders of a Portfolio or Class either equally or proportionately based on their number of Shares in such Portfolio or Class, must be brought as a derivative claim subject to this Section 9.11 irrespective of whether such claim involves a violation of the Shareholders’ rights under this Agreement or any other alleged violation of contractual or individual rights that might otherwise give rise to a direct claim.

Section 9.12    Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial. In accordance with Section 3804(e) of the Delaware Act, any suit, action or proceeding brought by or in the right of any Shareholder or any Person claiming any interest in any Shares seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of, or in connection with, the Governing Instrument or the Trust, any Portfolio (or Class) or any Shares, including any claim of any nature against the Trust, any Portfolio (or Class), the Trustees or officers of the Trust, shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware to the extent there is subject matter jurisdiction in such court for the claims asserted or, if not, then in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, provided, however, that unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the federal securities laws, and all Shareholders and other such Persons hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection they may make now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and further, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT ANY SUCH COURT, ALL SHAREHOLDERS AND ALL OTHER SUCH PERSONS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. All Shareholders and other such Persons agree that service of summons, complaint or other process in connection with any proceedings may be made by registered or certified mail or by overnight courier addressed to such Person at the address shown on the books and records of the Trust for such Person or at the address of the Person shown on the books and records of the Trust with respect to the Shares that such Person claims an interest in. Service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding against the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust may be made at the address of the Trust’s registered agent in the State of Delaware. Any service so made shall be effective as if personally made in the State of Delaware.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being all of the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this instrument this 20 day of September, 2022.

 

By:  

/s/ Beth Brown

    By:  

/s/ Prema Mathai-Davis

      Beth Brown           Prema Mathai-Davis
      Trustee           Trustee
By:  

/s/ Martin L. Flanagan

    By:  

/s/ Joel Motley

      Martin L. Flanagan           Joel Motley
      Trustee           Trustee
By:  

/s/ Cynthia Lynn Hostetler

    By:  

/s/ Teresa Ressel

      Cynthia Lynn Hostetler           Teresa Ressel
      Trustee           Trustee
By:  

/s/ Elizabeth Krentzman

    By:  

/s/ Robert C. Troccoli

      Elizabeth Krentzman           Robert C. Troccoli
      Trustee           Trustee
By:  

/s/ Eli Jones

    By:  

/s/ Daniel Vandivort

      Eli Jones           Daniel Vandivort
      Trustee           Trustee
By:  

/s/ Anthony J. LaCava Jr.

     
      Anthony J. LaCava Jr.      
      Trustee      

 

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SCHEDULE A

AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST (INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)

PORTFOLIOS AND CLASSES THEREOF

 

PORTFOLIO

   CLASSES OF EACH PORTFOLIO
Invesco American Franchise Fund    Class A Shares

Class C Shares

   Class R Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class Y Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
Invesco Core Plus Bond Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

Invesco Discovery Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class Y Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

Invesco Equity and Income Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund    Class A Shares

Class C Shares

   Class R Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

 

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Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

Invesco Growth and Income Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares

Class Y Shares

   Investor Class Shares
Invesco Master Loan Fund    Class R6 Shares
Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class Y Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
Invesco S&P 500 Index Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares
   Class Y Shares
Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R Shares
   Class Y Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class R5 Shares
   Class R6 Shares
   Class T Shares
   Class Y Shares
Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund    Class A Shares
   Class C Shares
   Class Y Shares
   Class R6 Shares
Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund   
As Amended November 30, 2022   

 

34

AMENDMENT NO. 6

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

This Amendment dated as of February 13, 2023, amends the Amended and Restated Master Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated July 1, 2020, between AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), a Delaware statutory trust, and Invesco Advisers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as follows:

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Agreement to add Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree that:

 

  1.

