As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2015
File No. 333-191940
File No. 811-22906
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. 22 | x |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
| Under the INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ¨ | |
| Amendment No. 27 | x |
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Area Code and Telephone Number: (800) 243-1574
101 Munson Street
Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Jennifer Fromm, Esq.
Senior Counsel
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
100 Pearl St.
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies of All Correspondence to:
David C. Mahaffey, Esq.
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
1666 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
x immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
¨ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
¨ on [date] or at such later date as the Commission shall order pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
¨ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
| ¨ | this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
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TICKER SYMBOL BY CLASS
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FUND
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A
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C
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I
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Class R6
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Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
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VAIAX
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VAICX
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VAIIX
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Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
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VSAIX
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VSICX
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VIASX
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Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
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VATAX
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VATCX
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VATIX
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VATRX
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Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
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VCOAX
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VCOCX
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VCOIX
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VRCOX
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Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
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VMSAX
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VCMSX
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VMSIX
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Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
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VLPAX
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VLPCX
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VLPIX
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Virtus Strategic Income Fund
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VASBX
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VSBCX
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VISBX
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TRUST NAME
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September
8, 2015
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VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
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The Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the state securities commissions have not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. This prospectus contains important information that you should know before investing in Virtus Mutual Funds. Please read it carefully and retain it for future reference.
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Not FDIC Insured
No Bank Guarantee
May Lose Value
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FUND SUMMARY
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Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
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Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
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Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
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Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
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Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
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Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
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Virtus Strategic Income Fund
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND EXPENSES
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
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Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
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Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
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Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
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Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
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Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
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Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
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Virtus Strategic Income Fund
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS RELATED TO PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND
FUND OPERATIONS
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PRICING OF FUND SHARES
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SALES CHARGES
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YOUR ACCOUNT
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HOW TO BUY SHARES
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HOW TO SELL SHARES
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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN SELLING SHARES
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ACCOUNT POLICIES
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INVESTOR SERVICES AND OTHER INFORMATION
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TAX STATUS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
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5.75%
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None
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
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None
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1.00%
(a)
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None
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value
of your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Management Fees
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1.80%
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1.80%
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1.80%
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Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees
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0.25%
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1.00%
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None
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Other Expenses
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Dividend and Interest Expenses on Short Sales
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0.23%
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0.23%
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0.23%
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Remaining Other Expenses
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1.67%
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1.67%
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1.67%
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Total Other Expenses
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1.90%
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1.90%
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1.90%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
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0.03%
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0.03%
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0.03%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(b)
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3.98%
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4.73%
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3.73%
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Less: Expense Reimbursement
(c)
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(1.27)%
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(1.27)%
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(1.27)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
(c)
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2.71%
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3.46%
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2.46%
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Share Status
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Class A
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Sold or Held
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$833
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$1,609
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$2,400
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$4,449
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Class C
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Sold
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$449
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$1,312
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$2,280
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$4,724
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Held
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$349
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$1,312
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$2,280
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$4,724
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Class I
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Sold or Held
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$249
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$1,024
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$1,818
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$3,895
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
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5.75%
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None
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
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None
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1.00%
(a)
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None
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value
of your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Management Fees
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1.75%
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1.75%
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1.75%
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Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees
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0.25%
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1.00%
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None
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Other Expenses
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Dividend and Interest Expenses on Short Sales
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0.31%
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0.31%
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0.31%
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Remaining Other Expenses
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1.91%
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1.91%
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1.91%
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Total Other Expenses
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2.22%
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2.22%
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2.22%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
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0.02%
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0.02%
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0.02%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(b)
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4.24%
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4.99%
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3.99%
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Less: Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement
(c)
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(1.51)%
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(1.51)%
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(1.51)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
(c)
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2.73%
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3.48%
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2.48%
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Share Status
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Class A
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Sold or Held
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$835
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$1,659
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$2,495
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$4,642
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Class C
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Sold
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$451
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$1,364
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$2,377
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$4,912
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Held
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$351
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$1,364
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$2,377
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$4,912
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Class I
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Sold or Held
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$251
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$1,078
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$1,921
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$4,104
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Class R6
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
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5.75%
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None
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None
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
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None
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1.00%
(a)
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None
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None
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Class R6
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Management Fees
(b)
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1.95%
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1.95%
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1.95%
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1.95%
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Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees
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0.25%
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1.00%
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None
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None
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Other Expenses
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Dividend and Interest Expenses on Short Sales
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0.40%
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0.40%
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0.40%
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0.40%
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Remaining Other Expenses
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1.50%
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1.50%
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1.50%
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1.49%
(e)
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Total Other Expenses
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1.90%
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1.90%
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1.90%
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1.89%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
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0.04%
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0.04%
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0.04%
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0.04%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(c)
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4.14%
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4.89%
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3.89%
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3.88%
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Less: Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement
(d)
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(1.10)%
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(1.10)%
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(1.10)%
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(1.10)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
(d)
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3.04%
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3.79%
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2.79%
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2.78%
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Share Status
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Class A
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Sold or Held
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$864
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$1,667
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$2,483
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$4,587
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Class C
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Sold
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$481
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$1,372
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$2,365
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$4,858
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Held
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$381
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$1,372
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$2,365
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$4,858
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Class I
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Sold or Held
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$282
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$1,086
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$1,908
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$4,044
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Class R6 Shares
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Sold or Held
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$281
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$1,083
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$1,903
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$4,036
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Class R6
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
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3.75%
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None
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None
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
|
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None
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1.00%
(a)
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None
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None
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
|
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Class A
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Class C
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Class I
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Class R6
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Management Fees
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0.75%
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0.75%
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0.75%
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0.75%
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Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees
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0.25%
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1.00%
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None
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None
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Other Expenses
(b)
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0.61%
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0.61%
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0.61%
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0.55%
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|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
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1.61%
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2.36%
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1.36%
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1.30%
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Less: Expense Reimbursement
(c)
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(0.26)%
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(0.26)%
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(0.26)%
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(0.26)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
(c)
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1.35%
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2.10%
|
|
|
1.10%
|
|
|
1.04%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Status
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$507
|
|
|
$820
|
|
|
$1,175
|
|
|
$2,767
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Sold
|
|
|
$313
|
|
|
$691
|
|
|
$1,217
|
|
|
$3,229
|
|
|
|
Held
|
|
|
$213
|
|
|
$691
|
|
|
$1,217
|
|
|
$3,229
|
|
|||
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$112
|
|
|
$385
|
|
|
$699
|
|
|
$2,224
|
|
|
|
Class R6
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$106
|
|
|
$366
|
|
|
$667
|
|
|
$2,176
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
|
|
|
5.75%
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
1.00%
(a)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value
of your investment)
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
1.30%
|
|
|
1.30%
|
|
|
1.30%
|
|
|
|
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
|
|
|
0.25%
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Other Expenses
(b)
|
|
|
0.71%
|
|
|
0.71%
|
|
|
0.71%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
2.26%
|
|
|
3.01%
|
|
|
2.01%
|
|
|
|
Less: Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement
(c)
|
|
|
(0.46)%
|
|
|
(0.46)%
|
|
|
(0.46)%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
(c)
|
|
|
1.80%
|
|
|
2.55%
|
|
|
1.55%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Status
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$747
|
|
|
$1,155
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Sold
|
|
|
$358
|
|
|
$842
|
|
|
|
Held
|
|
|
$258
|
|
|
$842
|
|
|||
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$153
|
|
|
$529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
|
|
|
5.75%
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
1.00%
(a)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value
of your investment)
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees
|
|
|
0.25%
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Other Expenses
(b)
|
|
|
1.01%
|
|
|
1.01%
|
|
|
1.01%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
2.26%
|
|
|
3.01%
|
|
|
2.01%
|
|
|
|
Less: Expense Reimbursement
(c)
|
|
|
(0.71)%
|
|
|
(0.71)%
|
|
|
(0.71)%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement
(c)
|
|
|
1.55%
|
|
|
2.30%
|
|
|
1.30%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Status
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$724
|
|
|
$1,141
|
|
|
$1,619
|
|
|
$3,334
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Sold
|
|
|
$333
|
|
|
$827
|
|
|
$1,483
|
|
|
$3,635
|
|
|
|
Held
|
|
|
$233
|
|
|
$827
|
|
|
$1,483
|
|
|
$3,635
|
|
|||
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$132
|
|
|
$524
|
|
|
$980
|
|
|
$2,678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
|
|
|
3.75%
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
1.00%
(a)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value
of your investment)
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
|
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees
|
|
|
0.25%
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Other Expenses
(b)
|
|
|
1.06%
|
|
|
1.06%
|
|
|
1.06%
|
|
|
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
2.12%
|
|
|
2.87%
|
|
|
1.87%
|
|
|
|
Less: Expense Reimbursement
(c)
|
|
|
(0.71)%
|
|
|
(0.71)%
|
|
|
(0.71)%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
1.41%
|
|
|
2.16%
|
|
|
1.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Status
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$513
|
|
|
$948
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Sold
|
|
|
$319
|
|
|
$822
|
|
|
|
Held
|
|
|
$219
|
|
|
$822
|
|
|||
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
Sold or Held
|
|
|
$118
|
|
|
$519
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares
|
|
|
Class R6
Shares
|
|
|
Through Date
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
2.45%
|
|
|
3.20%
|
|
|
2.20%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
2.40%
|
|
|
3.15%
|
|
|
2.15%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
2.60%
|
|
|
3.35%
|
|
|
2.35%
|
|
|
2.34%
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
1.35%
|
|
|
2.10%
|
|
|
1.10%
|
|
|
1.04%
|
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
1.80%
|
|
|
2.55%
|
|
|
1.55%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
1.55%
|
|
|
2.30%
|
|
|
1.30%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
1.40%
|
|
|
2.15%
|
|
|
1.15%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares
|
|
|
Class R6 Shares
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
2.68%
|
|
|
3.43%
|
|
|
2.46%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
2.71%
|
|
|
3.47%
|
|
|
2.48%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
3.06%
|
|
|
3.80%
|
|
|
2.79%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
1.41%
|
|
|
2.16%
|
|
|
1.16%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risks
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Allocation
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Commodity and Commodity-Linked Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Commodity Pool
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Contingent Convertible Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Convertible Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Debt Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Call
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Credit
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Insolvency and Bankruptcy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Depositary Receipts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Derivatives
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Energy Industry Concentration Risk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Equity Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Large Market Capitalization Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Small and Medium Market Capitalization Companies
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Exchange-Traded Funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
||||
|
|
Foreign Currency Transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|||
|
|
Foreign Investing
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Currency Rate
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Emerging Market Investing
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
High Yield-High Risk Securities (Junk Bonds)
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Inflation-Linked Securities
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Infrastructure-Related Investments
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Leverage
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
||
|
|
Market Volatility
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Master Limited Partnership
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
MLP Affiliate Risk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risks
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mortgage Backed
and Asset-
Backed Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|||||
|
|
Multi-Manager Approach
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Natural Resources
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
New Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Non-Diversification
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Preferred Stocks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|||||
|
|
Real Estate
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
REIT and REOC Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
RIC Compliance Risk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Sector Focused Investing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Short Sales
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
||
|
|
Short-Term Investments
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Structured Products Risk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Strategy
|
|
|
Strategy Subadviser(s)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Long/Short Credit
|
|
|
Brigade Capital Management, LLC
(“Brigade”)
ICE Canyon LLC (“ICE Canyon”)
MAST Capital Management, LLC
(“MAST”)
|
|
|
|
Master Limited Partnership
|
|
|
Harvest Fund Advisors LLC (“Harvest”)
|
|
|||
|
|
Real Estate
|
|
|
LaSalle Investment Management
Securities, LLC (“LaSalle”)
|
|
|||
|
|
Global Income
|
|
|
Lazard Asset Management LLC
(“Lazard”)
|
|
|||
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Commodity
|
|
|
Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC
(“Credit Suisse”)
|
|
|
|
Infrastructure
|
|
|
Lazard
|
|
|||
|
|
Master Limited Partnership
|
|
|
Harvest
|
|
|||
|
|
Real Estate
|
|
|
LaSalle
|
|
|||
|
|
Long/Short Credit
|
|
|
Armored Wolf, LLC (“Armored Wolf”)
Brigade
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Strategy
|
|
|
Strategy Subadviser(s)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Convertible Arbitrage
|
|
|
Lazard
|
|
|
|
Global Macro
|
|
|
Graham Capital Management, L.P. (“Graham”)
|
|
|||
|
|
Long/Short Equity
|
|
|
Ascend Capital, LLC (“Ascend”)
Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P. (“Owl Creek”)
|
|
|||
|
|
Long/Short Credit
|
|
|
Armored Wolf
Brigade
ICE Canyon
MAST
|
|
|||
|
|
Master Limited Partnership
|
|
|
Harvest
|
|
|||
|
|
Infrastructure
|
|
|
Lazard
|
|
|||
|
|
Real Estate
|
|
|
LaSalle
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (“Newfleet”)
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Aviva Investors America LLC
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. ("Duff & Phelps")
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
Newfleet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
First $5 billion
|
|
|
$5+ billion
|
|
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.80
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Kathleen Barchick (since April 2014)
Warun Kumar (since May 2014)
Stephen Nesbitt (since April 2014)
Amy Robinson (since April 2014)
Daniel Stern (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Peter Fizgerald, CFA (since July 2015)
Daniel James (since July 2015)
Ian Pizer, PhD, CFA (since July 2015)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
John Brynjolfsson (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Malcolm Fairbairn (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Donald E. Morgan III (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Christopher Burton (since April 2014)
Nelson Louie (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Charles J. Georgas (since September 2015)
David D. Grumhaus, Jr. (since September 2015)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Pablo Calderini (since April 2014)
Kenneth G. Tropin (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Eric Conklin (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Nathan Sandler (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Stanley Kraska (since April 2014)
Keith Pauley (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Andrew Lacey (since April 2014)
Patrick Ryan (since April 2014)
Kyle Waldhauer (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
John Mulquiney (since April 2014)
Warryn Robertson (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
John Mulquiney (since April 2014)
Sean Reynolds (since April 2014)
Warryn Robertson (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Peter Reed (since April 2014)
David Steinberg (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
David L. Albrycht (since June 2015)
Edwin Tai (since June 2015)
Manases Zarco (since June 2015)
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
David L. Albrycht (since September 2014)
Francesco Ossino (since September 2014)
Jonathan R. Stanley (since September 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Jeffrey Altman (since April 2014)
Daniel Krueger (since April 2014)
Jeffrey Lee (since April 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risks
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Commodity and Commodity-Linked Instruments
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Cybersecurity Risk
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Depositary Receipts
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Equity REIT Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Equity Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
||||||
|
|
Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Foreign Currency Transactions
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
||
|
|
Money Market Instruments
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Municipal Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Mutual Fund Investing
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|||
|
|
Operational Risk
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Private Placements
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Repurchase Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|||||
|
|
Securities Lending
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
||||
|
|
Tax-Exempt Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Variable Rate, Floating Rate and Variable Amount Securities
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Zero Coupon, Step Coupon, Deferred Coupon and PIK Bonds
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
Class R6
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target
Return
Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a percentage of
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price
|
|
|
Offering Price
|
|
|
Net Amount Invested
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Under $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a percentage of
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price
|
|
|
Offering Price
|
|
|
Net Amount Invested
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Under $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
5.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
4.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.83
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Year
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2+
|
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
CDSC
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a
Percentage of Offering
Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a
Percentage of Amount
Invested
|
|
|
Dealer Discount as a
Percentage of Offering
Price
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Under $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a
Percentage of Offering
Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a
Percentage of Amount
Invested
|
|
|
Dealer Discount as a
Percentage of Offering
Price
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Under $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
5.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
4.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
To Open An Account
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Through a financial advisor
|
|
|
Contact your advisor. Some advisors may charge a fee and may set different minimum
investments or limitations on buying shares.
|
|
|
|
Through the mail
|
|
|
Complete a new account application and send it with a check payable to the funds. Mail them
to: Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI 02940-8074.
|
|
|
|
Through express delivery
|
|
|
Complete a new account application and send it with a check payable to the funds. Send them
to: Virtus Mutual Funds, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-1722.
|
|
|
|
By Federal Funds wire
|
|
|
Call us at 800-243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
|
|
|
|
By Systematic Purchase
|
|
|
Complete the appropriate section on the application and send it with your initial investment
payable to the funds. Mail them to: Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI
02940-8074.
|
|
|
|
By telephone exchange
|
|
|
Call us at 800-243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To Sell Shares
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Through a financial advisor
|
|
|
Contact your advisor. Some advisors may charge a fee and may set different minimums on redemptions of accounts.
|
|
|
|
Through the mail
|
|
|
Send a letter of instruction to: Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI 02940-8074. Be sure to include the registered owner’s name, fund and account number, and number of shares or dollar value you wish to sell.
|
|
|
|
Through express delivery
|
|
|
Send a letter of instruction to: Virtus Mutual Funds, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-1722. Be sure to include the registered owner’s name, fund and account number, and number of shares or dollar value you wish to sell.
|
|
|
|
By telephone
|
|
|
For sales up to $50,000, requests can be made by calling 800-243-1574.
|
|
|
|
By telephone exchange
|
|
|
Call us at 800-243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Dividend Paid
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Quarterly
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Semiannually
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Semiannually
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
Quarterly
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Semiannually
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Semiannually
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
Monthly (Declared Daily)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
|
|
Net Investment Income (Loss)
(1)
|
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
|
|
|
Total from Investment Operations
|
|
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income
|
|
|
Distributions from Realized Short-Term Gains
|
|
|
Total Distributions
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Net Asset Value
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
|
|
Total Return
(2)
|
|
|
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
|
|
|
Ratio of Expenses (including dividends and interest on short sales after expense waivers and reimbursements) to Average Net Assets
(3)(4)(5)
|
|
|
Ratio of Expenses (including dividends and interest on short sales before expense waivers and reimbursements) to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.82
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
747
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.65
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.76
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.56
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.38
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
387
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.40
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.39
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.81
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
41,446
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.43
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.79
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
(9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.10
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.69
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.03
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
152
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.45
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.88
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.71
|
)%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
32,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.46
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.97
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.29
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund(
10)
|
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.93
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
195
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,325
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.76
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.66
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.04
|
)%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
195
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(6)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
(9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.80
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
63,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.85
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
195
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
|
|
Net Investment Income (Loss)
(1)
|
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
|
|
|
Total from Investment Operations
|
|
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income
|
|
|
Distributions from Realized Short-Term Gains
|
|
|
Total Distributions
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Net Asset Value
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
|
|
Total Return
(2)
|
|
|
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
|
|
|
Ratio of Expenses (including dividends and interest on short sales after expense waivers and reimbursements) to Average Net Assets
(3)(4)(5)
|
|
|
Ratio of Expenses (including dividends and interest on short sales before expense waivers and reimbursements) to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(11)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
119
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.71
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.84
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
83
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(11)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.85
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.09
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
83
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/31/14
(11)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
24,721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.15
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.85
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.09
|
%
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
83
|
%
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
TICKER SYMBOL BY CLASS
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
FUND
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
R6
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
VAIAX
|
|
|
VAICX
|
|
|
VAIIX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
VSAIX
|
|
|
VSICX
|
|
|
VIASX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
VATAX
|
|
|
VATCX
|
|
|
VATIX
|
|
|
VATRX
|
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
VCOAX
|
|
|
VCOCX
|
|
|
VCOIX
|
|
|
VRCOX
|
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
VMSAX
|
|
|
VCMSX
|
|
|
VMSIX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
VLPAX
|
|
|
VLPCX
|
|
|
VLPIX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
VASBX
|
|
|
VSBCX
|
|
|
VISBX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAGE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glossary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Information and History
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More Information About Fund Investment Strategies & Related Risks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Limitations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management of the Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Advisory and Other Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distribution Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor Account Services and Policies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appendix A — Description of Ratings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Appendix B — Control Persons and Principal Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
1933 Act
|
|
|
The Securities Act of 1933, as amended
|
|
|
|
1940 Act
|
|
|
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
|
|
|
|
ACH
|
|
|
Automated Clearing House, a nationwide electronic money transfer system that provides for the inter-bank clearing of credit and debit transactions and for the exchange of information among participating financial institutions
|
|
|
|
Administrator
|
|
|
The Trust’s administrative agent, Virtus Fund Services, LLC
|
|
|
|
ADRs
|
|
|
American Depositary Receipts
|
|
|
|
ADSs
|
|
|
American Depositary Shares
|
|
|
|
Adviser
|
|
|
The investment adviser to the Funds, Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc.
|
|
|
|
AIA
|
|
|
Aviva Investors Americas LLC, subadviser to the Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Alternative Solution Funds
|
|
|
Collectively, Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund, Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund, and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Armored Wolf
|
|
|
Armored Wolf, LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and the Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Ascend
|
|
|
Ascend Capital, LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Bank of New York Mellon
|
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon, the custodian of the Funds’ assets
|
|
|
|
BNY Mellon
|
|
|
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., the sub-administrative and accounting agent for the Funds
|
|
|
|
Board
|
|
|
The Board of Trustees of Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
|
|
|
|
Brigade
|
|
|
Brigade Capital Management, LP, a subadviser to the Alternative Solution Funds
|
|
|
|
CCO
|
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
|
|
CDRs
|
|
|
Continental Depositary Receipts (another name for EDRs)
|
|
|
|
CDSC
|
|
|
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
|
|
|
|
CEA
|
|
|
Commodity Exchange Act, which is the U.S. law governing trading in commodity futures
|
|
|
|
CFTC
|
|
|
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which is the U.S. regulator governing trading in commodity futures
|
|
|
|
Cliffwater
|
|
|
Cliffwater Investments LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Solution Funds
|
|
|
|
Code
|
|
|
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which is the law governing U.S. federal taxes
|
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
|
Credit Suisse
|
|
|
Credit Suisse Asset Management, a subadviser to the Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Custodian
|
|
|
The custodian of the Funds’ assets, The Bank of New York Mellon
|
|
|
|
Duff & Phelps
|
|
|
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., subadviser to the Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
|
EDRs
|
|
|
European Depositary Receipts (another name for CDRs)
|
|
|
|
ETFs
|
|
|
Exchange-traded Funds
|
|
|
|
ETNs
|
|
|
Exchange-traded Notes
|
|
|
|
FHFA
|
|
|
Federal Housing Finance Agency, an independent Federal agency that regulates FNMA, FHLMC and the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FHLMC
|
|
|
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, also known as “Freddie Mac”, which is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders
|
|
|
|
FINRA
|
|
|
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a self-regulatory organization with authority over registered broker-dealers operating in the United States, including VP Distributors
|
|
|
|
Fitch
|
|
|
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
|
|
|
|
FNMA
|
|
|
Federal National Mortgage Association, also known as “Fannie Mae”, which is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders and subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
|
|
|
|
Funds
|
|
|
The series of the Trust discussed in this SAI
|
|
|
|
GDRs
|
|
|
Global Depositary Receipts
|
|
|
|
GICs
|
|
|
Guaranteed Investment Contracts
|
|
|
|
GNMA
|
|
|
Government National Mortgage Association, also known as “Ginnie Mae”, which is a wholly-owned United States Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development
|
|
|
|
Graham
|
|
|
Graham Capital Management, L.P., a subadviser to the Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Harvest
|
|
|
Harvest Fund Advisors LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Solutions Funds
|
|
|
|
ICE Canyon
|
|
|
ICE Canyon LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Income Solution Fund and the Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
IMF
|
|
|
International Monetary Fund, an international organization seeking to promote international economic cooperation, international trade, employment and exchange rate stability, among other things
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, as that term is defined by the 1940 Act
|
|
|
|
IRA
|
|
|
Individual Retirement Account
|
|
|
|
IRS
|
|
|
The United States Internal Revenue Service, which is the arm of the U.S. government that administers and enforces the Code
|
|
|
|
LaSalle
|
|
|
LaSalle Investment Management Securities, LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Solutions Funds
|
|
|
|
Lazard
|
|
|
Lazard Asset Management, LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Solutions Funds
|
|
|
|
LIBOR
|
|
|
London Interbank Offering Rate, an interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market
|
|
|
|
MAST
|
|
|
MAST Capital Management, LLC, a subadviser to the Alternative Income Solution Fund and the Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
Moody’s
|
|
|
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
|
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, which is the per-share price of a Fund
|
|
|
|
Newfleet
|
|
|
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, subadviser to the Strategic Income Fund and Credit Opportunities Fund.
|
|
|
|
NYSE
|
|
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
|
|
|
OCC
|
|
|
Options Clearing Corporation, a large equity derivatives clearing corporation
|
|
|
|
Owl Creek
|
|
|
Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P., a subadviser to the Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
PERLS
|
|
|
Principal Exchange Rate Linked Securities
|
|
|
|
PNX
|
|
|
Phoenix Life Insurance Company, which is the former parent company of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., and certain of its corporate affiliates
|
|
|
|
Prospectuses
|
|
|
The prospectuses for the Funds, as amended from time to time
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PwC
|
|
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust
|
|
|
|
Regulations
|
|
|
The Treasury Regulations promulgated under the
Code
|
|
|
|
RIC
|
|
|
Regulated Investment Company, a designation under the Code indicating a U.S.-registered investment company meeting the specifications under the Code allowing the investment company to be exempt from paying U.S. federal income taxes
|
|
|
|
S&P
|
|
|
Standard & Poor’s Corporation
|
|
|
|
S&P 500
®
Index
|
|
|
The Standard & Poor’s 500
®
Index, which is a free-float market
capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies, calculated on a total return basis with dividends reinvested
|
|
|
|
SAI
|
|
|
This Statement of Additional Information
|
|
|
|
SEC
|
|
|
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
|
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
|
SIFMA
|
|
|
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (formerly, the Bond Market Association), a financial industry trade group consisting of broker-dealers and asset managers across the United States
|
|
|
|
SMBS
|
|
|
Stripped Mortgage-backed Securities
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
Transfer Agent
|
|
|
The Trust’s transfer agent, Virtus Fund Services, LLC
|
|
|
|
Trust
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
|
|
|
|
VAIA
|
|
|
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc., the Adviser to the Funds
|
|
|
|
Virtus
|
|
|
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., which is the parent company of the Adviser, Cliffwater, the Distributor, the Administrator/Transfer Agent and Virtus Partners, Inc.
|
|
|
|
Virtus Fund Services
|
|
|
Virtus Fund Services, LLC, the Administrator/Transfer Agent to the Funds
|
|
|
|
Virtus Mutual Funds
|
|
|
The family of funds consisting of the Funds, the series of Virtus Equity Trust, the series of Virtus Insight Trust and the series of Virtus Opportunities Trust
|
|
|
|
VP Distributors
|
|
|
VP Distributors, LLC, the Distributor of shares of the Funds
|
|
|
|
VVIT
|
|
|
Virtus Variable Insurance Trust, a separate trust consisting of several series advised by Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, and distributed by VP Distributors
|
|
|
|
World Bank
|
|
|
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Investment Objective
|
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of maximizing current income while considering capital appreciation.
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of total return in excess of inflation.
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of long-term capital appreciation through investments that have a low correlation to traditional asset classes.
|
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of seeking long-term total return, which may include investment returns from a combination of sources including capital appreciation and interest income.
|
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of long-term total return.
|
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of total return with a secondary objective of income.
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
The fund has an investment objective of seeking total return comprised of income and capital appreciation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Service Provider
|
|
|
Name of Service Provider
|
|
|
Timing of Release of Portfolio Holdings Information
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Adviser
|
|
|
VAIA
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund)
|
|
|
AIA
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Armored Wolf
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Ascend
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Brigade
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Cliffwater
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Inflation Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Credit Suisse
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Select MLP and Energy Fund)
|
|
|
Duff & Phelps
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Graham
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Harvest
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
ICE Canyon
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
LaSalle
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Lazard
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Income Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
MAST
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Credit Opportunities Fund and Strategic Income Fund)
|
|
|
Newfleet
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Subadviser (Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Owl Creek
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Administrator
|
|
|
Virtus Fund Services
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Service Provider
|
|
|
Name of Service Provider
|
|
|
Timing of Release of Portfolio Holdings Information
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Distributor
|
|
|
VP Distributors
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Custodian
|
|
|
Bank of New York Mellon
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Sub-Financial Agent
|
|
|
BNY Mellon
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Risk Reporting Services Provider
|
|
|
Blackrock Financial Management, Inc.
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
PwC
|
|
|
Annual Reporting Period, within 15 business days of end of reporting period
|
|
|
|
Typesetting and Printing Firm for Financial Reports
|
|
|
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.
|
|
|
Quarterly, within 15 days of end of reporting period
|
|
|
|
Proxy Voting Service
|
|
|
ISS
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Performance Analytics Firm
|
|
|
FactSet Research Systems, Inc
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
TV Financial Markets Talk Shows
|
|
|
CNBC
|
|
|
Monthly for holdings over 1% of issuer equity, in aggregate
*
|
|
|
|
Class Action Provider
|
|
|
Battea-Class Action Services, LLC
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Backend Compliance Monitoring System
|
|
|
Financial Tracking
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Middle Office Services for Armored Wolf (Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
BNY Mellon
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation Processing for Ascend (Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Indus Valley Partners (India) Pvt Ltd
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
3rd Party Administrator for Brigade (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
SS&C Technologies
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Employee Compliance Software for Brigade (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
HedgeOp compliance, LLC doing business as Cordium
|
|
|
Weekly
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation Processing for Credit Suisse (Alternative Inflation Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Citibank N.A.
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
3rd Party Administrator for Graham (Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
SEI Global Services, Inc.
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
3rd Party Administrator for Harvest (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Wells Fargo Prime Services LLC
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation Processing for LaSalle (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Electra Information Systems, Inc.
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
3rd Party Administrator for Lazard (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
State Street Investment Manager Services
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
Risk and Order Management System for Lazard (Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund)
|
|
|
Kynex
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
3rd Party Administrator for AIA
(Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund)
|
|
|
JP Morgan
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Service Provider
|
|
|
Name of Service Provider
|
|
|
Timing of Release of Portfolio Holdings Information
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Risk Management System for AIA
(Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund)
|
|
|
Cognity
|
|
|
Daily, with no delay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Service Provider
|
|
|
Name of Service Provider
|
|
|
Timing of Release of Portfolio Holdings Information
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Portfolio Redistribution Firms
|
|
|
Bloomberg, Standard & Poor’s and Thomson Reuters
|
|
|
Quarterly, 60 days after fiscal quarter end
|
|
|
|
Rating Agencies
|
|
|
Lipper Inc. and Morningstar
|
|
|
Quarterly, 60 days after fiscal quarter end
|
|
|
|
Virtus Public Web site
|
|
|
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
|
|
|
Quarterly, 60 days after fiscal quarter end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Class/Shares
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
A
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
R6
|
|
|
T
|
|
||||||
|
|
Virtus Equity Trust
|
|
|
Balanced Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Contrarian Value Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Growth & Income Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Mid-Cap Core Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Mid-Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Quality Large-Cap Value Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Quality Small-Cap Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Small-Cap Core Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Small-Cap Sustainable Growth Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Strategic Growth Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Tactical Allocation Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Virtus Insight Trust
|
|
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Low Duration Income Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Trust
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Class/Shares
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
A
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
R6
|
|
|
T
|
|
||||||
|
|
Virtus Opportunities Trust
|
|
|
Alternatives Diversifier Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Bond Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
CA Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Disciplined Equity Style Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Disciplined Select Bond Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Disciplined Select Country Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Dynamic Trend Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Emerging Markets Debt Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Emerging Markets Equity Small-Cap Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Equity Trend Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Essential Resources Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Foreign Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Global
Infrastructure
Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Global Equity Trend Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Global Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Global Real Estate Securities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Greater European Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Herzfeld Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
High Yield Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
International Equity Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
International Real Estate Securities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
International Small-Cap Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
International Wealth Masters Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Low Volatility Equity Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Multi-Asset Trend Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Multi-Sector Intermediate Bond Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
||||
|
|
Real Estate Securities Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Sector Trend Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Senior Floating Rate Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Wealth Masters Fund
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Investment Technique
|
|
|
Description and Risks
|
|
|
Fund-Specific Limitations
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Commodities-Related Investing Risk
|
|
|
Commodity-related companies may underperform the stock market as a whole. The value of securities issued by commodity-related companies may be affected by factors affecting a particular industry or commodity. The operations and financial performance of commodity-related companies may be directly affected by commodity prices, especially those commodity-related companies that own the underlying commodity. The stock prices of such companies may also experience greater price volatility than other types of common stocks. Securities issued by commodity-related companies are sensitive to changes in the supply and demand for, and thus the prices of, commodities. Volatility of commodity prices, which may lead to a reduction in production or supply, may also negatively impact the performance of commodity and natural resources companies that are solely involved in the transportation, processing, storing, distribution or marketing of commodities. Volatility of commodity prices may also make it more difficult for commodity-related companies to raise capital to the extent the market perceives that their performance may be directly or indirectly tied to commodity prices.
Certain types of commodities instruments (such as commodity-linked notes) are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the instrument will not perform or will be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodities investments.
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Commodity Interests
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Certain of the derivative investment types permitted for the Funds may be considered commodity interests for purposes of the CEA and regulations approved by the CFTC. Investing in commodity interests, outside of certain conditions required to qualify for exemption or exclusion, will cause a Fund to be deemed a commodity pool, thereby subjecting the Fund to regulation under the CEA and CFTC rules. In that event, the Adviser will be registered as a Commodity Pool Operator, certain of the Fund’s Subadvisers will be registered as Commodity Trading Advisers, and the Fund will be operated in accordance with CFTC rules. Because of the applicable registration requirements and rules, investing the Fund’s assets in commodity interests could cause the fund to incur additional expenses. Alternatively, to the extent that a Fund limits its exposure to commodity interests in order to qualify for exemption from being considered a commodity pool, the Fund’s use of investment techniques described in its Prospectus and this SAI may be limited or restricted.
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As of the date of this SAI, each Fund other than those discussed below intends to limit the use of such investment types as required to qualify for exclusion or exemption from being considered a “commodity pool” or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in commodity interests under such regulations, and each Fund has filed a notice
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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of exclusion under CFTC Regulation 4.5 or exemption under CFTC Regulation 4.13(a)(3); however, Alternative Total Solution Fund and Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund each intend to be treated as a commodity pool subject to regulation under the CEA and CFTC rules, the Adviser is registered as a Commodity Pool Operator with respect to each of them and the subsidiary of Alternative Total Solution Fund, and certain of the Funds’ subadvisers are registered as Commodity Trading Advisers with respect to the respective Fund.
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Debt Investing
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Each Fund may invest in debt, or fixed income, securities. Debt, or fixed income, securities (which include corporate bonds, commercial paper, debentures, notes, government securities, municipal obligations, state- or state agency-issued obligations, obligations of foreign issuers, asset-or mortgage-backed securities, and other obligations) are used by issuers to borrow money and thus are debt obligations of the issuer. Holders of debt securities are creditors of the issuer, normally ranking ahead of holders of both common and preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest and must repay the amount borrowed at the security’s maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero-coupon securities (discussed below), do not pay interest but may be typically sold at a deep discount from their face value.
Yields on debt securities depend on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money, bond, and note markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity date of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. Debt securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields and are generally subject to greater price fluctuations in response to changes in market conditions than obligations with shorter maturities. An increase in interest rates generally will reduce the market value of portfolio debt securities, while a decline in interest rates generally will increase the value of the same securities. The achievement of a Fund’s investment objective depends in part on the continuing ability of the issuers of the debt securities in which the Fund invests to meet their obligations for the payment of principal and interest when due. Obligations of issuers of debt securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, sovereign immunity, and other laws that affect the rights and remedies of creditors. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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ability of an issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may be materially affected.
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Convertible Securities
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A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, or other security that entitles the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specific price or formula. It generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued until the security matures or is redeemed, converted, or exchanged. Convertible securities may have several unique investment characteristics such as (1) higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities, (2) a lesser degree of fluctuation in value then the underlying stock since they have fixed income characteristics and (3) the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.
Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible debt securities. Convertible securities often rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure and, therefore, are often viewed as entailing less risk than the corporation’s common stock, although the extent to which this is true depends in large measure on the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. However, because convertible securities are often viewed by the issuer as future common stock, they are often subordinated to other senior securities and therefore are rated one category lower than the issuer’s non-convertible debt obligations or preferred stock.
A convertible security may be subject to redemption or conversion at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund could be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security and convert it to the underlying common stock. The Fund generally would invest in convertible securities for their favorable price characteristics and total return potential, and would normally not exercise an option to convert. The Fund might be more willing to convert such securities to common stock.
A Fund’s subadviser will select only those convertible securities for which it believes (a) the underlying common stock is a suitable investment for the Fund and (b) a greater potential for total return exists by purchasing the convertible security because of its higher yield and/or favorable market valuation. However, the Fund may invest in convertible debt securities rated less than investment grade. Debt securities rated less than investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” (For information about debt securities rated less than investment grade, see “High Yield-High Risk (Junk Bonds) Securities” under “Debt Investing” in this section of the SAI; for additional information about ratings on debt obligations, see Appendix A to this SAI.)
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Corporate Debt Securities
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Each Fund may invest in debt securities issued by corporations, limited partnerships and other similar entities. A Fund’s investments in debt securities of domestic or foreign corporate issuers include bonds, debentures, notes and other similar corporate debt instruments, including convertible securities that meet the Fund’s minimum ratings criteria or if unrated are, in the Fund’s subadviser’s opinion, comparable in quality to corporate debt securities that meet those criteria. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies or to the value of commodities, such as gold.
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Dollar-denominated Foreign Debt Securities (“Yankee Bonds”)
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Each Fund may invest in “Yankee bonds”, which are dollar-denominated instruments issued in the U.S. market by foreign branches of U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks. Since these instruments are dollar-denominated, they are not affected by variations in currency exchange rates. They are influenced primarily by interest rate levels in the United States and by the financial condition of the issuer, or of the issuer’s foreign parent. However, investing in these instruments may present a greater degree of risk than investing in domestic securities, due to less publicly available information, less securities regulation, war or expropriation. Special considerations may include higher brokerage costs and thinner trading markets. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other factors including extended settlement periods. (See “Foreign Investing” in this section of the SAI for additional information about investing in foreign countries.)
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Duration
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Duration is a time measure of a bond’s interest-rate sensitivity, based on the weighted average of the time periods over which a bond’s cash flows accrue to the bondholder. Time periods are weighted by multiplying by the present value of its cash flow divided by the bond’s price. (A bond’s cash flows consist of coupon payments and repayment of capital.) A bond’s duration will almost always be shorter than its maturity, with the exception of zero-coupon bonds, for which maturity and duration are equal.
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Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
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Generally, 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 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, 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 a Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. The Fund’s decision to sell its 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 IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how a Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress are considering proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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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 risks as other instruments that use leverage in any form.
The market value of ETN shares may differ from that of their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares 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 share trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.
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High-Yield, High-Risk Fixed Income Securities ("Junk Bonds")
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Investments in securities rated “BB” or below by S&P or Fitch, or “Ba” or below by Moody’s generally provide greater income (leading to the name “high-yield” securities) and opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility, liquidity, and principal and income risk. These securities are regarded as predominantly speculative as to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of lower-quality debt securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-quality debt securities.
Interest-bearing securities typically experience appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. The market values of low-rated securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Low-rated securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than higher-rated securities. As a result, they generally involve more credit risks than securities in the higher-rated categories. During an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of low-rated securities may experience financial stress and may not have sufficient revenues to meet their payment obligations. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations may also be adversely affected by specific corporate developments, the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by an issuer of low-rated securities is generally considered to be significantly greater than issuers of higher-rated securities because such securities are usually unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors. Further, if the issuer of a low-rated security defaulted, the applicable Fund might incur additional expenses in seeking recovery. Periods of economic uncertainty and changes would also generally result in increased volatility in the market prices of low-rated securities and thus in the applicable Fund’s NAV.
Low-rated securities often contain redemption, call or prepayment provisions which permit the issuer of the securities containing such provisions to, at its discretion, redeem the securities. During periods of falling interest rates, issuers of low-rated securities are likely to redeem or prepay the securities and refinance them with debt securities with a lower interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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refinance the securities or otherwise redeem them, the applicable Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security which would result in lower returns for the Fund.
A Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain low-rated securities because there may be a thin trading market for such securities. Because not all dealers maintain markets in all low-rated securities, there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities. The Funds anticipate that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it is generally not as liquid as the secondary market for higher-rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the market price of the security, and accordingly, the NAV of a particular Fund and its ability to dispose of particular securities when necessary to meet its liquidity needs, or in response to a specific economic event, or an event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its respective portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many low-rated issues only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or prices for actual sales. During periods of thin trading, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of low-rated securities, especially in a thinly-traded market. If a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to liquidate a portion of its portfolio securities without regard to their investment merits. Due to the limited liquidity of low-rated securities, the Fund may be forced to liquidate these securities at a substantial discount. Any such liquidation would reduce the Fund’s asset base over which expenses could be allocated and could result in a reduced rate of return for the Fund.
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Interest Rate Environment Risk
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In the wake of the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve System attempted to stabilize the U.S. economy and support the U.S. economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate at or near zero percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve has purchased large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market (the “quantitative easing program”). As a result, the United States is experiencing historically low interest rate levels. A low interest rate environment may have an adverse impact on each Fund’s ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders and pay expenses out of Fund assets because of the low yields from the Fund’s portfolio investments.
However, continued economic recovery and the cessation of the quantitative easing program increase the risk that interest rates will rise in the near future and that the Funds will face a heightened level of interest rate risk. Federal Reserve policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments, which could cause the value of a Fund’s investments and a Fund’s share price to decline or create difficulties for the Fund in disposing of investments. A Fund that invests in derivatives tied to fixed-income markets may be more substantially exposed to these risks than a Fund that does not invest in derivatives. A Fund could also be forced to liquidate its investments
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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at disadvantageous times or prices, thereby adversely affecting the Fund. To the extent a Fund experiences high redemptions because of these policy changes, the Fund may experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the Fund incurs and lower the Fund’s performance.
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Inverse Floating Rate Obligations
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Certain variable rate securities pay interest at a rate that varies inversely to prevailing short-term interest rates (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters). For example, upon reset the interest rate payable on a security may go down when the underlying index has risen. During periods when short-term interest rates are relatively low as compared to long-term interest rates, the Fund may attempt to enhance its yield by purchasing inverse floaters. Certain inverse floaters may have an interest rate reset mechanism that multiplies the effects of changes in the underlying index. While this form of leverage may increase the security’s yield, it may also increase the volatility of the security’s market value.
Similar to other variable and floating rate obligations, effective use of inverse floaters requires skills different from those needed to select most portfolio securities. If movements in interest rates are incorrectly anticipated, a Fund holding these instruments could lose money and its NAV could decline.
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Letters of Credit
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Debt obligations, including municipal obligations, certificates of participation, commercial paper and other short-term obligations, may be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit of a bank that assumes the obligation for payment of principal and interest in the event of default by the issuer. Only banks that, in the opinion of the relevant Fund’s subadviser, are of investment quality comparable to other permitted investments of the Fund may be used for Letter of Credit-backed investments.
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Loan and Debt Participations and Assignments
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A loan participation agreement involves the purchase of a share of a loan made by a bank to a company in return for a corresponding share of the borrower’s principal and interest payments. Loan participations of the type in which the Fund may invest include interests in both secured and unsecured corporate loans. When a Fund purchases loan assignments from lenders, it will acquire direct rights against the borrower, but these rights and the Fund’s obligations may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assignment lender. The principal credit risk associated with acquiring loan participation and assignment interests is the credit risk associated with the underlying corporate borrower. There is also a risk that there may not be a readily available market for participation loan interests and, in some cases, this could result in the Fund disposing of such securities at a substantial discount from face value or holding such securities until maturity.
In the event that a corporate borrower failed to pay its scheduled interest or principal payments on participations held by the Fund, the market value of the affected participation would decline, resulting in a loss of value of such investment to the Fund. Accordingly, such participations are speculative and may result in the income level and net assets of the Fund being reduced. Moreover, loan participation agreements generally limit the right of a participant to resell its interest in the loan to a third party and, as a result, loan participations may be deemed by the Fund to be illiquid investments. A Fund will invest only in participations with respect to borrowers whose creditworthiness is, or is determined by the Fund’s subadviser to be, substantially
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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equivalent to that of issuers whose senior unsubordinated debt securities are rated B or higher by Moody’s or S&P. For the purposes of diversification and/or concentration calculations, both the borrower and issuer will be considered an “issuer.”
The Funds may purchase from banks participation interests in all or part of specific holdings of debt obligations. Each participation interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of the selling bank that the relevant Fund’s subadviser has determined meets the prescribed quality standards of the Fund. Thus, even if the credit of the issuer of the debt obligation does not meet the quality standards of the Fund, the credit of the selling bank will.