Appendix A and Appendix B to the Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

APPENDIX A

FUNDS AND EFFECTIVE DATES

 

Name of Fund

  

Effective Date of Advisory Agreement

Invesco American Franchise Fund    February 12, 2010
Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund    March 31, 2006
Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund    May 24, 2019
Invesco Core Plus Bond Fund    June 2, 2009
Invesco Discovery Fund    May 24, 2019
Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund    February 12, 2010
Invesco Equity and Income Fund    February 12, 2010
Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund    April 14, 2006
Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund    March 12, 2007
Invesco Growth and Income Fund    February 12, 2010
Invesco Master Loan Fund    May 24, 2019
Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund    October 9, 2020
Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund    May 24, 2019
Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund    May 24, 2019
Invesco S&P 500 Index Fund    February 12, 2010
Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund    September 30, 2015
Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund    [February 13, 2023]


APPENDIX B

COMPENSATION TO THE ADVISER

The Trust shall pay the Adviser, out of the assets of each Fund, as full compensation for all services rendered, an advisory fee for such Funds as set forth below. Such fee shall be calculated by applying the following annual rates to the average daily net assets of such Funds for the calendar year computed in the manner used for the determination of the net asset value of shares of such Funds.

Invesco American Franchise Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $250 million

     0.695

Next $250 million

     0.67

Next $500 million

     0.645

Next $550 million

     0.62

Next $3.45 billion

     0.60

Next $250 million

     0.595

Next $2.25 billion

     0.57

Next $2.5 billion

     0.545

Over $10 billion

     0.52

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund*

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $200 million

     0.75

Next $200 million

     0.72

Next $200 million

     0.69

Next $200 million

     0.66

Next $700 million

     0.60

Next $1 billion

     0.58

Next $2 billion

     0.56

Next $2 billion

     0.54

Next $2 billion

     0.52

Next $2.5 billion

     0.50

Over $11 billion

     0.48

Invesco Core Plus Bond Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $500 million

     0.450

Next $500 million

     0.425

Next $1.5 billion

     0.400

Next $2.5 billion

     0.375

Over $5 billion

     0.350


Invesco Discovery Fund*

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $200 million

     0.75

Next $200 million

     0.72

Next $200 million

     0.69

Next $200 million

     0.66

Next $700 million

     0.60

Next $3.5 billion

     0.58

Over $5 billion

     0.55

Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco S&P 500 Index Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $2 billion

     0.12

Over $2 billion

     0.10

Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Invesco Growth and Income Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $150 million

     0.50

Next $100 million

     0.45

Next $100 million

     0.40

Over $350 million

     0.35

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $500 million

     0.65

Next $4.5 billion

     0.60

Next $5 billion

     0.575

Over $10 billion

     0.55

Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $250 million

     0.75

Next $250 million

     0.74

Next $500 million

     0.73

Next $1.5 billion

     0.72

Next $2.5 billion

     0.71

Next $2.5 billion

     0.70

Next $2.5 billion

     0.69

Amount over $10 billion

     0.68


Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $250 million

     0.60

Next $250 million

     0.575

Next $500 million

     0.55

Next $1.5 billion

     0.525

Next $2.5 billion

     0.50

Next $2.5 billion

     0.475

Next $2.5 billion

     0.45

Over $10 billion

     0.425

Invesco Master Loan Fund*

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

All Assets

     0.30

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $2 billion

     0.15

Over $2 billion

     0.14

Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund*

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $200 million

     0.75

Next $200 million

     0.72

Next $200 million

     0.69

Next $200 million

     0.66

Next $4.2 billion

     0.60

Next $5 billion

     0.58

Next $10 billion

     0.56

Over $20 billion

     0.55

Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund*

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $100 million

     0.50

Next $150 million

     0.45

Next $250 million

     0.425

Next $500 million

     0.40

Next $4 billion

     0.37

Over $5 billion

     0.35


Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

First $100 million

     0.4825

Next $150 million

     0.4325

Next $250 million

     0.4075

Next $4.5 billion

     0.3825

Next $5 billion

     0.3725

Over $10 billion

     0.3525

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

 

Net Assets

   Annual Rate  

All Assets

     0.00

 

*

The advisory fee payable by the Fund shall be reduced by any amounts paid by such Fund under the Administrative Services Agreement between such Fund and Invesco Advisers, Inc.”

 

  2.

In all other respects, the Agreement is hereby confirmed and remains in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers on the date first written above.