Loan participations and assignments may be illiquid and therefore subject to the Funds’ limitations on investments in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
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Municipal Securities and Related Investments
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Tax-exempt municipal securities are debt obligations issued by the various states and their subdivisions (e.g., cities, counties, towns, and school districts) to raise funds, generally for various public improvements requiring long-term capital investment. Purposes for which tax-exempt bonds are issued include flood control, airports, bridges and highways, housing, medical facilities, schools, mass transportation and power, water or sewage plants, as well as others. Tax-exempt bonds also are occasionally issued to retire outstanding obligations, to obtain funds for operating expenses or to loan to other public or, in some cases, private sector organizations or to individuals.
Yields on municipal securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligations and the rating of the issue. Municipal securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields and are generally subject to potentially greater capital appreciation and depreciation than obligations with shorter maturities and lower yields. The market prices of municipal securities usually vary, depending upon available yields. An increase in interest rates will generally reduce the value of portfolio investments, and a decline in interest rates will generally increase the value of portfolio investments. The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective is also dependent on the continuing ability of the issuers of municipal securities in which the Fund invests to meet their obligations for the payment of interest and principal when due. The ratings of Moody’s and S&P’s represent their opinions as to the quality of municipal securities which they undertake to rate. Ratings are not absolute standards of quality; consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon, and rating may have different yields. There are variations in municipal securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors. It should also be pointed out that, unlike other types of investments, municipal securities have traditionally not been subject to regulation by, or registration with, the SEC, although there have been proposals which would provide for such regulation in the future.
The federal bankruptcy statutes relating to the debts of political subdivisions and authorities of states of the United States provide that, in certain circumstances, such subdivisions or authorities may be authorized to initiate bankruptcy proceedings without prior notice to or consent of creditors, which proceedings could result in material and adverse changes in the rights of holders of their obligations.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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Lawsuits challenging the validity under state constitutions of present systems of financing public education have been initiated or adjusted in a number of states, and legislation has been introduced to effect changes in public school financing in some states. In other instances there have been lawsuits challenging the issuance of pollution control revenue bonds or the validity of their issuance under state or federal law which could ultimately affect the validity of those municipal securities or the tax-free nature of the interest thereon.
Descriptions of some of the municipal securities and related investment types most commonly acquired by the Funds are provided below. In addition to those shown, other types of municipal investments are, or may become, available for investment by the Funds. For the purpose of each Fund’s investment restrictions set forth in this SAI, the identification of the “issuer” of a municipal security which is not a general obligation bond is made by the applicable Fund’s subadviser on the basis of the characteristics of the obligation, the most significant of which is the source of funds for the payment of principal and interest on such security.
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Municipal Bonds
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Municipal bonds, which meet longer-term capital needs and generally have maturities of more than one year when issued, have two principal classifications: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. Another type of municipal bond is referred to as an industrial development bond.
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General Obligation
Bonds
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Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, and water and sewer systems. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its full faith and credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.
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Industrial
Development Bonds
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Industrial development bonds, which are considered municipal bonds if the interest paid is exempt from Federal income tax, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports arenas and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment.
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Revenue Bonds
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The principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer’s obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security; including partially or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages,
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and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a state’s ability (without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
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Municipal Leases
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Each Fund may acquire participations in lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (hereinafter collectively called “lease obligations”) of municipal authorities or entities. Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for which the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation may be backed by the municipality’s covenant to budget for, appropriate, and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In addition to the “non-appropriation” risk, these securities represent a relatively new type of financing that has not yet developed the depth of marketability associated with more conventional bonds. In the case of a “non-appropriation” lease, the Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property in the event foreclosure might prove difficult. The Fund’s subadviser will evaluate the credit quality of a municipal lease and whether it will be considered liquid. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Investments” in this section of the SAI for information regarding the implications of these investments being considered illiquid.)
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Municipal Notes
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Municipal notes generally are used to provide for short-term working capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less. Municipal notes include bond anticipation notes, construction loan notes, revenue anticipation notes and tax anticipation notes.
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Bond Anticipation
Notes
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Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment of the notes.
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Construction Loan
Notes
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Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. After successful completion and acceptance, many projects receive permanent financing through FNMA or GNMA.
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Revenue Anticipation
Notes
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Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as Federal revenues available under Federal revenue sharing programs.
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Tax Anticipation Notes
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Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various seasonal tax revenue, such as income, sales, use and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes.
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Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper
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Tax-exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is issued by state and local governments or their agencies to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation of longer-term financing.
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Participation on Creditors’ Committees
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While the Funds do not invest in securities to exercise control over the securities’ issuers, each Fund may from time to time participate on committees formed by creditors to negotiate with the management of financially troubled issuers of securities held by the Fund. Such
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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participation may subject the relevant Fund to expenses such as legal fees and may make the Fund an “insider” of the issuer for purposes of the Federal securities laws, and therefore may restrict the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell a particular security when it might otherwise desire to do so. Participation by a Fund on such committees also may expose the Fund to potential liabilities under the federal bankruptcy laws or other laws governing the rights of creditors and debtors. A Fund will participate on such committees only when the Fund’s subadviser believes that such participation is necessary or desirable to enforce the Fund’s rights as a creditor or to protect the value of securities held by the Fund.
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Payable in Kind (“PIK”) Bonds
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PIK bonds are obligations which provide that the issuer thereof may, at its option, pay interest on such bonds in cash or “in kind”, which means in the form of additional debt securities. Such securities benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash. The Funds will accrue income on such investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the Funds’ distribution obligations. The market prices of PIK bonds generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically, and they are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than would otherwise similar bonds on which regular cash payments of interest are being made.
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Ratings
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The rating or quality of a debt security refers to a rating agency's assessment of the issuer’s creditworthiness, i.e., its ability to pay principal and interest when due. Higher ratings indicate better credit quality, as rated by independent rating organizations such as Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, which publish their ratings on a regular basis. Appendix A provides a description of the various ratings provided for bonds (including convertible bonds), municipal bonds, and commercial paper.
After a Fund purchases a debt security, the rating of that security may be reduced below the minimum rating acceptable for purchase by the Fund. A subsequent downgrade does not require the sale of the security, but the Fund’s subadviser will consider such an event in determining whether to continue to hold the obligation. To the extent that ratings established by Moody’s or S&P may change as a result of changes in such organizations or their rating systems, a Fund will invest in securities which are deemed by the Fund’s subadviser to be of comparable quality to securities whose current ratings render them eligible for purchase by the Fund.
Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market-value risk and therefore may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality.
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Sovereign Debt
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Each Fund may invest in “sovereign debt,” which is issued or guaranteed by foreign governments (including countries, provinces and municipalities) or their agencies and instrumentalities. Sovereign
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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debt may trade at a substantial discount from face value. The Funds may hold and trade sovereign debt of foreign countries in appropriate circumstances to participate in debt conversion programs. Emerging-market country sovereign debt involves a higher degree of risk than developed markets, is generally lower-quality debt, and is considered speculative in nature due, in part, to the extreme and volatile nature of debt burdens in such countries and because emerging market governments can be relatively unstable. The issuer or governmental authorities that control sovereign-debt repayment (“sovereign debtors”) may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash-flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy towards the IMF, and the political constraints to which the sovereign debtor may be subject. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearage on their debt. The commitment of these third parties to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the sovereign debtor’s implementation of economic reforms or economic performance and the timely service of the debtor’s obligations. The sovereign debtor’s failure to meet these conditions may cause these third parties to cancel their commitments to provide funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair the debtor’s ability or willingness to timely service its debts. In certain instances, the Funds may invest in sovereign debt that is in default as to payments of principal or interest. In the event that the Funds hold non-performing sovereign debt, the Funds may incur additional expenses in connection with any restructuring of the issuer’s obligations or in otherwise enforcing their rights thereunder.
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Brady Bonds
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Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in certain sovereign debt obligations known as “Brady Bonds.” Brady Bonds are issued under the framework of the Brady Plan, an initiative announced by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external indebtedness. The Brady Plan contemplates, among other things, the debtor nation’s adoption of certain economic reforms and the exchange of commercial bank debt for newly issued bonds. In restructuring its external debt under the Brady Plan framework, a debtor nation negotiates with its existing bank lenders as well as the World Bank or the IMF. The World Bank or IMF supports the restructuring by providing funds pursuant to loan agreements or other arrangements that enable the debtor nation to collateralize the new Brady Bonds or to replenish reserves used to reduce outstanding bank debt. Under these loan agreements or other arrangements with the World Bank or IMF, debtor nations have been required to agree to implement certain domestic monetary and fiscal reforms. The Brady Plan sets forth only general guiding principles for economic reform and debt reduction, emphasizing that solutions must be negotiated on a case-by-case basis between debtor nations and their creditors.
Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) the collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) the collateralized interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute the “residual risk”). In light of the residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds can be viewed as speculative.
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Stand-by Commitments
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Each Fund may purchase securities together with the right to resell them to the seller or a third party at an agreed-upon price or yield within specified periods prior to their maturity dates. Such a right to resell is commonly known as a stand-by commitment, and the aggregate price which a Fund pays for securities with a stand-by commitment may increase the cost, and thereby reduce the yield, of the security. The primary purpose of this practice is to permit the Fund to be as fully invested as practicable in municipal securities while preserving the necessary flexibility and liquidity to meet unanticipated redemptions. Stand-by commitments acquired by a Fund are valued at zero in determining the Fund’s NAV. Stand-by commitments involve certain expenses and risks, including the inability of the issuer of the commitment to pay for the securities at the time the commitment is exercised, non-marketability of the commitment, and differences between the maturity of the underlying security and the maturity of the commitment.
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Strip Bonds
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Strip bonds are debt securities that are stripped of their interest (usually by a financial intermediary) after the securities are issued. The market value of these securities generally fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities of comparable maturity.
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Tender Option Bonds
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Tender option bonds are relatively long-term bonds that are coupled with the option to tender the securities to a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution at periodic intervals and receive the face value of the bond. This investment structure is commonly used as a means of enhancing a security’s liquidity.
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Variable and Floating Rate Obligations
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Each Fund may purchase securities having a floating or variable rate of interest. These securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specific formula, usually with reference to some interest rate index or market interest rate (the “underlying index”). The floating rate tends to decrease the security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. These securities may carry demand features permitting the holder to demand payment of principal at any time or at specified intervals prior to maturity. Accordingly, as interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation or depreciation is less than for fixed-rate obligations.
In order to most effectively use these investments, a Fund’s subadviser must correctly assess probable movements in interest rates. This involves different skills than those used to select most other portfolio securities. If the Fund’s subadviser incorrectly forecasts such movements, the Fund could be adversely affected by the use of variable or floating rate obligations.
The floating and variable rate obligations that the Funds may purchase include variable rate demand securities. Variable rate demand securities are variable rate securities that have demand features entitling the purchaser to resell the securities to the issuer at an amount approximately equal to amortized cost or the principal
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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amount thereof plus accrued interest, which may be more or less than the price that the Fund paid for them. The interest rate on variable rate demand securities also varies either according to some objective standard, such as an index of short-term, tax-exempt rates, or according to rates set by or on behalf of the issuer.
When a Fund purchases a floating or variable rate demand instrument, the Fund’s subadviser will monitor, on an ongoing basis, the ability of the issuer to pay principal and interest on demand. The Fund’s right to obtain payment at par on a demand instrument could be affected by events occurring between the date the Fund elects to demand payment and the date payment is due that may affect the ability of the issuer of the instrument to make payment when due, except when such demand instrument permits same day settlement. To facilitate settlement, these same day demand instruments may be held in book entry form at a bank other than the Funds’ custodian subject to a sub-custodian agreement between the bank and the Funds’ custodian.
The floating and variable rate obligations that the Funds may purchase also include certificates of participation in such obligations purchased from banks. A certificate of participation gives the Fund an undivided interest in the underlying obligations in the proportion that the Fund’s interest bears to the total principal amount of the obligation. Certain certificates of participation may carry a demand feature that would permit the holder to tender them back to the issuer prior to maturity.
The income received on certificates of participation in tax-exempt municipal obligations constitutes interest from tax-exempt obligations.
Each Fund will limit its purchases of floating and variable rate obligations to those of the same quality as it otherwise is allowed to purchase. Similar to fixed rate debt instruments, variable and floating rate instruments are subject to changes in value based on changes in prevailing market interest rates or changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness.
A floating or variable rate instrument may be subject to a Fund’s percentage limitation on illiquid securities if there is no reliable trading market for the instrument or if the Fund may not demand payment of the principal amount within seven days. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
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Zero and Deferred Coupon Debt Securities
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Each Fund may invest in debt obligations that do not make any interest payments for a specified period of time prior to maturity (“deferred coupon” bonds) or until maturity (“zero coupon” bonds). The nonpayment of interest on a current basis may result from the bond’s having no stated interest rate, in which case the bond pays only principal at maturity and is normally initially issued at a discount from face value. Alternatively, the bond may provide for a stated rate of interest, but provide that such interest is not payable until maturity, in which case the bond may initially be issued at par. The value to the investor of these types of bonds is represented by the economic accretion either of the difference between the purchase price and the nominal principal amount (if no interest is stated to accrue) or of accrued, unpaid interest during the bond’s life or payment deferral period.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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Because deferred and zero coupon bonds do not make interest payments for a certain period of time, they are generally purchased by a Fund at a deep discount and their value fluctuates more in response to interest rate changes than does the value of debt obligations that make current interest payments. The degree of fluctuation with interest rate changes is greater when the deferred period is longer. Therefore, when a Fund invests in zero or deferred coupon bonds, there is a risk that the value of the Fund’s shares may decline more as a result of an increase in interest rates than would be the case if the Fund did not invest in such bonds.
Even though zero and deferred coupon bonds may not pay current interest in cash, each Fund is required to accrue interest income on such investments and to distribute such amounts to shareholders. Thus, a Fund would not be able to purchase income-producing securities to the extent cash is used to pay such distributions, and, therefore, the Fund’s current income could be less than it otherwise would have been. Instead of using cash, the Fund might liquidate investments in order to satisfy these distribution requirements.
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Derivative Investments
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Each Fund may invest in various types of derivatives, which may at times result in significant derivative exposure. A derivative is a financial instrument whose performance is derived from the performance of another asset. Each Fund may invest in derivative instruments including, but not limited to: futures contracts, put options, call options, options on future contracts, options on foreign currencies, swaps, forward contracts, structured investments, and other equity-linked derivatives.
Each Fund may use derivative instruments for hedging (to offset risks associated with an investment, currency exposure, or market conditions) or in pursuit of its investment objective(s) and policies (to seek to enhance returns). When a Fund invests in a derivative, the risks of loss of that derivative may be greater than the derivative’s cost. No Fund may use any derivative to gain exposure to an asset or class of assets that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly. In addition to other considerations, a Fund’s ability to use derivative instruments may be limited by tax considerations. (See “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” in this SAI.)
Investments in derivatives may subject a Fund to special risks in addition to normal market fluctuations and other risks inherent in investment in securities. For example, a percentage of the Fund’s assets may be segregated to cover its obligations with respect to the derivative investment, which may make it more difficult for the Fund’s subadviser to meet redemption requests or other short-term obligations.
Investments in derivatives in general are also subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Investments in derivatives may not directly correlate with the price movements of the underlying instrument. As a result, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than otherwise would be the case.
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Credit-linked Notes
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Credit-linked notes are derivative instruments used to transfer credit risk. The performance of the notes is linked to the performance of the underlying reference obligation or reference portfolio (“reference
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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entities”). The notes are usually issued by a special purpose vehicle that sells credit protection through a credit default swap agreement in return for a premium and an obligation to pay the transaction sponsor should a reference entity experience a credit event, such as bankruptcy. The special purpose vehicle invests the proceeds from the notes to cover its contingent obligation. Revenue from the investments and the money received as premium are used to pay interest to note holders. The main risk of credit linked notes is the risk of default to the reference obligation of the credit default swap. Should a default occur, the special purpose vehicle would have to pay the transaction sponsor, subordinating payments to the note holders. Credit linked notes also may not be liquid and may be subject to currency and interest rate risks as well.
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Eurodollar Instruments
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The Funds may invest in Eurodollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and time deposits issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S. banks and by foreign banks. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. A Fund might use Eurodollar instruments to hedge against changes in interest rates or to enhance returns.
Eurodollar obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain to domestic issuers, most notably income risk (and, to a lesser extent, credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk). Additionally, Eurodollar obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital, in the form of dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments, the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions, the imposition of foreign withholding taxes, and expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers. However, Eurodollar obligations will undergo the same type of credit analysis as domestic issuers in which a Fund invests.
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Equity-linked Derivatives
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Each Fund may invest in equity-linked derivative products the performance of which is designed to correspond generally to the performance of a specified stock index or "basket" of stocks, or to a single stock. Investments in equity-linked derivatives involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the types of securities such products are designed to track. There can be no assurance that the trading price of the equity-linked derivatives will equal the underlying value of the securities purchased to replicate a particular investment or that such basket will replicate the investment.
Investments in equity-linked derivatives may constitute investments in other investment companies. (See “Mutual Fund Investing” in this section of the SAI for information regarding the implications of a Fund investing in other investment companies.)
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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts, Futures and Options
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Each Fund may engage in certain derivative foreign currency exchange and option transactions involving investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If a Fund’s subadviser’s predictions of movements in the direction of securities prices or currency exchange rates are inaccurate, the adverse consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such strategies. Risks inherent in the use of option and foreign currency forward and futures contracts include: (1) dependence on the Fund’s
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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subadviser’s ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of securities prices and currency exchange rates; (2) imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged; (3) the fact that the skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities; (4) the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time; and (5) the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences. The Fund’s ability to enter into futures contracts is also limited by the requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company. (See the “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” section of this SAI.)
A Fund may engage in currency exchange transactions to protect against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates. In addition, a Fund may write covered put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of increasing its return.
A Fund may enter into contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date (“forward contracts”) and purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts. For certain hedging purposes, the Fund may also purchase exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A put option on a futures contract gives the Fund the right to assume a short position in the futures contract until the expiration of the option. A put option on a currency gives the Fund the right to sell the currency at an exercise price until the expiration of the option. A call option on a futures contract gives the Fund the right to assume a long position in the futures contract until the expiration of the option. A call option on a currency gives the Fund the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the expiration of the option.
When engaging in position hedging, a Fund enters into foreign currency exchange transactions to protect against a decline in the values of the foreign currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated (or an increase in the values of currency for securities which the Fund expects to purchase, when the Fund holds cash or short-term investments). In connection with position hedging, the Fund may purchase put or call options on foreign currency and on foreign currency futures contracts and buy or sell forward contracts and foreign currency futures contracts. (A Fund may also purchase or sell foreign currency on a spot basis, as discussed in “Foreign Currency Transactions” under “Foreign Investing” in this section of the SAI.)
The precise matching of the amounts of foreign currency exchange transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved will not generally be possible since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the dates they mature. It is also impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward or futures contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for a Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the security or securities being hedged is less than the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and a decision is made to sell the security or securities and make delivery of the foreign currency.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security or securities if the market value of such security or securities exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.
Hedging techniques do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities which a Fund owns or intends to purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of exchange which one can achieve at some future point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might result from the increase in value of such currency.
A Fund may seek to increase its return or to offset some of the costs of hedging against fluctuations in currency exchange rates by writing covered put options and covered call options on foreign currencies. In that case, the Fund receives a premium from writing a put or call option, which increases the Fund’s current return if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a net profit. A Fund may terminate an option that it has written prior to its expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction in which it purchases an option having the same terms as the option written.
A Fund’s currency hedging transactions may call for the delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign currency and may at times not involve currencies in which its portfolio securities are then denominated. A Fund’s subadviser will engage in such “cross hedging” activities when it believes that such transactions provide significant hedging opportunities for the Fund. Cross hedging transactions by a Fund involve the risk of imperfect correlation between changes in the values of the currencies to which such transactions relate and changes in the value of the currency or other asset or liability which is the subject of the hedge.
Foreign currency forward contracts, futures and options may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States; may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees; and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the relevant Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading volume.
The types of derivative foreign currency exchange transactions most commonly employed by the Funds are discussed below, although each Fund is also permitted to engage in other similar transactions to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment limitations and restrictions.
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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
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A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (“term”) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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A Fund will specifically designate on its accounting records any asset, including equity securities and non-investment-grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market daily in an amount not less than the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for the purchase of a foreign currency. If the value of the securities specifically designated declines, additional cash or securities will be added so that the specifically designated amount is not less than the amount of the Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts.
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Foreign Currency Futures Transactions
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Each Fund may use foreign currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts. Through the purchase or sale of such contracts, a Fund may be able to achieve many of the same objectives attainable through the use of foreign currency forward contracts, but more effectively and possibly at a lower cost.
Unlike forward foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currency futures contracts are standardized as to amount and delivery period and are traded on boards of trade and commodities exchanges. It is anticipated that such contracts may provide greater liquidity and lower cost than forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
Purchasers and sellers of foreign currency futures contracts are subject to the same risks that apply to the buying and selling of futures generally. In addition, there are risks associated with foreign currency futures contracts similar to those associated with options on foreign currencies. (See “Foreign Currency Options” and “Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts”, each in this sub-section of the SAI.) The Fund must accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign currency, through banking arrangements, in accordance with any U.S. or foreign restrictions or regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents and may be required to pay any fees, taxes or charges associated with such delivery which are assessed in the issuing country.
To the extent required to comply with SEC Release No. IC-10666, when entering into a futures contract or an option transaction, a Fund will specifically designate on its accounting records any asset, including equity securities and non-investment-grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market daily equal to the net amount of the Fund’s obligation. For foreign currency futures transactions, the prescribed amount will generally be the daily value of the futures contract, marked to market.
Futures contracts are designed by boards of trade which are designated “contracts markets” by the CFTC. Futures contracts trade on contracts markets in a manner that is similar to the way a stock trades on a stock exchange and the boards of trade, through their clearing corporations, guarantee performance of the contracts. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds may invest in futures contracts under specified conditions without being regulated as commodity pools. However, under recently amended CFTC rules the Funds’ ability to maintain the exclusions/exemptions from the definition of commodity pool may be limited. (See “Commodity Interests” in this section of the SAI.)
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Foreign Currency Options
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A foreign currency option provides the option buyer with the right to buy or sell a stated amount of foreign currency at the exercise price at a specified date or during the option period. A call option gives its
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy the currency, while a put option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell the currency. The option seller (writer) is obligated to fulfill the terms of the option sold if it is exercised. However, either seller or buyer may close its position during the option period for such options any time prior to expiration.
A call rises in value if the underlying currency appreciates. Conversely, a put rises in value if the underlying currency depreciates. While purchasing a foreign currency option can protect a Fund against an adverse movement in the value of a foreign currency, it does not limit the gain which might result from a favorable movement in the value of such currency. For example, if the Fund were holding securities denominated in an appreciating foreign currency and had purchased a foreign currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of the currency, it would not have to exercise its put. Similarly, if the Fund had entered into a contract to purchase a security denominated in a foreign currency and had purchased a foreign currency call to hedge against a rise in the value of the currency but instead the currency had depreciated in value between the date of purchase and the settlement date, the Fund would not have to exercise its call but could acquire in the spot market the amount of foreign currency needed for settlement.
The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the underlying currency relative to the other referenced currency. As a result, the price of the option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies and have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security, including foreign securities held in a “hedged” investment portfolio. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, the Funds may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
As in the case of other kinds of options, the use of foreign currency options constitutes only a partial hedge, and a Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may not necessarily constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates and, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
Options on foreign currencies written or purchased by a Fund may be traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over the counter. There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies traded over the counter or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information available is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (i.e., less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that the options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that are not reflected in the options market.
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For additional information about options transactions, see “Options” under “Derivative Investments” in this section of the SAI.
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Foreign Currency Warrants
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Foreign currency warrants such as currency exchange warrants are warrants that entitle the holder to receive from the issuer an amount of cash (generally, for warrants issued in the United States, in U.S. dollars) that is calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula and based on the exchange rate between two specified currencies as of the exercise date of the warrant. Foreign currency warrants generally are exercisable upon their issuance and expire as of a specified date and time.
Foreign currency warrants may be used to reduce the currency exchange risk assumed by purchasers of a security by, for example, providing for a supplemental payment in the event the U.S. dollar depreciates against the value of a major foreign currency such as the Japanese Yen or Euro. The formula used to determine the amount payable upon exercise of a foreign currency warrant may make the warrant worthless unless the applicable foreign currency exchange rate moves in a particular direction (e.g., unless the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates against the particular foreign currency to which the warrant is linked or indexed).
Foreign currency warrants are severable from the debt obligations with which they may be offered, and may be listed on exchanges. Foreign currency warrants may be exercisable only in certain minimum amounts, and an investor wishing to exercise warrants who possesses less than the minimum number required for exercise may be required either to sell the warrants or to purchase additional warrants, thereby incurring additional transaction costs. Upon exercise of warrants, there may be a delay between the time the holder gives instructions to exercise and the time the exchange rate relating to exercise is determined, thereby affecting both the market and cash settlement values of the warrants being exercised. The expiration date of the warrants may be accelerated if the warrants should be delisted from an exchange or if their trading should be suspended permanently, which would result in the loss of any remaining “time value” of the warrants (i.e., the difference between the current market value and the exercise value of the warrants), and, if the warrants were “out-of-the-money,” in a total loss of the purchase price of the warrants.
Warrants are generally unsecured obligations of their issuers and are not standardized foreign currency options issued by the OCC. Unlike foreign currency options issued by OCC, the terms of foreign exchange warrants generally will not be amended in the event of governmental or regulatory actions affecting exchange rates or in the event of the imposition of other regulatory controls affecting the international currency markets. The initial public offering price of foreign currency warrants could be considerably in excess of the price that a commercial user of foreign currencies might pay in the interbank market for a comparable option involving larger amounts of foreign currencies. Foreign currency warrants are subject to significant foreign exchange risk, including risks arising from complex political or economic factors.
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Performance Indexed Paper
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Performance indexed paper is commercial paper the yield of which is linked to certain currency exchange rate movements. The yield to the investor on performance indexed paper is established at maturity as a
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function of spot exchange rates between the designated currencies as of or about the 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 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.
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Principal Exchange Rate Linked Securities (“PERLS”)
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PERLS are debt obligations the principal on which is payable at maturity in an amount that may vary based on the exchange rate between the particular currencies at or about that time. The return on “standard” principal exchange rate linked securities is enhanced if the currency to which the security is linked appreciates against the base currency, and is adversely affected by increases in the exchange value of the base currency. “Reverse” PERLS are like the “standard” securities, except that their return is enhanced by increases in the value of the base currency and adversely impacted by increases in the value of other currency. Interest payments on the securities are generally made at rates that reflect the degree of currency risk assumed or given up by the purchaser of the notes (i.e., at relatively higher interest rates if the purchaser has assumed some of the currency exchange risk, or relatively lower interest rates if the issuer has assumed some of the currency exchange risk, based on the expectations of the current market). PERLS may in limited cases be subject to acceleration of maturity (generally, not without the consent of the holders of the securities), which may have an adverse impact on the value of the principal payment to be made at maturity.
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Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
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Each Fund may use interest rate, foreign currency, dividend, volatility or index futures contracts. An interest rate, foreign currency, dividend, volatility or index futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, foreign currency, dividend basket or the cash value of an index at a specified price and time. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of these securities is made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering several indexes as well as a number of financial instruments and foreign currencies, and it is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future. Interest rate and volatility futures contracts currently are traded in the United States primarily on the floors of the Chicago Board of Trade and the International Monetary Market of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Interest rate futures also are traded on foreign exchanges such as the London International Financial Futures Exchange and the Singapore International Monetary Exchange. Volatility futures also are traded on foreign exchanges such as Eurex. Dividend futures are also traded on foreign exchanges such as Eurex, NYSE Euronext Liffe, London Stock Exchange and the Singapore International Monetary Exchange.
A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures. Futures options possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indexes discussed above. A futures option gives the
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Each of the Alternative Total Solution Fund and Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund will not limit its use of futures contracts and futures options to hedging transactions, and its investments in futures are likely to cause it to be considered a commodity pool. (See “Commodity Interests” in this SAI.)
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holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true.
Except as otherwise described in this SAI, the Funds will limit their use of futures contracts and futures options to hedging transactions and in an attempt to increase total return, in accordance with Federal regulations. The costs of, and possible losses incurred from, futures contracts and options thereon may reduce the Fund’s current income and involve a loss of principal. Any incremental return earned by the Fund resulting from these transactions would be expected to offset anticipated losses or a portion thereof.
The Funds will only enter into futures contracts and futures options which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system.
When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by a Fund, the Fund is required to deposit with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) a specified amount of cash or U.S. Government securities (“initial margin”). The margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. The Funds expect to earn interest income on their initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by a Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or receives cash, called “variation margin,” equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as “marking to market.” Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily NAV, the Fund will mark to market its open futures positions.
The Funds are also required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by them. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and other futures positions held by the relevant Fund.
To the extent required to comply with SEC Release No. IC-10666, when entering into a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, a Fund will specifically designate on its accounting records any asset, including equity securities and non-investment-grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market daily equal to the prescribed amount. Generally, for cash-settled futures contracts the prescribed amount is the net amount of the Fund’s obligation, and for non-cash-settled futures contracts the prescribed about is the notional value of the reference obligation.
Futures contracts are designed by boards of trade which are designated “contracts markets” by the CFTC. Futures contracts trade on contracts markets in a manner that is similar to the way a stock
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trades on a stock exchange and the boards of trade, through their clearing corporations, guarantee performance of the contracts. A Fund’s ability to claim an exclusion or exemption from the definition of a commodity pool may be limited when the Fund invests in futures contracts. (See “Commodity Interests” in this SAI.)
The requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company also may limit the extent to which a Fund may enter into futures, futures options or forward contracts. (See the “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” section of this SAI.)
Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sales price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.
Positions in futures contracts and related options may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for such contracts or options. The Fund will enter into an option or futures position only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option or futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close out a futures or related option position. In the case of a futures position, in the event of adverse price movements the Fund would continue to be required to make daily margin payments. In this situation, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily margin requirements it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet its margin obligations at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to take or make delivery of the securities underlying the futures contracts it holds. The inability to close out futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to hedge its portfolio effectively.
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts as a hedging device. While hedging can provide protection against an adverse movement in market prices, it can also limit a hedger’s opportunity to benefit fully from a favorable market movement. In addition, investing in futures contracts and options on futures contracts will cause the Fund to incur additional brokerage commissions and may cause an increase in the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate.
The successful use of futures contracts and related options may also depend on the ability of the relevant Fund’s subadviser to forecast correctly the direction and extent of market movements, interest rates and other market factors within a given time frame. To the extent market prices remain stable during the period a futures contract or option is held by a Fund or such prices move in a direction opposite to that anticipated, the Fund may realize a loss on the transaction which is not offset by an increase in the value of its portfolio securities. Options and futures may also fail as a hedging technique in cases where the movements of the securities underlying the options and futures do not follow the price movements of the hedged portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund’s total return for the period may be
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less than if it had not engaged in the hedging transaction. The loss from investing in futures transactions is potentially unlimited.
Utilization of futures contracts by a Fund involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities which are being hedged. If the price of the futures contract moves more or less than the price of the securities being hedged, the Fund will experience a gain or loss which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the securities. It is possible that, where a Fund has sold futures contracts to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the market may advance and the value of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract and would also experience a decline in value in its portfolio securities. Where futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in the prices of securities before the Fund is able to invest its cash (or cash equivalents) in securities (or options) in an orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline; if the Fund then determines not to invest in securities (or options) at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures that would not be offset by a reduction in the price of the securities purchased.
The market prices of futures contracts may be affected if participants in the futures market elect to close out their contracts through off-setting transactions rather than to meet margin deposit requirements. In such case, distortions in the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets could result. Price distortions could also result if investors in futures contracts opt to make or take delivery of the underlying securities rather than to engage in closing transactions because such action would reduce the liquidity of the futures market. In addition, from the point of view of speculators, because the deposit requirements in the futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the cash market, increased participation by speculators in the futures market could cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in the futures market and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of securities and movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast of market trends may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of put or call options on futures contracts involves less potential risk for the Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options plus transaction costs. However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of an option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the Fund while the purchase or sale of the futures contract would not have resulted in a loss, such as when there is no movement in the price of the underlying securities.
For additional information about options transactions, see “Options” under “Derivative Investments” in this section of the SAI.
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Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities
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Each Fund may purchase mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, which collectively are securities backed by mortgages, installment contracts, credit card receivables or other financial assets. Asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of assets in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are made periodically, thus in effect “passing through” such payments made by the individual borrowers on the assets that underlie the
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securities, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. The average life of asset-backed securities varies with the maturities of the underlying instruments, and the average life of a mortgage-backed instrument, in particular, is likely to be less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the securities as a result of mortgage prepayments, where applicable. For this and other reasons, an asset-backed security’s stated maturity may be different, and the security’s total return may be difficult to predict precisely.
If an asset-backed security is purchased at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. Conversely, if an asset-backed security is purchased at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase yield to maturity, while slower than expected prepayments will decrease yield to maturity.
Prepayments of principal of mortgage-related securities by mortgagors or mortgage foreclosures affect the average life of the mortgage-related securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Mortgage prepayments are affected by the level of interest rates and other factors, including general economic conditions and the underlying location and age of the mortgage. In periods of rising interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to decrease, lengthening the average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. The longer the remaining maturity of a security the greater the effect of interest rate changes will be. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of its creditworthiness also affect the market value of that issuer’s debt securities.
In periods of falling interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to increase, shortening the average life of a pool. Because prepayments of principal generally occur when interest rates are declining, it is likely that the Fund, to the extent that it retains the same percentage of debt securities, may have to reinvest the proceeds of prepayments at lower interest rates than those of its previous investments. If this occurs, that Fund’s yield will correspondingly decline. Thus, mortgage-related securities may have less potential for capital appreciation in periods of falling interest rates than other fixed income securities of comparable duration, although they may have a comparable risk of decline in market value in periods of rising interest rates. To the extent that the Fund purchases mortgage-related securities at a premium, unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, result in a loss equal to any unamortized premium.
Duration is one of the fundamental tools used by a Fund's subadviser in managing interest rate risks including prepayment risks. Traditionally, a debt security’s “term to maturity” characterizes a security’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. “Term to maturity,” however, measures only the time until a debt security provides its final payment, taking no account of prematurity payments. Most debt securities provide interest (“coupon”) payments in addition to a final (“par”) payment at maturity, and some securities have call provisions allowing the issuer to repay the instrument in full before maturity date, each of which affect the security’s response to interest rate changes. “Duration” therefore is generally considered a more precise measure of interest rate risk than “term to maturity.” Determining duration may involve a subadviser’s estimates of future economic parameters, which may vary from actual future values. Generally, fixed income securities with longer effective durations are more responsive to
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interest rate fluctuations than those with shorter effective durations. For example, if interest rates rise by 1%, the value of securities having an effective duration of three years will generally decrease by approximately 3%.
Descriptions of some of the different types of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities most commonly acquired by the Funds are provided below. In addition to those shown, other types of mortgage-related and asset-backed investments are, or may become, available for investment by the Funds.
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”)
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CMOs are hybrid instruments with characteristics of both mortgage-backed and mortgage pass-through securities. Interest and prepaid principal on a CMO are paid, in most cases, monthly. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by entities such as GNMA, FHLMC, or FNMA, and their income streams.
CMOs are typically structured in multiple classes, each bearing a different 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 typically receive principal only after the first class has been retired. An investor may be partially guarded against a sooner than desired return of principal because of the sequential payments.
FHLMC CMOs are debt obligations of FHLMC issued in multiple classes having different maturity dates and are secured by the pledge of a pool of conventional mortgage loans purchased by FHLMC. The amount of principal payable on each monthly payment date is determined in accordance with FHLMC’s mandatory sinking fund schedule. Sinking fund payments in the CMOs are allocated to the retirement of the individual classes of bonds in the order of their stated maturities. Payments 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 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 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 FHLMC’s minimum sinking fund obligation on the next sinking fund payment date, FHLMC agrees to make up the deficiency from its general funds.
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CMO Residuals
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CMO residuals are derivative mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. As described above, the cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses of the issuer. The “residual” in a CMO structure generally represents the
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interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and, in particular, the prepayment experience on the mortgage assets. In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. In certain circumstances a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual.
CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. The CMO residual market currently may not have the liquidity of other more established securities trading in other markets. CMO residuals may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, may be deemed illiquid and therefore subject to the Funds’ limitations on investment in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
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Mortgage Pass-through Securities
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Mortgage pass-through securities are interests in pools of mortgage loans, assembled and issued by various governmental, government-related, and private organizations. Unlike other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates, these securities provide a monthly payment consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential or commercial mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs. “Modified pass-through” securities (such as securities issued by GNMA) entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.
The principal governmental guarantor of U.S. mortgage-related securities is GNMA. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the United States Government, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by institutions approved by GNMA (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of Federal Housing Administration insured or Veterans Administration guaranteed mortgages. Government-related guarantors whose obligations are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates that represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FNMA and FHLMC guarantee the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on securities they issue, but the securities they
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issue are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Government.
Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/ or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments for such securities. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. Such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof will be considered in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets a Fund’s investment quality standards. There can be no assurance that the private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. A Fund may buy mortgage-related securities without insurance or guarantees if, through an examination of the loan experience and practices of the originator/servicers and poolers, the Fund’s subadviser determines that the securities meet the Fund’s quality standards. Securities issued by certain private organizations may not be readily marketable and may therefore be subject to the Funds’ limitations on investments in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
Mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, are not subject to the Funds’ industry concentration restrictions set forth in the “Investment Restrictions” section of this SAI by virtue of the exclusion from the test available to all U.S. Government securities. The Funds will take the position that privately-issued, mortgage-related securities do not represent interests in any particular “industry” or group of industries. The assets underlying such securities may be represented by a portfolio of first lien residential mortgages (including both whole mortgage loans and mortgage participation interests) or portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. Mortgage loans underlying a mortgage-related security may in turn be insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs. In the case of private issue mortgage-related securities 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, the security may 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 residential homeowners to make payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages.
It is possible that the availability and the marketability (that is, liquidity) of the securities discussed in this section could be adversely affected by the actions of the U.S. Government to tighten the availability of its credit. On September 7, 2008, the FHFA, an agency of the U.S.
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Government, placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. FHFA will act as the conservator to operate FNMA and FHLMC until they are stabilized. The conservatorship is still in effect as of the date of this SAI and has no specified termination date. There can be no assurance as to when or how the conservatorship will be terminated or whether FNMA or FHLMC will continue to exist following the conservatorship or what their respective business structures will be during or following the conservatorship. FHFA, as conservator, has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by FNMA or FHLMC prior to its appointment if it determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of FNMA’s or FHLMC’s affairs. Furthermore, FHFA has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of FNMA or FHLMC without any approval, assignment or consent. If FHFA were to transfer any such guarantee obligation to another party, holders of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities would have to rely on that party for satisfaction of the guarantee obligation and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.
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Other Asset-Backed Securities
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Through trusts and other special purpose entities, various types of securities based on financial assets other than mortgage loans are increasingly available, in both pass-through structures similar to mortgage pass-through securities described above and in other structures more like CMOs. As with mortgage-related securities, these asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of financial assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. They often include credit-enhancement features similar to mortgage-related securities.
Financial assets on which these securities are based include automobile receivables; credit card receivables; loans to finance boats, recreational vehicles, and mobile homes; computer, copier, railcar, and medical equipment leases; and trade, healthcare, and franchise receivables. In general, the obligations supporting these asset-backed securities are of shorter maturities than mortgage loans and are less likely to experience substantial prepayments. However, obligations such as credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the obligors are often entitled to protection under a number of consumer credit laws granting, among other things, rights to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thus reducing the balance due. Other obligations that are secured, such as automobile receivables, may present issuers with difficulties in perfecting and executing on the security interests, particularly where the issuer allows the servicers of the receivables to retain possession of the underlying obligations, thus increasing the risk that recoveries on defaulted obligations may not be adequate to support payments on the securities.
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Stripped Mortgage-backed Securities (“SMBS”)
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SMBS are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. They may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will
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receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class security is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on a Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in these securities even if the security is in one of the highest rating categories. The market value of the PO class generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates.
Although SMBS are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently developed. As a result, established trading markets have not yet developed and, accordingly, these securities may be deemed illiquid and therefore subject to the Funds’ limitations on investment in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
Each Fund may invest in other mortgage-related securities with features similar to those described above, to the extent consistent with the relevant Fund’s investment objectives and policies.
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Options
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Each Fund may purchase or sell put and call options on securities, indices and other financial instruments. Options may relate to particular securities, foreign and domestic securities indices, financial instruments, volatility, credit default, foreign currencies or the yield differential between two securities. Such options may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the OCC.
A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and a writer the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price before the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. A premium is paid to the writer by the purchaser in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell and a writer the obligation to buy the security at the stated exercise price before the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.
To the extent required to comply with SEC Release No. IC-10666, options written by a Fund will be covered and will remain covered as long as the Fund is obligated as a writer. A call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying security or its equivalent covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration if such cash is segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds on a share-for-share or equal principal amount basis a call on the same security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or greater than the exercise price of the call written if appropriate liquid assets representing the difference are segregated by the Fund. A put option is “covered” if the Fund maintains appropriate liquid securities with a value equal to the exercise price, or owns on a share-for-share or equal principal amount basis a put on the same security as the put written where the
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exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.
A Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a covered call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a secured put option written by it, may be terminated before the expiration of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction. This means that a Fund buys an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. Such a purchase does not result in the ownership of an option. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a closing purchase plus related transaction costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will experience a loss. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. A Fund that has written an option and is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument (in the case of a covered call option) or liquidate the segregated assets (in the case of a secured put option) until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. The Fund will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.
To the extent required to comply with SEC Release No. IC-10666, when entering into an option transaction, a Fund will specifically designate on its accounting records any asset, including equity securities and non-investment-grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market daily equal to the market value of the security or index on which the option is written. For options transactions, the prescribed amount will generally be the market value of the underlying instrument but will not be less than the excercise price.
Options purchased are recorded as an asset and written options are recorded as liabilities to the extent of premiums paid or received. The amount of this asset or liability will be subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option purchased or written. The current value of the traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the current bid price. If an option purchased by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a loss equal to the premium paid. If a Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by a Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if a Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold), and the liability related to such option will be eliminated. If an option written by a Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.
Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails more complex and potentially greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments and, therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to
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greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
There are several other risks associated with options. For example, there are significant differences among the securities, currency, volatility, credit default and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation among these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons that include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the OCC may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The staff of the SEC currently takes the position that options not traded on registered domestic securities exchanges and the assets used to cover the amount of the Fund’s obligation pursuant to such options are illiquid, and are therefore subject to each Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. However, for options written with “primary dealers” in U.S. Government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing transaction at the formula price, the amount considered to be illiquid may be calculated by reference to a formula price. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
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Options on Indexes and “Yield Curve” Options
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Each Fund may enter into options on indexes or options on the “spread,” or yield differential, between two fixed income securities, in transactions referred to as “yield curve” options. Options on indexes and yield curve options provide the holder with the right to make or receive a cash settlement upon exercise of the option. With respect to options on indexes, the amount of the settlement will equal the difference between the closing price of the index at the time of exercise and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars, times a specified multiple. With respect to yield curve options, the amount of the settlement will equal the difference between the yields of designated securities.
With respect to yield curve options, a call or put option is covered if a Fund holds another call or put, respectively, on the spread between the same two securities and maintains in a segregated account liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, the Fund’s liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amount of the Fund’s liability under the option it wrote less the value of the option it holds. A Fund may also cover yield curve options in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations.
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The trading of these types of options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, yield curve options present risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
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Reset Options
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In certain instances, a Fund may purchase or write options on U.S. Treasury securities, which provide for periodic adjustment of the strike price and may also provide for the periodic adjustment of the premium during the term of each such option. Like other types of options, these transactions, which may be referred to as “reset” options or “adjustable strike” options grant the purchaser the right to purchase (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put), a specified type of U.S. Treasury security at any time up to a stated expiration date (or, in certain instances, on such date). In contrast to other types of options, however, the price at which the underlying security may be purchased or sold under a “reset” option is determined at various intervals during the term of the option, and such price fluctuates from interval to interval based on changes in the market value of the underlying security. As a result, the strike price of a “reset” option, at the time of exercise, may be less advantageous than if the strike price had been fixed at the initiation of the option. In addition, the premium paid for the purchase of the option may be determined at the termination, rather than the initiation, of the option. If the premium for a reset option written by a Fund is paid at termination, the Fund assumes the risk that (i) the premium may be less than the premium which would otherwise have been received at the initiation of the option because of such factors as the volatility in yield of the underlying Treasury security over the term of the option and adjustments made to the strike price of the option, and (ii) the option purchaser may default on its obligation to pay the premium at the termination of the option. Conversely, where a Fund purchases a reset option, it could be required to pay a higher premium than would have been the case at the initiation of the option.