 

AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST
(INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)
By:  

/s/ John M. Zerr

  John M. Zerr
  Senior Vice President
INVESCO ADVISERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Melanie Ringold

  Melanie Ringold
  Senior Vice President & Secretary

AMENDMENT NO. 6

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER INTERGROUP SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT FOR MUTUAL FUNDS

This Amendment effective as of February 13, 2023, amends the Amended and Restated Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract (the “Contract”), dated July 1, 2020, among Invesco Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”) and each of Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (each a “Sub-Adviser” and, collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), as follows:

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Contract to add Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows;

 

  1.

Exhibit A to the Contract is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“EXHIBIT A

Funds

Invesco American Franchise Fund

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco Core Plus Bond Fund

Invesco Discovery Fund

Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund

Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund

Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund

Invesco Master Loan Fund

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund

Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund

Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund

Invesco S&P 500 Index Fund

Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund”

 

  2.

All other terms and provisions of the Contract not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.    


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their officers designated as of the day and year first above written.

 

INVESCO ADVISERS, INC.
Adviser
By:  

/s/ Melanie Ringold

Name:   Melanie Ringold
Title:   Senior Vice President & Secretary


INVESCO CANADA LTD.
Sub-Adviser
By:  

/s/ Shalomi Abraham

Name:   Shalomi Abraham
Title:   Senior Vice President, Secretary and Head of Legal Canada


INVESCO ASSET MANAGEMENT DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Sub-Adviser
Sub-Adviser
By:  

/s/ Bernard Langer     Alexander Taft

Name:   Bernard Langer          Alexander Taft
Title:   Managing Director     Managing Director


INVESCO ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Sub-Adviser
By:  

/s/ Stephanie Butcher

Name:   Stephanie Butcher
Title:   Director


INVESCO ASSET MANAGEMENT (JAPAN) LTD.
Sub-Adviser
By:  

/s/ Takashi Matsuo

Name:   Takashi Matsuo
Title:   CAO


INVESCO HONG KONG LIMITED
Sub-Adviser
By:  

/s/ Andrew Lo

Name:   Andrew Lo
Title:   Director


INVESCO SENIOR SECURED MANAGEMENT, INC.
Sub-Adviser
By:  

/s/ Antonio Reina

Name:   Antonio Reina
Title:   Secretary

 

AMENDMENT NO. 13

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT

This Amendment, dated as of February 13, 2023, amends the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract (the “Contract”), dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”) and Invesco Capital Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Contract to add (i) Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund, a series portfolio of AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), effective February 13, 2023 and (ii) Invesco SMA High Yield Bond Fund, a series portfolio of AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds), effective March 1, 2023;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

 

  1.

Exhibit A to the Contract is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“EXHIBIT A

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco Discovery Fund

Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund

Invesco Master Loan Fund

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund

Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund

Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund

Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

AIM Equity Funds (Invesco Equity Funds)

Invesco Main Street Fund®

Invesco Main Street All Cap Fund®

Invesco Rising Dividends Fund

AIM Funds Group (Invesco Funds Group)

Invesco EQV European Small Company Fund

Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund

AIM Growth Series (Invesco Growth Series)

Invesco Active Allocation Fund

Invesco Convertible Securities Fund

Invesco International Diversified Fund

Invesco Main Street Mid Cap Fund®

Invesco Main Street Small Cap Fund®

Invesco Quality Income Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Conservative Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: High Growth Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Moderate Investor Fund

Invesco Small Cap Growth Fund


AIM International Mutual Funds (Invesco International Mutual Funds)

Invesco Advantage International Fund

Invesco European Growth Fund

Invesco Global Focus Fund

Invesco Global Fund

Invesco Global Opportunities Fund

Invesco International Core Equity Fund

Invesco International Equity Fund

Invesco International Growth Fund

Invesco International Select Equity Fund

Invesco International Small-Mid Company Fund

Invesco MSCI World SRI Index Fund

Invesco Oppenheimer International Growth Fund

AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds)

Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund

Invesco Balanced-Risk Commodity Strategy Fund

Invesco Core Bond Fund

Invesco Developing Markets Fund

Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets All Cap Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Innovators Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Select Equity Fund

Invesco Fundamental Alternatives Fund

Invesco Global Allocation Fund

Invesco Global Infrastructure Fund

Invesco Global Strategic Income Fund

Invesco International Bond Fund

Invesco Macro Allocation Strategy Fund

Invesco Multi-Asset Income Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Plus Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Income Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Select 40 Fund

AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Fund)

Invesco Global Real Estate Fund

Invesco High Yield Bond Factor Fund

Invesco High Yield Fund

Invesco Intermediate Bond Factor Fund

Invesco SMA High Yield Bond Fund

Invesco U.S. Government Money Portfolio

AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds)

Invesco Comstock Select Fund

Invesco Gold & Special Minerals Fund

AIM Tax-Exempt Funds (Invesco Tax-Exempt Funds)

Invesco AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Invesco California Municipal Fund

Invesco Environmental Focus Municipal Fund

Invesco High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund

Invesco Limited Term California Municipal Fund

Invesco Limited Term Municipal Income Fund


Invesco Municipal Income Fund

Invesco New Jersey Municipal Fund

Invesco Pennsylvania Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® AMT-Free New York Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® Municipal Opportunities Fund

Invesco Rochester® Limited Term New York Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® New York Municipals Fund

AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust)

Invesco Premier Portfolio

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Fund

Invesco V.I. American Value Fund

Invesco V.I. Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund

Invesco V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco V.I. Comstock Fund

Invesco V.I. Conservative Balanced Fund

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Core Plus Bond Fund

Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund

Invesco V.I. Diversified Dividend Fund

Invesco V.I. Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco V.I. Equity and Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Core Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Government Money Market Fund

Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund

Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Health Care Fund

Invesco V.I. High Yield Fund

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund®

Invesco V.I. Main Street Mid Cap Fund

Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund®

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – March

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – June

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – September

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – December

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – March

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – June

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – September

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – December

Invesco V.I. Small Cap Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Technology Fund

Invesco V.I. U.S. Government Money Portfolio

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunity Fund

Invesco Exchange Fund

Invesco Management Trust

Invesco Conservative Income Fund


Short-Term Investments Trust

Invesco Government & Agency Portfolio

Invesco Tax-Free Cash Reserve Portfolio

Invesco Treasury Obligations Portfolio”

 

  2.

All other terms and provisions of the Contract not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their officers designated as of the day and year first above written.

INVESCO ADVISERS, INC.

Adviser

 

By:  

/s/ Melanie Ringold

Name:   Melanie Ringold
Title:   Senior Vice President & Secretary


INVESCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

Sub-Adviser

 

By:  

/s/ Anna Paglia

Name:   Anna Paglia
Title:   Managing Director – Global Invesco ETFs, Chief Executive Officer & Principal Executive Officer

AMENDMENT NO. 13

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT

This Amendment, dated as of February 13, 2023, amends the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Contract (the “Contract”), dated July 1, 2020, between Invesco Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”) and Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Contract to add (i) Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund, a series portfolio of AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), effective February 13, 2023 and (ii) Invesco SMA High Yield Bond Fund, a series portfolio of AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds), effective March 1, 2023;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

 

  1.

Exhibit A to the Contract is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“EXHIBIT A

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco Discovery Fund

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund

Invesco Master Loan Fund

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund

Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund

Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund

Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

AIM Equity Funds (Invesco Equity Funds)

Invesco Main Street Fund®

Invesco Main Street All Cap Fund®

Invesco Rising Dividends Fund

AIM Funds Group (Invesco Funds Group)

Invesco EQV European Small Company Fund

Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund

AIM Growth Series (Invesco Growth Series)

Invesco Active Allocation Fund

Invesco Convertible Securities Fund

Invesco International Diversified Fund

Invesco Main Street Mid Cap Fund®

Invesco Main Street Small Cap Fund®

Invesco Quality Income Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Conservative Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: High Growth Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Moderate Investor Fund

Invesco Small Cap Growth Fund


AIM International Mutual Funds (Invesco International Mutual Funds)