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Swaptions
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A Fund may enter into swaption contracts, which give the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset or instrument at a specified strike price on or before a specified date. Over-the-counter swaptions, although providing greater flexibility, may involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options as they are not backed by the clearing organisation of the exchanges where they are traded, and as such, there is a risk that the seller will not settle as agreed. A Fund’s financial liability associated with swaptions is linked to the marked-to-market value of the notional underlying investments. Purchased swaption contracts are exposed to a maximum loss equal to the price paid for the option/swaption (the premium) and no further liability. Written swaptions, however, give the right of potential exercise to a third party, and the maximum loss to the Fund in the case of an uncovered swaption is unlimited.
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Swap Agreements
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Each Fund may enter into swap agreements on, among other things, interest rates, indices, securities and currency exchange rates. A Fund's subadviser may use swaps in an attempt to obtain for the Fund a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods typically ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties
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agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of the swap agreement is only a fictive basis on which to calculate the obligations the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. A Fund’s obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). A Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily on the Fund's accounting records (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by specifically designating on the accounting records of the Fund liquid assets to avoid leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio.
Because swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, they may be considered to be illiquid and therefore subject to the Funds’ limitations on investment in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.) Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund’s subadviser will cause the Fund to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement counterparties under the Funds’ repurchase agreement guidelines. (See “Repurchase Agreements” in this section of the SAI.) Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit the Funds’ ability to use swap agreements. (See the “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” section of this SAI.) The swaps market is a relatively new market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
Certain swap agreements are exempt from most provisions of the CEA and, therefore, are not regulated as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA, pursuant to regulations of the CFTC. To qualify for this exemption, a swap agreement must be entered into by eligible participants and must meet certain conditions (each pursuant to the CEA and regulations of the CFTC). However, recent CFTC rule amendments dictate that certain swap agreements be considered commodity interests for purposes of the CEA. (See “Commodity Interests” in this section of the SAI for additional information regarding the implications of investments being considered commodity interests under the CEA.)
Recently, the SEC and the CFTC have developed rules under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to create a new, comprehensive regulatory framework for swap transactions. Under the new regulations, certain swap transactions will be required to be executed on a regulated trading platform and cleared through a derivatives clearing organization. Additionally, the new regulations impose other requirements on the parties entering
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into swap transactions, including requirements relating to posting margin, and reporting and documenting swap transactions. A Fund engaging in swap transactions may incur additional expenses as a result of these new regulatory requirements. The Adviser is continuing to monitor the implementation of the new regulations and to assess their impact on the Funds.
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Credit Default Swap Agreements
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Each Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements. A credit default swap is a bilateral financial contract in which one party (the protection buyer) pays a periodic fee in return for a contingent payment by the protection seller following a credit event of a reference issuer. The protection buyer must either sell particular obligations issued by the reference issuer for its par value (or some other designated reference or strike price) when a credit event occurs or receive a cash settlement based on the difference between the market price and such reference price. A credit event is commonly defined as bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, material adverse restructuring of debt, or failure to meet payment obligations when due. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If a Fund is a buyer and no event of default occurs, the Fund loses its investment and recovers nothing; however, if an event of default occurs, the Fund receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. As a seller, a Fund receives a periodic fee throughout the term of the contract, provided there is no default event; if an event of default occurs, the Fund must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation. The value of the reference obligation received by the Fund as a seller, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value the Fund pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund.
As with other swaps, when a Fund enters into a credit default swap agreement, to the extent required by applicable law and regulation the Fund will specifically designate on its accounting records any asset, including equity securities and non-investment-grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market daily, equal to the Fund’s net exposure under the swap. If the Fund is the buyer of the credit default swap and the Fund holds at least the same principal amount of the referenced obligations as the notional amount for the purposes of the credit default swap, the obligations are covered and no coverage is required; to the extent that the Fund’s notional exposure on the credit default exceeds the principal amount of the referenced security held by the Fund, the Fund must segregate liquid and unencumbered securities with a value equal to the buyer’s future payment obligations under the swap. If the Fund is the seller of the credit default swap, the Fund must segregate liquid and unencumbered securities with a value equal to the Fund’s payment obligation in the event of a default on the referenced
obligation (for
example, on a credit default swap on an individual security where the swap is not cleared on an exchange, the notional amount).
Credit default swaps involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. A Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties deemed creditworthy by the Fund’s subadviser.
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Dividend Swap Agreements
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A dividend swap agreement is a financial instrument where two parties contract to exchange a set of future cash flows at set dates in the future. One party agrees to pay the other the future dividend flow on a stock or basket of stocks in an index, in return for which the other party gives the first call options. Dividend swaps generally are traded over the counter rather than on an exchange.
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Inflation Swap Agreements
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Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (e.g., the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), while the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swap agreements may be used by a Fund to hedge the inflation risk associated with non-inflation indexed investments, thereby creating “synthetic” inflation-indexed investments. One factor that may lead to changes in the values of inflation swap agreements is a change in real interest rates, which are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, which may lead to a decrease in value of an inflation swap agreement.
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Total Return Swap Agreements
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“Total return swap” is the generic name for any non-traditional swap where one party agrees to pay the other the “total return” of a defined underlying asset, usually in return for receiving a stream of cash flows based upon an agreed rate. A total return swap may be applied to any underlying asset but is most commonly used with equity indices, single stocks, bonds and defined portfolios of loans and mortgages. A total return swap is a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, which is often LIBOR, is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between the two parties. No notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps.
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Variance and Correlation Swap Agreements
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Variance swap agreements are contracts in which two parties agree to exchange cash payments based on the difference between the stated level of variance and the actual variance realized on an underlying asset or index. “Actual variance” as used here is defined as the sum of the square of the returns on the reference asset or index (which in effect is a measure of its “volatility”) over the length of the contract term. In other words, the parties to a variance swap can be said to exchange actual volatility for a contractually stated rate of volatility. Correlation swap agreements are contracts in which two parties agree to exchange cash payments based on the differences between the stated and the actual correlation realized on the underlying equity securities within a given equity index. “Correlation” as used here is defined as the weighted average of the correlations between the daily returns of each pair of securities within a given equity index. If two assets are said to be closely correlated, it means that their daily returns vary in similar proportions or along similar trajectories. A Fund may enter into variance or correlation swaps in an attempt to hedge equity market risk or adjust exposure to the equity markets.
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Equity Securities
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The Funds may invest in equity securities. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and preference stocks; securities such as bonds, warrants or rights that are convertible into stocks; and depositary receipts for those securities.
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Unseasoned Companies
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As a matter of operating policy, each Fund may invest to a limited extent in securities of unseasoned companies and new issues. The Adviser regards a company as unseasoned when, for example, it is relatively new to, or not yet well established in, its primary line of business. Such companies generally are smaller and younger than companies whose shares are traded on the major stock exchanges. Accordingly, their shares are often traded over-the-counter and their share prices may be more volatile than those of larger, exchange-listed companies. Generally, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one company with a record of fewer than three years’ continuous operation (including that of predecessors).
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Foreign Investing
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The Funds may invest in a broad range of securities of foreign issuers, including equity, debt and convertible securities and foreign government securities. The Funds may purchase the securities of issuers from various countries, including countries commonly referred to as “emerging markets.” The Funds may also invest in domestic securities denominated in foreign currencies.
Investing in the securities of foreign companies involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, and potential restrictions on the flow of international capital. Foreign issuers may become subject to sanctions imposed by the United States or another country, which could result in the immediate freeze of the foreign issuers’ assets or securities. The imposition of such sanctions could impair the market value of the securities of such foreign issuers and limit a Fund’s ability to buy, sell, receive or deliver the securities. Additionally, dividends payable on foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes withheld prior to distribution. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater price volatility. Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value of those securities which are denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Many of the foreign securities held by a Fund will not be registered with, nor will the issuers thereof be subject to the reporting requirements of, the SEC. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about the securities and about the foreign company or government issuing them than is available about a domestic company or government entity. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States economy in such respects as growth of Gross National Product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions. Finally, the Funds may encounter difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against issuers of foreign securities.
Securities of U.S. issuers denominated in foreign currencies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities issued by domestic issuers and denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition, investing in securities denominated in foreign currencies often entails costs not associated with investment in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of U.S. issuers, such as the cost of converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars, higher brokerage commissions, custodial
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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expenses and other fees. Non-U.S. dollar denominated securities may be subject to certain withholding and other taxes of the relevant jurisdiction, which may reduce the yield on the securities to the Funds and which may not be recoverable by the Funds or their investors.
The Trust may use an eligible foreign custodian in connection with its purchases of foreign securities and may maintain cash and cash equivalents in the care of a foreign custodian. The amount of cash or cash equivalents maintained in the care of eligible foreign custodians will be limited to an amount reasonably necessary to effect the Trust’s foreign securities transactions. The use of a foreign custodian invokes considerations which are not ordinarily associated with domestic custodians. These considerations include the possibility of expropriations, restricted access to books and records of the foreign custodian, inability to recover assets that are lost while under the control of the foreign custodian, and the impact of political, social or diplomatic developments.
Settlement procedures relating to the Funds’ investments in foreign securities and to the Funds’ foreign currency exchange transactions may be more complex than settlements with respect to investments in debt or equity securities of U.S. issuers, and may involve certain risks not present in the Funds’ domestic investments. For example, settlement of transactions involving foreign securities or foreign currency may occur within a foreign country, and a Fund may be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying securities or currency in conformity with any applicable U.S. or foreign restrictions or regulations, and may be required to pay any fees, taxes or charges associated with such delivery. Such investments may also involve the risk that an entity involved in the settlement may not meet its obligations. Settlement procedures in many foreign countries are less established than those in the United States, and some foreign country settlement periods can be significantly longer than those in the United States.
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Depositary Receipts
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Each Fund permitted to hold foreign securities may also hold ADRs, ADSs, GDRs and EDRs. ADRs and ADSs typically are issued by an American bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs, which are sometimes referred to as CDRs, are issued in Europe typically by foreign banks and trust companies and evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. GDRs are similar to EDRs and are designed for use in several international financial markets. Generally, ADRs and ADSs in registered form are designed for use in United States securities markets and EDRs in bearer form are designed for use in European securities markets. For purposes of a Fund’s investment policies, its investments in ADRs, ADSs, GDRs and EDRs will be deemed to be investments in the underlying foreign securities.
Depositary Receipts may be issued pursuant to sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities traded in the form of Depositary Receipts. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, investments in Depositary Receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. Thus, a Depositary Receipt representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.
Depositary Receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values generally depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency. (The risks of foreign investing are addressed above in this section of the SAI under the heading “Foreign Investing.”) In addition to risks associated with the underlying portfolio of securities, receipt holders also must consider credit standings of the custodians and broker/dealer sponsors. The receipts are not registered with the SEC and qualify as Rule 144A securities which may make them more difficult and costly to sell. (For information about Rule 144A securities, see “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
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Emerging Market Securities
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The Funds may invest in countries or regions with relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the world’s major economies, and in countries or regions with the potential for rapid economic growth (emerging markets). Emerging markets will include any country: (i) having an “emerging stock market” as defined by the International Finance Corporation; (ii) with low-to-middle-income economies according to the World Bank; (iii) listed in World Bank publications as developing; or (iv) determined by the adviser to be an emerging market as defined above.
Certain emerging market countries are either comparatively underdeveloped or are in the process of becoming developed and may consequently be economically dependent on a relatively few or closely interdependent industries. A high proportion of the securities of many emerging market issuers may also be held by a limited number of large investors trading significant blocks of securities. While a Fund’s subadviser will strive to be sensitive to publicized reversals of economic conditions, political unrest and adverse changes in trading status, unanticipated political and social developments may affect the values of the Fund’s investments in such countries and the availability of additional investments in such countries.
The risks of investing in foreign securities may be intensified in the case of investments in emerging markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Emerging markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of portfolio securities or, if a Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, in possible liability to the purchaser. Securities prices in emerging markets can be significantly more volatile than in the more developed nations of the world, reflecting the greater uncertainties of
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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investing in less established markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, present the risk of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership, or prohibitions of repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries.
Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, a country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances, whether because deterioration occurs in an emerging market’s balance of payments or for other reasons. The Funds could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Funds of any restrictions on investments.
Investments in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations may be restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times preclude investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations and increase the expenses of the Funds.
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Foreign Currency Transactions
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When investing in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Funds will be subject to the additional risk of currency fluctuations. An adverse change in the value of a particular foreign currency as against the U.S. dollar, to the extent that such change is not offset by a gain in other foreign currencies, will result in a decrease in the Fund’s assets. Any such change may also have the effect of decreasing or limiting the income available for distribution. Foreign currencies may be affected by revaluation, adverse political and economic developments, and governmental restrictions. Further, no assurance can be given that currency exchange controls will not be imposed on any particular currency at a later date.
As a result of its investments in foreign securities, a Fund may receive interest or dividend payments, or the proceeds of the sale or redemption of such securities, in the foreign currencies in which such securities are denominated. In that event, the Fund may convert such currencies into dollars at the then current exchange rate. Under certain circumstances, however, such as where the Fund’s subadviser believes that the applicable rate is unfavorable at the time the currencies are received or the Fund’s subadviser anticipates, for any other reason, that the exchange rate will improve, the Fund may hold such currencies for an indefinite period of time.
In addition, a Fund may be required to receive delivery of the foreign currency underlying forward foreign currency contracts it has entered into. This could occur, for example, if an option written by the Fund is exercised or the Fund is unable to close out a forward contract. A Fund may hold foreign currency in anticipation of purchasing foreign securities.
A Fund may also elect to take delivery of the currencies’ underlying options or forward contracts if, in the judgment of the Fund’s subadviser, it is in the best interest of the Fund to do so. In such instances as well, the Fund may convert the foreign currencies to dollars at the then current exchange rate, or may hold such currencies for an indefinite period of time.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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While the holding of currencies will permit a Fund to take advantage of favorable movements in the applicable exchange rate, it also exposes the Fund to risk of loss if such rates move in a direction adverse to the Fund’s position. Such losses could reduce any profits or increase any losses sustained by the Fund from the sale or redemption of securities, and could reduce the dollar value of interest or dividend payments received. In addition, the holding of currencies could adversely affect the Fund’s profit or loss on currency options or forward contracts, as well as its hedging strategies.
When a Fund effects foreign currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market, the Fund incurs expenses in converting assets from one currency to another. A Fund may also effect other types of foreign currency exchange transactions, which have their own risks and costs. For information about such transactions, please see “Foreign Currency Forward Contracts, Futures and Options” under “Derivatives” in this section of the SAI.
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Foreign Investment Companies
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Some of the countries in which the Funds may invest may not permit, or may place economic restrictions on, direct investment by outside investors. Investments in such countries may be permitted only through foreign government-approved or -authorized investment vehicles, which may include other investment companies. These funds may also invest in other investment companies that invest in foreign securities. Investing through such vehicles may involve frequent or layered fees or expenses and may also be subject to limitation under the 1940 Act. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. Those expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. For additional information, see “Mutual Fund Investing” in this section of the SAI.
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Privatizations
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The governments of some foreign countries have been engaged in programs of selling part or all of their stakes in government owned or controlled enterprises (“privatizations”). Privatizations may offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation. In certain foreign countries, the ability of foreign entities such as the Funds to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the terms on which a Fund may be permitted to participate may be less advantageous than those for local investors. There can be no assurance that foreign governments will continue to sell companies currently owned or controlled by them or that privatization programs will be successful.
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Funding Agreements
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Each Fund may invest in funding agreements, which are insurance contracts between an investor and the issuing insurance company. For the issuer, they represent senior obligations under an insurance product. For the investor, and from a regulatory perspective, these agreements are treated as securities. These agreements, like other insurance products, are backed by claims on the general assets of the issuing entity and rank on the same priority level as other policy holder claims. Funding agreements typically are issued with a one-year final maturity and a variable interest rate, which may adjust weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Some agreements carry a seven-day put feature. A funding agreement without this feature is considered illiquid and will therefore be subject to the Funds’ limitations on investments
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.) Funding agreements are regulated by the state insurance board of the state where they are executed.
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Guaranteed Investment Contracts
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Each Fund may invest in GICs issued by U.S. and Canadian insurance companies. A GIC requires the investor to make cash contributions to a deposit fund of an insurance company’s general account. The insurance company then makes payments to the investor based on negotiated, floating or fixed interest rates. A GIC is a general obligation of the issuing insurance company and not a separate account. The purchase price paid for a GIC becomes part of the general assets of the insurance company, and the contract is paid from the insurance company’s general assets. Generally, a GIC is not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance company, and an active secondary market in GICs does not currently exist. Therefore, these investments may be deemed to be illiquid, in which case they will be subject to the Funds’ limitations on investments in illiquid securities. (See “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” in this section of the SAI.)
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Illiquid and Restricted Securities
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Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are considered illiquid. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the 1933 Act (“restricted securities”), securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, such as over-the-counter options, and repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal in seven days. Such securities may offer higher yields than comparable publicly traded securities, and they also may incur higher risks.
Repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and time deposits that do not provide for payment to the Fund within seven days after notice or which have a term greater than seven days are deemed illiquid securities for this purpose unless such securities are variable amount master demand notes with maturities of nine months or less or unless the Fund’s subadviser has determined that an adequate trading market exists for such securities or that market quotations are readily available.
The Funds may purchase Rule 144A securities sold to institutional investors without registration under the 1933 Act and commercial paper issued in reliance upon the exemption in Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act, for which an institutional market has developed. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on the issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment of the unregistered security.
Although the securities described in this section generally will be considered illiquid, a security’s contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of the security and therefore these securities may be determined to be liquid in accordance with guidelines established by the Board. The Trustees have delegated to each Fund’s subadviser the day-to-day determination of the liquidity of such securities in the respective Fund’s portfolio, although they have retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Although no definite quality criteria are used, the Trustees have directed the subadvisers to consider such factors as (i) the nature of the market for a security (including the institutional private resale markets); (ii) the terms of these securities or other instruments
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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allowing for the disposition to a third party or the issuer thereof (e.g. certain repurchase obligations and demand instruments); (iii) availability of market quotations; and (iv) other permissible factors. The Trustees monitor implementation of the guidelines on a periodic basis.
If illiquid securities exceed 15% of a Fund’s net assets after the time of purchase, the Fund will take steps to reduce in an orderly fashion its holdings of illiquid securities. Because illiquid securities may not be readily marketable, the relevant Fund’s subadviser may not be able to dispose of them in a timely manner. As a result, the Fund may be forced to hold illiquid securities while their price depreciates. Depreciation in the price of illiquid securities may cause the NAV of the Fund holding them to decline. A security that is determined by a Fund’s subadviser to be liquid may subsequently revert to being illiquid if not enough buyer interest exists.
Restricted securities ordinarily can be sold by the Fund in secondary market transactions to certain qualified investors pursuant to rules established by the SEC, in privately negotiated transactions to a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act. When registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable time may elapse between the decision to sell and the sale date. If, during such period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than the price which prevailed when it decided to sell.
Restricted securities will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or their delegate.
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Investment in a Subsidiary by Alternative Total Solution Fund and Potential Investment in a Subsidiary by Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
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Alternative Total Solution Fund will invest up to 25% of its total assets in the shares of its wholly owned and controlled Subsidiary. Investments in its Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodity markets within the limitations of Subchapter M of the Code and recent IRS rulings, as discussed below under "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes-Tax Treatment of Commodity-Linked Swaps and Structured Notes." The Subsidiary is managed by VAIA and subadvised by the Fund's portfolio managers from Graham, and has the same investment objective as Alternative Total Solution Fund. The Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity interests. The Subsidiary is otherwise subject to the same fundamental, non-fundamental and certain other investment restrictions as its Fund, including the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary's portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by its Fund. The Subsidiary is a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is the sole shareholder of its Subsidiary, and it is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors.
By investing in its Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary's investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are subject to the same risks that would apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. Although the Fund may enter into commodity-linked derivative instruments directly, the Fund will likely gain exposure to these
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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derivative instruments indirectly by investing in its Subsidiary. To the extent that a portfolio manager believes that these commodity-linked derivative instruments are better suited to provide exposure to the commodities market than commodity index-linked notes, the Fund's investment in its Subsidiary will likely increase. The Subsidiary may also invest in fixed income instruments, some of which are intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary's derivatives positions.
Subject to its investment management agreement with the Subsidiary, VAIA selects subadvisers for the Subsidiary who are also subadvisers to the Fund, allocates Subsidiary assets among subadvisers, oversees the subadvisers and evaluates their performance results. The Subsidiary's subadvisers select the individual portfolio securities for the assets assigned to them. Neither VAIA nor the subadvisers receive any additional compensation for doing so. VAIA and each subadviser to a Subsidiary comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act relating to investment advisory contracts as an investment adviser to the applicable Fund.
The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, although the Subsidiary is subject to the same fundamental, non-fundamental and certain other investment restrictions as its Fund, the Subsidiary is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls its Subsidiary, and the Fund and its Subsidiary are managed by VAIA, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of its Fund and the Fund's shareholders. The Trust's Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including the Fund's investment in its Subsidiary, and the Fund's role as sole shareholder of its Subsidiary. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or its Subsidiary to operate as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, and could adversely affect the Fund. For example, the Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns.
As of the date of this SAI, the Alternative Inflation Solution Fund does not invest in a Subsidiary. However, in the future the Alternative Inflation Solution Fund may elect to do so. If that occurs, the description and risks in the above paragraphs relating to investment in a Subsidiary for the Alternative Total Solution Fund will also apply to the Alternative Inflation Solution Fund, except that the assets of the Alternative Inflation Solutions Fund's Subsidiary would be managed by that Fund's portfolio managers at Credit Suisse.
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Leverage
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Each Fund may employ investment techniques that create leverage, either by using borrowed capital to increase the amount invested, or investing in instruments, including derivatives, where the investment loss can exceed the original amount invested. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
The SEC takes the position that transactions that have a leveraging effect on the capital structure of a mutual fund or are economically equivalent to borrowing can be viewed as constituting a form of borrowing by the fund for purposes of the 1940 Act. These transactions can include buying and selling certain derivatives (such
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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as futures contracts); selling (or writing) put and call options; engaging in sale-buybacks; entering into firm-commitment and stand-by commitment agreements; engaging in when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward-commitment transactions; and other similar trading practices (additional discussion about a number of these transactions can be found throughout this section of the SAI). As a result, when a Fund enters into such transactions the transactions may be subject to the same requirements and restrictions as borrowing. (See “Borrowing” below for additional information.)
The following are some of the Funds’ permitted investment techniques that are generally viewed as creating leverage for the Funds.
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Borrowing
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A Fund’s ability to borrow money is limited by its investment policies and limitations, by the 1940 Act, and by applicable exemptions, no-action letters, interpretations, and other pronouncements issued from time to time by the SEC and its staff or any other regulatory authority with jurisdiction. Under the 1940 Act, a Fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets made for temporary or emergency purposes. Any borrowings for temporary purposes in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets must maintain continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or for other reasons, a Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days (excluding Sundays and holidays) to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. A Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
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Mortgage “Dollar-Roll” Transactions
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Each Fund may enter into mortgage “dollar-roll” transactions pursuant to which it sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the future and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund foregoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The Fund is compensated for the lost interest by the difference between the current sales price and the lower price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on, and gains from, the investment of the cash proceeds of the initial sale. The Fund may also be compensated by receipt of a commitment fee. If the income and capital gains from the Fund’s investment of the cash from the initial sale do not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what the performance would have been without the use of the dollar roll.
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Investment Technique
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Description and Risks
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Fund-Specific Limitations
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Dollar-roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells securities becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of dollar rolls may depend upon the Fund’s subadviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.
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Reverse Repurchase Agreements
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Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund sells a security and simultaneously commits to repurchase that security from the buyer, such as a bank or broker-dealer, at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon future date. The resale price in a reverse repurchase agreement reflects a market rate of interest that is not related to the coupon rate or maturity of the sold security. For certain demand agreements, there is no agreed upon repurchase date and interest payments are calculated daily, often based upon the prevailing overnight repurchase rate.
Generally, a reverse repurchase agreement enables the Fund to recover for the term of the reverse repurchase agreement all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities sold and to keep the interest income associated with those portfolio securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of obtaining the cash otherwise. In addition, interest costs on the money received in a reverse repurchase agreement may exceed the return received on the investments made by the Fund with those monies. Using reverse repurchase agreements to earn additional income involves the risk that the interest earned on the invested proceeds is less than the expense of the reverse repurchase agreement transaction.
While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund will maintain cash and appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its obligation under the agreement. A Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with parties that the Fund’s subadviser deems creditworthy.
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Master Limited Partnerships
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An investment in MLP units involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have limited control on matters affecting the partnership. Conflicts of interest exist between common unit holders and the general partner, including those arising from incentive distribution payments. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or a particular geographic region are subject to risks associated with such industry or region. The fees that MLPs charge for transportation of oil and gas products through their pipelines are subject to government regulation, which could negatively impact the revenue stream. Investing in MLPs also involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. These include the risk of environmental incidents, terrorist attacks, demand destruction from high commodity prices, proliferation of alternative energy sources, inadequate supply of external capital, and conflicts of interest with the general partner. There are also certain tax risks associated with investment in MLPs. The benefit derived from a Fund’s investment in MLPs is somewhat dependent on the MLP being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, so any
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Investment Technique
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change to this status would adversely affect the price of MLP units. Historically, a substantial portion of the gross taxable income of MLPs has been offset by tax losses and deductions reducing gross income received by investors, and any change to these tax rules would adversely affect the price of an MLP unit. Certain MLPs may trade less frequently than other securities, and those with limited trading volumes may display volatile or erratic price movements.
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Money Market Instruments
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Each Fund may invest in money market instruments, which are high-quality short-term investments. The types of money market instruments most commonly acquired by the Funds are discussed below, although each Fund is also permitted to invest in other types of money market instruments to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment limitations and restrictions.
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Bankers’ Acceptances
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A bankers’ acceptance is a time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower usually in connection with an international commercial transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods). The borrower, as well as the bank, is liable for payment, and the bank unconditionally guarantees to pay the draft at its face amount on the maturity date. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less and are traded in secondary markets prior to maturity.
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Certificates of Deposit
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Certificates of deposit are generally short-term, interest-bearing negotiable certificates issued by banks or savings and loan associations against funds deposited in the issuing institution. They generally may be withdrawn on demand but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which could reduce the Fund’s yield. Deposits subject to early withdrawal penalties or that mature in more than seven days are treated as illiquid securities if there is no readily available market for the securities.
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Commercial Paper
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Commercial paper refers to short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the time of issuance not exceeding nine months.
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Obligations of Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks
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The money market instruments in which the Funds may invest include negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits of foreign branches of U.S. banks, foreign banks and their non-U.S. branches (Eurodollars), U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks (Yankee dollars), and wholly-owned banking-related subsidiaries of foreign banks. For the purposes of each Fund’s investment policies with respect to money market instruments, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks are obligations of the issuing bank and may be general obligations of the parent bank. Such obligations, however, may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by government regulation. As with investment in non-U.S. securities in general, investments in the obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks may subject a Fund to investment risks that are different in some respects from those of investments in obligations of domestic issuers.
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Time Deposits
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Time deposits are deposits in a bank or other financial institution for a specified period of time at a fixed interest rate for which a negotiable certificate is not received.
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U.S. Government Obligations
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Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States Government include a variety of Treasury securities, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of
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issuance. Treasury bills have maturities of one year or less. Treasury notes have maturities of one to ten years, and Treasury bonds generally have maturities of greater than ten years.
Agencies of the United States Government which issue or guarantee obligations include, among others, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Housing Administration, GNMA, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration and The Tennessee Valley Authority. Obligations of instrumentalities of the United States Government include securities issued or guaranteed by, among others, FNMA, Federal Home Loan Banks, FHLMC, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Banks for Cooperatives, and the U.S. Postal Service. Some of these securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. There is no guarantee that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities, now or in the future, if it is not obligated to do so by law. Accordingly, although these securities have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity, they may involve more risk than securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government because the Fund must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the securities for repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States if the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment.
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Mutual Fund Investing
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Each Fund is authorized to invest in the securities of other investment companies subject to the limitations contained in the 1940 Act.
Investment companies in which the Fund may invest may include ETFs. An ETF is an investment company classified as an open-end investment company or unit investment trust that is traded similarly to a publicly traded company. Most ETFs seek to achieve the same return as a particular market index. That type of ETF is similar to an index fund in that it will primarily invest in the securities of companies that are included in a selected market index. An index-based ETF will invest in all of the securities included in the index, a representative sample of the securities included in the index, or other investments expected to produce returns substanially similar to that of the index. Other types of ETFs include leveraged or inverse ETFs, which are ETFs that seek to achieve a daily return that is a multiple or an inverse multiple of the daily return of a securities index. An important characteristic of these ETFs is that they seek to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis, and their performance over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the multiple or inverse multiple of the index performance over those longer periods of time. ETFs also include actively managed ETFs that pursue active management strategies and publish their portfolio holdings on a frequent basis.
In connection with the management of its daily cash positions, each Fund may invest in securities issued by investment companies that invest in short-term debt securities (which may include municipal obligations that are exempt from Federal income taxes) and that seek to maintain a $1.00 NAV per share.
In certain countries, investments by the Funds may only be made through investments in other investment companies that, in turn, are authorized to invest in the securities that are issued in such countries.
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(See “Foreign Investment Companies” under “Foreign Investing” in this section of the SAI.)
Under the 1940 Act, a Fund may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of an investment company, invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, or invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of investment companies. In some instances, a Fund may invest in an investment company in excess of these limits; for instance, with respect to investments in money market funds or investments made pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC. Many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds to invest in the ETF’s shares beyond the statutory limitations discussed above, subject to certain conditions. The Funds may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs. In addition to this, the Trust has obtained exemptive relief permitting the Funds to exceed the limitations with respect to investments in affiliated and unaffiliated funds that are not themselves funds of funds, subject to certain conditions.
The risks associated with investing in other investment companies generally reflect the risks of owning shares of the underlying securities in which those investment companies invest, although lack of liquidity in an investment company could result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. For purposes of complying with investment policies requiring a Fund to invest a percentage of its assets in a certain type of investments (e.g., stocks of small capitalization companies), the Fund generally will look through an investment company in which it invests, to categorize the investment company in accordance with the types of investments the investment company holds.
Certain investment companies in which the Funds may invest may be considered commodity pools under the CEA and applicable CFTC regulations. If a Fund invests in such an investment company, the Fund will be required to treat some or all of its holding of the investment company’s shares as a commodity interest for the purposes of determining whether the Fund is qualified to claim exclusion or exemption from regulation by the CFTC. (See “Commodity Interests” in this section of the SAI for additional information regarding the implications to the Funds of investing in commodity interests.)
Investors in each Fund should recognize that when a Fund invests in another investment company, the Fund will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees, in addition to the expenses the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.
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Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
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Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in income producing commercial real estate or real estate related loans. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed to shareholders if it complies with several requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gains) for each taxable year.
REITs can generally be classified as follows:
•
REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that
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have appreciated in value.
•
•
REITs are like closed-end investment companies in that they are essentially holding companies. An investor should realize that by investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, he will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the underlying REITs. (See “Mutual Fund Investing” in this section of the SAI.)
Selecting REITs requires an evaluation of the merits of each type of asset a particular REIT owns, as well as regional and local economics. Due to the proliferation of REITs in recent years and the relative lack of sophistication of certain REIT managers, the quality of REIT assets has varied significantly. The risks associated with REITs are similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate. These include declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, dependence on management skill, cash flow dependence, possible lack of availability of long-term mortgage funds, over-building, extended vacancies of properties, decreased occupancy rates and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in neighborhood values and the appeal of the properties to tenants and changes in interest rates.
Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties they own, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally are not diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to potential defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under the Code and failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, investment in REITs could cause the Fund to possibly fail to qualify as a regulated investment company. (See the “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” section of the SAI.)
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Repurchase Agreements
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Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements by which the Fund purchases portfolio securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase price may be the same, with interest payable to the Fund at a stated rate together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security.
A repurchase agreement must be collateralized by obligations that could otherwise be purchased by the Fund (except with respect to maturity), and these must be maintained by the seller in a segregated account for the Fund. The value of such collateral will be monitored throughout the term of the repurchase agreement in an attempt to ensure that the market value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If the value
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Repurchase agreements of more than seven days’ duration are subject to each Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities, which means that no more than 15% of the market value of a Fund’s total assets may be invested in repurchase agreements with a maturity of more than seven days and in
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of the collateral dips below such repurchase price, additional collateral will be requested and, when received, added to the account to maintain full collateralization.
Repurchase agreements will be entered into with commercial banks, brokers and dealers considered by the relevant Fund’s subadviser to be creditworthy. However, the use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks such as default by, or insolvency of, the other party to the transaction. The Fund also might incur disposition costs in connection with liquidating the underlying securities or enforcing its rights.
Typically, repurchase agreements are in effect for one week or less, but they may be in effect for longer periods of time.
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other illiquid securities.
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Securities Lending
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Subject to certain investment restrictions, each Fund may, subject to the Trustees’ and Trust Treasurer’s approval, lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions deemed creditworthy and receive, as collateral, cash or cash equivalents which at all times while the loan is outstanding will be maintained in amounts equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral will be invested in short-term securities that will increase the current income of the Fund lending its securities. A Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights and subscription rights. While a securities loan is outstanding, the Fund is to receive an amount equal to any dividends, interest or other distributions with respect to the loaned securities. A Fund may pay reasonable fees to persons unaffiliated with the Trust for services in arranging such loans.
Even though securities lending usually does not impose market risks on the lending Fund, as with any extension of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery of the loaned securities and in some cases loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. In addition, the value of the collateral taken as security for the securities loaned may decline in value or may be difficult to convert to cash in the event that a Fund must rely on the collateral to recover the value of the securities. Moreover, if the borrower of the securities is insolvent, under current bankruptcy law, the Fund could be ordered by a court not to liquidate the collateral for an indeterminate period of time. If the borrower is the subject of insolvency proceedings and the collateral held might not be liquidated, the result could be a material adverse impact on the liquidity of the lending Fund.
No Fund will lend securities having a value in excess of 33 1/3% of its assets, including collateral received for loaned securities (valued at the time of any loan).
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Short Sales
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Each Fund may sell securities short as part of its overall portfolio management strategies involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire, or that it owns but does not wish to deliver, in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. All other short sales are commonly referred to as “naked” short sales.
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When a Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.
If a Fund sells securities short against the box, it may protect unrealized gains, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises. If a Fund engages in naked short sales, the Fund’s risk of loss could be as much as the maximum attainable price of the security (which could be limitless) less the price paid by the Fund for the security at the time it was borrowed.
When a Fund sells securities short, to the extent required by applicable law and regulation the Fund will “cover” the short sale, which generally means that the Fund will segregate any asset, including equity securities and non-investment-grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market daily, equal to the market value of the securities sold short, reduced by any amount deposited as margin. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” a short sale by (a) owning the underlying securities, (b) owning securities currently convertible into the underlying securities at an exercise price equal to or less than the current market price of the underlying securities, or (c) owning a purchased call option on the underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or less than the price at which the underlying securities were sold short.
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Special Situations
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Each Fund may invest in special situations that the Fund’s subadviser believes present opportunities for capital growth. Such situations most typically include corporate restructurings, mergers, and tender offers.
A special situation arises when, in the opinion of the Fund’s subadviser, the securities of a particular company will, within a reasonably estimable period of time, be accorded market recognition at an appreciated value solely by reason of a development particularly or uniquely applicable to that company and regardless of general business conditions or movements of the market as a whole. Developments creating special situations might include, among others, the following: liquidations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, mergers, or tender offers; material litigation or resolution thereof; technological breakthroughs; and new management or management policies. Although large and well-known companies may be involved, special situations often involve much greater risk than is inherent in ordinary investment securities.
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Temporary Investments
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When business or financial conditions warrant, each Fund may assume a temporary defensive position by investing in money-market instruments, including obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, obligations of foreign sovereigns, other debt securities, commercial paper including bank obligations,
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Description and Risks
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certificates of deposit (including Eurodollar certificates of deposit) and repurchase agreements. (See “Money Market Instruments” in this section of the SAI for more information about these types of investments.)
For temporary defensive purposes, during periods in which a Fund’s subadviser believes adverse changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable, the Fund may reduce its holdings in equity and other securities and may invest up to 100% of its assets in certain short-term (less than twelve months to maturity) and medium-term (not greater than five years to maturity) debt securities and in cash (U.S. dollars, foreign currencies, or multicurrency units). The short-term and medium-term debt securities in which a Fund may invest for temporary defensive purposes will be those that the Fund’s subadviser believes to be of high quality (i.e., subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal). If rated, these securities will be rated in one of the three highest rating categories by rating services such as Moody’s or S&P (i.e., rated at least A).
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Warrants or Rights to Purchase Securities
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Each Fund may invest in or acquire warrants or rights to purchase equity or fixed income securities at a specified price during a specific period of time. A Fund will make such investments only if the underlying securities are deemed appropriate by the Fund’s subadviser for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio. Included are warrants and rights whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic or foreign exchanges. Warrants and stock rights are almost identical to call options in their nature, use and effect except that they are issued by the issuer of the underlying security, rather than an option writer, and they generally have longer expiration dates than call options. (See “Options” in this section of the SAI for information about call options.)
Bonds with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock. However, unlike convertible securities and preferred stocks, warrants do not pay a fixed dividend. Bonds also may be issued with warrants attached to purchase additional fixed income securities at the same coupon rate. A decline in interest rates would permit a Fund holding such warrants to buy additional bonds at the favorable rate or to sell the warrants at a profit. If interest rates rise, the warrants would generally expire with no value.
A Fund may purchase put warrants and call warrants whose values vary depending on the change in the value of one or more specified securities indices (“index warrants”). Index warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of exercise. In general, if the value of the underlying index rises above the exercise price of the index warrant, the holder of a call warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the value of the index and the exercise price of the warrant; if the value of the underlying index falls, the holder of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the exercise price of the warrant and the value of the index. The holder of a warrant would not be entitled to any payments from the issuer at any time when, in the case of a call
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warrant, the exercise price is greater than the value of the underlying index or, in the case of a put warrant, the exercise price is less than the value of the underlying index. If a Fund were not to exercise an index warrant prior to its expiration, then the Fund would lose the amount of the purchase price paid by it for the warrant.
A Fund will normally use index warrants in a manner similar to its use of options on securities indices. The risks of the Fund’s use of index warrants are generally similar to those relating to its use of index options. (See “Options” in this section of the SAI for information about index options.) Unlike most index options, however, index warrants are issued in limited amounts and are not obligations of a regulated clearing agency, but are backed only by the credit of the bank or other institution which issues the warrant. Also, index warrants generally have longer terms than index options. Although a Fund will normally invest only in exchange-listed warrants, index warrants are not likely to be as liquid as certain index options backed by a recognized clearing agency. In addition, the terms of index warrants may limit a Fund’s ability to exercise the warrants at such time, or in such quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish to do.
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When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions
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Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. These transactions are also known as delayed delivery transactions. (The phrase “delayed delivery” is not intended to include purchases where a delay in delivery involves only a brief period required by the selling party solely to locate appropriate certificates and prepare them for submission for clearance and settlement in the customary way.) Delayed delivery transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date (ordinarily up to 90 days later). The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitments are negotiated directly with the selling party.
When-issued purchases and forward commitments enable the Fund to lock in what is believed to be an attractive price or yield on a particular security for a period of time, regardless of future changes in interest rates. For example, in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, the Fund might sell debt securities it owns on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might sell securities it owns and purchase the same or similar securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher yields. The Fund will not enter into such transactions for the purpose of leverage.
The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and any subsequent fluctuations in their value will be reflected in the Fund’s NAV starting on the first business day after the date of the agreement to purchase the securities. The Fund will be subject to the rights and risks of ownership of the securities on the agreement date. However, the Fund will not earn interest on securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and received. A seller’s failure to deliver securities to the Fund could prevent the Fund from realizing a price or yield considered to be advantageous and could cause the Fund to incur expenses associated with unwinding the transaction.
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When a Fund makes a forward commitment to sell securities it owns, the proceeds to be received upon settlement will be included in the Fund’s assets. Fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities will not be reflected in the Fund’s NAV as long as the commitment to sell remains in effect. Settlement of when-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions generally takes place up to 90 days after the date of the transaction, but the Fund may agree to a longer settlement period.
The Funds will make commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued basis or to purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into. A Fund also may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. The Fund may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions.
When a Fund purchases securities on a when-issued or forward-commitment basis, the Fund will specifically designate on its accounting records securities having a value (determined daily) at least equal to the amount of the Fund’s purchase commitments. These procedures are designed to ensure that each Fund will maintain sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under when-issued purchases and forward commitments.
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Name and Year of Birth
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Length of Time Served
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Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
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Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
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Independent Trustees
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Name and Year of Birth
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Length of Time Served
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Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
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Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
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Mann, Thomas F.
YOB: 1950
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Since
2013
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10
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Founder, MannMaxx Management (since 2010); Managing Director and Group Head Financial Institutions Group (2003 to 2012), Societe Generale Sales of Capital Market Solutions and Products.
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Trustee (since 2002), The Hatteras Funds (20 portfolios); Trustee (since 2012), Virtus Closed-End Funds (3 portfolios); and Trustee (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
(7
portfolios).
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McLoughlin, Philip Chairman
YOB: 1946
|
|
|
Since
2013
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
Partner (2006 to 2010), Cross Pond Partners, LLC (investment management consultant); and Managing Director (2008 to 2010), SeaCap Partners, LLC (strategic advisory firm).
|
|
|
Director (since 1991) and Chairman (since 2010), World Trust Fund; Director (since 1995), closed-end funds managed by Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (4 portfolios); Chairman (since 2002) and Trustee (since 1989), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex (46 portfolios); Chairman and Trustee (since 2003), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust (9 portfolios); Trustee and Chairman (since 2011), Virtus Closed-End Funds (3 portfolios); Trustee and Chairman (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
(7
portfolios); and Director (1985 to 2009), Argo Group International Holdings Inc. and its predecessor, PXRE Corporation (insurance).
|
|
|
|
Moyer, William R.
YOB: 1944
|
|
|
Since
2013
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
Financial and Operations Principal (2006 to present), Newcastle Distributors LLC (broker dealer); Partner (2006 to 2012), CrossPond Partners, LLC (strategy consulting firm);
|
|
|
Trustee (since 2012), Virtus Closed-End Funds (3 portfolios); and Trustee (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
(7
portfolios).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partner (2008 to 2010), Seacap Partners, LLC (investment management); and former Chief Financial Officer, Phoenix Investment Partners.
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
|
|
Length of Time Served
|
|
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Oates, James M.
YOB: 1946
|
|
|
Since
2013
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Managing Director (since 1994), Wydown Group (consulting firm).
|
|
|
Trustee (since 1987), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex (46 portfolios); Director (since 1996), Stifel Financial; Director (1998 to 2014), Connecticut River Bancorp; Chairman and Director (1999 to 2014), Connecticut River Bank; Chairman (since 2000), Emerson Investment Management, Inc.; Director (2002 to 2014), New Hampshire Trust Company; Chairman and Trustee (since 2005), John Hancock Fund Complex (228 portfolios); Non-Executive Chairman (2007 to 2011), Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services); Trustee/Director (since 2013), Virtus Closed-End Funds (3 portfolios); and Trustee (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Funds
(7
portfolios).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
|
|
Length of Time Served
|
|
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Interested Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Aylward, George R.
YOB: 1964
|
|
|
Since
2013
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2008), Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries; and various senior officer positions with Virtus affiliates (since 2005).
|
|
|
Trustee (since 2006), Virtus Mutual Funds (46 portfolios); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2006), The Zweig Closed-End Funds (2 portfolios); Trustee (since 2012), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust (9 portfolios); Trustee and President (since 2011), Virtus Closed-End Funds (3 portfolios); Director (since 2013), Virtus Global Funds, PLC (2 portfolios); and Trustee (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust
(7
portfolios).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Year of Birth
|
|
|
Position(s) Held with the Trust and Length of Time Served
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Bradley, W. Patrick
YOB: 1972
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2013
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Fund Services (since 2010), Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries; various officer positions (since 2006) with Virtus affiliates; Senior Vice President (since 2013), Vice President (2011 to 2013), Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2004), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President (since 2013), Vice President (2011 to 2013), Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2006), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2013), Vice President (2012 to 2013) and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) (since 2007), The Zweig Closed-End Funds; Senior Vice President (since 2013), Vice President (2011 to 2013), Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2011), Virtus Closed-End Funds; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since 2011), Duff & Phelps Global Utility Income Fund Inc.; Director (since 2013), Virtus Global Funds, PLC; and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust.
|
|
|
|
Engberg, Nancy J.