Invesco Advantage International Fund

Invesco EQV European Equity Fund

Invesco EQV International Equity Fund

Invesco Global Focus Fund

Invesco Global Fund

Invesco Global Opportunities Fund

Invesco International Core Equity Fund

Invesco International Equity Fund

Invesco International Small-Mid Company Fund

Invesco International Select Equity Fund

Invesco MSCI World SRI Index Fund

Invesco Oppenheimer International Growth Fund

AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds)

Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund

Invesco Balanced-Risk Commodity Strategy Fund

Invesco Core Bond Fund

Invesco Developing Markets Fund

Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund

Invesco EQV Emerging Markets All Cap Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Innovators Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Select Equity Fund

Invesco Fundamental Alternatives Fund

Invesco Global Allocation Fund

Invesco Global Infrastructure Fund

Invesco Global Strategic Income Fund

Invesco International Bond Fund

Invesco Macro Allocation Strategy Fund

Invesco Multi-Asset Income Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Plus Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Income Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Select 40 Fund

AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Fund)

Invesco Global Real Estate Fund

Invesco High Yield Fund

Invesco High Yield Bond Factor Fund

Invesco Intermediate Bond Factor Fund

Invesco SMA High Yield Bond Fund

Invesco U.S. Government Money Portfolio

AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds)

Invesco Comstock Select Fund

Invesco Gold & Special Minerals Fund

AIM Tax-Exempt Funds (Invesco Tax-Exempt Funds)

Invesco AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Invesco California Municipal Fund

Invesco Environmental Focus Municipal Fund

Invesco High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund

Invesco Limited Term California Municipal Fund

Invesco Limited Term Municipal Income Fund


Invesco Municipal Income Fund

Invesco New Jersey Municipal Fund

Invesco Pennsylvania Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® AMT-Free New York Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® Municipal Opportunities Fund

Invesco Rochester® Limited Term New York Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® New York Municipals Fund

AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust)

Invesco Premier Portfolio

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Fund

Invesco V.I. American Value Fund

Invesco V.I. Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund

Invesco V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco V.I. Comstock Fund

Invesco V.I. Conservative Balanced Fund

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Core Plus Bond Fund

Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund

Invesco V.I. Diversified Dividend Fund

Invesco V.I. Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco V.I. Equity and Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Core Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Government Money Market Fund

Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund

Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Health Care Fund

Invesco V.I. High Yield Fund

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund®

Invesco V.I. Main Street Mid Cap Fund

Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund®

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – March

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – June

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – September

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – December

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – March

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – June

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – September

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – December

Invesco V.I. Small Cap Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Technology Fund

Invesco V.I. U.S. Government Money Portfolio

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunity Fund

Invesco Exchange Fund

Invesco Management Trust

Invesco Conservative Income Fund


Short-Term Investments Trust

Invesco Government & Agency Portfolio

Invesco Tax-Free Cash Reserve Portfolio

Invesco Treasury Obligations Portfolio”

 

  2.

All other terms and provisions of the Contract not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their officers designated as of the day and year first above written.

INVESCO ADVISERS, INC.

Adviser

 

By:  

/s/ Melanie Ringold

Name:   Melanie Ringold
Title:   Senior Vice President & Secretary


INVESCO ASSET MANAGEMENT (INDIA)

PRIVATE LIMITED

Sub-Adviser

 

By:  

/s/ Saurabh Nanavati

Name:   Saurabh Nanavati
Title:   CEO

AMENDMENT NO. 14

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This Amendment, dated as of February 13, 2023, amends the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated July 1, 2020, by and between each Delaware statutory trust set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement (each, a “Trust”), on behalf of itself and its series portfolios, severally, and Invesco Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Distributor”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Agreement to add Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund, a series portfolio of AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), effective February 13, 2023 and (ii) Invesco SMA High Yield Bond Fund, a series portfolio of AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Funds), effective March 1, 2023;

NOW THEREFORE, Schedule A to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“SCHEDULE A

TO

MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

Invesco American Franchise Fund

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco Core Plus Bond Fund

Invesco Discovery Fund

Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund

Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund

Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund

Invesco Master Loan Fund

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund

Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund

Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund

Invesco S&P 500 Index Fund

Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

AIM Equity Funds (Invesco Equity Funds)

Invesco Charter Fund

Invesco Diversified Dividend Fund

Invesco Main Street Fund®

Invesco Main Street All Cap Fund®

Invesco Rising Dividends Fund

Invesco Summit Fund

AIM Funds Group (Invesco Funds Group)

Invesco EQV European Small Company Fund

Invesco Global Core Equity Fund

Invesco EQV International Small Company Fund

Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund


AIM Growth Series (Invesco Growth Series)

Invesco Active Allocation Fund

Invesco Convertible Securities Fund

Invesco Income Advantage International Fund

Invesco Income Allocation Fund

Invesco International Diversified Fund

Invesco Main Street Mid Cap Fund®

Invesco Main Street Small Cap Fund®

Invesco Quality Income Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Conservative Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Growth Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: High Growth Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Moderately Conservative Investor Fund

Invesco Select Risk: Moderate Investor Fund

Invesco Small Cap Growth Fund

AIM International Mutual Funds (Invesco International Mutual Funds)

Invesco Advantage International Fund

Invesco EQV Asia Pacific Equity Fund

Invesco EQV European Equity Fund

Invesco Global Focus Fund

Invesco Global Fund

Invesco Global Opportunities Fund

Invesco International Core Equity Fund

Invesco International Equity Fund

Invesco EQV International Equity Fund

Invesco International Select Equity Fund

Invesco International Small-Mid Company Fund

Invesco MSCI World SRI Index Fund

Invesco Oppenheimer International Growth Fund

AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds)

Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund

Invesco Balanced-Risk Commodity Strategy Fund

Invesco Core Bond Fund

Invesco Developing Markets Fund

Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund

Invesco EQV Emerging Markets All Cap Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Innovators Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

Invesco Emerging Markets Select Equity Fund

Invesco Fundamental Alternatives Fund

Invesco Global Allocation Fund

Invesco Global Infrastructure Fund

Invesco Global Strategic Income Fund

Invesco Greater China Fund

Invesco Health Care Fund

Invesco International Bond Fund

Invesco Macro Allocation Strategy Fund

Invesco Multi-Asset Income Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Plus Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Income Fund

Invesco SteelPath MLP Select 40 Fund

Invesco World Bond Factor Fund


AIM Investment Securities Funds (Invesco Investment Securities Fund)

Invesco Corporate Bond Fund

Invesco Global Real Estate Fund

Invesco Government Money Market Fund

Invesco High Yield Bond Factor Fund

Invesco High Yield Fund

Invesco Income Fund

Invesco Intermediate Bond Factor Fund

Invesco Real Estate Fund

Invesco Short Duration Inflation Protected Fund

Invesco Short Term Bond Fund

Invesco SMA High Yield Bond Fund

Invesco U.S. Government Money Portfolio

AIM Sector Funds (Invesco Sector Funds)

Invesco Comstock Fund

Invesco Comstock Select Fund

Invesco Dividend Income Fund

Invesco Energy Fund

Invesco Gold & Special Minerals Fund

Invesco Small Cap Value Fund

Invesco Technology Fund

Invesco Value Opportunities Fund

AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust)

Invesco Premier Portfolio

Invesco Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio

AIM Tax-Exempt Funds (Invesco Tax-Exempt Funds)

Invesco AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Invesco California Municipal Fund

Invesco Environmental Focus Municipal Fund

Invesco High Yield Municipal Fund

Invesco Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund

Invesco Limited Term California Municipal Fund

Invesco Limited Term Municipal Income Fund

Invesco Municipal Income Fund

Invesco New Jersey Municipal Fund

Invesco Pennsylvania Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® AMT-Free New York Municipal Fund

Invesco Rochester® New York Municipals Fund

Invesco Rochester® Municipal Opportunities Fund

Invesco Rochester® Limited Term New York Municipal Fund

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Fund

Invesco V.I. American Value Fund

Invesco V.I. Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund

Invesco V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund

Invesco V.I. Comstock Fund

Invesco V.I. Conservative Balanced Fund

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Core Plus Bond Fund

Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund

Invesco V.I. Diversified Dividend Fund


Invesco V.I. Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

Invesco V.I. Equity and Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Core Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund

Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Government Money Market Fund

Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund

Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund

Invesco V.I. Health Care Fund

Invesco V.I. High Yield Fund

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund®

Invesco V.I. Main Street Mid Cap Fund

Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund®

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – March

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – June

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – September

Invesco V.I. S&P 500 Buffer Fund – December

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – March

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – June

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – September

Invesco V.I. NASDAQ 100 Buffer Fund – December

Invesco V.I. Small Cap Equity Fund

Invesco V.I. Technology Fund

Invesco V.I. U.S. Government Money Portfolio

Invesco Management Trust

Invesco Conservative Income Fund

Short-Term Investments Trust

Invesco Government & Agency Portfolio

Invesco Liquid Assets Portfolio

Invesco STIC Prime Portfolio

Invesco Tax-Free Cash Reserve Portfolio

Invesco Treasury Obligations Portfolio

Invesco Treasury Portfolio”


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed in duplicate on the day and year first above written.

 

Each Trust (listed on Schedule A) on behalf of the Shares of each Fund listed on Schedule A
By:  

/s/ Melanie Ringold

  Name: Melanie Ringold
  Title: Senior Vice President, Secretary & Chief Legal Officer
INVESCO DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Nicole Filingeri

  Name: Nicole Filingeri
  Title: Vice President

AMENDMENT NO. 6

TO

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Amendment dated as of February 13, 2023, amends the Third Amended and Restated Master Administrative Services Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated July 1, 2020, by and between Invesco Advisers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), a Delaware statutory trust, as follows:

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Agreement to add Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

 

  1.

Appendix A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“APPENDIX A

TO

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

OF

AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST (INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)

 

Portfolios

  

Effective Date of

Agreement

  

Advisory/Administrative

Services Fee Limit

Invesco American Franchise Fund

   February 12, 2010    N/A

Invesco Capital Appreciation Fund

   May 24, 2019    N/A

Invesco Core Plus Bond Fund

   June 2, 2009    N/A

Invesco Discovery Fund

   May 24, 2019    N/A

Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund

   February 12, 2010    N/A

Invesco Equity and Income Fund

   February 12, 2010    N/A

Invesco Floating Rate ESG Fund

   July 1, 2006    N/A

Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund

   March 12, 2007    N/A

Invesco Growth and Income Fund

   February 12, 2010    N/A

Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund

   July 1, 2006    N/A

Invesco Master Loan Fund

   May 24, 2019    N/A

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index Fund

   October 9, 2020    N/A

Invesco Senior Floating Rate Fund

   May 24, 2019    N/A

Invesco Short Term Municipal Fund

   May 24, 2019    N/A


Invesco S&P 500 Index Fund

   February 12, 2010    N/A

Invesco Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund***

   September 30, 2015   

0.50% of the first $100M

0.45% of the next $150M

0.425% of the next $250M

0.40% of the next $4.5B

0.39% of the next $5B

0.37% of the excess over $10B of average daily net assets

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

   February 13, 2023    N/A

The Administrator may receive from each Portfolio reimbursement for costs or reasonable compensation for such services as follows:

 

Rate*

   Invesco Fund
Complex Net
Assets**
 

0.0175%

   First $ 100 billion  

0.0150%

   Next $ 100 billion  

0.0135%

   Next $ 100 billion  

0.0125%

   Next $ 100 billion  

0.010%

   Over $ 400 billion  

 

*

The fee will be paid monthly at 1/12 of the annualized effective fee rate based on the average assets under management of the Invesco Fund Complex Net Assets of the prior month.

**

Invesco Fund Complex Net Assets means the aggregate monthly net assets of each mutual fund and closed- end fund in the Invesco Fund complex overseen by the Invesco Funds Board.