YOB: 1956
|
|
|
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer since 2013
|
|
|
Vice President (since 2008) and Chief Compliance Officer (2008 to 2011), Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries; various officer positions (since 2003) with Virtus affiliates; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex; Vice President (since 2010), Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Virtus Closed-End Funds; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2012), The Zweig Closed-End Funds; and Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust.
|
|
|
|
Fromm, Jennifer
YOB: 1973
|
|
|
Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary since 2013
|
|
|
Senior Counsel, Legal, Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries (since 2007); Assistant Secretary of various Virtus-affiliated open-end funds (since 2008); Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary of Virtus Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013); and Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary since 2013.
|
|
|
|
Waltman, Francis G.
YOB: 1962
|
|
|
Executive Vice President since 2013
|
|
|
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries; various senior officer positions (since 2006) with Virtus affiliates; Executive Vice President (since 2013), Senior Vice President (2008 to 2013), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex; Executive Vice President (since 2013), Senior Vice President (2010 to 2013), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust; Executive Vice President (since 2013), Senior Vice President (2011 to 2013), Virtus Closed-End Funds; Director (since 2013), Virtus Global Funds PLC; and Executive Vice President (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in a Fund of the Trust
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Trustee Ownership in all Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thomas F. Mann
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
Philip McLoughlin
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
William R. Moyer
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
$50,001-$100,000
|
|
|
|
James M. Oates
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund - $10,001-$50,000
Alternative Total Solution Fund - $10,001-$50,000
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
George R. Aylward
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund - $10,001-$50,000
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund - $10,001-$50,000
Alternative Total Solution Fund - $10,001-$50,000
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Compensation from the Trust
|
|
|
Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas F. Mann
|
|
|
|
$
|
57,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
135,500
|
|
|
|
|
(7 funds)
|
|
|
|
Philip R. McLoughlin
|
|
|
|
$
|
72,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
680,500
|
|
|
|
|
(65 funds)
|
|
|
|
William R. Moyer
|
|
|
|
$
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
135,500
|
|
|
|
|
(7 funds)
|
|
|
|
James M. Oates
|
|
|
|
$
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
358,500
|
|
|
|
|
(52 funds)
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George R. Aylward
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
Investment Advisory Fee
|
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
0.75%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
st
$5 Billion
|
|
|
$5+ Billion
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund*
|
|
|
1.80%
|
|
|
1.75%
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund*
|
|
|
1.75%
|
|
|
1.70%
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund*
|
|
|
1.95%
|
|
|
1.90%
|
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
1.30%
|
|
|
1.25%
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund*
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
0.75%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
Class R6
|
|
|
Through Date
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
2.45
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.20
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.20
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
|
2.60
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.04
|
%
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.80
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Gross Advisory Fee ($)
|
|
|
Advisory Fee Waived and/or Expenses Reimbursed ($)
|
|
|
Net Advisory Fee ($)
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
391,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
233,757
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
157,528
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
299,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
214,605
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
84,666
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
651,816
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
323,593
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
249,777
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
28,262
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
87,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($58,078
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Gross Subadvisory Fee
|
|
|
Subadvisory Fee Waived and/or Expenses Reimbursed
|
|
|
Net Subadvisory Fee
|
|
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($674
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
($674
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($8,951
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
($8,951
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
26,744
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
26,744
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
14,131
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($76,488
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
($62,357
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Administration Fee ($)
|
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,738
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,101
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
33,085
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Total Sub-administrative Fees ($)
|
|
|
Fees Waived by Sub-administrator ($)
|
|
|
Net Sub-administrative Fees ($)
|
|
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
126,413
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
41,946
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
84,467
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
126,413
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
44,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
82,310
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
165,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
36,670
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
128,493
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,042
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Underwriting Commissions ($)
|
|
|
Amount Retained by the Distributors ($)
|
|
|
Amount Reallowed ($)
|
|
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
750
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
106
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
644
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,857
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
567
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a Percentage of Offering Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as a Percentage of Amount Invested
|
|
|
Dealer Discount as a Percentage of Offering Price
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Under $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as Percentage of Offering Price
|
|
|
Sales Charge as Percentage of Net Amount Invested
|
|
|
Dealer Discount or Agency Fee as Percentage of Offering Price
|
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Less than $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
5.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
4.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
2.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Rule 12b-1 Fees Paid ($)
|
|
|
Rule 12b-1 Fees Wavied ($)
|
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
734
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
530
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
73
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
(s)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
Kathleen Barchick
Eric Conklin
Stanley Kraska
Warun Kumar
Andrew Lacey
Donald E. Morgan III
Stephen Nesbitt
Keith Pauley
Peter Reed
Amy Robinson
Patrick Ryan
Nathan Sandler
David Steinberg
Daniel Stern
Kyle Waldhauer
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
Kathleen Barchick
John Brynjolfsson
Christopher Burton
Eric Conklin
Stanley Kraska
Warun Kumar
Nelson Louie
Stephen Nesbitt
Donald E. Morgan III
John Mulquiney
Keith Pauley
Warryn Robertson
Amy Robinson
Daniel Stern
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
Jeffrey Altman
Kathleen Barchick
John Brynjolfsson
Pablo Calderini
Eric Conklin
Malcolm Fairbairn
Stanley Kraska
Daniel Krueger
Warun Kumar
Jeffrey Lee
Donald E. Morgan III
John Mulquiney
Stephen Nesbitt
Keith Pauley
Peter Reed
Sean Reynolds
Warryn Robertson
Amy Robinson
Nathan Sandler
David Steinberg
Daniel Stern
Kenneth G. Tropin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
(s)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Credit Opportunties Fund
|
|
|
David L. Albrycht, CFA
Edwin Tai, CFA
Manases Zarco, CFA
|
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
Peter Fitzgerald, CFA
Daniel James
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian Pizer, PhD, CFA
|
|
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Charles J. Georgas, CFA
David D. Grumhaus, Jr.
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
David L. Albrycht, CFA
Francesco Ossino
Jonathan R. Stanley, CFA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles (PIVs)
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
David L. Albrycht
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
$11.29 billion
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$20 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Altman
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$56 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Kathleen Barchick
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$149 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
John Brynjolfsson
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$347.7 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$80.5 million
|
|
|
|
Christopher Burton
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$5.78 billion
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$1.95 billion
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
$1.68 million
|
|
|
|
Pablo Calderini
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$55.7 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$59.1 million
|
|
|
|
Eric Conklin
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$1.6 billion
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
$5.7 billion
|
|
|
|
Malcolm Fairbairn
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Peter Fitzgerald*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
$4.08 billion
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
$29.96 billion
|
|
|
|
Charles J. Georgas**
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$490 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
David D. Grumhaus, Jr.**
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$490 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Daniel James*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$273 million
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$2.08 billion
|
|
|
|
Stanley Kraska
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$101.1 million
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$10.8 billion
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$1.7 billion
|
|
|
|
Daniel Krueger
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$56 milllion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Warun Kumar
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$149 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Andrew Lacey
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$1.54 billion
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
$2.3 billion
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
$7.0 billion
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Lee
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$56 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles (PIVs)
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
Nelson Louie
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$5.78 billion
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$1.95 billion
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
$1.68 billion
|
|
|
|
Donald E. Morgan III
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$1.05 billion
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$4.3 billion
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
$3.02 billion
|
|
|
|
John Mulquiney
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$2.21 billion
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$2.36 billion
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
$6.1 billion
|
|
|
|
Stephen Nesbitt
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$149 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Francesco Ossino
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$1.1 billion
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$5 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Keith Pauley
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$101.1 million
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$10.8 billion
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$1.7 billion
|
|
|
|
Ian Pizer*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$1.77 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Peter Reed
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Sean Reynolds
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$56.9 million
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$5.32 million
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$5.59 million
|
|
|
|
Warryn Robertson
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$2.21 biillion
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$2.36 billion
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
$4.61 billion
|
|
|
|
Amy Robinson
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$8.2 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Patrick Ryan
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$314.99 million
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
$1.66 billion
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
$2.21 billion
|
|
|
|
Nathan Sandler
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$97 million
|
|
|
|
Jonathan R. Stanley
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$429 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
David Steinberg
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Daniel Stern
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$149 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Edwin Tai***
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Kenneth G. Tropin
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$55.7 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$59.1 million
|
|
|
|
Kyle Waldhauer
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$314.99 million
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$1.37 billion
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
$2.21 billion
|
|
|
|
Manases Zarco***
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles (PIVs)
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
David L. Albrycht
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Altman
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$3.99 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Kathleen Barchick
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
John Brynjolfsson
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$92.4 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Christopher Burton
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$39 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Pablo Calderini
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$4.7 billion
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
$2.4 billion
|
|
|
|
Eric Conklin
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$20 million
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$350 million
|
|
|
|
Malcolm Fairbairn
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
$2.66 billion
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$705 million
|
|
|
|
Peter Fitzgerald*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Charles J. Georgas**
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
David D. Grumhaus, Jr.**
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Daniel James*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Stanley Kraska
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$127 million
|
|
|
|
Daniel Krueger
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$3.53 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Warun Kumar
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Andrew Lacey
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$8.69 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$479.46 million
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Lee
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$3.64 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Nelson Louie
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$39 million
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Donald E. Morgan III
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
$8.43 billion
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$540 million
|
|
|
|
John Mulquiney
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Stephen Nesbitt
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Francesco Ossino
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$79 million
|
|
|
|
Keith Pauley
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$127 million
|
|
|
|
Ian Pizer*
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Peter Reed
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$1.20 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Sean Reynolds
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
$553.1 million
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$318.45 million
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles (PIVs)
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
Warryn Robertson
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0 billion
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$1.46 billion
|
|
|
|
Amy Robinson
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$1.9 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Patrick Ryan
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Nathan Sandler
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$3.16 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0 million
|
|
|
|
Jonathan R. Stanley
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
David Steinberg
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$1.20 billion
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Daniel Stern
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Edwin Tai***
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Kenneth G. Tropin
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$4.7 billion
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
$2.4 billion
|
|
|
|
Kyle Waldhauer
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
Manases Zarco***
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Performance Benchmark
|
|
|
Peer Group (Lipper Universe Average)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
50% Barclays High-Yield Index/50% Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index
|
|
|
Lipper High Yield
|
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
Alerian MLP Index
|
|
|
Lipper Natural Resources
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
BofA ML U.S. Dollar Three-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index
|
|
|
Lipper Alternative Credit Focus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned in Fund Managed
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
David L. Albrycht
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
None
None
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Altman
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Kathleen Barchick
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
John Brynjolfsson
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher Burton
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Pablo Calderini
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Eric Conklin
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm Fairbairn
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Peter Fitzgerald*
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Charles J. Georgas**
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
David D. Grimhaus**
|
|
|
Select MLP and Energy Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Daniel James*
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Stanley Kraska
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Krueger
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Warun Kumar
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned in Fund Managed
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Andrew Lacey
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Lee
|
|
|
Alternative
Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Nelson Louie
|
|
|
Alternative
Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Donald E. Morgan III
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
John Mulquiney
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Nesbitt
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Francesco Ossino
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Keith Pauley
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Ian Pizer*
|
|
|
Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Peter Reed
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Sean Reynolds
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Warryn Robertson
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Amy Robinson
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick Ryan
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Nathan Sandler
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Jonathan R. Stanley
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
David Steinberg
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Stern
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
Edwin Tai***
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Kenneth G. Tropin
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Kyle Waldhauer
|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
Manases Zarco***
|
|
|
Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Aggregate Amount of Brokerage Commissions ($)
|
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|||||
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
13,292
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,412
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
79,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,954
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Broker/Dealer
|
|
|
Value ($000)
|
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Alternative Income Solution Fund
|
|
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
|
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Total Solution Fund
|
|
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
|
|
|
|
$
|
224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
|
|
|
|
$
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
|
Bank of America Corp.
|
|
|
|
$
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup
|
|
|
|
$
|
204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Suisse
|
|
|
|
$
|
309
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
|
|
|
|
$
|
123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley
|
|
|
|
$
|
313
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
APPENDIX B — CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information as of August 25, 2015, with respect to each person who owns of record or is known by the Trust to own of record or beneficially own 5% or more of any class of any Fund’s outstanding securities (Principal Shareholders) and the name of each person who has beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund (Control Person), as noted below.
*These entities are omnibus accounts for many individual shareholder accounts. The Funds are not aware of the size or identity of the underlying individual accounts.
|
CONTROL
PERSON
NAME AND ADDRESS |
FUND |
PERCENTAGE
(%) OF FUND OUTSTANDING |
||||
| VIRTUS PARTNERS INC | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND | 96.47 | ||||
| 100 PEARL ST 8TH FL | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND | 97.42 | ||||
| HARTFORD CT 06103-4500 | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND | 56.36 | ||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-STRATEGY TARGET RETURN FUND | 99.70 | |||||
| VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | 89.50 | |||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-SECTOR SHORT TERM BOND FUND | VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND | 70.28 | ||||
| ATTN MICHAEL SOLLICITO | ||||||
| 100 PEARL ST FL 7 | ||||||
| HARTFORD CT 06103-4500 |
|
PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDER
NAME AND ADDRESS |
FUND/CLASS |
PERCENTAGE
(%) OF CLASS OUTSTANDING |
||||
| VIRTUS PARTNERS INC | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-A | 11.14 | ||||
| 100 PEARL ST 8TH FL | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-C | 15.45 | ||||
| HARTFORD CT 06103-4500 | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-I | 99.68 | ||||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-A | 13.16 | |||||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-C | 56.20 | |||||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-I | 99.65 | |||||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-I | 68.85 | |||||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-R6 | 100.00 | |||||
| VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND-A | 100.00 | |||||
| VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND-C | 100.00 | |||||
| VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND-I | 100.00 | |||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-STRATEGY TARGET RETURN FUND-A | 100.00 | |||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-STRATEGY TARGET RETURN FUND-C | 93.84 | |||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-STRATEGY TARGET RETURN FUND-I | 99.72 | |||||
| VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-A | 5.64 | |||||
| VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-C | 22.34 | |||||
| VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-I | 96.43 | |||||
| * | AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-A | 57.46 | |||
| FBO #XXXX9970 | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-C | 56.26 | ||||
| 707 2ND AVE S | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-C | 37.96 | ||||
| MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405 | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-A | 46.01 | ||||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-C | 26.39 | |||||
| * | PERSHING LLC | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-A | 13.47 | |||
| 1 PERSHING PLAZA | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-C | 16.90 | ||||
| JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002 | VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-C | 36.31 | ||||
| * | MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-A | 10.22 | |||
| HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CTR PLZ 2 FL 3 | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-C | 37.34 | ||||
| JERSEY CITY NJ 07311 | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-I | 24.67 | ||||
| * | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-C | 10.42 | |||
| SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE | VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-A | 52.19 | ||||
| ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS | ||||||
| 101 MONTGOMERY ST | ||||||
| SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151 | ||||||
| * | FIRST CLEARING LLCC | VIRTUS MULTI-STRATEGY TARGET RETURN FUND-C | 6.16 | |||
| SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE | VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-A | 13.82 | ||||
| EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER | ||||||
| 2801 MARKET STREET | ||||||
| ST LOUIS MO 63103 | ||||||
| BNYM I S TRUST CO | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-A | 17.37 | ||||
| CUST FOR THE IRA OF GALEN P MCKENNEY | ||||||
| 400 EXETER RD | ||||||
| CORINNA ME 04928-3514 |
115
| BNYM I S TRUST CO | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-A | 10.19 | ||||
| CUST FOR THE IRA OF MICHAEL T CARR | ||||||
| 1023 BUCK HILL DR | ||||||
| VEAZIE ME 04401-7009 | ||||||
| BNYM I S TRUST CO | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-A | 12.68 | ||||
| CUST FOR THE IRA ROLLOVER OF TERI JORDAN CARR | ||||||
| 1023 BUCK HILL DR | ||||||
| VEAZIE ME 04401-7009 | ||||||
| BNYM I S TRUST CO | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-C | 5.83 | ||||
| CUST FOR THE NON-DFI SIMPLE IRA OF MICHAEL R BLOWEN | ||||||
| 11 WINTON RD | ||||||
| EAST WINDSOR CT 06088-9750 | ||||||
| BNYM I S TRUST CO | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-A | 7.87 | ||||
| CUST FOR THE SEP IRA OF MICHAEL F MOSSEY | ||||||
| 69 PRILAY RD | ||||||
| NEWPORT ME 04953-3833 | ||||||
| BNYM I S TRUST CO | VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-C | 6.25 | ||||
| CUST IRA FBO THOMAS SADOWSKI | ||||||
| 1306 MOREAU DR | ||||||
| JEFFERSON CITY MO 65101-3666 | ||||||
| BRADLEY G ESTHUS TTEE | VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-C | 7.69 | ||||
| REVOCABLE TRUST OF SHIRLEY J ESTHUS | ||||||
| U/A DTD 04/05/2010 | ||||||
| 149 KENNEDY DR | ||||||
| ATTLEBORO MA 02703-1140 | ||||||
| DELMONT E HARTT | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-A | 15.82 | ||||
| SHEILA A HARTT JTWROS | ||||||
| 73 HORSEBACK RD | ||||||
| CARMEL ME 04419-3301 | ||||||
| GALEN P MCKENNEY TOD | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INFLATION SOLUTION FUND-A | 16.84 | ||||
| 400 EXETER RD | ||||||
| CORINNA ME 04928-3514 | ||||||
| * | LPL FINANCIAL | VIRTUS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND-C | 15.25 | |||
| OMNIBUS CUSTOMER ACCOUNT | ||||||
| ATTN LINDSAY OTOOLE | ||||||
| 4707 EXECUTIVE DRIVE | ||||||
| SAN DIEGO CA 92121 | ||||||
| OPPENHEIMER & CO INC. FBO | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOLUTION FUND-C | 7.65 | ||||
| RUSSELL GOODALE & CATHERINE GOODALE JTWROS | ||||||
| 113 SOUTHFIELDS RD | ||||||
| RIVERHEAD NY 11901 | ||||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-SECTOR INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND | VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND-R6 | 9.43 | ||||
| ATTN MICHAEL SOLLICITO | ||||||
| 100 PEARL ST FL 7 | ||||||
| HARTFORD CT 06103-4500 | ||||||
| VIRTUS MULTI-SECTOR SHORT TERM BOND FUND | VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND-R6 | 70.50 | ||||
| ATTN MICHAEL SOLLICITO | ||||||
| 100 PEARL ST FL 7 | ||||||
| HARTFORD CT 06103-4500 | ||||||
| VIRTUS SENIOR FLOATING RATE FUND | VIRTUS CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND-R6 | 7.81 | ||||
| ATTN MICHAEL SOLLICITO | ||||||
| 100 PEARL ST FL 7 | ||||||
| HARTFORD CT 06103-4500 | ||||||
| * | NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC | VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE TOTAL SOLUTION FUND-A | 18.93 | |||
| FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CUSTOMERS | ||||||
| ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR | ||||||
| 499 WASHINGTON BLVD | ||||||
| JERSEY CITY NJ 07310 |
116
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
PART C — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
| (a) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust. |
| 1. | Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant dated December 3, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit a.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Bylaws. |
| 1. | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated December 3, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit b.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c) | Reference is made to Articles III, V and VI of Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Articles II, VII and VIII of Registrant’s By-Laws. See Exhibits (a) and (b). |
| (d) | Investment Advisory Contracts. |
| 1. | Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc. (“VAIA”) effective February 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and VAIA effective September 8, 2014, filed via EDGAR with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Second Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and VAIA effective April 29, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.b) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| c) | Third Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and VAIA effective June 4, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.c) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333- 191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| d) | *Fourth Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and VAIA effective September 8, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.d) herewith. |
| 2. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Armored Wolf, LLC (“Armored Wolf”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.2) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 3. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Ascend Capital LLC (“Ascend”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.3) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 4. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Brigade Capital Management, LLC (“Brigade”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund, Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.4) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 5. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Cliffwater Investments LLC (“Cliffwater”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund, Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.5) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 6. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC (“Credit Suisse”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.6) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 7. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Graham Capital Management, L.P. (“GCM”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.7) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 5 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 16, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 8. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Harvest Fund Advisors LLC (“Harvest”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund, Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.7) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| C- 1 |
| 9. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and ICE Canyon LLC (“ICE Canyon”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.9) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 5 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 16, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 10. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and LaSalle Investment Management Securities, LLC (“LaSalle”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund, Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.10) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 11. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund, Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.11) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 12. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and MAST Capital Management, LLC (“MAST”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.12) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 13. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P. (“Owl Creek”) with respect to Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.13) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 14. | Investment Advisory Agreement between VAIA and VATS Offshore Fund, Ltd. (“VATS”) filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.14) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 5 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 16, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 15. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Cliffwater with respect to VATS filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.15) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 5 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 16, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 16. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and GCM with respect to VATS filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.16) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 5 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 16, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 17. | *Corrected Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (“Newfleet”) with respect to Virtus Strategic Income Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.17) herewith. |
| 18. | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Aviva Investors Americas LLC (“AIA”) with respect to Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.18) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 19. | *Corrected Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Newfleet with respect to Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.19) herewith. |
| 20. | *Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (“Duff & Phelps”) with respect to Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.20) herewith. |
| (e) | Underwriting Agreement |
| 1. | Underwriting Agreement with VP Distributors, LLC (“VP Distributors”) dated February 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit e.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 2. | *Form of Sales Agreement between VP Distributors and dealers (August 2015) filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit e.2) herewith. |
| (f) | None. |
| (g) | Custodian Agreement |
| 1. | Custody Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon dated March 21, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of August 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.a) with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon effective May 19, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.b) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| C- 2 |
| c) | Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon effective ______, 2015, to be filed by amendment. |
| 2. | Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of August 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.a) with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 19, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.b) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| c) | Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of ______, 2015, to be filed by amendment. |
| (h) | Other Material Contracts |
| 1. | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and Virtus Fund Services, LLC (“Virtus Fund Services”) effective February 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 2. | Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Equity Trust (“VET”), Virtus Insight Trust (“VIT”), Virtus Opportunities Trust (“VOT”), VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), dated April 15, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.6) with Post-effective Amendment No. 54 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on April 27, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | Adoption and Amendment Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.b) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon effective August 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.a) with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| c) | Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon effective November 12, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.c) with Post-effective Amendment No. 9 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on January 22, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| d) | Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon effective May 28, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.d) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| e) | Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon effective _________, 2015, to be filed by amendment |
| 3. | Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Fund Services effective February 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | First Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Fund Services effective September 8, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.a) with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Second Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Fund Services effective April 7, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.b) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| c) | Third Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Fund Services effective June 4, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.c) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| d) | *Fourth Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Fund Services effective September 8, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.d) herewith. |
| 4. | Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, dated January 1, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.5) with Post-Effective |
| C- 3 |
Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on February 25, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
| a) | First Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, dated June 30, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.13.) with Post-effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on April 28, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Second Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, dated September 14, 2010 filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.14.) with Post-effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on April 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| c) | Third Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, dated March 15, 2011 filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.15.) with Post-effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on April 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| d) | Fourth Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, dated August 28, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.d) with Post-effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on April 29, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| e) | Fifth Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, dated December 18, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.e) with Post-effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement of VIT (File No. 033-64915) on April 29, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| f) | Sixth Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated June 10, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.f) with Post-effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registration Statement of VOT (File No. 033-65137) on June 10, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| g) | Seventh Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated December 18, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.g) with Post-effective Amendment No. 70 to the Registration Statement of VOT (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| h) | Joinder Agreement and Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, Virtus Variable Insurance Trust (“VVIT”), VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated February 24, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.h) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| i) | Amended Exhibit B to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among the Registrant, VET, VIT, VOT, VVIT, VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, effective ________, 2015, to be filed by amendment. |
| 5. | *Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and VAIA, effective September 8, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.5) herewith. |
| 6. | Form of Indemnification Agreement with each trustee of Registrant, effective as of December 5, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.6) with Post-effective Amendment No. 7 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on November 19, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (i) | Legal Opinion |
| 1. | *Opinion of Counsel as to legality of the shares filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit i.1) herewith. |
| 2. | *Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit i.2) herewith. |
| (j) | Other Opinions |
| 1. | *Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit j.1) herewith. |
| (k) | Not applicable. |
| C- 4 |
| (l) | Not applicable. |
| (m) | Rule 12b-1 Plans. |
| 1. | Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | Amendment No. 1 to Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.a) with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Amendment No. 2 to Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.b) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| c) | Amendment No. 3 to Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.c) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| d) | *Amendment No. 4 to Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.d) herewith. |
| 2. | Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333- 191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| a) | Amendment No. 1 to Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.a) with Post-effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| b) | Amendment No. 2 to Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.b) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference . |
| c) | Amendment No. 3 to Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.c) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| d) | *Amendment No. 4 to Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.d) herewith. |
| (n) | Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit n) with Post-effective Amendment No. 7 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on November 19, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 1. | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit n.1) with Post-effective Amendment No. 16 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 2. | Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit n.2) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 3. | *Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit n.3) herewith. |
| (o) | Reserved |
| (p) | Code of Ethics |
| 1. | *Code of Ethics of the Registrant and other Virtus Funds effective August 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.1) herewith. |
| 2. | Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of VAIA, VP Distributors, Cliffwater, Newfleet, Duff & Phelps and other Virtus Affiliates dated April 1, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.2) with Post-effective Amendment No.18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 3. | Code of Ethics of subadviser Armored Wolf effective April 1, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.3) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| C- 5 |
| 4. | *Code of Ethics of subadviser Ascend effective January 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.4) herewith. |
| 5. | Code of Ethics of subadviser Brigade (as Exhibit p.5) effective September, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.5) with Post-effective Amendment No. 9 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on January 22, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 6. | Code of Ethics of subadviser Credit Suisse filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.6) with Post-effective Amendment No. 7 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on November 19, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 7. | *Code of Ethics of subadviser GCM effective December 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.7) herewith. |
| 8. | Code of Ethics of subadviser Harvest dated August 9, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.8) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 9. | Code of Ethics of subadviser ICE Canyon dated February 10, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.9) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 10. | *Code of Ethics of subadviser LaSalle effective March 23, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.10) herewith. |
| 11. | Code of Ethics of subadviser Lazard dated September 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.11) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 12. | Code of Ethics of subadviser MAST filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.12) with Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 13. | *Code of Ethics of subadviser Owl Creek effective February 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.13) herewith. |
| 14. | Code of Ethics of subadviser AIA dated March 28, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit p.14) with Post-effective Amendment No. 18 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (q) | Power of Attorney for all Trustees, dated February 10, 2014, filed via EDGAR with Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-191940) to the Registration Statement on February 10, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. |
*Filed Herewith
| C- 6 |
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with the Fund
None.
Item 30. Indemnification
The indemnification of Registrant’s principal underwriter against certain losses is provided for in Section 18 of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit e.1 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 28, 2014. Indemnification of Registrant’s Custodian is provided for in section 9.9 of the Custody Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit g.1 of the Registration Statement filed on March 28, 2014. The indemnification of Registrant’s Transfer Agent is provided for, in Article 6 of the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit h.1 of the Registration Statement filed on March 28, 2014. The Trust has entered into Indemnification Agreements with each trustee effective as of December 5, 2013, the form of which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h.6 to Registration Statement filed on November 19, 2014, whereby the Registrant shall indemnify the trustee for expenses incurred in any proceeding in connection with the trustee’s service to the Registrant subject to certain limited exceptions.
In addition, Article VII sections 2 and 3 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit a.1 of the Registration Statement filed on March 28, 2014, provides in relevant part as follows:
“A Trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any Person, other than the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in this Article VII, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee or of any other Trustee. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, Manager or Principal Underwriter of the Trust. The Trust (i) may indemnify an agent of the Trust or any Person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as an agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise and (ii) shall indemnify each Person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust and any Person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as a director, officer, trustee, or employee of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise, in the case of (i) and (ii), to the fullest extent consistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in the manner provided in the By-Laws; provided that such indemnification shall not be available to any of the foregoing Persons in connection with a claim, suit or other proceeding by any such Person against the Trust or a Series (or Class) thereof.
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the appropriate Series (or Class thereof if the Trustees have included a Class limitation on liability in the agreement with such person as provided below), or, if the Trustees have yet to establish Series, of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor the Shareholders, nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees by any of them in connection with the Trust shall conclusively be deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to his or their capacity as Trustee or Trustees, and such Trustee or Trustees shall not be personally liable thereon. …
… A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for her or his own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice nor for failing to follow such advice.”
In addition, Article III section 7 of such Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for the indemnification of shareholders of the Registrant as follows: “If any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be exposed to liability by reason of a claim or demand relating to such Person being or having been a Shareholder, and not because of such Person's acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or such Person's heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified out of the assets of the Trust against all cost and expense reasonably incurred in connection with such claim or demand, but only out of the assets held with respect to the particular Series of Shares of which such Person is or was a Shareholder and from or in relation to which such liability arose. The Trust may, at its option and shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets held with respect to the particular series.”
| C- 7 |
Article VIII Section 2 of the Registrant’s Bylaws incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit b.1 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 28, 2014, provides in relevant part, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, “every agent shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against all liabilities and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been an agent.” Such indemnification would not apply in the case of any liability to which the Registrant would otherwise be subject by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such person’s duties.
The Investment Advisory Agreement, Subadvisory Agreements, Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement and Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement, as amended, respectively provide that the Registrant will indemnify the other party (or parties, as the case may be) to the agreement for certain losses. Similar indemnities to those listed above may appear in other agreements to which the Registrant is a party.
The Registrant, in conjunction with VAIA, the Registrant’s Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by VAIA or its affiliates, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Registrant, or who is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by him or arising out of his position. However, in no event will Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 Investment Adviser and Subadvisers
See “Management of the Funds” in the Prospectus and “Investment Advisory and Other Services” and “Management of the Trust” in the Statement of Additional Information which is included in this Post-Effective Amendment. For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of directors and officers of the Adviser and Subadvisers, reference is made to the Adviser’s and Subadviser’s current Form ADV filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and incorporated herein by reference.
| Adviser | SEC File No.: |
| VAIA | 801-67924 |
| AIA | 801-76637 |
| Armored Wolf |
801-70152 |
| Ascend | 801-65340 |
| Brigade | 801-69965 |
| Credit Suisse | 801-37170 |
| Duff & Phelps | 801-14813 |
| GCM | 801-73422 |
| Harvest | 801-71791 |
| ICE Canyon | 801-68298 |
| LaSalle | 801-48201 |
| Lazard | 801-61701 |
| MAST | 801-63090 |
| Newfleet | 801-51559 |
| Owl Creek | 801-66113 |
| C- 8 |
Item 32. Principal Underwriter
| (a) | VP Distributors, LLC serves as the principal underwriter for the following registrants: Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust, Virtus Equity Trust, Virtus Insight Trust, Virtus Opportunities Trust and Virtus Variable Insurance Trust. |
| (b) | Directors and executive officers of VP Distributors, 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT 06103, are as follows: |
| Name and Principal | Positions and Offices | |||
| Business Address | Positions and Offices with Distributor | with Registrant | ||
| George R. Aylward | Executive Vice President | President and Trustee | ||
| Kevin J. Carr | Vice President, Counsel and Secretary | Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary | ||
| Nancy J. Engberg | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | ||
| David Hanley | Vice President and Treasurer | None | ||
| Barry Mandinach | President | None | ||
| David C. Martin | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None | ||
| Francis G. Waltman | Executive Vice President | Executive Vice President |
| (c) | Not applicable. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
Persons maintaining physical possession of accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder include:
| Secretary of the Trust: | Principal Underwriter: | |
|
Jennifer Fromm, Esq. 100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103
|
VP Distributors, LLC. 100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103
|
|
| Administrator and Transfer Agent: | Custodian: | |
|
Virtus Fund Services, LLC 100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103
|
The Bank of New York Mellon One Wall Street New York, NY 10286
|
|
| Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Transfer Agent and Dividend Dispersing Agent: | Investment Adviser: | |
|
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. 301 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809
|
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc. 100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103
|
| C- 9 |
| Subadviser to Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund: | Subadviser to Alternative Total Solution Fund: | |
|
Armored Wolf, LLC 18111 Van Karman Avenue, Suite 525 Irvine, CA 92612
|
Ascend Capital LLC 4 Orinda Way, Suite 200 C Orinda, CA 94563 and 50 California Street, Suite 430 San Francisco, CA 94111 |
|
| Subadviser to Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund: | Subadviser to Alternative Inflation Solution Fund: | |
|
Brigade Capital Management, LLC 399 Park Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY 10022
|
Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC One Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010
|
|
| Subadviser to Alternative Total Solution Fund: | Subadviser to Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund: | |
|
Graham Capital Management, L.P. 40 Highland Avenue Rowayton, CT 06853
|
Harvest Fund Advisors LLC 100 West Lancaster Avenue, 2nd Floor Wayne, PA 19087
|
|
| Subadviser to Alternative Income Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund: | Subadviser to Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund: | |
|
ICE Canyon LLC 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 11th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90067
|
LaSalle Investment Management Securities, LLC 100 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202
|
|
| Subadviser to Alternative Income Solution Fund, Alternative Inflation Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund: | Subadviser to Alternative Income Solution Fund and Alternative Total Solution Fund: | |
|
Lazard Asset Management LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 55th Floor New York, NY 10112
|
MAST Capital Management, LLC 200 Clarendon Street, 51st Floor Boston, MA 02116
|
|
| Subadviser to Strategic Income Fund and Credit Opportunities Fund: | Subadviser to Alternative Total Solution Fund: | |
|
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC 100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103
|
Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P. 640 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor New York, NY 10019
|
|
| Subadviser to Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund: | Subadviser to Select MLP and Energy Fund: | |
|
Aviva Investors Americas LLC 225 West Wacker Drive Suite 1750 Chicago, IL 60606 |
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. 200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60606
|
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
| C- 10 |
PART C – OTHER INFORMATION
Exhibit List
| d.1.d | Fourth Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and VAIA effective September 8, 2015 |
| d.17 | Corrected Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Newfleet with respect to Virtus Strategic Income Fund |
| d.19 | Corrected Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Newfleet with respect to Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund |
| d.20 | Subadvisory Agreement between VAIA and Duff & Phelps with respect to Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund |
| e.2 | Form of Sales Agreement between VP Distributors and dealers (August 2015) |
| h.3.d | Fourth Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Virtus Fund Services effective September 8, 2015 |
| h.5 | Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and VAIA, effective September 8, 2015 |
| i.1 | Opinion of Counsel as to legality of the shares |
| i.2 | Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP |
| j.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
| m.1.d | Amendment No. 4 to Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act |
| m.2.d | Amendment No. 4 to Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act |
| n.3 | Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act |
| p.1 | Code of Ethics of the Registrant and other Virtus Funds effective August 2015 |
| p.4 | Code of Ethics of subadviser Ascend effective January 2015 |
| p.7 | Code of Ethics of subadviser GCM effective December 2014 |
| p.10 | Code of Ethics of subadviser LaSalle effective March 23, 2015 |
| p.13 | Code of Ethics of subadviser Owl Creek effective February 2015 |
| C- 11 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut on the 8 th day of September, 2015.
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST | |
| By: | /s/ George R. Aylward |
| George R. Aylward | |
| 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 8 th day of September, 2015.
| Signature | Title | |
| /s/ George R. Aylward | ||
| George R. Aylward | Trustee and President (principal executive officer) | |
| * | ||
| Thomas F. Mann | Trustee | |
| * | ||
| Philip R. McLoughlin | Trustee and Chairman | |
| * | ||
| William R. Moyer | Trustee | |
| * | ||
| James M. Oates | Trustee | |
| /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| W. Patrick Bradley |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(principal financial and accounting officer) |
* Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney
VATS Offshore Fund, Ltd. has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut on the 8 th day of September, 2015.
| VATS OFFSHORE FUND, LTD. | |
| By: | /s/ George R. Aylward |
| George R. Aylward | |
| 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 8 th day of September, 2015.
| Signature |
Title |
|||
|
/s/ George R. Aylward |
||||
| George R. Aylward | President (principal executive officer) | |||
|
/s/ Francis G. Waltman |
||||
| Francis G. Waltman | Sole Director | |||
|
/s/ W. Patrick Bradley |
||||
| W. Patrick Bradley |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer) |
|||
[485B - PEA #22 (Select MLP and Energy Fund) - 9/2015]
Exhibit 99.(d).1.d
FOURTH AMENDMENT
TO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT effective as of the 8th day of September, 2015, amends that certain Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of February 19, 2014, as amended (the “Agreement”), by and between Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Adviser”), as follows:
| 1. | The Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund (the “Fund”) is hereby added as an additional Series to the Agreement. |
| 2. | The investment advisory fees for the Funds are hereby set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement, Schedule A is hereby deleted and Schedule A attached hereto is substituted in its place to reflect such addition. |
| 3. | Except as expressly amended hereby, all provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and are unchanged in all other respects. All initial capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement, as amended. |
| 4. | This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission shall be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
[signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers or other representatives.
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST | ||
| By: | /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | |
| Name: | W. Patrick Bradley | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | |
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ADVISERS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Francis G. Waltman | |
| Name: | Francis G. Waltman | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President | |
SCHEDULE A
| Series | Annual Investment Advisory Fee | Based upon | ||
| Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund | 0.75% | “managed assets” | ||
| Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund | 1.00% | “net assets” |
| Annual Investment Advisory Fee | ||||||
| Series | 1 st $5 Billion | $5+ Billon | Based upon | |||
| Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund | 1.80% | 1.75% | “managed assets” | |||
| Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund | 1.75% | 1.70% | “managed assets” | |||
| Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund | 1.95% | 1.90% | “managed assets” | |||
| Virtus Strategic Income Fund | 0.80% | 0.75% | “managed assets” | |||
| Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund | 1.30% | 1.25% | “net assets” | |||
Exhibit 99.(d).17
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
September 8, 2014
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street, 9th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
| RE: | Subadvisory Agreement |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end investment company of the series type registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), and is subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The shares of the Trust are offered or may be offered in several series, including Virtus Strategic Income Fund (sometimes hereafter referred to as the “Series”).
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”) evaluates and recommends series advisers for the Series and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series.
| 1. | Employment as a Subadviser . The Adviser, being duly authorized, hereby employs Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (the “Subadviser”) as a discretionary series adviser to invest and reinvest that discrete portion of the assets of the Series designated by the Adviser as set forth on Schedule F attached hereto (the “Designated Series”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The services of the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive; the Subadviser may render services to others and engage in other activities that do not conflict in any material manner with the Subadviser’s performance hereunder. |
| 2. | Acceptance of Employment; Standard of Performance . The Subadviser accepts its employment as a discretionary series adviser of the Designated Series and agrees, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) and the Adviser, to use its best professional judgment to make investment decisions for the Designated Series in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as set forth in Schedule D attached hereto and made a part hereof. The Subadviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no authority or obligation to act for or represent the Adviser, the Trust or the Series in any way. |
| 3. | Services of Subadviser . In providing management services to the Designated Series, the Subadviser shall be subject to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Trust as they apply to the Designated Series and as set forth in the Trust’s then current prospectus (“Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (“Statement of Additional Information”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Trust’s registration statement (the “Registration Statement”), as may be periodically amended and provided to the Subadviser by the Adviser, and to the investment restrictions set forth in the Act and the Rules thereunder, to the supervision and control of the Board, and to instructions from the Adviser. The Subadviser shall not, without the Trust’s prior written approval, effect any transactions that would cause the Designated Series at the time of the transaction to be out of compliance with any of such restrictions or policies. |
| 4. | Transaction Procedures . All series transactions for the Designated Series shall be consummated by payment to, or delivery by, the custodian(s) from time to time designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Series. The Subadviser shall not have possession or custody of such cash and/or securities or any |
responsibility or liability with respect to such custody. The Subadviser shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust all investment orders for the Designated Series placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Schedule A hereto (as amended from time to time). The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Subadviser. The Trust shall be responsible for all custodial arrangements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees, and, upon giving proper instructions to the Custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to custodial arrangements or the act, omissions or other conduct of the Custodian.
| 5. | Allocation of Brokerage . The Subadviser shall have authority and discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute Designated Series transactions initiated by the Subadviser, and to select the markets on or in which the transactions will be executed. |
| A. | In placing orders for the sale and purchase of Designated Series securities for the Trust, the Subadviser’s primary responsibility shall be to seek the best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. However, this responsibility shall not obligate the Subadviser to solicit competitive bids for each transaction or to seek the lowest available commission cost to the Trust, as long as the Subadviser reasonably believes that the broker or dealer selected by it can be expected to obtain a “best execution” market price on the particular transaction and determines in good faith that the commission cost is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided by such broker or dealer to the Subadviser, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or of the Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to its clients, including the Trust, as to which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion, notwithstanding that the Trust may not be the direct or exclusive beneficiary of any such services or that another broker may be willing to charge the Trust a lower commission on the particular transaction. |
| B. | The Subadviser may manage other portfolios and expects that the Trust and other portfolios the Subadviser manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the same securities. The Subadviser may aggregate orders for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the Designated Series with orders on behalf of other portfolios the Subadviser manages. Securities purchased or proceeds of securities sold through aggregated orders, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, shall be allocated to the account of each portfolio managed by the Subadviser that bought or sold such securities in a manner considered by the Subadviser to be equitable and consistent with the Subadviser’s fiduciary obligations in respect of the Designated Series and to such other accounts. |
| C. | The Subadviser shall not execute any transactions for the Designated Series with a broker or dealer that is an “affiliated person” (as defined in the Act) of (i) the Series; (ii) another series of the Trust; (iii) the Adviser; (iv) the Subadviser or any other subadviser to the Series; (v) a principal underwriter of the Trust’s shares; or (vi) any other affiliated person of the Series, in each case, unless such transactions are permitted by applicable law or regulation and carried out in compliance with any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are “affiliated persons” of the Trust, the Adviser or the principal underwriter, and applicable policies and procedures. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Subadviser shall promptly, and in any event within three business days of a request, indicate whether any entity identified by the Adviser in such request is an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the Act, of (i) the Subadviser or (ii) any affiliated person of the Subadviser, subject in each case to any confidentiality requirements applicable to the Subadviser and/or its affiliates. Further, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with a list of (x) each broker-dealer entity that is an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the Act, of the Subadviser and (y) each affiliated person of the Subadviser that has outstanding publicly-issued debt or equity. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list(s) whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from such list of affiliated persons. |
| D. | Consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust in respect of the Designated Series and the requirements of best price and execution, the Subadviser may, under certain circumstances, arrange to have purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the Designated Series and another account |
| 2 |
managed by the Subadviser (“cross transactions”), provided that such transactions are carried out in accordance with applicable law or regulation and any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with applicable policies and procedures.
| 6. | Proxies and Other Shareholder Actions . |
| A. | Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Subadviser written instructions to the contrary, the Subadviser, or a third party designee acting under the authority and supervision of the Subadviser, shall review all proxy solicitation materials and be responsible for voting and handling all proxies in relation to the assets of the Designated Series. Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Subadviser written instructions to the contrary, provided that the Adviser has reviewed the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures then in effect and determined them to comply with the requirements of the Trust’s proxy voting policy, the Subadviser will, in compliance with the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures then in effect, vote or abstain from voting, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Designated Series may be invested. The Adviser shall cause the Custodian, the Administrator or another party, to forward promptly to the Subadviser all proxies upon receipt, so as to afford the Subadviser a reasonable amount of time in which to determine how to vote such proxies. The Subadviser agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with any changes to the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures. The Subadviser further agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with a record of votes cast containing all of the voting information required by Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Trust to file Form N-PX as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Act. The Subadviser shall provide disclosure regarding its proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance with the requirements of Form N-1A for inclusion in the Registration Statement of the Trust. During any annual period in which the Subadviser has voted proxies for the Trust, the Subadviser shall, as may reasonably be requested by the Adviser, certify as to its compliance with its proxy voting policies and procedures and applicable federal statutes and regulations. |
| B. | The Subadviser is authorized to deal with reorganizations, exchange offers and other voluntary corporate actions with respect to securities held in the Designated Series in such manner as the Subadviser deems advisable, unless the Trust or the Adviser otherwise specifically directs in writing. It is acknowledged and agreed that the Subadviser shall not be responsible for the filing of claims (or otherwise causing the Trust to participate) in class action settlements or similar proceedings in which shareholders may participate related to securities currently or previously associated with the Designated Series. With the Adviser’s approval, on a case-by-case basis the Subadviser may obtain the authority and take on the responsibility to: (i) identify, evaluate and pursue legal claims, including commencing or defending suits, affecting the securities held at any time in the Designated Series, including claims in bankruptcy, class action securities litigation and other litigation; (ii) participate in such litigation or related proceedings with respect to such securities as the Subadviser deems appropriate to preserve or enhance the value of the Designated Series, including filing proofs of claim and related documents and serving as “lead plaintiff” in class action lawsuits; (iii) exercise generally any of the powers of an owner with respect to the supervision and management of such rights or claims, including the settlement, compromise or submission to arbitration of any claims, the exercise of which the Subadviser deems to be in the best interest of the Designated Series or required by applicable law, including ERISA, and (iv) employ suitable agents, including legal counsel, and to pay their reasonable fees, expenses and related costs from the Designated Series. |
| 7. | Prohibited Conduct . In accordance with Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act and any other applicable law or regulation, the Subadviser’s responsibility regarding investment advice hereunder is limited to the Designated Series, and the Subadviser will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to the Trust or any other investment company sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. or its affiliates regarding transactions in securities or other assets for the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with a list of investment companies sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and its affiliates, and the Subadviser shall be in breach of the foregoing provision only if the investment company is included in such a list provided to the Subadviser prior to such prohibited action. In addition, the Subadviser shall not, without the prior written consent of the Trust and the Adviser, delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any affiliated or unaffiliated third party. [The parties |
| 3 |
acknowledge and agree that the Subadviser may, in its discretion, utilize personnel employed by affiliates of the Subadviser to perform services pursuant to this Agreement by way of a “participating affiliate” agreement in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), including the published interpretations thereof by the SEC or its staff. Such participating affiliate agreement shall subject the personnel providing such services to the Subadviser’s compliance and other programs with respect to their activities on behalf of the Designated Series. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Subadviser assumes full responsibility for all actions, and any failure to act, by each person utilized by the Subadviser to perform services under this Agreement.]
| 8. | Information and Reports . |
| A. | The Subadviser shall keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Designated Series. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Adviser and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request. In addition, prior to each meeting of the Board, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser’s management of the Designated Series during the most recently completed quarter, which reports: (i) shall include Subadviser’s representation that its performance of its investment management duties hereunder is in compliance with the Designated Series’ investment objectives and practices, the Act and applicable rules and regulations under the Act, and the diversification and minimum “good income” requirements of Subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) otherwise shall be in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Adviser. |
| B. | Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser shall provide the other party with a list, to the best of the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the Subadviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser and Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the list of affiliated persons. |
| C. | The Subadviser shall also provide the Adviser with any information reasonably requested by the Adviser regarding its management of the Designated Series required for any shareholder report, amended Registration Statement, or Prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. |
| 9. | Fees for Services . The compensation of the Subadviser for its services under this Agreement shall be calculated and paid by the Adviser in accordance with the attached Schedule C. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Subadviser. |
| 10. | Limitation of Liability . Absent the Subadviser’s breach of this Agreement or the willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Subadviser, or its officers, directors, partners, agents, employees and controlling persons, the Subadviser shall not be liable 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 position; provided, however, that the Subadviser shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold the Trust and the Adviser and each of their respective directors or trustees, members, officers, employees and shareholders, and each person, if any, who controls the Trust or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), harmless against, any and all Losses (as defined below) arising out of or resulting from a “Trade Error” (as defined in the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and/or the Subadviser), as the same may be amended from time to time) caused by the negligent action or negligent omission of the Subadviser or its agent. The Adviser agrees to provide prior written notice to the Subadviser of any material changes to the definition of Trade Error becoming effective with respect to the Designated Series unless, in the reasonable discretion of the Adviser, such change must become effective earlier due to |
| 4 |
any applicable law, rule, regulation or court order. It is acknowledged and agreed that any Trade Error that results in a gain to the Series shall inure to the benefit of the Series. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Series is a third party beneficiary of the indemnity granted in this Section 10, and the indemnity is intended to cover claims by the Series, the Trust (on behalf of the Series), or the Adviser against the Subadviser for recovery pursuant to this section.
| 11. | Confidentiality . Subject to the duty of the Subadviser and the Trust to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Designated Series and the actions of the Subadviser and the Trust in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Subadviser may (i) disclose in marketing materials and similar communications that the Subadviser has been engaged to manage assets of the Designated Series pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) include performance statistics regarding the Designated Series in composite performance statistics regarding one or more groups of Subadviser's clients published or included in any of the foregoing communications, provided that the Subadviser does not identify any performance statistics as relating specifically to the Series. |
| 12. | Assignment . This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act. The Subadviser shall notify the Trust and the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Subadviser. |
| 13. | Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Subadviser . The Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
| A. | It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, and is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon it. It (i) is registered as an “investment adviser” under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”) and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser makes no representation or warranty with regard to the approval of this Agreement by the Board under Section 15 of the Act; (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, and correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide notice promptly to the Adviser of any material violations relating to the Trust; (v) has materially met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency. |
| B. | It is either registered as a commodity trading advisor or duly exempt from such registration with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and it will maintain such registration or exemption continuously during the term of this Agreement or, alternatively, will become a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the CFTC and will be a member in good standing with the National Futures Association. |
| C. | It will maintain, keep current and preserve on behalf of the Trust, records in the manner required or permitted by the Act and the Rules thereunder including the records identified in Schedule B (as Schedule B may be amended from time to time). The Subadviser agrees that such records are the property of the Trust, and shall be surrendered to the Trust or to the Adviser as agent of the Trust promptly upon request of either. The Trust acknowledges that the Subadviser may retain copies of all records required to meet the record retention requirements imposed by law and regulation. |
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| D. | It shall maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) complying with the requirements of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Act and shall provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of the Code of Ethics and evidence of its adoption. It shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of ethics adopted by and on behalf of the Trust. Each calendar quarter while this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized compliance officer of the Subadviser shall certify to the Trust and to the Adviser that the Subadviser has complied with the requirements of Rules 204A-1 and 17j-1 during the previous calendar quarter and that there has been no material violation of its Code of Ethics, or of Rule 17j-1(b), or that any persons covered under its Code of Ethics has divulged or acted upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws, and if such a violation of the code of ethics of the Trust has occurred, or if such a violation of its Code of Ethics has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. The Subadviser shall notify the Adviser promptly of any material violation of the Code of Ethics involving the Trust. The Subadviser will provide such additional information regarding violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust as the Trust or its Chief Compliance Officer on behalf of the Trust or the Adviser may reasonably request in order to assess the functioning of the Code of Ethics or any harm caused to the Trust from a violation of the Code of Ethics. Further, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by the Subadviser and its employees. The Subadviser will explain what it has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish to the Trust and the Adviser a written report which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 concerning the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall permit the Trust and the Adviser to examine the reports required to be made by the Subadviser under Rules 204A-1(b) and 17j-1(d)(1) and this subparagraph. |
| E. | It has adopted and implemented, and throughout the term of this Agreement shall maintain in effect and implement, policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent, detect and correct violations by the Subadviser and its supervised persons, and, to the extent the activities of the Subadviser in respect of the Trust could affect the Trust, by the Trust, of “federal securities laws” (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the Act), and that the Subadviser has provided the Trust with true and complete copies of its policies and procedures (or summaries thereof) and related information reasonably requested by the Trust and/or the Adviser. The Subadviser agrees to cooperate with periodic reviews by the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel of the Subadviser’s policies and procedures, their operation and implementation and other compliance matters and to provide to the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time such additional information and certifications in respect of the Subadviser’s policies and procedures, compliance by the Subadviser with federal securities laws and related matters as the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel may reasonably request. The Subadviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of any compliance violations which affect the Designated Series. |
| F. | The Subadviser will immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the Act or otherwise. The Subadviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if it is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, including but not limited to the SEC and the CFTC, involving the affairs of the Designated Series. |
| G. | To the best of its knowledge, there are no material pending, threatened, or contemplated actions, suits, proceedings, or investigations before or by any court, governmental, administrative or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel to which it or any of its directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members or principals, or any of its affiliates is a party or to which it or its affiliates or any of its or its affiliates’ assets are subject, nor has it or any of its affiliates received any notice of an investigation, inquiry, or dispute by any court, governmental, administrative, or self- |
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regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel regarding any of its or their activities, which might reasonably be expected to result in (i) a material adverse effect on the Trust or (ii) a material adverse change in the Subadviser’s condition (financial or otherwise) or business, or which might reasonably be expected to materially impair the Subadviser’s ability to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. The Subadviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if the representation in this Section 13.G is no longer accurate.
| H. | The Subadviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any changes in its executive officers, partners or in its key personnel, including, without limitation, any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the Designated Series or if there is an actual or expected change in control or management of the Subadviser. |
| 14. | No Personal Liability . Reference is hereby made to the Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The name “Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust” refers to the Board under said Declaration of Trust, as trustees and not personally, and no trustee, shareholder, officer, agent or employee of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust; only the trust estate under said Declaration of Trust is liable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Subadviser nor any of its officers, directors, partners, shareholders or employees shall, under any circumstances, have recourse or cause or willingly permit recourse to be had directly or indirectly to any personal, statutory, or other liability of any shareholder, Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust or of any successor of the Trust, whether such liability now exists or is hereafter incurred for claims against the trust estate. |
| 15. | Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement among the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Trust, which amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, B, D, E and F, is subject to the approval of the Board (including those trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust) and, if required by the Act or applicable SEC rules and regulations, a vote of a majority of the Series’ outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended or terminated in accordance with any exemptive order issued to the Adviser, the Trust or its affiliates. |
| 16. | Effective Date; Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement, and shall continue in effect until [December 31, 2016 ] . The Agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter only so long as its continuance has been specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of the Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of the Trust and (ii) by vote of a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) or of any person party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of such approval. |
| 17. | Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Subadviser, (ii) by the Subadviser upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Trust, or (iii) by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Adviser or the Board immediately (i) upon the material breach by the Subadviser of this Agreement or (ii) at the terminating party’s discretion, if the Subadviser or any officer, director or key portfolio manager of the Subadviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding as having violated the federal securities laws or engaged in criminal conduct. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Subadviser immediately (i) upon the material breach by the Adviser of this Agreement or (ii) at the discretion of the Subadviser, if the Adviser or any officer or director of the Adviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding as having violated the federal securities laws or engaged in criminal conduct. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement shall |
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terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, as such term is defined in and interpreted under the terms of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder.
| 18. | Applicable Law . To the extent that state law is not preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted, as the same may be amended from time to time, this Agreement shall be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts entered into and fully performed within the State of Delaware. |
| 19. | Severability . If any term or condition of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each and every term and condition of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
| 20. | Notices. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered personally or by overnight delivery service or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as shall be designated by any party in a written notice to the other party. |
| (a) | To the Adviser or the Trust at: |
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc.
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attn: Jennifer Fromm
Telephone: (860) 263-4790
Facsimile: (860) 241-1024
E-mail: jennifer.fromm@virtus.com
| (b) | To the Subadviser at: |
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street, 9th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
Attn: [Jennifer Fromm or Kevin J. Carr]
Telephone: [(860) 263-4791]
Facsimile: (860) 241-1024
E-mail: [jennifer.fromm@virtus.com]
| 21. | Certifications. The Subadviser shall timely provide to the Adviser and the Trust, all information and documentation they may reasonably request as necessary or appropriate in order for the Adviser and the Board to oversee the activities of the Subadviser and in connection with the compliance by any of them with the requirements of this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the policies and procedures referenced herein, and any applicable law, including, without limitation, (i) information and commentary relating to the Subadviser or the Designated Series for the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports, in a format reasonably approved by the Adviser, together with (A) a certification that such information and commentary discuss all of the factors that materially affected the performance of the Series with respect to the Allocated Portion, including the relevant market conditions and the investment techniques and strategies used and (B) additional certifications related to the Subadviser’s management of the Trust in order to support the Trust’s filings on Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and other applicable forms, and the Trust’s Principal Executive Officer’s and Principal Financial Officer’s certifications under Rule 30a-2 under the Act, thereon; (ii) within 5 business days of a quarter-end, a quarterly certification with respect to compliance and operational matters related to the Subadviser and the Subadviser’s management of the Designated Series (including, without limitation, compliance with the applicable procedures), in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser, as it may be amended from time to time; and (iii) an annual certification from |
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the Subadviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, appointed under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act with respect to the design and operation of the Subadviser’s compliance program, in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser or the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Subadviser shall provide a quarterly certification in a form substantially similar to that attached as Schedule E.
| 22. | Indemnification . |
| A. | The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser’s obligation under this Section 22 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Adviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Adviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Subadviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Adviser for use therein. |
| B. | The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser from and against any and all Losses arising from the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 22 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Subadviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Subadviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Subadviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Subadviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Subadviser for use therein. |
| C. | A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) will (i) provide prompt notice to the other of any claim (“Claim”) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and /or settlement of the Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party will have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but will not have the right to control the defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party. |
| D. | No party will be liable to another party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement. |
| 23. | Receipt of Disclosure Documents . The Trust and the Adviser acknowledge receipt, at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement, of a copy of Part 2 of the Subadviser’s Form ADV containing certain information concerning the Subadviser and the nature of its business. The Subadviser will, promptly after |
| 9 |
making any amendment to its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser. On an annual basis and upon request, the Subadviser will provide a copy of its audited financial statements, including balance sheets, for the two most recent fiscal years and, if available, each subsequent fiscal quarter. At the time of providing such information, the Subadviser shall describe any material adverse change in its financial condition since the date of its latest financial statement.
| 24. | Counterparts; Fax Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission shall be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
| 25. | Bankruptcy and Related Events . Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the other in the event that: (i) it makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is otherwise adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) a material event occurs that could reasonably be expected to adversely impair its ability to perform this Agreement. The Adviser further agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Subadviser in the event that the Trust ceases to be registered as an investment company under the Act. |
[signature page follows]
| 10 |
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST | |||
| By: | /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| Name: | W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | ||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ADVISERS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Francis G. Waltman | ||
| Name: | Francis G. Waltman | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President | ||
| ACCEPTED: | |||
| NEWFLEET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC | |||
| By: | /s/ David L. Albrycht | ||
| Name: | David L. Albrycht | ||
| Title: | President and Chief Investment Officer | ||
| SCHEDULES: | A. | Operational Procedures |
| B. | Record Keeping Requirements | |
| C. | Fee Schedule | |
| D. | Subadviser Functions | |
| E. | Form of Sub-Certification | |
| F. | Designated Series |
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SCHEDULE A
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
In order to minimize operational problems, it will be necessary for a flow of information to be supplied by Subadviser to The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Custodian") and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., (the “Sub-Accounting Agent”) for the Trust.
The Subadviser must furnish the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting Agent with daily information as to executed trades, or, if no trades are executed, with a report to that effect, no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the day of the trade each day the Trust is open for business. When necessary, trade information for executed trades can be sent to the Sub-Accounting Agent on trade date +1 by 11:00 a.m. (Subadviser will be responsible for reimbursement to the Trust for any loss caused by the Subadviser’s failure to comply.) The necessary information can be sent via facsimile machine or electronic delivery to the Custodian and by facsimile machine or batch files to the Sub-Accounting Agent. Information provided to the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting Agent shall include the following:
| 1. | Purchase or sale; |
| 2. | Security name; |
| 3. | CUSIP number, ISIN or Sedols (as applicable); |
| 4. | Number of shares and sales price per share or aggregate principal amount; |
| 5. | Executing broker; |
| 6. | Settlement agent; |
| 7. | Trade date; |
| 8. | Settlement date; |
| 9. | Aggregate commission or if a net trade; |
| 10. | Interest purchased or sold from interest bearing security; |
| 11. | Other fees; |
| 12. | Net proceeds of the transaction; |
| 13. | Exchange where trade was executed; |
| 14. | Identified tax lot (if applicable); and |
| 15. | Trade commission reason: best execution, soft dollar or research. |
When opening accounts with brokers for, and in the name of, the Trust, the account must be a cash account. No margin accounts are to be opened by the Subadviser in the name of the Trust or any Series. Delivery instructions are as specified by the Custodian. The Custodian will supply the Subadviser daily with a cash availability report via access to the Custodian website, or by email or by facsimile and the Sub-Accounting Agent will provide a five-day cash projection. This will normally be done by email or, if email is unavailable, by another form of immediate written communication, so that the Subadviser will know the amount available for investment purposes.
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SCHEDULE B
RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUBADVISER
| 1. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(5) and (6)) A record of each brokerage order, and all other series purchases and sales, given by the Subadviser on behalf of the Trust for, or in connection with, the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed or unexecuted. Such records shall include: |
| A. | The name of the broker; |
| B. | The terms and conditions of the order and of any modifications or cancellations thereof; |
| C. | The time of entry or cancellation; |
| D. | The price at which executed; |
| E. | The time of receipt of a report of execution; and |
| F. | The name of the person who placed the order on behalf of the Trust. |
| 2. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter, completed within ten (10) days after the end of the quarter, showing specifically the basis or bases upon which the allocation of orders for the purchase and sale of series securities to named brokers or dealers was effected, and the division of brokerage commissions or other compensation on such purchase and sale orders. Such record: |
| A. | Shall include the consideration given to: |
| (i) | The sale of shares of the Trust by brokers or dealers. |
| (ii) | The supplying of services or benefits by brokers or dealers to: |
| (a) | The Trust, |
| (b) | The Adviser, |
| (c) | The Subadviser, and |
| (d) | Any person other than the foregoing. |
| (iii) | Any other consideration other than the technical qualifications of the brokers and dealers as such. |
| B. | Shall show the nature of the services or benefits made available. |
| C. | Shall describe in detail the application of any general or specific formula or other determinant used in arriving at such allocation of purchase and sale orders and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
| D. | Shall show the name of the person responsible for making the determination of such allocation and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
| 3. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate memorandum identifying the person or persons, committees or groups authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities. Where a committee or group makes an authorization, a record shall be kept of the names of its members who participate in the authorization. There shall be retained as part of this record: any memorandum, recommendation or instruction supporting or authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities and such other information as is appropriate to support the authorization. * |
| 4. | (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents as are required to be maintained by registered investment advisers by rule adopted under Section 204 of the Advisers Act, to the extent such records are necessary or appropriate to record the Subadviser’s transactions for the Trust. |
| 5. | Records as necessary under Board-approved policies and procedures of the Trust, including without limitation those related to valuation determinations. |
* Such information might include: current financial information, annual and quarterly reports, press releases, reports by analysts and from brokerage firms (including their recommendations, i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal reports or subadviser review.
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SCHEDULE C
SUBADVISORY FEE
For services provided to the Trust, the Adviser will pay to the Subadviser a fee, payable monthly in arrears, equal to 50% of the net advisory fee applicable to the Designated Series. For this purpose, the “net advisory fee” means the advisory fee paid to the Adviser after accounting for any fees paid to other subadvisers to the Designated Series and any applicable fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement, which shall not include reimbursement of the Adviser for any expenses or recapture of prior waivers. In the event that the Adviser waives its entire fee and also assumes expenses of the Designated Series pursuant to an applicable expense limitation agreement, the Subadviser will similarly waive its entire fee and will share in the expense assumption by contributing 50% of the assumed amount. However, because the Subadviser shares the fee waiver and/or expense assumption equally with the Adviser, if during the term of this Agreement the Adviser later recaptures some or all of the fees so waived or expenses so assumed by the Adviser and the Subadviser together, the Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser 50% of the amount recaptured.
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SCHEDULE D
SUBADVISER FUNCTIONS
With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the Designated Series’ assets, the Subadviser shall provide, at its own expense:
| (a) | An investment program for the Designated Series consistent with its investment objectives based upon the development, review and adjustment of buy/sell strategies approved from time to time by the Board and the Adviser in paragraph 3 of this Subadvisory Agreement and implementation of that program; |
| (b) | Periodic reports, on at least a quarterly basis, in form and substance acceptable to the Adviser, with respect to: i) compliance with the Code of Ethics and the Trust’s code of ethics; ii) compliance with procedures adopted from time to time by the Board relative to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; iii) diversification of Designated Series assets in accordance with the then prevailing Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to the Designated Series and governing laws, regulations, rules and orders; iv) compliance with governing restrictions relating to the fair valuation of securities for which market quotations are not readily available or considered "illiquid" for the purposes of complying with the Designated Series’ limitation on acquisition of illiquid securities; v) any and all other reports reasonably requested in accordance with or described in this Agreement; and vi) the implementation of the Designated Series’ investment program, including, without limitation, analysis of Designated Series performance; |
| (c) | Promptly after filing with the SEC an amendment to its Form ADV, a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Board; |
| (d) | Attendance by appropriate representatives of the Subadviser at meetings requested by the Adviser or Board at such time(s) and location(s) as reasonably requested by the Adviser or Board; and |
| (e) | Notice to the Board and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the Act or otherwise. |
| (f) | Reasonable assistance in the valuation of securities including the participation of appropriate representatives at fair valuation committee meetings. |
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SCHEDULE E
FORM OF SUB-CERTIFICATION
| To: |
| Re: | Subadviser’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q Certification for the [Name of Designated Series]. |
| From: | [Name of Subadviser] |
Representations in support of Investment Company Act Rule 30a-2 certifications of Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
[Name of Designated Series].
In connection with your certification responsibility under Rule 30a-2 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I have reviewed the following information presented in the schedule of investments for the period ended [Date of Reporting Period] (the “Report”) which forms part of the N-CSR or N-Q, as applicable, for the Trust.
Schedule of Investments
Our organization has designed, implemented and maintained internal controls and procedures, designed for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and completeness of relevant portfolio trade data transmitted to those responsible for the preparation of the Schedule of Investments. As of the date of this certification there have been no material modifications to these internal controls and procedures.
In addition, our organization has:
| a. | Designed such internal controls and procedures to ensure that material information is made known to the appropriate groups responsible for servicing the above-mentioned mutual fund. |
| b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date of this certification and we have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective. |
| c. | In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no fraud, whether or not material, that involves our organization’s management or other employees who have a significant role in our organization’s control and procedures as they relate to our duties as subadviser to the Designated Series. |
I have read the draft of the Report which I understand to be current as of [Date of Reporting Period] and based on my knowledge, such draft of the Report does not, with respect to the Designated Series, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which such information is presented, not misleading with respect to the period covered by such draft Report.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the Designated Series’ Chief Accounting Officer:
| a. | All significant changes, deficiencies and material weakness, if any, in the design or operation of the Subadviser’s internal controls and procedures which could adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data with respect to the Designated Series in a timely fashion; |
| b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Subadviser’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the Subadviser’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
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I certify that to the best of my knowledge:
| a. | The Subadviser’s Portfolio Manager(s) has/have complied with the restrictions and reporting requirements of the Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The term Portfolio Manager is as defined in the Code. |
| b. | The Subadviser has complied with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Designated Series and the Policies and Procedures of the Designated Series as adopted by the Designated Series Board of Trustees. |
| c. | I have no knowledge of any compliance violations except as disclosed in writing to the Virtus Compliance Department by me or by the Subadviser’s compliance administrator. |
| d. | The Subadviser has complied with the rules and regulations of the 33 Act and 40 Act, and such other regulations as may apply to the extent those rules and regulations pertain to the responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the Designated Series as outlined above. |
| e. | Since the submission of our most recent certification there have not been any divestments of securities of issuers that conduct or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan. |
This certification relates solely to the Designated Series named above and may not be relied upon by any other fund or entity.
The Subadviser does not maintain the official books and records of the above Designated Series. The Subadviser’s records are based on its own portfolio management system, a record-keeping system that is not intended to serve as the Designated Series official accounting system. The Subadviser is not responsible for the preparation of the Report.
| [Name of Subadviser] | Date | ||
| [Name of Authorized Signer] | |||
| [Title of Authorized Signer] |
| 17 |
SCHEDULE F
DESIGNATED SERIES
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
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Exhibit 99.(d).19
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
June 4, 2015
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street, 9th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
| RE: | Subadvisory Agreement |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end investment company of the series type registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), and is subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The shares of the Trust are offered or may be offered in several series, including Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund (sometimes hereafter referred to as the “Series”).
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”) evaluates and recommends series advisers for the Series and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series.
| 1. | Employment as a Subadviser . The Adviser, being duly authorized, hereby employs Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (the “Subadviser”) as a discretionary series adviser to invest and reinvest that discrete portion of the assets of the Series designated by the Adviser as set forth on Schedule F attached hereto (the “Designated Series”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The services of the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive; the Subadviser may render services to others and engage in other activities that do not conflict in any material manner with the Subadviser’s performance hereunder. |
| 2. | Acceptance of Employment; Standard of Performance . The Subadviser accepts its employment as a discretionary series adviser of the Designated Series and agrees, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) and the Adviser, to use its best professional judgment to make investment decisions for the Designated Series in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as set forth in Schedule D attached hereto and made a part hereof. The Subadviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no authority or obligation to act for or represent the Adviser, the Trust or the Series in any way. |
| 3. | Services of Subadviser . In providing management services to the Designated Series, the Subadviser shall be subject to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Trust as they apply to the Designated Series and as set forth in the Trust’s then current prospectus (“Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (“Statement of Additional Information”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Trust’s registration statement (the “Registration Statement”), as may be periodically amended and provided to the Subadviser by the Adviser, and to the investment restrictions set forth in the Act and the Rules thereunder, to the supervision and control of the Board, and to instructions from the Adviser. The Subadviser shall not, without the Trust’s prior written approval, effect any transactions that would cause the Designated Series at the time of the transaction to be out of compliance with any of such restrictions or policies. |
| 4. | Transaction Procedures . All series transactions for the Designated Series shall be consummated by payment to, or delivery by, the custodian(s) from time to time designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Series. The Subadviser shall not have possession or custody of such cash and/or securities or any |
responsibility or liability with respect to such custody. The Subadviser shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust all investment orders for the Designated Series placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Schedule A hereto (as amended from time to time). The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Subadviser. The Trust shall be responsible for all custodial arrangements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees, and, upon giving proper instructions to the Custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to custodial arrangements or the acts, omissions or other conduct of the Custodian.
| 5. | Allocation of Brokerage . The Subadviser shall have authority and discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute Designated Series transactions initiated by the Subadviser, and to select the markets on or in which the transactions will be executed. |
| A. | In placing orders for the sale and purchase of Designated Series securities for the Trust, the Subadviser’s primary responsibility shall be to seek the best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. However, this responsibility shall not obligate the Subadviser to solicit competitive bids for each transaction or to seek the lowest available commission cost to the Trust, as long as the Subadviser reasonably believes that the broker or dealer selected by it can be expected to obtain a “best execution” market price on the particular transaction and determines in good faith that the commission cost is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided by such broker or dealer to the Subadviser, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or of the Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to its clients, including the Trust, as to which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion, notwithstanding that the Trust may not be the direct or exclusive beneficiary of any such services or that another broker may be willing to charge the Trust a lower commission on the particular transaction. |
| B. | The Subadviser may manage other portfolios and expects that the Trust and other portfolios the Subadviser manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the same securities. The Subadviser may aggregate orders for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the Designated Series with orders on behalf of other portfolios the Subadviser manages. Securities purchased or proceeds of securities sold through aggregated orders, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, shall be allocated to the account of each portfolio managed by the Subadviser that bought or sold such securities in a manner considered by the Subadviser to be equitable and consistent with the Subadviser’s fiduciary obligations in respect of the Designated Series and to such other accounts. |
| C. | The Subadviser shall not execute any transactions for the Designated Series with a broker or dealer that is an “affiliated person” (as defined in the Act) of (i) the Series; (ii) another series of the Trust; (iii) the Adviser; (iv) the Subadviser or any other subadviser to the Series; (v) a principal underwriter of the Trust’s shares; or (vi) any other affiliated person of the Series, in each case, unless such transactions are permitted by applicable law or regulation and carried out in compliance with any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are “affiliated persons” of the Trust, the Adviser or the principal underwriter, and applicable policies and procedures. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Subadviser shall promptly, and in any event within three business days of a request, indicate whether any entity identified by the Adviser in such request is an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the Act, of (i) the Subadviser or (ii) any affiliated person of the Subadviser, subject in each case to any confidentiality requirements applicable to the Subadviser and/or its affiliates. Further, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with a list of (x) each broker-dealer entity that is an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the Act, of the Subadviser and (y) each affiliated person of the Subadviser that has outstanding publicly-issued debt or equity. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list(s) whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from such list of affiliated persons. |
| D. | Consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust in respect of the Designated Series and the requirements of best price and execution, the Subadviser may, under certain circumstances, arrange to have purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the Designated Series and another account |
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managed by the Subadviser (“cross transactions”), provided that such transactions are carried out in accordance with applicable law or regulation and any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with applicable policies and procedures.
| 6. | Proxies and Other Shareholder Actions . |
| A. | Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Subadviser written instructions to the contrary, the Subadviser, or a third party designee acting under the authority and supervision of the Subadviser, shall review all proxy solicitation materials and be responsible for voting and handling all proxies in relation to the assets of the Designated Series. Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Subadviser written instructions to the contrary, provided that the Adviser has reviewed the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures then in effect and determined them to comply with the requirements of the Trust’s proxy voting policy, the Subadviser will, in compliance with the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures then in effect, vote or abstain from voting, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Designated Series may be invested. The Adviser shall cause the Custodian, the Administrator or another party, to forward promptly to the Subadviser all proxies upon receipt, so as to afford the Subadviser a reasonable amount of time in which to determine how to vote such proxies. The Subadviser agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with any changes to the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures. The Subadviser further agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with a record of votes cast containing all of the voting information required by Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Trust to file Form N-PX as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Act. The Subadviser shall provide disclosure regarding its proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance with the requirements of Form N-1A for inclusion in the Registration Statement of the Trust. During any annual period in which the Subadviser has voted proxies for the Trust, the Subadviser shall, as may reasonably be requested by the Adviser, certify as to its compliance with its proxy voting policies and procedures and applicable federal statutes and regulations. |
| B. | The Subadviser is authorized to deal with reorganizations, exchange offers and other voluntary corporate actions with respect to securities held in the Designated Series in such manner as the Subadviser deems advisable, unless the Trust or the Adviser otherwise specifically directs in writing. It is acknowledged and agreed that the Subadviser shall not be responsible for the filing of claims (or otherwise causing the Trust to participate) in class action settlements or similar proceedings in which shareholders may participate related to securities currently or previously associated with the Designated Series. With the Adviser’s approval, on a case-by-case basis the Subadviser may obtain the authority and take on the responsibility to: (i) identify, evaluate and pursue legal claims, including commencing or defending suits, affecting the securities held at any time in the Designated Series, including claims in bankruptcy, class action securities litigation and other litigation; (ii) participate in such litigation or related proceedings with respect to such securities as the Subadviser deems appropriate to preserve or enhance the value of the Designated Series, including filing proofs of claim and related documents and serving as “lead plaintiff” in class action lawsuits; (iii) exercise generally any of the powers of an owner with respect to the supervision and management of such rights or claims, including the settlement, compromise or submission to arbitration of any claims, the exercise of which the Subadviser deems to be in the best interest of the Designated Series or required by applicable law, including ERISA, and (iv) employ suitable agents, including legal counsel, and to pay their reasonable fees, expenses and related costs from the Designated Series. |
| 7. | Prohibited Conduct . In accordance with Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act and any other applicable law or regulation, the Subadviser’s responsibility regarding investment advice hereunder is limited to the Designated Series, and the Subadviser will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to the Trust or any other investment company sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. or its affiliates regarding transactions in securities or other assets for the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with a list of investment companies sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and its affiliates, and the Subadviser shall be in breach of the foregoing provision only if the investment company is included in such a list provided to the Subadviser prior to such prohibited action. In addition, the Subadviser shall not, without the prior written consent of the Trust and the Adviser, delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any affiliated or unaffiliated third party. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Subadviser may, in its discretion, utilize personnel employed by affiliates of |
| 3 |
the Subadviser to perform services pursuant to this Agreement by way of a “participating affiliate” agreement in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), including the published interpretations thereof by the SEC or its staff. Such participating affiliate agreement shall subject the personnel providing such services to the Subadviser’s compliance and other programs with respect to their activities on behalf of the Designated Series. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Subadviser assumes full responsibility for all actions, and any failure to act, by each person utilized by the Subadviser to perform services under this Agreement.
| 8. | Information and Reports . |
| A. | The Subadviser shall keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Designated Series. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Adviser and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request. In addition, prior to each meeting of the Board, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser’s management of the Designated Series during the most recently completed quarter, which reports: (i) shall include Subadviser’s representation that its performance of its investment management duties hereunder is in compliance with the Designated Series’ investment objectives and practices, the Act and applicable rules and regulations under the Act, and the diversification and minimum “good income” requirements of Subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) otherwise shall be in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Adviser. |
| B. | Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser shall provide the other party with a list, to the best of the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the Subadviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser and Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the list of affiliated persons. |
| C. | The Subadviser shall also provide the Adviser with any information reasonably requested by the Adviser regarding its management of the Designated Series required for any shareholder report, amended Registration Statement, or Prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. |
| 9. | Fees for Services . The compensation of the Subadviser for its services under this Agreement shall be calculated and paid by the Adviser in accordance with the attached Schedule C. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Subadviser. |
| 10. | Limitation of Liability . Absent the Subadviser’s breach of this Agreement or the willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Subadviser, or its officers, directors, partners, agents, employees and controlling persons, the Subadviser shall not be liable 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 position; provided, however, that the Subadviser shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold the Trust and the Adviser and each of their respective directors or trustees, members, officers, employees and shareholders, and each person, if any, who controls the Trust or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), harmless against, any and all Losses (as defined below) arising out of or resulting from a “Trade Error” (as defined in the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and/or the Subadviser), as the same may be amended from time to time) caused by the negligent action or negligent omission of the Subadviser or its agent. The Adviser agrees to provide prior written notice to the Subadviser of any material changes to the definition of Trade Error becoming effective with respect to the Designated Series unless, in the reasonable discretion of the Adviser, such change must become effective earlier due to any applicable law, rule, regulation or court order. It is acknowledged and agreed that any Trade Error that |
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results in a gain to the Series shall inure to the benefit of the Series. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Series is a third party beneficiary of the indemnity granted in this Section 10, and the indemnity is intended to cover claims by the Series, the Trust (on behalf of the Series), or the Adviser against the Subadviser for recovery pursuant to this section.
| 11. | Confidentiality . Subject to the duty of the Subadviser and the Trust to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Designated Series and the actions of the Subadviser and the Trust in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Subadviser may (i) disclose in marketing materials and similar communications that the Subadviser has been engaged to manage assets of the Designated Series pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) include performance statistics regarding the Designated Series in composite performance statistics regarding one or more groups of Subadviser's clients published or included in any of the foregoing communications, provided that the Subadviser does not identify any performance statistics as relating specifically to the Series. |
| 12. | Assignment . This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act. The Subadviser shall notify the Trust and the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Subadviser. |
| 13. | Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Subadviser . The Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
| A. | It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, and is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon it. It (i) is registered as an “investment adviser” under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”) and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser makes no representation or warranty with regard to the approval of this Agreement by the Board under Section 15 of the Act; (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, and correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide notice promptly to the Adviser of any material violations relating to the Trust; (v) has materially met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency. |
| B. | It is either registered as a commodity trading advisor or duly exempt from such registration with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and it will maintain such registration or exemption continuously during the term of this Agreement or, alternatively, will become a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the CFTC and will be a member in good standing with the National Futures Association. |
| C. | It will maintain, keep current and preserve on behalf of the Trust, records in the manner required or permitted by the Act and the Rules thereunder including the records identified in Schedule B (as Schedule B may be amended from time to time). The Subadviser agrees that such records are the property of the Trust, and shall be surrendered to the Trust or to the Adviser as agent of the Trust promptly upon request of either. The Trust acknowledges that the Subadviser may retain copies of all records required to meet the record retention requirements imposed by law and regulation. |
| D. | It shall maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) complying with the requirements of Rule |
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| 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Act and shall provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of the Code of Ethics and evidence of its adoption. It shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of ethics adopted by and on behalf of the Trust. Each calendar quarter while this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized compliance officer of the Subadviser shall certify to the Trust and to the Adviser that the Subadviser has complied with the requirements of Rules 204A-1 and 17j-1 during the previous calendar quarter and that there has been no material violation of its Code of Ethics, or of Rule 17j-1(b), or that any persons covered under its Code of Ethics has divulged or acted upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws, and if such a violation of the code of ethics of the Trust has occurred, or if such a violation of its Code of Ethics has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. The Subadviser shall notify the Adviser promptly of any material violation of the Code of Ethics involving the Trust. The Subadviser will provide such additional information regarding violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust as the Trust or its Chief Compliance Officer on behalf of the Trust or the Adviser may reasonably request in order to assess the functioning of the Code of Ethics or any harm caused to the Trust from a violation of the Code of Ethics. Further, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by the Subadviser and its employees. The Subadviser will explain what it has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish to the Trust and the Adviser a written report which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 concerning the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall permit the Trust and the Adviser to examine the reports required to be made by the Subadviser under Rules 204A-1(b) and 17j-1(d)(1) and this subparagraph. |
| E. | It has adopted and implemented, and throughout the term of this Agreement shall maintain in effect and implement, policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent, detect and correct violations by the Subadviser and its supervised persons, and, to the extent the activities of the Subadviser in respect of the Trust could affect the Trust, by the Trust, of “federal securities laws” (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the Act), and that the Subadviser has provided the Trust with true and complete copies of its policies and procedures (or summaries thereof) and related information reasonably requested by the Trust and/or the Adviser. The Subadviser agrees to cooperate with periodic reviews by the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel of the Subadviser’s policies and procedures, their operation and implementation and other compliance matters and to provide to the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time such additional information and certifications in respect of the Subadviser’s policies and procedures, compliance by the Subadviser with federal securities laws and related matters as the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel may reasonably request. The Subadviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of any compliance violations which affect the Designated Series. |
| F. | The Subadviser will immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the Act or otherwise. The Subadviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if it is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, including but not limited to the SEC and the CFTC, involving the affairs of the Designated Series. |
| G. | To the best of its knowledge, there are no material pending, threatened, or contemplated actions, suits, proceedings, or investigations before or by any court, governmental, administrative or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel to which it or any of its directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members or principals, or any of its affiliates is a party or to which it or its affiliates or any of its or its affiliates’ assets are subject, nor has it or any of its affiliates received any notice of an investigation, inquiry, or dispute by any court, governmental, administrative, or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel regarding any of its or their activities, which might reasonably be expected to result in (i) a material adverse effect on the Trust or (ii) a |
| 6 |
material adverse change in the Subadviser’s condition (financial or otherwise) or business, or which might reasonably be expected to materially impair the Subadviser’s ability to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. The Subadviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if the representation in this Section 13.G is no longer accurate.
| H. | The Subadviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any changes in its executive officers, partners or in its key personnel, including, without limitation, any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the Designated Series or if there is an actual or expected change in control or management of the Subadviser. |
| 14. | No Personal Liability . Reference is hereby made to the Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The name “Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust” refers to the Board under said Declaration of Trust, as trustees and not personally, and no trustee, shareholder, officer, agent or employee of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust; only the trust estate under said Declaration of Trust is liable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Subadviser nor any of its officers, directors, partners, shareholders or employees shall, under any circumstances, have recourse or cause or willingly permit recourse to be had directly or indirectly to any personal, statutory, or other liability of any shareholder, Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust or of any successor of the Trust, whether such liability now exists or is hereafter incurred for claims against the trust estate. |
| 15. | Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement among the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Trust, which amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, B, D, E and F, is subject to the approval of the Board (including those trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust) and, if required by the Act or applicable SEC rules and regulations, a vote of a majority of the Series’ outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended or terminated in accordance with any exemptive order issued to the Adviser, the Trust or its affiliates. |
| 16. | Effective Date; Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement, and shall continue in effect until December 31, 2016. The Agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter only so long as its continuance has been specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of the Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of the Trust and (ii) by vote of a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) or of any person party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of such approval. |
| 17. | Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Subadviser, (ii) by the Subadviser upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Trust, or (iii) by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Adviser or the Board immediately (i) upon the material breach by the Subadviser of this Agreement or (ii) at the terminating party’s discretion, if the Subadviser or any officer, director or key portfolio manager of the Subadviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding as having violated the federal securities laws or engaged in criminal conduct. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Subadviser immediately (i) upon the material breach by the Adviser of this Agreement or (ii) at the discretion of the Subadviser, if the Adviser or any officer or director of the Adviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding as having violated the federal securities laws or engaged in criminal conduct. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, as such term is defined in and interpreted under the terms of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. |
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| 18. | Applicable Law . To the extent that state law is not preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted, as the same may be amended from time to time, this Agreement shall be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts entered into and fully performed within the State of Delaware. |
| 19. | Severability . If any term or condition of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each and every term and condition of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
| 20. | Notices. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered personally or by overnight delivery service or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as shall be designated by any party in a written notice to the other party. |
| (a) | To the Adviser or the Trust at: |
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc.
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attn: Jennifer Fromm
Telephone: (860) 263-4790
Facsimile: (860) 241-1005
E-mail: jennifer.fromm@virtus.com
| (b) | To the Subadviser at: |
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street, 9 th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
Attn: Jennifer Fromm or Kevin J. Carr
Telephone: (860) 263-4790
Facsimile: (860) 241-1005
E-mail: jennifer.fromm@virtus.com
| 21. | Certifications. The Subadviser shall timely provide to the Adviser and the Trust, all information and documentation they may reasonably request as necessary or appropriate in order for the Adviser and the Board to oversee the activities of the Subadviser and in connection with the compliance by any of them with the requirements of this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the policies and procedures referenced herein, and any applicable law, including, without limitation, (i) information and commentary relating to the Subadviser or the Designated Series for the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports, in a format reasonably approved by the Adviser, together with (A) a certification that such information and commentary discuss all of the factors that materially affected the performance of the Series with respect to the Allocated Portion, including the relevant market conditions and the investment techniques and strategies used and (B) additional certifications related to the Subadviser’s management of the Trust in order to support the Trust’s filings on Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and other applicable forms, and the Trust’s Principal Executive Officer’s and Principal Financial Officer’s certifications under Rule 30a-2 under the Act, thereon; (ii) within 5 business days of a quarter-end, a quarterly certification with respect to compliance and operational matters related to the Subadviser and the Subadviser’s management of the Designated Series (including, without limitation, compliance with the applicable procedures), in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser, as it may be amended from time to time; and (iii) an annual certification from the Subadviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, appointed under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act with respect to the design and operation of the Subadviser’s compliance program, in a format reasonably |
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requested by the Adviser or the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Subadviser shall provide a quarterly certification in a form substantially similar to that attached as Schedule E.
| 22. | Indemnification . |
| A. | The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser’s obligation under this Section 22 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Adviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Adviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Subadviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Adviser for use therein. |
| B. | The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser from and against any and all Losses arising from the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 22 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Subadviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Subadviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Subadviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Subadviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Subadviser for use therein. |
| C. | A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) will (i) provide prompt notice to the other of any claim (“Claim”) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and /or settlement of the Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party will have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but will not have the right to control the defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party. |
| D. | No party will be liable to another party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement. |
| 23. | Receipt of Disclosure Documents . The Trust and the Adviser acknowledge receipt, at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement, of a copy of Part 2 of the Subadviser’s Form ADV containing certain information concerning the Subadviser and the nature of its business. The Subadviser will, promptly after making any amendment to its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser. On an annual basis and upon request, the Subadviser will provide a copy of its audited financial statements, including |
| 9 |
balance sheets, for the two most recent fiscal years and, if available, each subsequent fiscal quarter. At the time of providing such information, the Subadviser shall describe any material adverse change in its financial condition since the date of its latest financial statement.
| 24. | Counterparts; Fax Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission shall be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
| 25. | Bankruptcy and Related Events . Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the other in the event that: (i) it makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is otherwise adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) a material event occurs that could reasonably be expected to adversely impair its ability to perform this Agreement. The Adviser further agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Subadviser in the event that the Trust ceases to be registered as an investment company under the Act. |
[signature page follows]
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| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST | |||
| By: | /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| Name: | W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | ||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ADVISERS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Francis G. Waltman | ||
| Name: | Francis G. Waltman | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President | ||
| ACCEPTED: | ||
| NEWFLEET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
| By: By: | /s/ David L. Albrycht | |
| Name: | David L. Albrycht | |
| Title: | President and Chief Investment Officer | |
| SCHEDULES: | A. | Operational Procedures |
| B. | Record Keeping Requirements |
| C. | Fee Schedule |
| D. | Subadviser Functions |
| E. | Form of Sub-Certification |
| F. | Designated Series |
| 11 |
SCHEDULE A
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
In order to minimize operational problems, it will be necessary for a flow of information to be supplied by Subadviser to The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Custodian") and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., (the “Sub-Accounting Agent”) for the Trust.