***

The administrative services fee paid under this Agreement may not be increased so that the combined advisory fee paid under the Advisory Agreement plus the administrative services fee paid under this Agreement exceeds the “Advisory/Administrative Services Fee Limit” in the table above unless such increase is approved by a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or the Fund concurrently enters into a contractual arrangement with the Administrator to waive the increased amount, provided that such contractual arrangement can only be eliminated by approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.”

 

  2.

All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers on the date first written above.

 

AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST

(INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST)

By:  

/s/ John M. Zerr

  John M. Zerr
  Senior Vice President
INVESCO ADVISERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Melanie Ringold

  Melanie Ringold
  Senior Vice President & Secretary
LOGO   

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

 

2600 One Commerce Square

 

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098

 

Telephone 215.564.8000

 

Fax 215.564.8120

 

www.stradley.com

February 17, 2023

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000

Houston, TX 77046-1173

 

  Re:

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust)

Registration Statement on Form N-1A

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Trust”) and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end, series management investment company.

This opinion is given in connection with the filing by the Trust of Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Amendment No. 178 to such Registration Statement under the 1940 Act (the “Registration Statement”), relating to, among other matters, the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) of Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”).

In connection with giving this opinion, we have examined copies of the Trust’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust, as amended, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended (the “Trust Agreement”), Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust adopted on November 29, 2022 (the “Resolutions”), and a Good Standing Certificate dated February 17, 2023, from the Secretary of State of Delaware, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents and records as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. As to various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied upon information provided by officers of the Trust.


We have assumed the following for purposes of this opinion:

 

  a)

The Trust will remain a valid and existing statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  b)

The provisions of the Trust Agreement and the Bylaws relating to the issuance of the Shares will not be modified or eliminated.

 

  c)

The Resolutions will not be modified or withdrawn and will be in full force and effect on the date of each issuance of the Shares.

 

  d)

The Shares will be issued in accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Bylaws and the Resolutions.

 

  e)

The registration of an indefinite number of the Shares will remain effective.

 

  f)

Each of the Shares will be sold for the consideration described in the then current summary prospectus (if any), statutory prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund and the consideration received by the Trust will in each event be at least equal to the net asset value per share of such Shares.

Both the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as amended, and the Trust Agreement provide that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trust’s obligations to the extent that the courts of another state that does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Trust Agreement also provides for indemnification out of assets belonging to a Fund for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of such Fund. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his or her investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be effective.

Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when sold, issued and paid for as described in the then current prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal law of the United States of America and the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to trusts formed under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as amended, excluding securities or “blue sky” laws of the State of Delaware.

We consent to the filing of this opinion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
LOGO  

                                                     

PO Box 4333

Houston, TX 77210-4333

11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000

Houston, TX 77046-1173

 

713 626 1919

www.invesco.com/us

February 17, 2023

Board of Trustees

AIM Counselor Series Trust (Invesco Counselor Series Trust) (the “Trust”)

11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77046-1173

 

Re:

Initial Capital Investment in New Portfolio of the Trust

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are purchasing shares of Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”), a new portfolio of the Trust, for the purpose of providing initial investment for the Fund. The purpose of this letter is to set out our understanding of the conditions of and our promises and representations concerning these investments.    

We hereby agree to purchase shares equal to the following dollar amount for each Fund:

 

FUND AND CLASS

   AMOUNT      DATE  

Initial investment for the purpose of commencing operations

 

  

Invesco SMA Municipal Bond Fund

   $ 10,000,000.00        February 20, 2023  

We hereby represent that we are purchasing these shares solely for our own account and solely for investment purposes without any intent of distributing or reselling said shares. We further represent that disposition of said shares will only be by direct redemption to or repurchase by the Trust.

We further agree to provide the Trust with at least three business day’s advance written notice of any intended redemption of amounts invested for the purpose of commencing operations and agree that we will work with the Trust with respect to the amount of such redemption so as not to place a burden on the Trust and to facilitate normal portfolio management of the relevant Fund.

 

Sincerely yours,
INVESCO ADVISERS, INC.

/s/ Melanie Ringold

Melanie Ringold
Senior Vice President & Secretary