The Subadviser must furnish the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting Agent with daily information as to executed trades, or, if no trades are executed, with a report to that effect, no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the day of the trade each day the Trust is open for business. When necessary, trade information for executed trades can be sent to the Sub-Accounting Agent on trade date +1 by 11:00 a.m. (Subadviser will be responsible for reimbursement to the Trust for any loss caused by the Subadviser’s failure to comply.) The necessary information can be sent via facsimile machine or electronic delivery to the Custodian and by facsimile machine or batch files to the Sub-Accounting Agent. Information provided to the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting Agent shall include the following:
| 1. | Purchase or sale; |
| 2. | Security name; |
| 3. | CUSIP number, ISIN or Sedols (as applicable); |
| 4. | Number of shares and sales price per share or aggregate principal amount; |
| 5. | Executing broker; |
| 6. | Settlement agent; |
| 7. | Trade date; |
| 8. | Settlement date; |
| 9. | Aggregate commission or if a net trade; |
| 10. | Interest purchased or sold from interest bearing security; |
| 11. | Other fees; |
| 12. | Net proceeds of the transaction; |
| 13. | Exchange where trade was executed; |
| 14. | Identified tax lot (if applicable); and |
| 15. | Trade commission reason: best execution, soft dollar or research. |
When opening accounts with brokers for, and in the name of, the Trust, the account must be a cash account. No margin accounts are to be opened by the Subadviser in the name of the Trust or any Series. Delivery instructions are as specified by the Custodian. The Custodian will supply the Subadviser daily with a cash availability report via access to the Custodian website, or by email or by facsimile and the Sub-Accounting Agent will provide a five-day cash projection. This will normally be done by email or, if email is unavailable, by another form of immediate written communication, so that the Subadviser will know the amount available for investment purposes.
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SCHEDULE B
RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUBADVISER
| 1. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(5) and (6)) A record of each brokerage order, and all other series purchases and sales, given by the Subadviser on behalf of the Trust for, or in connection with, the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed or unexecuted. Such records shall include: |
| A. | The name of the broker; |
| B. | The terms and conditions of the order and of any modifications or cancellations thereof; |
| C. | The time of entry or cancellation; |
| D. | The price at which executed; |
| E. | The time of receipt of a report of execution; and |
| F. | The name of the person who placed the order on behalf of the Trust. |
| 2. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter, completed within ten (10) days after the end of the quarter, showing specifically the basis or bases upon which the allocation of orders for the purchase and sale of series securities to named brokers or dealers was effected, and the division of brokerage commissions or other compensation on such purchase and sale orders. Such record: |
| A. | Shall include the consideration given to: |
| (i) | The sale of shares of the Trust by brokers or dealers. |
| (ii) | The supplying of services or benefits by brokers or dealers to: |
| (a) | The Trust, |
| (b) | The Adviser, |
| (c) | The Subadviser, and |
| (d) | Any person other than the foregoing. |
| (iii) | Any other consideration other than the technical qualifications of the brokers and dealers as such. |
| B. | Shall show the nature of the services or benefits made available. |
| C. | Shall describe in detail the application of any general or specific formula or other determinant used in arriving at such allocation of purchase and sale orders and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
| D. | Shall show the name of the person responsible for making the determination of such allocation and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
| 3. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate memorandum identifying the person or persons, committees or groups authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities. Where a committee or group makes an authorization, a record shall be kept of the names of its members who participate in the authorization. There shall be retained as part of this record: any memorandum, recommendation or instruction supporting or authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities and such other information as is appropriate to support the authorization. * |
| 4. | (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents as are required to be maintained by registered investment advisers by rule adopted under Section 204 of the Advisers Act, to the extent such records are necessary or appropriate to record the Subadviser’s transactions for the Trust. |
| 5. | Records as necessary under Board-approved policies and procedures of the Trust, including without limitation those related to valuation determinations. |
* Such information might include: current financial information, annual and quarterly reports, press releases, reports by analysts and from brokerage firms (including their recommendations, i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal reports or subadviser review.
| 13 |
SCHEDULE C
SUBADVISORY FEE
For services provided to the Trust, the Adviser will pay to the Subadviser a fee, payable monthly in arrears, equal to 50% of the net advisory fee applicable to the Designated Series. For this purpose, the “net advisory fee” means the advisory fee paid to the Adviser after accounting for any fees paid to other subadvisers to the Designated Series and any applicable fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement, which shall not include reimbursement of the Adviser for any expenses or recapture of prior waivers. In the event that the Adviser waives its entire fee and also assumes expenses of the Designated Series pursuant to an applicable expense limitation agreement, the Subadviser will similarly waive its entire fee and will share in the expense assumption by contributing 50% of the assumed amount. However, because the Subadviser shares the fee waiver and/or expense assumption equally with the Adviser, if during the term of this Agreement the Adviser later recaptures some or all of the fees so waived or expenses so assumed by the Adviser and the Subadviser together, the Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser 50% of the amount recaptured.
| 14 |
SCHEDULE D
SUBADVISER FUNCTIONS
With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the Designated Series’ assets, the Subadviser shall provide, at its own expense:
| (a) | An investment program for the Designated Series consistent with its investment objectives based upon the development, review and adjustment of buy/sell strategies approved from time to time by the Board and the Adviser in paragraph 3 of this Subadvisory Agreement and implementation of that program; |
| (b) | Periodic reports, on at least a quarterly basis, in form and substance acceptable to the Adviser, with respect to: i) compliance with the Code of Ethics and the Trust’s code of ethics; ii) compliance with procedures adopted from time to time by the Board relative to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; iii) diversification of Designated Series assets in accordance with the then prevailing Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to the Designated Series and governing laws, regulations, rules and orders; iv) compliance with governing restrictions relating to the fair valuation of securities for which market quotations are not readily available or considered "illiquid" for the purposes of complying with the Designated Series’ limitation on acquisition of illiquid securities; v) any and all other reports reasonably requested in accordance with or described in this Agreement; and vi) the implementation of the Designated Series’ investment program, including, without limitation, analysis of Designated Series performance; |
| (c) | Promptly after filing with the SEC an amendment to its Form ADV, a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Board; |
| (d) | Attendance by appropriate representatives of the Subadviser at meetings requested by the Adviser or Board at such time(s) and location(s) as reasonably requested by the Adviser or Board; and |
| (e) | Notice to the Board and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the Act or otherwise. |
| (f) | Reasonable assistance in the valuation of securities including the participation of appropriate representatives at fair valuation committee meetings. |
| 15 |
SCHEDULE E
FORM OF SUB-CERTIFICATION
To:
| Re: | Subadviser’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q Certification for the [Name of Designated Series]. |
| From: | [Name of Subadviser] |
Representations in support of Investment Company Act Rule 30a-2 certifications of Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
[Name of Designated Series].
In connection with your certification responsibility under Rule 30a-2 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I have reviewed the following information presented in the schedule of investments for the period ended [Date of Reporting Period] (the “Report”) which forms part of the N-CSR or N-Q, as applicable, for the Trust.
Schedule of Investments
Our organization has designed, implemented and maintained internal controls and procedures, designed for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and completeness of relevant portfolio trade data transmitted to those responsible for the preparation of the Schedule of Investments. As of the date of this certification there have been no material modifications to these internal controls and procedures.
In addition, our organization has:
| a. | Designed such internal controls and procedures to ensure that material information is made known to the appropriate groups responsible for servicing the above-mentioned mutual fund. |
| b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date of this certification and we have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective. |
| c. | In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no fraud, whether or not material, that involves our organization’s management or other employees who have a significant role in our organization’s control and procedures as they relate to our duties as subadviser to the Designated Series. |
I have read the draft of the Report which I understand to be current as of [Date of Reporting Period] and based on my knowledge, such draft of the Report does not, with respect to the Designated Series, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which such information is presented, not misleading with respect to the period covered by such draft Report.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the Designated Series’ Chief Accounting Officer:
| a. | All significant changes, deficiencies and material weakness, if any, in the design or operation of the Subadviser’s internal controls and procedures which could adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data with respect to the Designated Series in a timely fashion; |
| b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Subadviser’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the Subadviser’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
| 16 |
I certify that to the best of my knowledge:
| a. | The Subadviser’s Portfolio Manager(s) has/have complied with the restrictions and reporting requirements of the Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The term Portfolio Manager is as defined in the Code. |
| b. | The Subadviser has complied with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Designated Series and the Policies and Procedures of the Designated Series as adopted by the Designated Series Board of Trustees. |
| c. | I have no knowledge of any compliance violations except as disclosed in writing to the Virtus Compliance Department by me or by the Subadviser’s compliance administrator. |
| d. | The Subadviser has complied with the rules and regulations of the 33 Act and 40 Act, and such other regulations as may apply to the extent those rules and regulations pertain to the responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the Designated Series as outlined above. |
| e. | Since the submission of our most recent certification there have not been any divestments of securities of issuers that conduct or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan. |
This certification relates solely to the Designated Series named above and may not be relied upon by any other fund or entity.
The Subadviser does not maintain the official books and records of the above Designated Series. The Subadviser’s records are based on its own portfolio management system, a record-keeping system that is not intended to serve as the Designated Series official accounting system. The Subadviser is not responsible for the preparation of the Report.
| [Name of Subadviser] | Date | ||
| [Name of Authorized Signer] | |||
| [Title of Authorized Signer] |
| 17 |
SCHEDULE F
DESIGNATED SERIES
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
| 18 |
Exhibit 99.(d).20
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
September 8, 2015
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
| RE: | Subadvisory Agreement |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end investment company of the series type registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), and is subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The shares of the Trust are offered or may be offered in several series, including Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund (sometimes hereafter referred to as the “Series”).
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”) evaluates and recommends series advisers for the Series and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series.
| 1. | Employment as a Subadviser . The Adviser, being duly authorized, hereby employs Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (the “Subadviser”) as a discretionary series adviser to invest and reinvest that discrete portion of the assets of the Series designated by the Adviser as set forth on Schedule F attached hereto (the “Designated Series”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The services of the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive; the Subadviser may render services to others and engage in other activities that do not conflict in any material manner with the Subadviser’s performance hereunder. |
| 2. | Acceptance of Employment; Standard of Performance . The Subadviser accepts its employment as a discretionary series adviser of the Designated Series and agrees, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) and the Adviser, to use its best professional judgment to make investment decisions for the Designated Series in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as set forth in Schedule D attached hereto and made a part hereof. The Subadviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no authority or obligation to act for or represent the Adviser, the Trust or the Series in any way. |
| 3. | Services of Subadviser . In providing management services to the Designated Series, the Subadviser shall be subject to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Trust as they apply to the Designated Series and as set forth in the Trust’s then current prospectus (“Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (“Statement of Additional Information”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Trust’s registration statement (the “Registration Statement”), as may be periodically amended and provided to the Subadviser by the Adviser, and to the investment restrictions set forth in the Act and the Rules thereunder, to the supervision and control of the Board, and to instructions from the Adviser. The Subadviser shall not, without the Trust’s prior written approval, effect any transactions that would cause the Designated Series at the time of the transaction to be out of compliance with any of such restrictions or policies. |
| 4. | Transaction Procedures . All series transactions for the Designated Series shall be consummated by payment to, or delivery by, the custodian(s) from time to time designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Series. The Subadviser shall not have possession or custody of such cash and/or securities or any |
responsibility or liability with respect to such custody. The Subadviser shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust all investment orders for the Designated Series placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Schedule A hereto (as amended from time to time). The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Subadviser. The Trust shall be responsible for all custodial arrangements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees, and, upon giving proper instructions to the Custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to custodial arrangements or the acts, omissions or other conduct of the Custodian.
| 5. | Allocation of Brokerage . The Subadviser shall have authority and discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute Designated Series transactions initiated by the Subadviser, and to select the markets on or in which the transactions will be executed. |
| A. | In placing orders for the sale and purchase of Designated Series securities for the Trust, the Subadviser’s primary responsibility shall be to seek the best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. However, this responsibility shall not obligate the Subadviser to solicit competitive bids for each transaction or to seek the lowest available commission cost to the Trust, as long as the Subadviser reasonably believes that the broker or dealer selected by it can be expected to obtain a “best execution” market price on the particular transaction and determines in good faith that the commission cost is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided by such broker or dealer to the Subadviser, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or of the Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to its clients, including the Trust, as to which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion, notwithstanding that the Trust may not be the direct or exclusive beneficiary of any such services or that another broker may be willing to charge the Trust a lower commission on the particular transaction. |
| B. | The Subadviser may manage other portfolios and expects that the Trust and other portfolios the Subadviser manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the same securities. The Subadviser may aggregate orders for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the Designated Series with orders on behalf of other portfolios the Subadviser manages. Securities purchased or proceeds of securities sold through aggregated orders, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, shall be allocated to the account of each portfolio managed by the Subadviser that bought or sold such securities in a manner considered by the Subadviser to be equitable and consistent with the Subadviser’s fiduciary obligations in respect of the Designated Series and to such other accounts. |
| C. | The Subadviser shall not execute any transactions for the Designated Series with a broker or dealer that is an “affiliated person” (as defined in the Act) of (i) the Series; (ii) another series of the Trust; (iii) the Adviser; (iv) the Subadviser or any other subadviser to the Series; (v) a principal underwriter of the Trust’s shares; or (vi) any other affiliated person of the Series, in each case, unless such transactions are permitted by applicable law or regulation and carried out in compliance with any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are “affiliated persons” of the Trust, the Adviser or the principal underwriter, and applicable policies and procedures. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Subadviser shall promptly, and in any event within three business days of a request, indicate whether any entity identified by the Adviser in such request is an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the Act, of (i) the Subadviser or (ii) any affiliated person of the Subadviser, subject in each case to any confidentiality requirements applicable to the Subadviser and/or its affiliates. Further, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with a list of (x) each broker-dealer entity that is an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the Act, of the Subadviser and (y) each affiliated person of the Subadviser that has outstanding publicly-issued debt or equity. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list(s) whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from such list of affiliated persons. |
| D. | Consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust in respect of the Designated Series and the requirements of best price and execution, the Subadviser may, under certain circumstances, arrange to have purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the Designated Series and another account |
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managed by the Subadviser (“cross transactions”), provided that such transactions are carried out in accordance with applicable law or regulation and any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with applicable policies and procedures.
| 6. | Proxies and Other Shareholder Actions . |
| A. | Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Subadviser written instructions to the contrary, the Subadviser, or a third party designee acting under the authority and supervision of the Subadviser, shall review all proxy solicitation materials and be responsible for voting and handling all proxies in relation to the assets of the Designated Series. Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Subadviser written instructions to the contrary, provided that the Adviser has reviewed the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures then in effect and determined them to comply with the requirements of the Trust’s proxy voting policy, the Subadviser will, in compliance with the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures then in effect, vote or abstain from voting, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Designated Series may be invested. The Adviser shall cause the Custodian, the Administrator or another party, to forward promptly to the Subadviser all proxies upon receipt, so as to afford the Subadviser a reasonable amount of time in which to determine how to vote such proxies. The Subadviser agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with any changes to the Subadviser’s proxy voting procedures. The Subadviser further agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with a record of votes cast containing all of the voting information required by Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Trust to file Form N-PX as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Act. The Subadviser shall provide disclosure regarding its proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance with the requirements of Form N-1A for inclusion in the Registration Statement of the Trust. During any annual period in which the Subadviser has voted proxies for the Trust, the Subadviser shall, as may reasonably be requested by the Adviser, certify as to its compliance with its proxy voting policies and procedures and applicable federal statutes and regulations. |
| B. | The Subadviser is authorized to deal with reorganizations, exchange offers and other voluntary corporate actions with respect to securities held in the Designated Series in such manner as the Subadviser deems advisable, unless the Trust or the Adviser otherwise specifically directs in writing. It is acknowledged and agreed that the Subadviser shall not be responsible for the filing of claims (or otherwise causing the Trust to participate) in class action settlements or similar proceedings in which shareholders may participate related to securities currently or previously associated with the Designated Series. With the Adviser’s approval, on a case-by-case basis the Subadviser may obtain the authority and take on the responsibility to: (i) identify, evaluate and pursue legal claims, including commencing or defending suits, affecting the securities held at any time in the Designated Series, including claims in bankruptcy, class action securities litigation and other litigation; (ii) participate in such litigation or related proceedings with respect to such securities as the Subadviser deems appropriate to preserve or enhance the value of the Designated Series, including filing proofs of claim and related documents and serving as “lead plaintiff” in class action lawsuits; (iii) exercise generally any of the powers of an owner with respect to the supervision and management of such rights or claims, including the settlement, compromise or submission to arbitration of any claims, the exercise of which the Subadviser deems to be in the best interest of the Designated Series or required by applicable law, including ERISA, and (iv) employ suitable agents, including legal counsel, and to pay their reasonable fees, expenses and related costs from the Designated Series. |
| 7. | Prohibited Conduct . In accordance with Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act and any other applicable law or regulation, the Subadviser’s responsibility regarding investment advice hereunder is limited to the Designated Series, and the Subadviser will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to the Trust or any other investment company sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. or its affiliates regarding transactions in securities or other assets for the Trust. The Trust shall provide the Subadviser with a list of investment companies sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and its affiliates, and the Subadviser shall be in breach of the foregoing provision only if the investment company is included in such a list provided to the Subadviser prior to such prohibited action. In addition, the Subadviser shall not, without the prior written consent of the Trust and the Adviser, delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any affiliated or unaffiliated third party. The parties |
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acknowledge and agree that the Subadviser may, in its discretion, utilize personnel employed by affiliates of the Subadviser to perform services pursuant to this Agreement by way of a “participating affiliate” agreement in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), including the published interpretations thereof by the SEC or its staff. Such participating affiliate agreement shall subject the personnel providing such services to the Subadviser’s compliance and other programs with respect to their activities on behalf of the Designated Series. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Subadviser assumes full responsibility for all actions, and any failure to act, by each person utilized by the Subadviser to perform services under this Agreement.
| 8. | Information and Reports . |
| A. | The Subadviser shall keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Designated Series. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Adviser and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request. In addition, prior to each meeting of the Board, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser’s management of the Designated Series during the most recently completed quarter, which reports: (i) shall include Subadviser’s representation that its performance of its investment management duties hereunder is in compliance with the Designated Series’ investment objectives and practices, the Act and applicable rules and regulations under the Act, and the diversification and minimum “good income” requirements of Subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) otherwise shall be in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Adviser. |
| B. | Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser shall provide the other party with a list, to the best of the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the Subadviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser and Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the list of affiliated persons. |
| C. | The Subadviser shall also provide the Adviser with any information reasonably requested by the Adviser regarding its management of the Designated Series required for any shareholder report, amended Registration Statement, or Prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. |
| 9. | Fees for Services . The compensation of the Subadviser for its services under this Agreement shall be calculated and paid by the Adviser in accordance with the attached Schedule C. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Subadviser. |
| 10. | Limitation of Liability . Absent the Subadviser’s breach of this Agreement or the willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Subadviser, or its officers, directors, partners, agents, employees and controlling persons, the Subadviser shall not be liable 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 position; provided, however, that the Subadviser shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold the Trust and the Adviser and each of their respective directors or trustees, members, officers, employees and shareholders, and each person, if any, who controls the Trust or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), harmless against, any and all Losses (as defined below) arising out of or resulting from a “Trade Error” (as defined in the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and/or the Subadviser), as the same may be amended from time to time) caused by the negligent action or negligent omission of the Subadviser or its agent. The Adviser agrees to provide prior written notice to the Subadviser of any material changes to the definition of Trade Error becoming effective with respect to the Designated Series unless, in the reasonable discretion of the Adviser, such change must become effective earlier due to |
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any applicable law, rule, regulation or court order. It is acknowledged and agreed that any Trade Error that results in a gain to the Series shall inure to the benefit of the Series. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Series is a third party beneficiary of the indemnity granted in this Section 10, and the indemnity is intended to cover claims by the Series, the Trust (on behalf of the Series), or the Adviser against the Subadviser for recovery pursuant to this section.
| 11. | Confidentiality . Subject to the duty of the Subadviser and the Trust to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Designated Series and the actions of the Subadviser and the Trust in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Subadviser may (i) disclose in marketing materials and similar communications that the Subadviser has been engaged to manage assets of the Designated Series pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) include performance statistics regarding the Designated Series in composite performance statistics regarding one or more groups of Subadviser's clients published or included in any of the foregoing communications, provided that the Subadviser does not identify any performance statistics as relating specifically to the Series. |
| 12. | Assignment . This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act. The Subadviser shall notify the Trust and the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Subadviser. |
| 13. | Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Subadviser . The Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
| A. | It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, and is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon it. It (i) is registered as an “investment adviser” under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”) and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser makes no representation or warranty with regard to the approval of this Agreement by the Board under Section 15 of the Act; (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, and correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide notice promptly to the Adviser of any material violations relating to the Trust; (v) has materially met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency. |
| B. | It is either registered as a commodity trading advisor or duly exempt from such registration with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and it will maintain such registration or exemption continuously during the term of this Agreement or, alternatively, will become a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the CFTC and will be a member in good standing with the National Futures Association. |
| C. | It will maintain, keep current and preserve on behalf of the Trust, records in the manner required or permitted by the Act and the Rules thereunder including the records identified in Schedule B (as Schedule B may be amended from time to time). The Subadviser agrees that such records are the property of the Trust, and shall be surrendered to the Trust or to the Adviser as agent of the Trust promptly upon request of either. The Trust acknowledges that the Subadviser may retain copies of all records required to meet the record retention requirements imposed by law and regulation. |
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| D. | It shall maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) complying with the requirements of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Act and shall provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of the Code of Ethics and evidence of its adoption. It shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of ethics adopted by and on behalf of the Trust. Each calendar quarter while this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized compliance officer of the Subadviser shall certify to the Trust and to the Adviser that the Subadviser has complied with the requirements of Rules 204A-1 and 17j-1 during the previous calendar quarter and that there has been no material violation of its Code of Ethics, or of Rule 17j-1(b), or that any persons covered under its Code of Ethics has divulged or acted upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws, and if such a violation of the code of ethics of the Trust has occurred, or if such a violation of its Code of Ethics has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. The Subadviser shall notify the Adviser promptly of any material violation of the Code of Ethics involving the Trust. The Subadviser will provide such additional information regarding violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust as the Trust or its Chief Compliance Officer on behalf of the Trust or the Adviser may reasonably request in order to assess the functioning of the Code of Ethics or any harm caused to the Trust from a violation of the Code of Ethics. Further, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by the Subadviser and its employees. The Subadviser will explain what it has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish to the Trust and the Adviser a written report which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 concerning the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall permit the Trust and the Adviser to examine the reports required to be made by the Subadviser under Rules 204A-1(b) and 17j-1(d)(1) and this subparagraph. |
| E. | It has adopted and implemented, and throughout the term of this Agreement shall maintain in effect and implement, policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent, detect and correct violations by the Subadviser and its supervised persons, and, to the extent the activities of the Subadviser in respect of the Trust could affect the Trust, by the Trust, of “federal securities laws” (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the Act), and that the Subadviser has provided the Trust with true and complete copies of its policies and procedures (or summaries thereof) and related information reasonably requested by the Trust and/or the Adviser. The Subadviser agrees to cooperate with periodic reviews by the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel of the Subadviser’s policies and procedures, their operation and implementation and other compliance matters and to provide to the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time such additional information and certifications in respect of the Subadviser’s policies and procedures, compliance by the Subadviser with federal securities laws and related matters as the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel may reasonably request. The Subadviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of any compliance violations which affect the Designated Series. |
| F. | The Subadviser will immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the Act or otherwise. The Subadviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if it is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, including but not limited to the SEC and the CFTC, involving the affairs of the Designated Series. |
| G. | To the best of its knowledge, there are no material pending, threatened, or contemplated actions, suits, proceedings, or investigations before or by any court, governmental, administrative or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel to which it or any of its directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members or principals, or any of its affiliates is a party or to which it or its affiliates or any of its or its affiliates’ assets are subject, nor has it or any of its affiliates received any notice of an investigation, inquiry, or dispute by any court, governmental, administrative, or self- |
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regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel regarding any of its or their activities, which might reasonably be expected to result in (i) a material adverse effect on the Trust or (ii) a material adverse change in the Subadviser’s condition (financial or otherwise) or business, or which might reasonably be expected to materially impair the Subadviser’s ability to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. The Subadviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if the representation in this Section 13.G is no longer accurate.
| H. | The Subadviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any changes in its executive officers, partners or in its key personnel, including, without limitation, any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the Designated Series or if there is an actual or expected change in control or management of the Subadviser. |
| 14. | No Personal Liability . Reference is hereby made to the Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The name “Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust” refers to the Board under said Declaration of Trust, as trustees and not personally, and no trustee, shareholder, officer, agent or employee of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust; only the trust estate under said Declaration of Trust is liable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Subadviser nor any of its officers, directors, partners, shareholders or employees shall, under any circumstances, have recourse or cause or willingly permit recourse to be had directly or indirectly to any personal, statutory, or other liability of any shareholder, Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust or of any successor of the Trust, whether such liability now exists or is hereafter incurred for claims against the trust estate. |
| 15. | Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement among the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Trust, which amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, B, D, E and F, is subject to the approval of the Board (including those trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust) and, if required by the Act or applicable SEC rules and regulations, a vote of a majority of the Series’ outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended or terminated in accordance with any exemptive order issued to the Adviser, the Trust or its affiliates. |
| 16. | Effective Date; Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement, and shall continue in effect until December 31, 2016. The Agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter only so long as its continuance has been specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of the Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of the Trust and (ii) by vote of a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) or of any person party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of such approval. |
| 17. | Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Subadviser, (ii) by the Subadviser upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Trust, or (iii) by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Adviser or the Board immediately (i) upon the material breach by the Subadviser of this Agreement or (ii) at the terminating party’s discretion, if the Subadviser or any officer, director or key portfolio manager of the Subadviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding as having violated the federal securities laws or engaged in criminal conduct. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Subadviser immediately (i) upon the material breach by the Adviser of this Agreement or (ii) at the discretion of the Subadviser, if the Adviser or any officer or director of the Adviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding as having violated the federal securities laws or engaged in criminal conduct. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement shall |
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terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, as such term is defined in and interpreted under the terms of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder.
| 18. | Applicable Law . To the extent that state law is not preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted, as the same may be amended from time to time, this Agreement shall be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts entered into and fully performed within the State of Delaware. |
| 19. | Severability . If any term or condition of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each and every term and condition of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
| 20. | Notices. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered personally or by overnight delivery service or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as shall be designated by any party in a written notice to the other party. |
| (a) | To the Adviser or the Trust at: |
Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc.
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attn: Jennifer Fromm
Telephone: (860) 263-4790
Facsimile: (860) 241-1005
E-mail: jennifer.fromm@virtus.com
| (b) | To the Subadviser at: |
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
Attn: Joyce Riegel
Telephone: (312) 917-6541
Facsimile: (312) 876-1057
E-mail: joyce.riegel@dpimc.com
| 21. | Certifications. The Subadviser shall timely provide to the Adviser and the Trust, all information and documentation they may reasonably request as necessary or appropriate in order for the Adviser and the Board to oversee the activities of the Subadviser and in connection with the compliance by any of them with the requirements of this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the policies and procedures referenced herein, and any applicable law, including, without limitation, (i) information and commentary relating to the Subadviser or the Designated Series for the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports, in a format reasonably approved by the Adviser, together with (A) a certification that such information and commentary discuss all of the factors that materially affected the performance of the Series with respect to the Allocated Portion, including the relevant market conditions and the investment techniques and strategies used and (B) additional certifications related to the Subadviser’s management of the Trust in order to support the Trust’s filings on Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and other applicable forms, and the Trust’s Principal Executive Officer’s and Principal Financial Officer’s certifications under Rule 30a-2 under the Act, thereon; (ii) within 5 business days of a quarter-end, a quarterly certification with respect to compliance and operational matters related to the Subadviser and the Subadviser’s management of the Designated Series (including, without limitation, compliance with the applicable procedures), in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser, as it may be amended from time to time; and (iii) an annual certification from |
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the Subadviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, appointed under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act with respect to the design and operation of the Subadviser’s compliance program, in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser or the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Subadviser shall provide a quarterly certification in a form substantially similar to that attached as Schedule E.
| 22. | Indemnification . |
| A. | The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser’s obligation under this Section 22 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Adviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Adviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Subadviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Adviser for use therein. |
| B. | The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser from and against any and all Losses arising from the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 22 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Subadviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Subadviser of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Subadviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Subadviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Subadviser for use therein. |
| C. | A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) will (i) provide prompt notice to the other of any claim (“Claim”) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and /or settlement of the Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party will have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but will not have the right to control the defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party. |
| D. | No party will be liable to another party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement. |
| 23. | Receipt of Disclosure Documents . The Trust and the Adviser acknowledge receipt, at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement, of a copy of Part 2 of the Subadviser’s Form ADV containing certain information concerning the Subadviser and the nature of its business. The Subadviser will, promptly after |
| 9 |
making any amendment to its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser. On an annual basis and upon request, the Subadviser will provide a copy of its audited financial statements, including balance sheets, for the two most recent fiscal years and, if available, each subsequent fiscal quarter. At the time of providing such information, the Subadviser shall describe any material adverse change in its financial condition since the date of its latest financial statement.
| 24. | Counterparts; Fax Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission shall be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
| 25. | Bankruptcy and Related Events . Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the other in the event that: (i) it makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is otherwise adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) a material event occurs that could reasonably be expected to adversely impair its ability to perform this Agreement. The Adviser further agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Subadviser in the event that the Trust ceases to be registered as an investment company under the Act. |
[signature page follows]
| 10 |
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST | |||
| By: | /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| Name: | W. Patrick Bradley | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | ||
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ADVISERS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Francis G. Waltman | ||
| Name: | Francis G. Waltman | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President | ||
ACCEPTED:
DUFF & PHELPS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO.
| By: | /s/ Nathan Partain | ||
| Name: | Nathan Partain | ||
| Title: | President and Chief Investment Officer | ||
| SCHEDULES: | A. | Operational Procedures |
| B. | Record Keeping Requirements |
| C. | Fee Schedule |
| D. | Subadviser Functions |
| E. | Form of Sub-Certification |
| F. | Designated Series |
| 11 |
SCHEDULE A
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
In order to minimize operational problems, it will be necessary for a flow of information to be supplied by Subadviser to The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Custodian") and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., (the “Sub-Accounting Agent”) for the Trust.
The Subadviser must furnish the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting Agent with daily information as to executed trades, or, if no trades are executed, with a report to that effect, no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the day of the trade each day the Trust is open for business. When necessary, trade information for executed trades can be sent to the Sub-Accounting Agent on trade date +1 by 11:00 a.m. (Subadviser will be responsible for reimbursement to the Trust for any loss caused by the Subadviser’s failure to comply.) The necessary information can be sent via facsimile machine or electronic delivery to the Custodian and by facsimile machine or batch files to the Sub-Accounting Agent. Information provided to the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting Agent shall include the following:
| 1. | Purchase or sale; |
| 2. | Security name; |
| 3. | CUSIP number, ISIN or Sedols (as applicable); |
| 4. | Number of shares and sales price per share or aggregate principal amount; |
| 5. | Executing broker; |
| 6. | Settlement agent; |
| 7. | Trade date; |
| 8. | Settlement date; |
| 9. | Aggregate commission or if a net trade; |
| 10. | Interest purchased or sold from interest bearing security; |
| 11. | Other fees; |
| 12. | Net proceeds of the transaction; |
| 13. | Exchange where trade was executed; |
| 14. | Identified tax lot (if applicable); and |
| 15. | Trade commission reason: best execution, soft dollar or research. |
When opening accounts with brokers for, and in the name of, the Trust, the account must be a cash account. No margin accounts are to be opened by the Subadviser in the name of the Trust or any Series. Delivery instructions are as specified by the Custodian. The Custodian will supply the Subadviser daily with a cash availability report via access to the Custodian website, or by email or by facsimile and the Sub-Accounting Agent will provide a five-day cash projection. This will normally be done by email or, if email is unavailable, by another form of immediate written communication, so that the Subadviser will know the amount available for investment purposes.
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SCHEDULE B
RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUBADVISER
| 1. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(5) and (6)) A record of each brokerage order, and all other series purchases and sales, given by the Subadviser on behalf of the Trust for, or in connection with, the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed or unexecuted. Such records shall include: |
| A. | The name of the broker; |
| B. | The terms and conditions of the order and of any modifications or cancellations thereof; |
| C. | The time of entry or cancellation; |
| D. | The price at which executed; |
| E. | The time of receipt of a report of execution; and |
| F. | The name of the person who placed the order on behalf of the Trust. |
| 2. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter, completed within ten (10) days after the end of the quarter, showing specifically the basis or bases upon which the allocation of orders for the purchase and sale of series securities to named brokers or dealers was effected, and the division of brokerage commissions or other compensation on such purchase and sale orders. Such record: |
| A. | Shall include the consideration given to: |
| (i) | The sale of shares of the Trust by brokers or dealers. |
| (ii) | The supplying of services or benefits by brokers or dealers to: |
| (a) | The Trust, |
| (b) | The Adviser, |
| (c) | The Subadviser, and |
| (d) | Any person other than the foregoing. |
| (iii) | Any other consideration other than the technical qualifications of the brokers and dealers as such. |
| B. | Shall show the nature of the services or benefits made available. |
| C. | Shall describe in detail the application of any general or specific formula or other determinant used in arriving at such allocation of purchase and sale orders and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
| D. | Shall show the name of the person responsible for making the determination of such allocation and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
| 3. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate memorandum identifying the person or persons, committees or groups authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities. Where a committee or group makes an authorization, a record shall be kept of the names of its members who participate in the authorization. There shall be retained as part of this record: any memorandum, recommendation or instruction supporting or authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities and such other information as is appropriate to support the authorization. * |
| 4. | (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents as are required to be maintained by registered investment advisers by rule adopted under Section 204 of the Advisers Act, to the extent such records are necessary or appropriate to record the Subadviser’s transactions for the Trust. |
| 5. | Records as necessary under Board-approved policies and procedures of the Trust, including without limitation those related to valuation determinations. |
* Such information might include: current financial information, annual and quarterly reports, press releases, reports by analysts and from brokerage firms (including their recommendations, i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal reports or subadviser review.
| 13 |
SCHEDULE C
SUBADVISORY FEE
For services provided to the Trust, the Adviser will pay to the Subadviser a fee, payable monthly in arrears, equal to 50% of the net advisory fee applicable to the Designated Series. For this purpose, the “net advisory fee” means the advisory fee paid to the Adviser after accounting for any fees paid to other subadvisers to the Designated Series and any applicable fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement, which shall not include reimbursement of the Adviser for any expenses or recapture of prior waivers. In the event that the Adviser waives its entire fee and also assumes expenses of the Designated Series pursuant to an applicable expense limitation agreement, the Subadviser will similarly waive its entire fee and will share in the expense assumption by contributing 50% of the assumed amount. However, because the Subadviser shares the fee waiver and/or expense assumption equally with the Adviser, if during the term of this Agreement the Adviser later recaptures some or all of the fees so waived or expenses so assumed by the Adviser and the Subadviser together, the Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser 50% of the amount recaptured.
| 14 |
SCHEDULE D
SUBADVISER FUNCTIONS
With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the Designated Series’ assets, the Subadviser shall provide, at its own expense:
| (a) | An investment program for the Designated Series consistent with its investment objectives based upon the development, review and adjustment of buy/sell strategies approved from time to time by the Board and the Adviser in paragraph 3 of this Subadvisory Agreement and implementation of that program; |
| (b) | Periodic reports, on at least a quarterly basis, in form and substance acceptable to the Adviser, with respect to: i) compliance with the Code of Ethics and the Trust’s code of ethics; ii) compliance with procedures adopted from time to time by the Board relative to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; iii) diversification of Designated Series assets in accordance with the then prevailing Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to the Designated Series and governing laws, regulations, rules and orders; iv) compliance with governing restrictions relating to the fair valuation of securities for which market quotations are not readily available or considered "illiquid" for the purposes of complying with the Designated Series’ limitation on acquisition of illiquid securities; v) any and all other reports reasonably requested in accordance with or described in this Agreement; and vi) the implementation of the Designated Series’ investment program, including, without limitation, analysis of Designated Series performance; |
| (c) | Promptly after filing with the SEC an amendment to its Form ADV, a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Board; |
| (d) | Attendance by appropriate representatives of the Subadviser at meetings requested by the Adviser or Board at such time(s) and location(s) as reasonably requested by the Adviser or Board; and |
| (e) | Notice to the Board and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the Act or otherwise. |
| (f) | Reasonable assistance in the valuation of securities including the participation of appropriate representatives at fair valuation committee meetings. |
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SCHEDULE E
FORM OF SUB-CERTIFICATION
To:
| Re: | Subadviser’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q Certification for the [Name of Designated Series]. |
| From: | [Name of Subadviser] |
Representations in support of Investment Company Act Rule 30a-2 certifications of Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
[Name of Designated Series].
In connection with your certification responsibility under Rule 30a-2 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I have reviewed the following information presented in the schedule of investments for the period ended [Date of Reporting Period] (the “Report”) which forms part of the N-CSR or N-Q, as applicable, for the Trust.
Schedule of Investments
Our organization has designed, implemented and maintained internal controls and procedures, designed for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and completeness of relevant portfolio trade data transmitted to those responsible for the preparation of the Schedule of Investments. As of the date of this certification there have been no material modifications to these internal controls and procedures.
In addition, our organization has:
| a. | Designed such internal controls and procedures to ensure that material information is made known to the appropriate groups responsible for servicing the above-mentioned mutual fund. |
| b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date of this certification and we have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective. |
| c. | In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no fraud, whether or not material, that involves our organization’s management or other employees who have a significant role in our organization’s control and procedures as they relate to our duties as subadviser to the Designated Series. |
I have read the draft of the Report which I understand to be current as of [Date of Reporting Period] and based on my knowledge, such draft of the Report does not, with respect to the Designated Series, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which such information is presented, not misleading with respect to the period covered by such draft Report.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the Designated Series’ Chief Accounting Officer:
| a. | All significant changes, deficiencies and material weakness, if any, in the design or operation of the Subadviser’s internal controls and procedures which could adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data with respect to the Designated Series in a timely fashion; |
| b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Subadviser’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the Subadviser’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
| 16 |
I certify that to the best of my knowledge:
| a. | The Subadviser’s Portfolio Manager(s) has/have complied with the restrictions and reporting requirements of the Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The term Portfolio Manager is as defined in the Code. |
| b. | The Subadviser has complied with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Designated Series and the Policies and Procedures of the Designated Series as adopted by the Designated Series Board of Trustees. |
| c. | I have no knowledge of any compliance violations except as disclosed in writing to the Virtus Compliance Department by me or by the Subadviser’s compliance administrator. |
| d. | The Subadviser has complied with the rules and regulations of the 33 Act and 40 Act, and such other regulations as may apply to the extent those rules and regulations pertain to the responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the Designated Series as outlined above. |
| e. | Since the submission of our most recent certification there have not been any divestments of securities of issuers that conduct or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan. |
This certification relates solely to the Designated Series named above and may not be relied upon by any other fund or entity.
The Subadviser does not maintain the official books and records of the above Designated Series. The Subadviser’s records are based on its own portfolio management system, a record-keeping system that is not intended to serve as the Designated Series official accounting system. The Subadviser is not responsible for the preparation of the Report.
| [Name of Subadviser] | Date | ||
| [Name of Authorized Signer] | |||
| [Title of Authorized Signer] |
| 17 |
SCHEDULE F
DESIGNATED SERIES
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
| 18 |
Exhibit 99.(e).2
|
|
100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103 |
800.248.7971 | VIRTUS.COM |
VP Distributors, LLC.
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, CT 06103
VIRTUS FUNDS
SALES AGREEMENT
| To: | Dealer Name |
Attention:
Address
City, State, Zip Code
VP Distributors, LLC ("VPD", "we", "us", or "our") invites you to participate in the sale and distribution of shares of registered investment companies (which shall collectively be referred to hereinafter as the "Funds") for which we are national distributor or principal underwriter, and which may be listed in Annex A hereto which such Annex may be amended by us from time to time. Upon acceptance of this agreement by VPD, you may offer and sell shares of each of the Funds (hereafter "Shares") subject, however, to the terms and conditions hereof including our right to suspend or cease the sale of such shares. For the purposes hereof, the above referenced dealer shall be referred to as "you".
| 1. | You understand and agree that in all sales of Shares to the public, you shall act as dealer for your own account. All purchase orders and applications are subject to acceptance or rejection by us in our sole discretion and are effective only upon confirmation by us. Each purchase will be deemed to have been consummated in our principal office subject to our acceptance and effective only upon confirmation to you by us. |
| 2. | You agree that all purchases of Shares by you shall be made only for the purpose of covering purchase orders already received from your customers (who may be any person other than a securities dealer or broker) or for your own bona-fide investment. |
| 3. | You shall offer and sell Shares purchased pursuant to this agreement for the purpose of covering purchase orders of your customers, to the extent applicable, (a) at the current public offering price ("Offering Price") for Class A Shares or (b) at the Net Asset Value for Class B and Class C shares as set forth in the current prospectus of each of the funds. |
| 4. | You shall pay us for Shares purchased within three (3) business days of the date of our confirmation to you of such purchase or within such time as required by applicable rule or law. The purchase price shall be (a) the Offering Price, less only the applicable dealer discount (Dealer Discount) for Class A Shares, if applicable, or (b) the Net Asset Value, less only the applicable sales commission (Sales Commission) for Class C Shares, if applicable, as set forth in the current prospectus at the time the purchase is received by us. We have the right, without notice, to cancel any order for which payment of good and sufficient funds has not been received by us as provided in this paragraph, in which case you may be held responsible for any loss suffered by us resulting from your failure to make payment as aforesaid. |
| 5. | You understand and agree that any Dealer Discount, Sales Commission or fee is subject to change from time to time without prior notice. Any orders placed after the effective date of any such change shall be subject to the Dealer Discount or Sales Commission in effect at the time such order is received by us. |
| 6. | You understand and agree that Shares purchased by you under this Agreement will not be delivered until payment of good and sufficient funds has been received by us. Delivery of Shares will be made by credit to a shareholder open account unless delivery of certificates is specified in the purchase order. In order to avoid unnecessary delay, it is understood that, at your request, any Shares resold by you to one of your customers will be delivered (whether by credit to a shareholder open account or by delivery of certificates) in the name of your customer. |
| 7. | You understand that on all purchases of Shares to which the terms of this Agreement are applicable by a shareholder for whom you are dealer of record, we will pay you an amount equal to the Dealer Discount, Sales Commission or fees which would have been paid to you with respect to such Shares if such Shares had been purchased through you. You understand and agree that the dealer of record for this purpose shall be the dealer through whom such shareholder most recently purchased Shares of such fund, unless the shareholder or you have instructed us otherwise. You understand that all amounts payable to you under this paragraph and currently payable under this agreement will be paid as of the end of the month unless specified otherwise for the total amount of Shares to which this paragraph is applicable but may be paid more frequently as we may determine in our discretion. Your request for Dealer Discount or Sales Commission reclaims will be considered if adequate verification and documentation of the purchase in question is supplied to us, and the reclaim is requested within three years of such purchase. |
| 8. | We appoint the transfer agent (or identified sub-transfer agent) for each of the Funds as our agent to execute the purchase transaction of Shares and to confirm such purchases to your customers on your behalf, and you guarantee the legal capacity of your customers so purchasing such Shares. You further understand that if a customer's account is established without the customer signing the application form, you hereby represent that the instructions relating to the registration and shareholder options selected (whether on the application form, in some other document or orally) are in accordance with the customer's instructions and you agree to indemnify the Funds, the transfer agent (or identified sub-transfer agent) and us for any loss or liability resulting from acting upon such instructions. |
| 9. | Upon the purchase of Class A Shares pursuant to a Letter of Intent, you will promptly return to us any excess of the Dealer Discount previously allowed or paid to you over that allowable in respect to such larger purchases. |
| 10. | Unless at the time of transmitting a purchase order you advise us to the contrary, we may consider that the investor owns no other Shares and may further assume that the investor is not entitled to any lower sales charge than that accorded to a single transaction in the amount of the purchase order, as set forth in the current prospectus. |
| 11. | You understand and agree that if any Shares purchased by you under the terms of this Agreement are, within seven (7) business days after the date of our confirmation to you of the original purchase order for such Shares, repurchased by us as agent for such fund or are tendered to such fund for redemption, you shall forfeit the right to, and shall promptly pay over to us the amount of, any Dealer Discount or Sales Commission allowed to you with respect to such Shares. We will notify you of such repurchase or redemption within ten (10) days of the date upon which certificates are delivered to us or to such fund or the date upon which the holder of Shares held in a shareholder open account places or causes to be placed with us or with such fund an order to have such shares repurchased or redeemed. |
| 12. | You agree that, in the case of any repurchase of any Shares made more than seven (7) business days after confirmation by us of any purchase of such Shares, except in the case of Shares purchased from you by us for your own bona fide investment, you will act only as agent for the holders of such Shares and will place the orders for repurchase only with us. It is understood that you may charge the holder of such Shares a fair commission for handling the transaction. |
| 13. | Our obligations to you under this Agreement are subject to all the provisions of the respective distribution agreements entered into between us and each of the Funds. You understand and agree that in performing your services under this agreement you are acting in the capacity of an independent contractor, and we are in no way responsible for the manner of your performance or for any of your acts or omissions in connection therewith. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed to constitute you or any of your agents, employees, or representatives as our agent, partner or employee, or the agent, partner of employee of any of the Funds. |
In connection with the sale and distribution of shares of Virtus Funds, you agree to indemnify and hold us and our affiliates, employees, and/or officers harmless from any damage or expense as a result of (a) the negligence, misconduct or wrongful act by you or any employee, representative, or agent of yours and/or (b) any actual or alleged violation of any securities laws, regulations or orders. Any indebtedness or obligation of yours to us whether arising hereunder or otherwise, and any liabilities incurred or moneys paid by us to any person as a result of any misrepresentation, wrongful or unauthorized act or omission, negligence of, or failure of you or your employees, representatives or agents to comply with the Sales Agreement, shall be set off against any compensation payable under this agreement. Any differential between such expenses and compensation payable
| 2 |
hereunder shall be payable to us upon demand. The terms of this provision shall not be impaired by the termination of this agreement.
In connection with the sale and distribution of shares of Virtus Funds, we agree to indemnify and hold you harmless from any damage or expense on account of the gross and willful negligence, misconduct or wrongful act of us or any employee, representative, or agent of ours which arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of material fact, or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact in: (i) any registration statement, including any prospectus or any post-effective amendment thereto; or (ii) any material prepared and/or supplied by us for use in conjunction with the offer or sale of Virtus Funds; or (iii) any state registration or other document filed in any state or jurisdiction in order to qualify any Fund under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. The terms of this provision shall not be impaired by the termination of this agreement.
| 14. | We will supply you with reasonable quantities of the current prospectus, periodic reports to shareholders, and sales materials for each of the Funds. You agree not to use any other advertising or sales material relating to the sale of shares of any of the Funds unless other advertising or sales material is pre-approved in writing by us. |
| 15. | You agree to offer and sell Shares only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the then current prospectus of each of the Funds and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, and you will make no representations not contained in any such prospectus or any authorized supplemental sales material supplied by us. You agree to use your best efforts in the development and promotion of sales of the Shares covered by this Agreement, and agree to be responsible for the proper instruction, training and supervision of all sales representatives employed by you in order that such Shares will be offered in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. All expenses incurred by you in connection with your activities under this Agreement shall be borne by you. In consideration for the extension of the right to exercise telephone exchange and redemption privileges to you and your registered representatives, you agree to bear the risk of any loss resulting from any unauthorized telephone exchange or redemption instructions from you or your registered representatives. In the event we determine to refund any amounts paid by any investor by reason of such violation on your part, you shall forfeit the right to, and pay over to us, the amount of any Dealer Discount or Sales Commission allowed to you with respect to the transaction for which the refund is made. |
| 16. | You represent that you are either properly registered as a broker or dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or exempt from such registration, and you are either a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) or not eligible for membership with FINRA; and if you are a bank, you represent that you are a member of all applicable self-regulatory organizations. You agree to notify us promptly of any change, termination or suspension of your status(es) as referenced in the foregoing sentence. You agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of FINRA and NASD Rules, including NASD Conduct Rule 2830, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full. You further agree to comply with all applicable state and federal laws and the rules and regulations of applicable regulatory agencies. You further agree that you will not sell, or offer for sale, Shares in any jurisdiction in which such Shares have not been duly registered or qualified for sale. You agree to promptly notify us with respect to (a) the initiation and disposition of any formal disciplinary action by the FINRA or any other agency or instrumentality having jurisdiction with respect to the subject matter hereof against you or any of your employees or agents; (b) the issuance of any form of deficiency notice by the FINRA or any such agency regarding your training, supervision or sales practices; and (c) the effectuation of any consensual order with respect thereto. |
| 16.1 | Patriot Act. You shall employ policies and procedures designed to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (including transactions involving embargoed countries or Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and all other applicable money laundering restrictions, including, without limitation, such restrictions as may be adopted pursuant to the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) of 2001 with respect to similarly situated financial institutions as VPD. You agree that you will perform the Customer Identification Program requirements of the USA Patriot Act, as applicable, with respect to Accounts established and transactions made pursuant to this Agreement. |
| 16.2 | Sarbanes-Oxley Act. You agree to cooperate with VPD and will facilitate the filing by VPD, each underlying registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) and/or their respective officers and auditors of any and all certifications or attestations as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, |
| 3 |
including, without limitation, furnishing such sub-certifications from your relevant officers with respect to the services performed by you under this Agreement as reasonably requested from time to time.
| 16.3 | Rule 38a-1. Upon reasonable request, you agree to provide your written policies and procedures to the Funds’ chief compliance officer for review and the Funds’ board of trustees’ approval to assist our compliance with Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. You further agree to cooperate with VPD in its review of such written policies and procedures, including, without limitation, furnishing such certifications and sub-certifications as VPD shall reasonably request from time to time. You agree that you shall promptly notify VPD and Funds in the event that a “material compliance matter” (as such term is defined pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) arises with respect the services you provide under this Agreement. |
| 16.4 | Late Trading. You will accept no orders for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on any Business Day. For the purposes hereof, a "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which a Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereinafter, the “SEC”), as amended from time to time, subject to such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the registration statements for the Funds as filed with the SEC, as the same shall be amended from time to time. |
| 16.5 | Market Timing. VPD may refuse to sell shares of any Fund (or series thereof) to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Fund (or series thereof), if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction with respect to VPD or Fund, as the case may be, or is, in the reasonable discretion of VPD, reasonably necessary in order to protect the best interests of its investors. You shall establish and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect, monitor and deter (including, without limitation, rejecting specific purchase orders) account owners (or their agents) whose purchase and redemption activity follows a market timing pattern, and to take such other actions as you deem necessary to discourage or reduce market timing activity. For the purposes hereof, “market timing activity” shall mean and refer to any discernable pattern of excessive trading in and out of a Fund (or series thereof) by one or more account owners (or their agents), including, without limitation, any purchase and sale (round trip) in and out of a single series of a Fund within any thirty day period. The parties acknowledge that, if necessary, such policies and procedures may include the identification of account owners engaged in such market timing activity and the imposition of restrictions on their requests to purchase or exchange Fund shares. You shall provide reasonable reports regarding your implementation and enforcement of such restrictions on purchase and redemption activity that follows a market-timing pattern upon request. |
| 17. | Shareholder Information and SEC Rule 22c-2. If trading as an Intermediary (a broker, dealer, bank or other entity that holds securities of record issued by the Funds in nominee name; and in the case of a participant-directed employee benefit plan that owns securities issued by the Funds; a retirement plan administrator under ERISA or any entity that maintains the plan’s participant records) you hereby agree as follows: |
| 17.1 | Agreement to Provide Information. Intermediary agrees to provide the Funds, upon written request, the taxpayer information number (“TIN”), if known, of any or all Shareholder(s) of the account and the amount, date, name or other identifier of any investment professional(s) associated with the Shareholder(s) or account (if known), and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of Fund shares held through an account maintained by the Intermediary during the period covered by the request. |
| 17.1.1 | Period Covered by Request. Requests must set forth a specific period, not to exceed 180 days from the date of the request, for which transaction information is sought. The Fund may request transaction information older than 180 days from the date of the request as it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purposes of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Fund. If requested by the Fund, Intermediary agrees to provide the information specified in 17.1 for each trading day. |
| 17.1.2 | Form and Timing of Response. Intermediary agrees to transmit the requested information that is on its books and records to the Funds or its designee promptly, but in any event not later than 10 business days, after receipt of a request. If the requested information is not on the Intermediary’s books and records, Intermediary agrees to use reasonable efforts to: (i) promptly obtain and transmit the requested information; (ii) obtain assurances from the accountholder that the requested information will be |
| 4 |
provided directly to the Fund Agent promptly; or (iii) if directed by the Fund Agent, block further purchases of Fund shares from such accountholder. In such instance, Intermediary agrees to inform the Fund Agent whether it plans to perform (i), (ii) or (iii). Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing and in format mutually agreed upon by the parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided to the Fund Agent should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format.
| 17.1.3 | Limitations on Use of Information. The Fund Agent agrees not to use the information received for marketing or any other similar purpose without the prior written consent of the Intermediary. |
| 17.2. | Agreement to Restrict Trading. Intermediary agrees to execute written instructions from the Fund Agent to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Fund shares by a Shareholder that has been identified by the Fund Agent as having engaged in transactions of the Funds’ shares (directly or indirectly through the Intermediary’s account) that violate policies established by the Funds for the purposes of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Funds. |
| 17.2.1 | Form of Instructions. Instructions must include the TIN, if known, and the specific restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN is not known, the instructions must include any equivalent identifying number of the Shareholder(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the instruction relates. |
| 17.2.2 | Timing of Response. Intermediary agrees to execute instructions as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five business days after receipt of the instructions by the Intermediary. |
| 17.2.3 | Confirmation by Intermediary. Intermediary must provide written confirmation to the Fund Agent that instructions have been executed. Intermediary agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten business days after the instructions have been executed. |
| 17.3 | Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph: |
| 17.3.1 | The term “Funds” includes the fund’s principal underwriter and transfer agent. The term not does include any “excepted funds” as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| 17.3.2 | The term “Shares” means the interests of Shareholders corresponding to the redeemable securities of record issued by the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that are held by the Intermediary. |
| 17.3.3 | The term “Shareholder” means the beneficial owner of Shares, whether the Shares are held directly or by the Intermediary in nominee name or, if applicable, the Plan participant notwithstanding that the Plan may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of Shares. |
| 18. | Either party may terminate this agreement for any reason by written or electronic notice to the other party which termination shall become effective fifteen (15) days after the date of mailing or electronically transmitting such notice to the other party. We may also terminate this agreement for cause or as a result of a violation by you, as determined by us in our discretion, of any of the provisions of this Agreement, said termination to be effective on the date of mailing written or electronic notice to you of the same. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, your own expulsion from the FINRA will automatically terminate this Agreement without notice. Your suspension from the FINRA or violation of applicable state or Federal laws or rules and regulations of applicable regulatory agencies will terminate this Agreement effective upon the date of our mailing written notice or transmitting electronic notice to you of such termination. Our failure to terminate this Agreement for any cause shall not constitute a waiver of our right to so terminate at a later date. |
| 19. | All communications and notices to you or us shall be sent to the addresses set forth at the beginning of this Agreement or to such other address as may be specified in writing from time to time. |
| 20. | VPD agrees to comply with all laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to privacy, confidentiality, security, data security, and the handling of customer information which may from time to time be established. VPD agrees not to disclose or use any consumer nonpublic personal information (including nonpublic personal financial information and nonpublic personal health information), which may be supplied by you to VPD in performance under this Agreement other than to: a) carry out the purpose for which the information was provided; and b) to use or disclose the information as otherwise permitted or required by law. You agree to comply with all laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to privacy, confidentiality, security, data security, and the handling of |
| 5 |
customer information which may from time to time be established. You agree not to disclose or use any consumer nonpublic personal information (including nonpublic personal financial information and nonpublic personal health information), which may be supplied by VPD to you in performance under this Agreement other than to: a) carry out the purpose for which the information was provided; and b) to use or disclose the information as otherwise permitted or required by law. This provision will survive and continue in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.
| 21. | This agreement shall become effective upon the date of its acceptance by us as set forth herein. This agreement may be amended by VPD from time to time. This Agreement and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Connecticut. This agreement is not assignable or transferable, except that we may assign or transfer this agreement to any successor distributor of the Shares described herein. |
| ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF | ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF | |
| VP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC | ||
| Name of Dealer Firm |
| Date | Date |
| By | By |
| Name | Barry Mandinach | Print Name |
| Title | President | Print Title |
| FINRA CRD Number |
VPD 80 (8/15)
| 6 |
|
|
100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103 |
800.248.7971 | VIRTUS.COM |
|
Virtus Mutual Funds Sales Agreement Amended Annex A August 2015 VP Distributors, LLC |
|
Virtus Mutual Funds and Available Share Classes
VP Distributors, LLC 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT 06103
| Marketing: (800) 243-4361 | Customer Service: (800) 243-1574 | www.Virtus.com |
Applicable waivers of Class A sales charges and Class B and C contingent deferred sales charges are described in the prospectus.
| 7 |
| Class A Shares |
| Bond, Credit Opportunities, Disciplined Select Bond, | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity, Asset Allocation, | Emerging Market Debt, High Yield, Multi-Sector | |||||||||||||||
| International/Global, Alternative Funds: | Intermediate Bond and Strategic Income Funds: | |||||||||||||||
| Amount of | Dealer Discount | Dealer Discount | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction | Sales Charge | or Agency Fee | Sales Charge | or Agency Fee | ||||||||||||
| Plus Applicable Rights | As Percentage of | As Percentage of | As Percentage of | As Percentage of | ||||||||||||
| of Accumulation: | Offering Price | Offering Price | Offering Price | Offering Price | ||||||||||||
| Less than $50,000 | 5.75 | % | 5.00 | % | 3.75 | % | 3.25 | % | ||||||||
| $50,000 but under $100,000 | 4.75 | 4.25 | 3.50 | 3.00 | ||||||||||||
| $100,000 but under $250,000 | 3.75 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 2.75 | ||||||||||||
| $250,000 but under $500,000 | 2.75 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.00 | ||||||||||||
| $500,000 but under $1,000,000 | 2.00 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.50 | ||||||||||||
| $1,000,000 or more | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
| Tax-Exempt Bond, CA Tax-Exempt Bond, | Multi-Sector Short Term Bond | |||||||||||||||
| and Senior Floating Rate Funds: | and Low Duration Income Funds: | |||||||||||||||
| Amount of | Dealer Discount | Dealer Discount | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction | Sales Charge | or Agency Fee | Sales Charge | or Agency Fee | ||||||||||||
| Plus Applicable Rights | As Percentage of | As Percentage of | As Percentage of | As Percentage of | ||||||||||||
| of Accumulation: | Offering Price | Offering Price | Offering Price | Offering Price | ||||||||||||
| Less than $50,000 | 2.75 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||||||
| $50,000 but under $100,000 | 2.25 | 2.00 | 1.25 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||
| $100,000 but under $250,000 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||
| $250,000 but under $500,000 | 1.25 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||
| $500,000 but under $1,000,000 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.75 | 0.75 | ||||||||||||
| $1,000,000 or more | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
Service Fee: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, VPD intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually. The Service Fee is based on the average daily net asset value of Class A shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds’ books during the period in which the fee is calculated. Dealers must have an aggregate value of $50,000 or more in a Fund Class to qualify for payment in that Fund Class. The Service Fee for shares on which a Finder’s Fee has been paid will commence in the thirteenth month following purchase of Class A shares. See the last page of this Annex A for Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees.
Finder’s Fee and CDSC Applicable to Sector Trend and Fixed Income Funds: VPD may pay broker-dealers a Finder’s Fee in an amount equal to 0.50% of eligible Class A Share purchases from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 and 0.25% on amounts greater than $3,000,000. Purchases by an account in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan are eligible for a Finder’s Fee only if such plan has at least 100 eligible employees. A contingent deferred sales charge of 0.50% may apply on certain redemptions made within 18 months following purchases of Class A shares on which a Finder’s Fee has been paid to a dealer. The 18 month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.
Finder’s Fee and CDSC Applicable to Equity, Asset Allocation, International/Global, and Alternative Funds Class A Shares:
(excluding Sector Trend Fund) VPD may pay broker-dealers a Finder’s Fee in an amount equal to 1.00% of eligible Class A Share purchases from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, 0.50% on amounts of $3,000,001 to $10,000,000 and 0.25% on amounts greater than $10,000,000. Purchases by an account in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan are eligible for a Finder’s Fee only if such plan has at least 100 eligible employees. A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may apply on certain redemptions made within 18 months following purchases of Class A shares on which a Finder’s Fee has been paid to a dealer. The 18 month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.
| 8 |
| Class B Shares |
As of December 1, 2009, Class B shares of the Virtus Mutual Funds are no longer available for purchase by new or existing shareholders, except for the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions into existing Class B share accounts, and for exchanges from existing Class B share accounts to other Virtus Mutual Funds with Class B shares.
| CDSC (Except Virtus | CDSC | CDSC | ||||||||||
| Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund | Virtus Multi-Sector | Virtus Dynamic | ||||||||||
| and Virtus Dynamic Trend Fund) | Short Term Bond Fund | Trend Fund | ||||||||||
| Years since | Contingent Deferred | Contingent Deferred | Contingent Deferred | |||||||||
| Each Purchase: | Sales Charge: | Sales Charge: | Sales Charge | |||||||||
| First | 5.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 5.0 | % | ||||||
| Second | 4.0 | 1.5 | 4.0 | |||||||||
| Third | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | |||||||||
| Fourth | 2.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |||||||||
| Fifth | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |||||||||
| Sixth | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |||||||||
Dealers maintaining omnibus accounts, upon redemption of a customer account within the time frames specified above, shall charge such customer account the appropriate contingent deferred sales charge as indicated and shall forward the proceeds to VPD.
Service Fee: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, VPD intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class B shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds’ books during the period in which the fee is calculated. Dealers must have an aggregate value of $50,000 or more in a Fund Class to qualify for payment in that Fund Class. The Class B Service Fee is paid beginning in the 13 th month following each purchase. See the last page of this Annex A for Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees.
| Class C Shares |
| Sales Commission: | 1% for all Class C Funds except Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund |
0% for Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund
When original purchases of the Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund Class C are exchanged to other Class C or T shares, the dealer will receive a 1% sales commissions.
CDSC: 1% for all Class C Funds, except Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund (no CDSC). Dealers maintaining omnibus accounts, upon redemption of a customer account within the time frames specified below, shall charge such customer account the appropriate contingent deferred sales charge as indicated and shall forward the proceeds to VPD. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for one year from each purchase.
Distribution Fee: 0.25% - 0.75% VPD intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually for Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund, and 0.75% annually for all other Class C Funds, based on the average daily net asset value of Class C shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds’ books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class C Trail Fee is paid beginning in the 13th month following each purchase. There is no hold for the Class C Trail Fee for the Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund. See the last page of this Annex A for Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees.
Service Fee: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, VPD intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class C shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds’ books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class C Service Fee is paid beginning in the 13 th month following each purchase. There is no hold for the Class C Service Fee for the Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund. See the last page of this Annex A for Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees.
| 9 |
| Class I Shares |
There is no dealer compensation payable on Class I shares.
| Class R6 Shares |
R6 Shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, including Section 401(k), 403(b) and 457, profit-sharing, money purchase pension and defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, in each case provided that plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the fund. No compensation, administrative payments, sub-transfer agency payments or service payments are paid to dealers or other entities from fund assets or VPD’s or an affiliate’s resources on sales of or investments in Class R6 Shares. Class R6 Shares do not carry sales commissions or pay Rule 12b-1 fees, or make payments to dealers or other entities to assist in, or in connection with, the sale of the fund’s shares.
| Class T Shares – Virtus Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund only |
Dealer Concession: 1%
CDSC: 1% for one year from the date of each purchase.
Service Fee: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, VPD intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class T shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds’ books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class T Service Fee is paid beginning in the 13 th month following each purchase. See below for Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees.
Distribution Fee: 0.75% VPD intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.75% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class T shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds’ books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class T Distribution Fee is paid beginning in the 13 th month following each purchase. See below for Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees.
| Terms and Conditions for Service and Distribution Fees – All Share Classes |
Applicable Service and Distribution Fees are paid pursuant to one or more distribution and/or service plans (“Plan”) adopted by certain of the Funds. Payment of these fees will automatically terminate in the event such Plan terminates or is not continued or in the event that this Agreement terminates, is assigned or ceases to remain in effect. VP Distributors shall be under no obligation to pay any fees hereunder to the extent such fees have not been paid to VP Distributors by the applicable Fund(s). In addition, these fees may be terminated at any time, without the payment of an penalty, by vote of a majority of the members of the Funds’ Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any Fund or Funds on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the Agreement.
VPD 80A (August 2015 rev.)
| 10 |
Exhibit 99.(h).3.d
FOURTH AMENDMENT
to
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT made effective as of the 8th day of September, 2015, amends that certain administration agreement, dated as of February 19, 2014, as amended, between Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust including the series thereof and Virtus Fund Services, LLC (the “Administration Agreement”) as herein below provided.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 8, Amendments to the Agreement, of the Administration Agreement, the Trust and the Funds wish to amend Schedule A of the Administration Agreement to add the Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund and to otherwise update the schedule.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premise, the parties to the Administration Agreement hereby agree that the Administration Agreement is amended as follows:
| 1. | Schedule A to the Administration Agreement is hereby replaced with Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof. |
| 2. | Except as herein provided, the Administration Agreement shall be and remain unmodified and in full force and effect. All initial capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Administration Agreement. |
| 3. | This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission shall be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
[signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers.
| VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST | ||||
| By: | /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | |||
| Name: | W. Patrick Bradley | |||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |||
| VIRTUS FUND SERVICES, LLC | ||||
| By: | /s/ Heidi Griswold | |||
| Name: | Heidi Griswold | |||
| Title: | Vice President, Mutual Fund Services | |||
SCHEDULE A
(as of September 8, 2015)
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
Exhibit 99.(h).5
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
This Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement (the “Agreement”), effective as of September 8, 2015, amends and restates that certain Second Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement effective as of May 28, 2015, by and between Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Registrant”), on behalf of each series of the Registrant listed in Appendix A (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), and the Adviser of each of the Funds, Virtus Alternative Investment Advisers, Inc. (the “Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Adviser renders advice and services to the Funds pursuant to the terms and provisions of one or more Investment Advisory Agreements entered into between the Registrant and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level below the level to which each such Fund might otherwise be subject; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser understands and intends that the Registrant will rely on this Agreement in accruing the expenses of the Registrant for purposes of calculating net asset value and for other purposes, and expressly permits the Registrant to do so.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | Limit on Fund Expenses . The Adviser has agreed to limit the respective rate of Total Fund Operating Expenses (“Expense Limit”) for each Fund as specified in Appendix A of this Agreement, for the time period indicated. |
| 2. | Definition of “Total Fund Operating Expenses” . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Total Fund Operating Expenses” with respect to a Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund including the Adviser’s investment advisory or management fee under the Advisory Agreement and other expenses described in the Advisory Agreement that the Fund is responsible for and have not been assumed by the Adviser, but excludes front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, extraordinary expenses (such as litigation), acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend expenses, and leverage expenses, if any. |
| 3. | Recoupment and Recapture of Fees and Expenses . Each Fund has agreed to reimburse the Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Virtus”) out of assets belonging to the relevant class of the Fund for any Total Fund Operating Expenses of the relevant class of the Fund in excess of the Expense Limit paid, waived or assumed by Virtus for that Fund, provided that Virtus would not be entitled to reimbursement for any amount that would cause the applicable Expense Limit to be exceeded or, if the Expense Limit has been removed, then the previous Expense Limit, at the time that the reimbursement would be made, and provided further that no amount would be reimbursed by the Fund more than three years after the fiscal year in which it was incurred or waived by Virtus. |
| 4. | Term, Termination and Modification . This Agreement is effective for the time period indicated on Appendix A, unless sooner terminated as provided below in this Paragraph. Subsequent to the initial term indicated on Appendix A, the amount of the Expense Limit and term applicable to each Fund shall be as disclosed in the then current prospectus of that Fund. This Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to each Fund (if any) subject to a Voluntary Expense Limitation until such time as specified in a notice of its termination provided by one party to the other party. This Agreement also may be terminated by the Registrant on behalf of any one or more of the Funds at any time without payment of any penalty or by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Adviser. In addition, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to a Fund upon termination of the Advisory Agreement with respect to such Fund. |
| 5. | Assignment . This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party. |
| 6. |
Severability
. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute or rule, or shall otherwise be rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
|
| 7. | Captions . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. |
| 8. | Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal securities law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. |
| 9. | Computation . If the fiscal year-to-date Total Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund at the end of any month during which this Agreement is in effect exceed the Expense Limit for that Fund (the “Excess Amount”), the Adviser shall (at its option) waive or reduce its fee under the Advisory Agreement and/or remit to that Fund an amount that is sufficient to pay the Excess Amount computed on the last day of the month. |
| 10. |
Liability
. Virtus agrees that it shall look only to the assets of the relevant class of
each respective relevant Fund for performance of this Agreement and for payment of any claim Virtus may have hereunder, and neither
any other Fund (including the other series of the Registrant) or class of the Fund, nor any of the Registrant’s trustees,
officers, employees, agents or shareholders, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers.
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
| By: | /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | |
| Name: | W. Patrick Bradley | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ADVISERS, INC.
| By: | /s/ Francis G. Waltman | |
| Name: | Francis G. Waltman | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President |
| 2 |
APPENDIX A
Contractual Expense Limitations
| Class A | Class C | Class I |
Class
R6 |
Term | ||||||||||||||
| Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund | 2.45 | % | 3.20 | % | 2.20 | % | N/A | Through February 29, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund | 2.40 | % | 3.15 | % | 2.15 | % | N/A | Through February 29, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund | 2.60 | % | 3.35 | % | 2.35 | % | 2.34 | % | Through February 29, 2016 | |||||||||
| Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund | 1.35 | % | 2.10 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.04 | % | Through February 28, 2017 | |||||||||
| Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund | 1.80 | % | 2.55 | % | 1.55 | % | N/A | Through February 28, 2017 | ||||||||||
| Virtus Strategic Income Fund | 1.40 | % | 2.15 | % | 1.15 | % | N/A | Through February 29, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund | 1.55 | % | 2.30 | % | 1.30 | % | N/A | Through February 28, 2017 | ||||||||||
| 3 |
Exhibit 99.(i).1
|
|
100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103 |
800.248.7971 | VIRTUS.COM |
September 7, 2015
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
| Re: | Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust (the “Trust”) |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 22
to Registration Statement 333-191940
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares (the “Shares”) of the above-referenced Trust. In rendering this opinion, I have examined such documents, records and matters of law as deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion. I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures of all parties, the authenticity of all documents submitted as originals, the correctness of all copies and the correctness of all written or oral statements made to me.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is my opinion that the Shares that will be issued by the Trust when sold will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
My opinion is rendered solely in connection with the Registration Statement on Form N1-A under which the Shares will be registered and may not be relied upon for any other purpose without my written consent. I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to such Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
| /s/ Jennifer Fromm | |
| Jennifer Fromm | |
| Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary | |
| Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust |
Securities distributed by VP Distributors, LLC
Exhibit 99.(i).2
CONSENT OF SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
We hereby consent to the use of our name and any reference to our firm in the Statement of Additional Information of Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust (the “Trust”), included as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 and Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-191940). In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
/s/ Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Washington, DC
September 4, 2015
Exhibit 99.(j).1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated December 23, 2014, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the October 31, 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders of Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust, which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Glossary”, “Non-Public Portfolio Holdings Information”, "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Financial Statements" in such Registration Statement.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 8, 2015
Exhibit 99.(m).1.d
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
(the “Trust”)
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
CLASS A SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
under the
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
THIS AMENDMENT made effective as of the 8th day of September, 2015, amends that certain Class A Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, dated January 22, 2014, by and for the Fund (the “Plan”) as herein below provided.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to amend Appendix A of the Plan to reflect the addition of the Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund as a party to the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premise, the Fund hereby agrees that the Plan is amended as follows:
| 1. | Appendix A to the Plan is hereby replaced with Appendix A attached hereto and made a part of the Plan. |
| 2. | Except as herein provided, the Plan shall be and remain unmodified and in full force and effect. All initial capitalized terms used herein shall have such meanings as ascribed thereto in the Plan. |
APPENDIX A
(as of September 8, 2015)
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
Exhibit 99.(m).2.d
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
(the “Trust”)
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
CLASS C SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
under the
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
THIS AMENDMENT made effective as of the 8th day of September, 2015, amends that certain Class C Shares Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, dated January 22, 2014, by and for the Fund (the “Plan”) as herein below provided.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to amend Appendix A of the Plan to reflect the addition of the Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund as a party to the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premise, the Fund hereby agrees that the Plan is amended as follows:
| 1. | Appendix A to the Plan is hereby replaced with Appendix A attached hereto and made a part of the Plan. |
| 2. | Except as herein provided, the Plan shall be and remain unmodified and in full force and effect. All initial capitalized terms used herein shall have such meanings as ascribed thereto in the Plan. |
APPENDIX A
(as of September 8, 2015)
Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund
Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund
Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund
Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund
Virtus Strategic Income Fund
Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund
Exhibit 99.(n).3
VIRTUS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TRUST
THIRD AMENDMENT
to
AMENDED AND RESTATED PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
under the
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
THIS AMENDMENT made effective as of the 8th day of September, 2015, amends that certain amended and restated plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, dated September 17, 2014, as amended (the “Rule 18f-3 Plan”), as herein below provided:
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to amend Schedule A of the Rule 18f-3 Plan to reflect the addition of the Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund and to otherwise update the Schedule.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premise, the Fund hereby agrees that the Rule 18f-3 Plan is amended as follows:
| 1. | Schedule A to the Rule 18f-3 Plan is hereby replaced with Schedule A attached hereto and made a part of the Rule 18f-3 Plan. |
| 2. | Except as herein provided, the Rule 18f-3 Plan shall be and remain unmodified and in full force and effect. All initial capitalized terms used herein shall have such meanings as ascribed thereto in the Rule 18f-3 Plan. |
SCHEDULE A
(as of September 8, 2015)
|
A
Shares |
C
Shares |
I
Shares |
R6
Shares |
|||||
| Virtus Alternative Income Solution Fund | X | X | X | |||||
| Virtus Alternative Inflation Solution Fund | X | X | X | |||||
| Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Virtus Credit Opportunities Fund | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Virtus Multi-Strategy Target Return Fund | X | X | X | |||||
| Virtus Strategic Income Fund | X | X | X | |||||
| Virtus Select MLP and Energy Fund | X | X | X |
Exhibit 99.(p).1
CODE OF ETHICS
Each Fund 1 has adopted this Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and it applies to a Fund’s Access Persons. Individuals that may meet the definition of Access Person below may not be required to comply with this particular Code of Ethics if such individuals are subject to another code of ethics that satisfies Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. For example, the Fund’s investment advisers and service providers that are subsidiaries of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (“Virtus”) and affiliates of one another have adopted separate codes of ethics (the “Affiliate Codes”) that are substantially similar to this Code of Ethics, satisfy Rule 17j-1 and apply to individuals who would otherwise be covered by this Code of Ethics. In addition, the Fund’s subadvisers, if any, that are not Virtus affiliates have adopted their own codes of ethics.
This Code of Ethics is administered by the Virtus Compliance Department on behalf of the Funds together with the Affiliate Codes.
Standard of Business Conduct
The Fund acknowledges the integrity and good faith of all of the employees, officers, trustees or directors of the Fund and of those entities providing services on behalf of the Fund. The Fund recognizes, however, that the knowledge of present or future portfolio transactions or the power to influence portfolio transactions, if held by such individuals, could place them in a position where their personal interests might conflict with the interests of the Fund if they were to trade in securities eligible for investment by the Fund.
In view of the foregoing and of the provisions of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted this Code of Ethics to specify and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of interest (or at least the potential for or the appearance of such conflicts) and to establish related reporting requirements and enforcement procedures.
When persons covered by the terms of this Code of Ethics engage in personal securities transactions, they must adhere to the following general principles as well as to the Code’s specific provisions:
| (a) | At all times, the interests of Fund shareholders must be paramount; |
| (b) | Personal transactions must be conducted consistent with this Code of Ethics in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest; |
1 Registered Investment Companies (“Funds”) include Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust, Virtus Equity Trust, Virtus Insight Trust, Virtus Opportunities Trust, Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund, Virtus Total Return Fund, Virtus Variable Insurance Trust, Duff & Phelps Select Energy MLP Fund, Inc., The Zweig Fund, Inc., and The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc.
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| (c) | No inappropriate advantage should be taken of any position of trust and responsibility; |
| (d) | Non-public information regarding security holdings in any Fund must remain confidential; |
| (e) | Compliance with all applicable federal securities laws must be maintained; and |
| (f) | Access Persons are required to adhere to the standards of business conduct in the Virtus Code of Conduct. |
Definitions of Terms Used in this Code
“Access Person” of a Fund means any Advisory Person of a Fund.In addition, all of the Fund’s directors, officers, and general partners are presumed to be Access Persons of the Fund. Access Persons also includes any director, officer or general partner of VP Distributors, LLC and Virtus Fund Services, LLC who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund for which VP Distributors or Virtus Fund Services acts as service provider, distributor or principal underwriter, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.
“Advisory Person” of a Fund means:
| (a) | Any director, officer, general partner or employee of the Fund or its investment adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or its investment adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by a Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; |
| (b) | Any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund or its investment adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund; and |
| (c) | Any Investment Personnel. |
“Affiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” means any open-end mutual fund as to which a Virtus affiliate serves as the investment adviser or principal underwriter.
“Affiliated person” of another person is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such other person.
“Being considered for Purchase or Sale” means a security for which a recommendation to purchase or sell has been made and communicated; and with respect to the Advisory Person
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making the recommendation, when such person seriously considers making such a recommendation.
“Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations there under. Generally, Beneficial Ownership means having or sharing, directly or indirectly through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, a direct or indirect “pecuniary interest” in the security. For the purposes hereof,
| (a) | “Pecuniary interest” means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security. |
| (b) | “Indirect pecuniary interest” includes, but is not limited to: |
(i) securities held by members of the person’s “immediate family” (this means any child, child-in-law, stepchild, grandchild, parent, parent-in-law, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, partner, sibling, or sibling-in-law and includes adoptive relationships) sharing the same household (which ownership interest may be rebutted);
(ii) a general partner’s proportionate interest in portfolio securities held by a general or limited partnership;
(iii) a person’s right to dividends that is separated or separable from the underlying securities (otherwise, a right to dividends alone will not constitute a pecuniary interest in securities);
(iv) a person’s interest in securities held by a trust;
(v) a person’s right to acquire securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable; and
(vi) a performance-related fee, other than an asset based fee, received by any broker, dealer, bank, insurance company, investment company, investment manager, trustee, or person or entity performing a similar function, with certain exceptions (see Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act).
“Chief Compliance Officer” or “CCO” refers to the person appointed by the Boards of the funds pursuant to the provisions of Rule 38a-1.
“Control” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act.
“Covered Security” means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Act, except securities that are direct obligations of the Government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments, including
| Tab 1 |
repurchase agreements and shares of traditional , unaffiliated registered open-end investment companies. .
“Disinterested Trustee or Director” means a Member of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of a Fund who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
“Immediate Family Member” any Access Person’s spouse or domestic partner who shares the same household and any relative by blood, adoption or marriage living in the Access Person’s household. This definition includes children (including financially dependent children away at school), stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, siblings and parents, children, or siblings-in-law.
“Initial Public Offering” or “IPO” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
“Investment Personnel” shall mean:
| (a) | any employee of the Fund or its adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or its adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund; and |
| (b) | any natural person who controls the Fund or its adviser and who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund. Investment Personnel includes any Portfolio Manager or other investment person, such as an analyst or trader, who provides information and advice to a Portfolio Manager or assists in the execution of the investment decisions. |
“Limited Offering” or “Private Placement” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) thereof, or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 there under.
“Managed Portfolio” shall mean those Funds, individually and collectively, for which the Portfolio Manager makes buy and sell decisions. For those Funds operating as series companies, Managed Portfolio shall include only the series for which the Portfolio Manager serves as the Portfolio Manager.
“Personal Brokerage Account” refers to any account (including, without limitation, a custody account, safekeeping account, and an account maintained by an entity that may act in a brokerage or a principal capacity) in which securities may be traded or custodied, and in which an Access Person has any Beneficial Ownership, and any such account of an Immediate Family member, through which an Access Person may hold or acquire Reportable Securities, even though the account currently holds only non-Reportable Securities (such as Unaffiliated Open-end Mutual Funds). To the extent that the Virtus 401(k) plan and potentially 401(k) plans of an Access
| Tab 1 |
Person’s prior employer(s) or 401(k) plans of Immediate Family Members have the capacity to invest in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities, such accounts are considered “Personal Brokerage Accounts.” Furthermore, Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRA’s”) that are constructed within a brokerage account capable of transacting in Reportable Securities are also considered “Personal Brokerage Accounts.”
The meaning of “Personal Brokerage Account” does not include the following: Open-end mutual funds held directly with the sponsor in an account that is not capable of transacting in Reportable Securities; 401(k) accounts that may only hold Unaffiliated Open-end Mutual Funds; other accounts that cannot transact in Reportable Securities as determined by the Virtus Compliance Department; direct purchase accounts such as “DRIP” plans and Section 529 Plans that are not managed, distributed marketed or underwritten by a Virtus affiliate.
“Portfolio Manager” means the person or portfolio management team entrusted to make or participate in the making of the buy and sell decisions for a Fund, or series thereof; as disclosed in the Fund(s) prospectus.
“Purchase or sale of a Reportable Security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security or the purchase or sale of a security that is exchangeable for or convertible into a security.
“Reportable Security” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act and includes: common stocks, preferred stocks, stock options (put, call and straddles, etc.), debt securities, privileges on any security or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof) and derivative instruments; ETFs, UIT ETFs, closed end funds, stock indices vehicles (such as the Standard & Poor’s Composite Stock Indices, SPDR S&P 500, SPDR S&P MidCap 400, “iShares”, etc.); Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and municipal securities.
“Reportable Security” does not include direct obligations of the Government of the United States; money market instruments; bankers’ acceptances; bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments; shares of money market funds; shares of Unaffiliated Open-end Mutual Funds; and units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in Unaffiliated Open-end Mutual Funds. Note: This exception extends only to open-end funds registered in the U.S.; therefore, transactions and holdings in offshore funds are reportable.
“Security Held or to be Acquired” by a Fund means:
| (i) | any Covered Security which, within the most recent 15 days: |
| (A) | is or has been held by the Fund; or |
| (B) | is being or has been considered by the Fund or any of its investment advisers for purchase by the Fund; and |
| (ii) | any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security. |
| Tab 1 |
“Unaffiliated Open-End Mutual Fund” means any open-end mutual fund as to which a Virtus affiliate does not serve as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund.
Unlawful Actions
It is unlawful for any Affiliated person of any Fund or any of its advisers, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by the person of a Security Held or to be Acquired by any Fund:
| (a) | to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any Fund; |
| (b) | to make any untrue statement of a material fact to any Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to any Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; |
| (c) | to engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on any Fund; or to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any Fund; |
| (d) | to divulge or act upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws. |
Disclosure of Personal Brokerage Accounts
All Access Persons must disclose their Personal Brokerage Accounts to their respective Compliance Department. It is each Access Person’s responsibility to notify their respective Compliance Department of all Personal Brokerage Accounts and to direct the broker to provide their Compliance Department with Brokerage transaction confirmations and account statements (and verify that it has been done). Access Persons do not need to disclose the existence of their Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) account, however, any other Virtus Fidelity account holding securities, options or restricted stock of Virtus must be disclosed. 401(k) plans of an Access Person’s prior employer(s) or 401(k) plans of Immediate Family Members must be disclosed if such accounts have the capacity to invest in Affiliated Open-End Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities.
Prohibited Activities and Restrictions
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Rule : No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering (including IPOs offered through the Internet), except with the prior written approval of the Virtus Compliance Department. No FINRA registered person may participate in an IPO pursuant to FINRA Rule 5130.
| Tab 1 |
Limited Offering/Private Placement Rule : No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in a Limited Offering or Private Placement except with the prior written approval of the Virtus Compliance Department.
Preclearance Rule : No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in a Reportable Security unless such transaction has been precleared by the Virtus Compliance Department. Preclearance is valid through the next business day to the close of the U.S. Market following the approval. An order not executed within that time must be resubmitted for pre-clearance approval. Access Persons must wait for approval before placing the other with their broker.
Exceptions : The following Reportable Securities Transactions do not require pre-clearance:
| (a) | Purchases or sales of up to and including 500 shares per month of Reportable Securities of an issuer ranked in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500) at the time of the transaction. An S&P 500 constituent list is updated quarterly and available on the Virtus intranet website. A copy is also available for review in the Compliance Department. The Compliance Department monitors deminimis trading for patterns of abuse. If a pattern of abuse is determined to have occurred, the Compliance Department reserves the right to suspend or cancel the ability of an Advisory Person to conduct deminimis transactions. |
| (b) | Affiliated open-end mutual funds. (However such funds are subject to Quarterly Transaction and Annual Holdings reporting requirements.) |
| (c) | Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Advisory Person or the Fund. |
| (d) | Purchase orders of Reportable Securities sent directly to the issuer via mail (other than in connection with a Private Placement or Limited Offering) or sales of such securities that are redeemed directly by the issuer via mail. |
| (e) | Purchases of shares of Reportable Securities necessary to establish an automatic investment or dividend reinvestment plan, as well as any subsequent purchases and sales pursuant to any such plan. |
| (f) | Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Advisory Person has no direct or indirect influence or control in the reasonable estimation of the Virtus Compliance Department. This exemption will also apply to personal brokerage accounts for which a third party (e.g. broker or financial adviser) makes all investment decisions on behalf of the Advisory Person. The discretionary arrangement must be documented to the Virtus Compliance Department. |
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| (g) | Purchases or sales of Reportable Securities not eligible for purchase or sale by the Fund(s). |
| (h) | Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired. |
| (i) | Purchase or sale of securities issued under an employee stock purchase or incentive program unless otherwise restricted. |
Open Order Rule : No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of Beneficial Ownership in any Reportable Security which requires Preclearance on a day during which a Fund has a pending “buy” or “sell” order for that security of the same type (i.e.. buy or sell) as the proposed personal trade, until the Fund’s order is executed or withdrawn.
Black-Out Rule : Investment Personnel may not directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of Beneficial Ownership in a Reportable Security within seven calendar days before and after the portfolio(s) associated with the Portfolio Manager’s and Advisory Person’s assigned duties trades in that security. The seven day period is exclusive of the execution date. The Black-Out Rule applies to transactions in securities that are required to be pre-cleared.
Holding Period Rule : Advisory Persons must hold all Reportable Securities, including options, for no less than sixty (60) days, regardless of whether or not the purchase was exempt from pre-clearance under this Code. A FIFO accounting methodology will be applied for determining compliance with this holding rule.
Gifts and Entertainment : Access Persons may not give or receive gifts or entertainment that may be construed to have an influence on business transactions conducted by the the Fund(s) or its investment adviser. Gifts to or from Consultants or Clients must not exceed $100 per person per year. Gifts include any items of value, including sports paraphernalia or equipment, wine or food baskets, gift certificates for shopping, or to a restaurant or spa. Tickets to events are considered gifts if the associate does not attend the event. The $100 limit that applies to gifts does not apply to entertainment. Nonetheless, entertainment must be neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question or impropriety. Moreover, pursuant to Section 17(e) of the 1940 Act, gifts and entertainment may not be received by advisory personnel as compensation for the purchase or sale of any Fund property; accordingly, gifts and entertainment must not be so lavish or frequent as to give rise to an inference of such prohibited activity. All gifts and entertainment received or given must be reported to the Virtus Compliance Department.
Service as Director : No Advisory Person shall serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company without prior authorization by the President or the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund. If board service is authorized, such Advisory Person shall have no role in making investment decisions with respect to the publicly traded company.
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Excessive Trading Rule: No Portfolio Manager shall engage in excessive trading or market timing activities with respect to any mutual fund. For the purposes of the foregoing, "market timing" shall be defined as a purchase and redemption, regardless of size, in and out of the same mutual fund within any sixty (60) day period. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to Portfolio Managers investing in mutual funds through asset allocation programs, automatic reinvestment programs, and any other non-volitional investment vehicles.
Reporting Requirements
The Code of Ethics, and any amendments thereto, shall be provided to every Access Person. Access Persons will provide written acknowledgement of receipt.
Duplicate Trade Confirmations and Personal Brokerage Account Statements : All Access Persons (other than Disinterested Trustees or Directors) shall direct their brokers to supply, at the same time that they are sent to the Access Person, a copy of the confirmation for each Reportable Securities trade in a Personal Brokerage Account, and a copy, at least quarterly, of an account statement for each Personal Brokerage Account to the Virtus Compliance Department (an electronic feed from the broker will satisfy these requirements). Access to duplicate confirmations and account statements will be restricted to those persons assigned to perform review functions, and all materials will be kept confidential except as required by law.
Quarterly Reports : Access Persons shall report to the Fund the information (specified further below) with respect to transactions in any Reportable Security in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Reportable Security.
Access Persons shall not be required to make a report with respect to transactions effected for any account over which that person lacks any direct or indirect influence or control in the reasonable estimation of the Virtus Compliance Department which may make reasonable periodic inquiries and request reasonable assurances in making such determination.
Every Quarterly report shall be made not later than 15 days after the end of the calendar quarter, and shall include all transactions in Reportable Securities effected during the calendar quarter being reported on. Quarterly Reports shall contain such information as the Virtus Compliance Department may request and shall be reported in such manner (e.g., utilizing an on-line service) as the Virtus Compliance Department directs.
Initial and Annual Holdings Reports: Each Access Person shall submit an Initial Holdings and Annual Holdings Report listing all personal Reportable Securities holdings to the Virtus Compliance Department, upon commencement of service and annually thereafter (the Initial Holdings Report and the Annual Holdings Report , respectively) in the form and content requested by the Virtus Compliance Department. The information on the Initial Holdings Report must be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date the individual becomes an access person. An Initial Holdings Report and certification must be submitted to the designated Compliance Officer no later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person. The Annual
| Tab 1 |
Holdings Report information shall be as of December 31 of the prior year. Access Persons shall submit the Annual Holdings Report and Certification to the designated Compliance Officer by January 31 of each year. Access Persons shall include on their Annual Holdings Report any holdings in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds, including those held in the Access Person’s Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan.
Disinterested Trustees and Directors
A Disinterested Trustee or Director of the Fund who would be considered an Access Person solely by reason of being a trustee or director of the Fund shall not be subject to the pre-clearance or reporting requirements applicable to Access Persons or the IPO Rule or Limited Offering/Private Placement Rule set forth in this Code of Ethics, except that such Trustee or Director shall report any transaction where the Trustee or Director knew, or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Fund Trustee or Director, should have known, that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the Trustee’s/Director’s transaction in a Covered Security, the Fund purchased or sold the Covered Security or the Fund or any of its investment advisers or subadvisers considered purchasing or selling the Covered Security. Any report made pursuant to the Reporting Requirements of this Code of Ethics may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the security to which the report relates.
401(k) Plans
Disclosure of Personal Brokerage Accounts: Access Persons are not required to disclose the existence of their Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan, but Access Persons must disclose any other 401(k) account if the account can transact in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities.
Preclearance Rule: Access Persons are not required to preclear transactions in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds (e.g., transferring amounts from one fund to another) or contributions in the form of payroll deductions. Access Persons are required to preclear transactions in Reportable Securities that are not exceptions to the Preclearance Rule (e.g., the sale of previous employer’s stock).
Duplicate Trade Confirmations and Personal Brokerage Account Statements: If an Access Person has a 401(k) account from a previous employer that can transact in Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds and/or other Reportable Securities, the Access Person shall direct his or her broker to supply, at the same time that they are sent to the Access Person, a copy of the confirmation for each personal Reportable Securities trade and a copy, at least quarterly, of an account statement to the Virtus Compliance Department for each 401(k) account other than the Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan.
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Quarterly Transactions Reports: For 401(k) accounts other than the Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan, Access Persons are required to submit a Quarterly Transaction Report for transactions in Reportable Securities (e.g., Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds or a previous employer’s stock).
Initial and Annual Holdings Reports: Access Persons are required to report all holdings in Reportable Securities, including holdings in the Virtus-Fidelity 401(k) plan (e.g., Affiliated Open-end Mutual Funds).
Administration
| A. | At least annually, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall obtain certification that the Fund, each investment adviser and principal underwriter, as applicable, has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code of Ethics or another code of ethics that satisfies Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. |
| B. | Any Access Person shall immediately report any potential violation of this Code of which he or she becomes aware to the Fund CCO or the Virtus Compliance Department |
| C. | The Virtus Compliance Department will maintain a list of all Access Persons who are required to make reports under this Code of Ethics, and shall inform those Access Persons of their reporting obligations. The Virtus Compliance Department shall promptly notify any Access Person when any report has not been filed on a timely basis. |
Recordkeeping Requirements
Documents and records required to be made and maintained in connection with this Code of Ethics shall be made and maintained in accordance with the Fund’s Policy Regarding Books and Records.
Sanctions
Upon discovering a violation of this Code, the Virtus Compliance Department may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate, including inter alia, a letter of censure or suspension or termination of employment, or suspension of personal trading privileges for a period of time, and shall advise the Fund CCO accordingly.
Exceptions
The Virtus Compliance Department may, in consultation with the Fund’s Chief Legal Officer and/or Fund CCO as appropriate, grant written exceptions to provisions of the Code based on equitable considerations. The exceptions may be granted to individuals or classes of individuals with respect to particular transactions, classes of transactions or all transactions, and may apply to
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past as well as future transactions, provided, however, that no exception will be granted where the exceptions would result in a violation of Rule 17j-1. To the extent any such exception relates to an Access Person of a Fund, the exception will be reported to the Fund CCO for reporting to the Fund’s Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
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CERTIFICATION:
By my signature below, I certify that I have received, read, and understood the foregoing policies of the Virtus Funds Code of Ethics, and will comply in all respects with such policies.
| Signature | Date | ||
| Please print or type name: |
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Exhibit 99.(p).4
Ascend Capital, LLC
Code of Ethics and Conduct
January 2015
This Code of Ethics and Conduct sets forth the policies and procedures of Ascend Capital, LLC regarding business ethics, confidentiality and personal trading of securities. These policies and procedures are mandatory and are designed to protect the business interests of Ascend Capital, LLC, its affiliates, and its clients. This Code of Ethics and Conduct is adopted pursuant to Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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Table of Contents
| Glossary | 4 |
| Code of Ethics and Conduct | 7 |
| Introduction | 7 |
| Legal Requirement | 7 |
| General Standards | 7 |
| Branch Offices | 7 |
| Basic Principles | 7 |
| Beneficial Ownership | 8 |
| Code Rules Are Not Exclusive | 8 |
| Policies | 8 |
| Illegal Activity | 8 |
| Insider Trading | 8 |
| Front running and Scalping | 8 |
| Specific Rules | 9 |
| Personal Account Trading Policy | 9 |
| Service as a Director; Disclosure of other affiliations | 9 |
| Confidentiality | 9 |
| Activities to be Avoided | 9 |
| Gifts | 10 |
| Receipt of Gifts | 10 |
| Sending Gifts | 10 |
| Entertainment | 10 |
| Being Entertained | 10 |
| Entertaining | 10 |
| Procedures & Sanctions | 11 |
| Certification of Compliance | 11 |
| Exceptions | 11 |
| Retention of Reports and Other Records | 11 |
| Reports of Violations | 11 |
| Review and Enforcement | 11 |
| Sanctions | 11 |
| Appendix I Policy and Procedures to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading | 12 |
| Policy Statement on Insider Trading | 12 |
| Material Non-Public Information | 12 |
| Advisory Information | 12 |
| Penalties for Insider Trading | 12 |
| Procedures to Implement Ascend’s Policy on Insider Trading | 13 |
| Identifying Inside Information | 13 |
| Personal Securities Trading | 13 |
| Restricting Access to Material Non-Public Information | 13 |
| Contact with Public Companies | 14 |
| Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors | 14 |
| Tender Offers | 14 |
| Resolving Issues Concerning Insider Trading | 14 |
| Appendix II Supervisory Procedures with Respect to Insider Trading | 15 |
| Prevention of Insider Trading | 15 |
| Detection of Insider Trading | 15 |
| Special Reports to Management | 15 |
| Annual Summary Reports to Management | 15 |
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| Appendix III Personal Account Trading Policy | 16 |
| Pre-clearance of Securities Transactions | 16 |
| Short Term Trading | 16 |
| New Issue Securities | 17 |
| Limited Offerings | 17 |
| Report of Holdings/Accounts | 17 |
| Quarterly Personal Securities Trading Information | 17 |
| Negative Reports | 18 |
| Confidentiality | 18 |
| Transaction Monitoring | 18 |
| Appendix IV Initial and Annual Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics | 19 |
| Appendix V Pre-Clearance Form | 20 |
| Appendix VI Initial Disclosure of Supervised Person Personal Accounts | 21 |
| Appendix VII Holdings Certifications | 22 |
| Appendix VIII Brokerage Account Data Access Consent Form | 23 |
| Appendix IX Beneficial Ownership | 24 |
| Appendix X Use of Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors | 25 |
| Representations by Expert Network Firms and Independent Research Vendors | 25 |
| Procedures for Use of Consultants | 25 |
| Consultants at Public Companies | 26 |
| Resolving Issues Concerning Information Provided by Consultants | 26 |
| Review of Research Relationships | 26 |
| Supervisory Procedures | 27 |
| Schedule I Supervised Persons | 29 |
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Glossary
“Access Person”
Any Supervised Person who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or has the ability to obtain nonpublic information regarding the purchase or sale of a Covered Security by a Client of the Adviser, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales, and any Supervised Person who obtains nonpublic information concerning recommendations made to a Client with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities. Schedule I of this Code sets forth the Access Persons of the Adviser. Such schedule may be amended from time to time.
“Adviser” and “Ascend”
Ascend Capital, LLC.
“Advisers Act”
The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
“Beneficial Ownership”
See Appendix IX of this Code.
“Branch Office”
A place of business from which Ascend conducts business other than its principal office and place of business, and that is listed as a branch office in Section 1.F. of Schedule D of Part 1A of Ascend’s Form ADV (as filed with the SEC).
“Clients”
For the purposes of this Code only, “Clients” shall refer to:
| 1. | Limited partners of any investment partnership advised or managed by Ascend |
| 2. | Shareholders of any offshore investment fund advised by Ascend |
| 3. | Beneficial owners of separately managed accounts advised or managed by Ascend |
“Chief Compliance Officer” or “CCO”
The individual employed by Ascend who is ultimately responsible for the Adviser’s supervisory system (including its implementation and maintenance) and the development and enforcement of the Adviser’s compliance program. The Chief Compliance Officer/CCO is appointed by the Managing Member. Ramona Shenoy is the CCO for Ascend.
“Code”
Ascend’s Code of Ethics and Conduct contained in this document and as amended from time to time.
“Compliance Monitoring System”
Ascend’s SunGard Protegent PTA System.
“Covered Accounts”
| 1. | Each securities account registered in a Supervised Person’s name and each account or transaction in which a Supervised Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest or over which a Supervised Person has direct or indirect influence; |
| 2. | Each securities account for a Supervised Person’s spouses, minor children and other relatives living full time in their homes; and |
| 3. | Securities accounts of which the Adviser is a Beneficial Owner, provided that (except where the CCO otherwise specifies) investment partnerships or other funds of which the Adviser, or any affiliated entity is the general partner or investment adviser or from which the Adviser or such affiliated entity, receives fees based on capital gains are generally not considered Covered Accounts, despite the fact that the Adviser or Supervised Persons may be considered to have an indirect Beneficial Ownership in them. |
provided , that an account that can hold only cash and/or Exempt Securities is not a “Covered Account.”
“Covered Security”
Any security as defined in Rule 202(a)(18) of the Adviser Act (a broad definition that includes any interest or instrument commonly known as a security), but excluding Exempt Securities.
“Exchange Act”
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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“Exempt Security”
| 1. | A security that is a direct obligation of the United States; |
| 2. | Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; |
| 3. | Shares issued by money market funds; |
| 4. | Shares of open-end investment funds (mutual funds) not advised or sub-advised by Ascend (excluding exchange traded funds (ETFs)); |
| 5. | Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end investment funds not advised or sub-advised by Ascend; and |
| 6. | Securities traded in accounts over which a Supervised Person does not exercise any investment discretion such as a trust over which the Supervised Person cannot exercise discretion. |
“Front Running” / “Scalping”
Buying or selling securities in a Covered Account prior to Clients, in order to benefit from any price movement that may be caused by Client transactions or Ascend’s recommendations regarding the security.
“Initial Public Offering” or “IPO”
An offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
“Insider” and “Temporary Insider”
Officers, directors, principals and employees of a company. In addition, a person can be a “temporary insider” if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company’s affairs, where the company reasonably expects such person to keep confidential Material Non-Public Information, and as a result such person is given access to information solely for the company’s purposes. A temporary insider can include, among others, a firm’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers, shareholders, and the employees of such organizations.
“Insider Trading”
| 1. | The use of Material Non-Public Information to trade in securities; or |
| 2. | Communicating Material Non-Public Information to others in violation of the law. |
“Insider Trading Policy”
The Adviser’s written policies and procedures reg a rding Insider Trading as set forth in this Code.
“Material Non-Public Information”
| 1. | Information that a reasonable investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions; |
| 2. | Information that, if publicly disseminated, is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities; |
| 3. | Material Non-Public Information should be presumed to include, but is not limited to: dividend changes; earnings estimates; changes in previously released earnings estimates; significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements; commencement of or development in major litigation; liquidation problems; and extraordinary management developments; |
| 4. | Prior knowledge of forthcoming newspaper, periodical or broadcast reports whether or not the reports would be favorable; and |
| 5. | Knowledge of a decision, or an impending decision, by the Adviser to buy or sell a security for its Clients. |
“Managing Member”
The Managing Member of Ascend is Malcolm Fairbairn.
“New Issues Account”
An account at a prime broker, the purpose of which is to hold securities of New Issues for eligible Clients.
“New Issues”
Any initial public offering of an equity security, as defined in Section 3(a)(11) of the Exchange Act, made pursuant to a registration statement or offering circular. The term does not apply to securities issued in secondary offerings or debt securities.
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“Public Information”
Information that has been effectively communicated to the market place. For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or articles and reports in newspaper, periodical or broadcast reports.
“SEC”
Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Security”
Stocks, options, rights, warrants, futures contracts, convertible securities or other securities that are related to securities in which Ascend’s Clients may invest or as to which Ascend may make recommendations.
“Securities Act”
The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Supervised Person”
| 1. | Directors, members, officers, and partners of Ascend (or any other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); |
| 2. | Employees; and |
| 3. | Any other person who provides advice on behalf of Ascend and is subject to Ascend’s supervision and control, including, without limitation, consultants and temporary persons employed by Ascend longer than one week. |
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Code of Ethics and Conduct
Introduction
The Adviser’s Code as set forth herein is designed to ensure that all Supervised Persons are aware of and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Adviser. Maintaining a spirit of openness, honesty and integrity are of paramount importance at the Adviser. The Adviser believes that its Supervised Persons should feel comfortable expressing their opinions and should be vigilant about alerting management of anything they deem amiss with respect to the Adviser’s business, operations or compliance. As evidence of the Adviser’s commitment to operating with integrity, the Adviser has adopted this Code, which may be amended from time to time.
Legal Requirement
Rule 204(A)-1 under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for an Access Person not to report :
| 1. | Annual holdings information; and |
| 2. | Quarterly transaction information. |
In addition, the Advisers Act requires all Access Persons to comply with all applicable Federal securities laws, and to promptly report any violation of this Code to the CCO or his or her designee.
General Standards
As an investment adviser Ascend is a fiduciary. It owes its clients the highest duty of care, loyalty, honesty and good faith to act in the best interest of its Clients and relies on each Supervised Person to avoid conduct that is or may be inconsistent with that duty. It is also important for Supervised Persons to avoid actions that, while they may not actually involve a conflict of interest or an abuse of a Client's trust, may have the appearance of impropriety. Because Ascend serves as general partner and/or investment adviser to a number of Clients, Ascend has adopted this Code setting forth policies and procedures, including the imposition of restrictions on itself and Supervised Persons, to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent certain violations of applicable law. The Code is intended to set forth those policies and procedures and to state Ascend’s broader policies regarding its duty of loyalty to clients.
Branch Offices
Each Branch Office (and each Supervised Person employed at a Branch Office) is subject to the policies and procedures described in this Code.
Basic Principles
This Code is based on a few basic principles that should pervade all investment related activities of all Supervised Persons:
| 1. | The interests of Ascend’s Clients come before Ascend’s or any Supervised Person’s interests; |
| 2. | Honest and fair dealings with Clients; |
| 3. | Each Supervised Person’s professional activities and personal investment activities must be consistent with this Code and avoid any actual or potential conflict between the interests of Clients and those of Ascend or the Supervised Person’s; |
| 4. | To disclose to Clients any potential and/or actual conflicts of interests; |
| 5. | Each Supervised Person’s activities must be conducted in a way that avoids any abuse of a Supervised Person’s position of trust with and responsibility to Ascend and its Clients, including taking inappropriate advantage of that position; and |
| 6. | No Access Person will engage in any act, practice or course of conduct that would violate the provisions of Rule 204(A)-1, as set forth above. |
Each Supervised Person must understand and agree that any and all activities of the Supervised Person shall in all respects comply with applicable federal and state securities laws, and other laws, rules and regulations, any applicable laws of foreign jurisdictions, and the policies and procedures that have been adopted (or that may in the future be adopted) by Ascend, as each may be amended from time to time, including without limitation those prohibiting insider trading and front running of Client accounts.
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Beneficial Ownership
The concept of "beneficial ownership" of securities is broad. It includes not only Securities a person owns directly, and not only Securities owned by others specifically for his or her benefit, but also Securities held by his or her spouse, minor children and relatives who live full time in his or her home, and Securities held by another person if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the Supervised Person obtains benefits substantially equivalent to ownership. Examples of some of the most common of those arrangements are set forth in Appendix IX .
This broad definition of "beneficial ownership" does not necessarily apply for purposes of other securities laws or for purposes of estate or income tax reporting or liability. A Supervised Person may declare that the reporting or recording of any Securities transaction should not be construed as an admission that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security for other purposes.
Code Rules Are Not Exclusive
This Code's procedures, standards, and restrictions do not and cannot address each potential conflict of interest. Rather, they attempt to prevent some of the more common types of problems. Ethical and faithful discharge of Ascend’s fiduciary duties require adherence to the spirit of this Code and awareness that activities, including personal securities transactions, could involve conflicts of interest. (For example, accepting favors from broker-dealers could involve an abuse of a Supervised Person's position. Ascend is a natural object of cultivation by securities dealers and it is possible that this consideration could impair Ascend’s objectivity.) If there is any doubt about any transaction the Supervised Person should consult the CCO.
Policies
All Supervised Persons must comply with the following policies.
Illegal Activity
As a matter of policy and the terms of each Supervised Person’s employment or other relationship with Ascend, the following types of activities are strictly prohibited:
| 1. | Using any device, scheme or artifice to defraud, or engaging in any act, practice, or course of conduct that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon, any Client or prospective client or any party to any securities transaction in which Ascend or any of its Clients is a participant; |
| 2. | Making any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state to any person a material fact necessary in order to make the statements Ascend has made to such person materially complete; |
| 3. | Engaging in any act, practice, or course of business that is fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative, particularly with respect to a Client or prospective client; and |
| 4. | Causing Ascend, acting as principal for its own account or for any account in which Ascend or any person associated with Ascend (within the meaning of the Advisers Act) to sell any security to or purchase any security from a Client in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation of a governmental agency. |
Insider Trading
Supervised Persons are prohibited from engaging in what is commonly known as Insider Trading. Ascend has adopted an "Insider Trading Policy", set forth in Appendix I , that describes more fully what constitutes Insider Trading and the legal penalties for engaging in it. Each Supervised Person must review the Insider Trading Policy annually and certify on the “Annual Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics” (as set forth in Appendix IV ) through the Compliance Monitoring System that he or she has done so. Supervised Persons should refer to the Insider Trading Policy (as well as this Code), and consult with the CCO, whenever a Supervised Person believes he or she may have Material Non-Public Information.
Front running and Scalping
No Supervised Person may engage in what is commonly known as Front Running or Scalping. No Supervised Person may buy or sell a security when he or she knows Ascend is considering the security for purchase or sale for its Clients.
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Specific Rules
The following specific rules apply to all Supervised Persons and all Covered Accounts.
Personal Account Trading Policy
No Supervised Person may buy, sell, or pledge any security for any Covered Account without obtaining written clearance before the transaction. The required procedures are described in the Personal Account Trading Policy attached hereto as Appendix III .
Service as a Director; Disclosure of other affiliations
All Supervised Persons must report to the CCO any affiliation or business relationship they may have with any issuer. No Supervised Person may serve as a director of a publicly-held company without prior approval by the CCO (or the Managing Member, if the CCO is the proposed board member) based upon a determination that service as a director would not be adverse to the interests of any Client. In the limited instances in which such service is authorized by Ascend, Supervised Persons serving as directors will be isolated from other Supervised Persons who are involved in making decisions as to the securities of that company through procedures determined by the CCO to be appropriate in the circumstances. Ascend may not trade in any securities issued by any company of which any Supervised Person is a director.
Confidentiality
Supervised Persons are required to maintain strict confidentiality of all information they obtain through their employment at Ascend including, but not limited to, information regarding Ascend’s investment strategies, client portfolio transactions, holdings and proposed recommendations and client personal information. Consideration of a particular purchase or sale for a Client account may not be disclosed, except to authorized persons. Disclosure by a Supervised Person of any confidential information to any person including, but not limited to, such person’s spouse, significant other, family members, friends, acquaintances, or persons sharing a residence with such person, would constitute a violation of this Code and may be a violation of law. Such a violation may lead to sanctions by Ascend, including the termination of such person’s employment or association with Ascend (as applicable).
Activities to be Avoided
The following are potentially compromising situations which must be avoided. Any exceptions must be reported to the CCO:
| 1. | Participation in civic or professional organizations that might involve divulging confidential information of the Adviser; |
| 2. | Engaging in any form of harassment which is prohibited by law; |
| 3. | Investing or holding outside interest or directorship in clients, vendors or customers or competing companies, including financial speculations, where such investment or directorship might influence in any manner a decision or course of action of Ascend. In the limited instances in which service as a director is authorized by Ascend, Supervised Persons serving as directors will be isolated from other Supervised Persons who are involved in making decisions as to the securities of that company through procedures determined by the CCO to be appropriate in the circumstances; |
| 4. | Engaging in any financial transaction with any of Ascend’s vendors, investors or Supervised Persons, including but not limited to: providing any rebate, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity that has received compensation from Ascend; accepting, directly or indirectly, from any person or entity, other than Ascend, compensation of any nature as a bonus, commission, fee, gratuity or other consideration in connection with any transaction on behalf of Ascend; beneficially owning any security of, or have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest in, any other organization engaged in securities, financial or related business, except for beneficial ownership of not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of any business that is publicly owned; |
| 5. | Unlawfully discussing trading practices, pricing, clients, research, strategies, processes or markets with competing companies or their Supervised Persons; |
| 6. | Making any unlawful agreement with vendors, existing or potential investment targets or other organizations; |
| 7. | Improperly using or authorizing the use of any inventions, programs, technology or knowledge which are the proprietary information of Ascend; |
| 8. | Communicating any information regarding Ascend, Ascend’s investment products or any client to a prospective investor, journalist, client or regulatory authority that is not accurate, untrue or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements Ascend has made to such person not misleading; |
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| 9. | Posting or otherwise disseminating information regarding Ascend, Ascend’s investment products or any client, or concerning Ascend’s trading practices, proposed recommendations, pricing, research, strategies, processes or markets, on or through social networking sites (such as, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), blogs, electronic bulletin boards and/or electronic message boards; |
| 10. | Using personal email accounts and Mobile IM applications to conduct business for Ascend, except as permitted pursuant to Ascend’s Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual; and |
| 11. | Engaging in any conduct that is not in the best interest of Ascend or that might appear to be improper. |
Gifts
For purposes of the following policies on Receipt of Gifts and Sending Gifts, a gift of nominal value is defined as cash, cash equivalent, physical item, service (excluding event tickets and other entertainment, which are addressed separately below) with a maximum allowable value of $100.00 to any Supervised Person by any third party or from any Supervised Person to any Client or prospective client in any calendar year. Any gifts given or received by Ascend or any of its Supervised Persons to and from any individual are considered in aggregate whether or not they were conferred by the same or different people at Ascend or the other firm.
Receipt of Gifts
No Supervised Person or member of a Supervised Person’s immediate family may receive any gift of more than nominal value from any person or entity with whom Ascend does or might reasonably be expected to do business, including clients and their service providers, vendors and competitors. A Supervised Person or a member of a Supervised Person’s immediate family may receive a gift of nominal value from such a person or entity provided the gift is disclosed to the CCO using the Compliance Monitoring System, including the name and contact information of the sender, the name of the sender's firm, Ascend's business relationship with the sender, the approximate value of the gift, the recipient's name and the date of receipt. The Compliance Monitoring System will maintain a log of all gifts received by Ascend, its Supervised Persons and members of its Supervised Persons’ immediate families from such persons or entities, that will be reviewed by the CCO on a quarterly basis.
Sending Gifts
No Supervised Person or member of a Supervised Person’s immediate family may send any gift of more than nominal value to any person or entity with whom Ascend does or might reasonably be expected to do business, including clients and their service providers, vendors and competitors. A Supervised Person or member of a Supervised Person’s immediate family may send a gift of nominal value to such a person or entity provided the gift is disclosed to the CCO using the Compliance Monitoring System, including the name and contact information of the recipient, the name of the recipient's firm, Ascend's business relationship with the recipient, the approximate value of the gift, the sender's name and the date sent. The Compliance Monitoring System will maintain a log of all gifts sent by Ascend, its Supervised Persons and members of its Supervised Persons’ immediate families to such persons or entities, that will be reviewed by the CCO on a quarterly basis.
Entertainment
For purposes of the following policies on Being Entertained and Entertaining, an entertainment event (an “Event”) is defined as a conference, meal or sponsored outing. To qualify as entertainment, rather than as a gift, BOTH the Supervised Person and the vendor, service provider or client must be in attendance.
Being Entertained
Supervised Persons may attend an Event provided that a purpose of the meeting is to discuss Ascend’s business. Prior to attending any Event, Supervised Persons should notify the CCO using the Compliance Monitoring System, including the name and contact information of the person inviting the Supervised Person, the name of the firm, Ascend’s business relationship with the firm, the date of the Event, and a description of the Event (dinner, conference, sponsored outing). Attendance by a Supervised Person at any Event that is expected to cost the provider more than $100 must be pre-approved by the CCO through the Compliance Monitoring System. The Compliance Monitoring System will maintain a log of all Events attended by Supervised Persons, that will be reviewed by the CCO on a quarterly basis.
Entertaining
Supervised Persons may invite clients to an Event provided that a purpose of the meeting is to discuss Ascend’s business. Prior to making any such invitation, Supervised Persons should notify the CCO using the Compliance Monitoring System, including the name and contact information of the person being invited, the name of the firm,
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Ascend’s business relationship with the firm, the date of the Event, and a description of the Event (dinner, conference, sponsored outing). The Compliance Monitoring System will maintain a log of all Events attended by Supervised Persons, that will be reviewed by the CCO on a quarterly basis.
Procedures & Sanctions
Certification of Compliance
By January 30 of each year, each Supervised Person must certify, by submitting an “Annual Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics” using the Compliance Monitoring System, that he or she has read and understands this Code, that he or she recognizes that this Code applies to him or her, and that he or she has complied with all of the rules and requirements of this Code that apply to him or her.
Exceptions
In situations in which the CCO determines that strict compliance with certain of the specific rules prescribed above would be detrimental to Clients’ interests, or the limitations on a Supervised Person's legitimate interests that would result would not be justified by resulting protection of Clients' interests, the CCO may approve particular transactions or types of transactions on a case-by-case basis. The CCO will specify the limits and basis for each such exception, in writing.
Retention of Reports and Other Records
The CCO, or his or her designee, will maintain at Ascend’s principal office for at least five years:
| 1. | A copy of this Code and any related procedures, and any code that has been in effect during the past five years; |
| 2. | A record of any violation of the Code or any related procedures for the most recent five years, and a detailed synopsis of the actions taken in response; |
| 3. | A copy of each transactions report under the Code by (or duplicate confirmations or quarterly account statements for the account of) an Access Person; |
| 4. | A record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were required to make reports; |
| 5. | A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve an acquisition by a Supervised Person of securities offered in an IPO or in a limited offering (including but not limited to a private placement). |
Reports of Violations
Any Supervised Person who learns of any violation, apparent violation, or potential violation of this Code is required to advise the CCO as soon as practicable. The CCO will then take such action as may be appropriate under the circumstances.
Review and Enforcement
The CCO shall be responsible for ensuring adequate supervision over the activities of all Supervised Persons in order to prevent and detect violations of the Code by such Supervised Persons. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to: (i) adopting, implementing and enforcing the Code’s procedures and controls; (ii) ensuring that all Supervised Persons fully understand the Code; (iii) establishing an annual review of the Code to ensure its policies and procedures are effective and are being followed; and (iv) review employee personal securities transactions and reports.
Sanctions
Upon discovering that any Supervised Person has failed to comply with the requirements of this Code, Ascend may impose on that Supervised Person whatever sanctions management considers appropriate under the circumstances, including censure, suspension, limitations on permitted activities, or termination of employment.
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Appendix I
Policy and Procedures to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading
Ascend has adopted the following policies and procedures to detect and prevent the misuse of Material Non-Public Information by Supervised Persons.
Policy Statement on Insider Trading
Ascend forbids any Supervised Person from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, on Material Non-Public Information or communicating Material Non-Public Information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred to as Insider Trading. Ascend's policy applies to every Supervised Person and extends to activities within and outside their duties at Ascend. Any questions regarding Ascend's policy and procedures should be referred to the CCO.
The term Insider Trading is not defined in the federal securities laws, but generally is used to refer to the use of Material Non-Public Information to trade in securities (whether or not one is an Insider) or to communications of Material Non-Public Information to others. While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the law prohibits.
| 1. | Trading by an Insider while in possession of Material Non-Public Information. |
| 2. | Trading by a non-Insider, while in possession of Material Non-Public Information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-Insider in violation of an Insider's duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated. |
| 3. | Communicating Material Non-Public Information to others. |
The elements of Insider Trading and the penalties for such unlawful conduct are discussed below. If, after reviewing this policy statement, a Supervised Person has any questions he or she should consult the CCO.
Material Non-Public Information
Trading on inside information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. Information generally is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or if public dissemination of it is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities. Information that should be presumed to be material includes, but is not limited to: dividend changes; earnings estimates; changes in previously released earnings estimates; significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements; commencement of or developments in major litigation; liquidation problems; and extraordinary management developments. Material Non-Public Information does not have to relate to a company's business. For example, in one case, the Supreme Court considered as material certain information about the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that was expected to affect the market price of a security. In that case, a Wall Street Journal (the “Journal”) reporter was found criminally liable for disclosing to others the dates that reports on various companies would appear in the Journal and whether those reports would be favorable or not. Perhaps more importantly, knowledge of a decision, or an impending decision, by Ascend to buy or sell a security for its clients or to recommend a security can constitute Material Non-Public Information.
Advisory Information
Information concerning (i) what Securities Ascend and its investment team are following; (ii) prospective Securities transactions of Ascend on behalf of its Clients; and (iii) current holdings of Client accounts, is strictly confidential. Under some circumstances, this information may be material and non-public.
Penalties for Insider Trading
Penalties for trading on or communicating Material Non-Public Information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he or she does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include:
| 1. | Immediate dismissal from Ascend; |
| 2. | Investigation, prosecution and conviction for criminal violations arising from insider trading, including securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy; |
| 3. | Jail sentences; |
| 4. | Civil injunction; |
| 5. | Damages in a civil suit as much as three times the amount of actual damages suffered by other buyers or sellers; |
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| 6. | A bar on working as an officer, director, employee or affiliate of a broker-dealer, investment advisor or investment company; |
| 7. | Disgorgement of profits; |
| 8. | Fines or civil penalties for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited; and/or |
| 9. | Fines or civil penalties for the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided. |
Securities fraud, in the context of insider trading by a fund manager, generally refers to trading on the basis of material, non-public information that was (i) disclosed, leaked or “tipped” by an insider in breach of a duty to keep the information confidential, or (ii) misappropriated in breach of a duty of confidentiality.
Wire fraud, in the context of insider trading, generally means the use of the wires, such as telephone or emails, in furtherance of a fraudulent scheme to defraud a publicly-traded company of money, property or the honest services of one of its officers or employees.
Conspiracy generally means an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime and an overt act or step by one of the conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy.
Procedures to Implement Ascend’s Policy on Insider Trading
The following procedures have been established to assist Supervised Persons in avoiding Insider Trading, and to assist Ascend in preventing, detecting and imposing sanctions against Insider Trading. Every Supervised Person must follow these procedures or risk severe sanctions, including dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties. If a Supervised Person has any questions about these procedures he or she should consult the CCO.
Identifying Inside Information
Before trading for oneself or others, including investment partnership, offshore investment funds or private accounts advised or managed by Ascend, in the Securities of a company about which a Supervised Person may have potential Material Non-Public Information, the Supervised Person should consider the following questions:
Is the information material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions? Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed?
Is the information non-public? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been effectively communicated to the marketplace by being published in Reuters, The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation?
If, after consideration of the above, the Supervised Person believes that the information is material and non-public, or if the Supervised Person has questions as to whether the information is material and non-public, the Supervised Person should take the following steps.
| 1. | Report the matter immediately to the CCO. |
| 2. | Refrain from purchasing or selling the Securities. |
| 3. | Refrain from communicating the information inside or outside Ascend other than to the CCO. |
If the CCO deems the information to be material and non-public the Supervised Person will be instructed to continue the prohibitions against trading and communication. If the CCO deems the information not to be material and/or non-public the Supervised Person may be allowed, subject to the discretion of the CCO, to trade and communicate the information.
Personal Securities Trading
All Supervised Persons of Ascend shall comply with Ascend’s Personal Account Trading Policy as detailed in Appendix III .
Restricting Access to Material Non-Public Information
Information in a Supervised Person's possession that is material and non-public may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within Ascend, except as provided herein. In addition, care should be taken so that such information is secure. For
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example, files containing Material Non-Public Information should be sealed and access to computer files containing Material Non-Public Information should be restricted.
Contact with Public Companies
Contact with public companies represents an important part of Ascend’s research efforts. Ascend may make investment decisions on the basis of conclusions formed through such contacts and analysis of publicly available information. However, in the course of such contacts, a Supervised Person could become aware of Material Non-Public Information. This could happen, for example, if a company's Chief Financial Officer prematurely discloses quarterly results to an analyst or if an investor relations representative makes a selective disclosure of adverse news to a handful of investors. Supervised Persons who believe they may have received Material Non-Public Information should immediately report the matter to the CCO and seek instruction as to whether to continue the prohibitions against trading and communication.
Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors
The use of expert networks and independent research vendors by Ascend and its Supervised Persons will be governed by Ascend’s Use of Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors policies and procedures as detailed in Appendix X .
Tender Offers
Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of Insider Trading for two reasons. First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary fluctuations in the price of the target company's securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of Insider Trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule which expressly forbids trading and "tipping" while in possession of Material Non-Public Information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offerer, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised Persons should exercise particular caution any time they believe that they may have become aware of any Material Non-Public Information (regardless of how trivial such information may seem) relating to a tender offer.
Resolving Issues Concerning Insider Trading
If, after consideration of the items set forth above, doubt remains as to whether information is material or non-public, or if there is any unresolved question as to the applicability or interpretation of the foregoing procedures, or as to the propriety of any action, the matter should be discussed with the CCO before trading or communicating the information to anyone.
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Appendix II
Supervisory Procedures with Respect to Insider Trading
The role of the CCO is critical to the implementation and maintenance of Ascend’s policy and procedures against Insider Trading. These procedures can be divided into two classifications:
Prevention of Insider Trading
To prevent insider trading, the CCO will:
| 1. | Provide, on a regular basis, an educational program to familiarize Supervised Persons with Ascend’s policy and procedures; |
| 2. | Answer questions regarding Ascend’s policy and procedures; |
| 3. | Resolve issues of whether information received by a Supervised Person is material and non-public |
| 4. | Review on a regular basis and update as necessary Ascend’s policy and procedures; |
| 5. | When it is determined that a Supervised Person has material non-public information; implement measures to prevent dissemination of such information; and if necessary restrict Supervised Persons from trading in the securities; and |
| 6. | Require all Supervised Persons to acknowledge his or her receipt and compliance with this policy and procedures regarding Insider Trading on an annual basis by submitting an “Annual Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics” using the Compliance Monitoring System. |
Detection of Insider Trading
To detect insider trading, the CCO, or his or her designee, will review the trading activity reports, or duplicate confirmations or account statements, provided by each Supervised Person and create a report that summarizes the review findings. All underlying trading activity reports, duplicate confirmation and account statements will be available as backup documentation. (See Personal Account Trading Policies and Procedures .) In addition, the CCO will review the trading activity in Ascend’s own account and in all Client accounts managed or advised by Ascend.
Special Reports to Management
Promptly, upon learning of a potential violation of Ascend’s Insider Trading Policy and Procedures, the CCO will prepare a written report to the Managing Member providing full details and recommendations for further action.
Annual Summary Reports to Management
On an annual basis, the CCO, or his or her designee, will create a report that summarizes activity, identifies any issues and details how issues were resolved for presentation to the Managing Member. The report will:
| 1. | Review and evaluate the full details of any investigation, either internal or by a regulatory agency, of any suspected insider trading and the results of such investigation; |
| 2. | Evaluate of the current procedures and any recommendations for improvement; and |
| 3. | Review and evaluate Ascend’s continuing educational program regarding insider trading. |
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Appendix III
Personal Account Trading Policy
It is important that all Supervised Persons recognize that the Ascend Personal Account Trading Policy, while complementary to Ascend's Policies and Procedures to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading, serves important additional purposes. Whether or not a Supervised Person is in possession of Material Non-Public Information, that Supervised Person might nevertheless violate his or her fiduciary duties to the accounts managed by Ascend by, for example, trading ahead of Ascend orders. Although Supervised Persons are not prohibited under this policy from trading securities for their own accounts that they are involved in trading on behalf of Ascend, they must do so only in full compliance with this Policy and their fiduciary obligations.
At all times, the interests of Ascend’s Clients must prevail over the Supervised Person’s interest. No trades or trading strategies used by a Supervised Person may conflict with Ascend's strategies or the markets in which Ascend is trading. Supervised Persons may not use Ascend's proprietary trading strategies to develop or implement new strategies which may otherwise disadvantage Ascend or its clients. Personal account trading must be done on the Supervised Person’s own time without placing undue burden on Ascend’s time.
In addition to the general principle described above that no Supervised Person may place his or her interests ahead of the interests of any client when trading securities, personal securities transactions by Supervised Persons are subject to the following specific restrictions.
Pre-clearance of Securities Transactions
No Covered Security may be purchased or sold for or from any Covered Account without the applicable Supervised Person first obtaining prior approval from the CCO (or, in the case of the CCO, from the Managing Member) through the Compliance Monitoring System using the “Pre-Clearance Form” (in the form attached as Appendix V ). Prior approval is effective only for transactions specified on the Pre-Clearance Form. In the event that the CCO is not accessible, all pre-clearance requests will be forwarded directly to the CFO. In the event that the CFO is not accessible, all pre-clearance requests will be forwarded directly to the Managing Member. It is each Supervised Person's responsibility to bring proposed transactions to the CCO’s attention through the Compliance Monitoring System and to obtain from the CCO on the same day documentation of any clearance. Transactions effected without pre-approval are subject, in the CCO’s discretion (after consultation with the Managing Member or other members of management, if appropriate), to being reversed or, if the Supervised Person made profits on the transaction, to disgorgement of such profits. A pre-approval authorization for a transaction is only valid for the dates specified on the approval, which will generally be for the period ending at the close of the U.S. markets on the next business day following the approval. If the transaction is not completed within those dates, the Supervised Person must have the proposed transaction pre-approved again. This requirement applies to transactions involving open market orders as well as those involving orders at a specific price.
Approval may be refused for any proposed trade by a Supervised Person that:
| 1. | Involves a security that is being or has been purchased or sold by Ascend on behalf of any Client or is being considered for purchase or sale; |
| 2. | Is otherwise prohibited under any internal policies of Ascend (such as Ascend’s Policy and Procedures to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading); |
| 3. | Breaches the Supervised Person’s fiduciary duty to any Client; |
| 4. | Is otherwise inconsistent with applicable law, including the Advisers Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; or |
| 5. | Creates an appearance of impropriety. |
Authorization may be granted by the CCO only if:
| 1. | The proposed transaction will have no adverse effect on any Client account; |
| 2. | The proposed transaction will not position the Supervised Person to profit from a transaction (long or short) made or position held by a Client account; |
| 3. | No Insider Trading is involved. |
Short Term Trading
No Supervised Person may buy or sell a security within sixty (60) days of any prior transaction in such security, unless such transaction is approved in writing by the CCO through the Compliance Monitoring System. The CCO shall consider the totality of the circumstances, including the frequency of short term trading by the Supervised Person, whether the trade would involve a breach of any fiduciary duty; whether it would otherwise be inconsistent with applicable laws and Ascend policies and procedures;
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and whether the trade would create an appearance of impropriety. Based on his or her consideration of these issues, the CCO shall have the sole authority to grant or withhold permission to execute the trade.
New Issue Securities
No Supervised Person may purchase New Issues for any Covered Account without the consent of the CCO. Generally, Supervised Persons may not purchase or recommend New Issues for Covered Accounts until at least one day after the public offering has been completed.
Limited Offerings
As with all transactions, purchases (or recommendations) of securities for Covered Accounts in limited offerings, including but not limited to private placements, must be cleared in advance using the Compliance Monitoring System. In determining whether to approve any such transaction for a Supervised Person, the CCO and Managing Member will consider, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for client accounts and whether the investment opportunity is being offered to the Supervised Person by virtue of his or her position with Ascend. A Supervised Person who has acquired securities in a limited offering must notify the CCO and Managing Member if he or she is to participate in subsequent consideration of an investment by client accounts in securities of the same issuer. In such circumstances, a decision to acquire securities of that issuer for client accounts must be reviewed.
Reinvestment of dividends pursuant to an automatic dividend reinvestment plan is not subject to the foregoing restrictions; however, any additional capital investments permitted as part of such a plan are.
Report of Holdings/Accounts
Each Supervised Person shall, no later than 10 days after the Supervised Person begins its relationship with Ascend, or otherwise becomes an Access Person of Ascend, (i) provide to the CCO copies of brokerage account statements for all securities owned in all Covered Accounts, which are as of a date that is within 45 days of the date the employee submits them to the Firm, and (ii) complete and submit Appendix VI - Initial Disclosure of Supervised Person Personal Accounts.
In addition, each Supervised Person shall, no later than 10 days after the Supervised Person begins its relationship with Ascend, or otherwise becomes an Access Person of Ascend, provide the CCO with one or more completed and signed “Brokerage Account Data Access Consent Form(s)” (in the form attached as Appendix VIII) to allow Ascend to receive electronic delivery of brokerage account information into the Compliance Monitoring System. If a relevant brokerage firm does not provide electronic delivery of brokerage account information, the Supervised Person will be required to provide brokerage statements from such brokerage firm to Ascend on a quarterly basis. After the CCO indicates to each such Supervised Person that such person’s account and holdings information has been received by or entered into the Compliance Monitoring System, such person must submit an “Initial Holdings Certification” (in the form set forth in Appendix VII) confirming such account and holdings information through the Compliance Monitoring System. If a Supervised Person opens a new Covered Account, the Supervised Person must immediately provide the CCO with an additional or amended Brokerage Account Data Access Consent Form(s) that includes the new account.
On an annual basis, each Supervised Person will be required to confirm that the Compliance Monitoring System contains all holdings and transaction information for all Covered Accounts of that Supervised Person by submitting an “Annual Holdings Certification” (in the form set forth in Appendix VII ) through the Compliance Monitoring System.
Any person who fails to provide the information as set forth above will be subject to discipline by Ascend. Supervised Persons are also required to disclose the amounts and locations of any securities obtained upon any subsequent event (marriage, inheritance, etc.).
Quarterly Personal Securities Trading Information
Ascend will obtain, not less than quarterly, transaction and holdings information regarding the Covered Accounts of Supervised Persons that have provided Brokerage Account Data Access Consent Forms to Ascend. Not later than 20 calendar days following the end of each quarter, each Supervised Person that has not provided a completed and signed Brokerage Account Data Access Consent Form must provide the CCO with copies of brokerage account statements for all securities owned in all Covered Accounts for each month end included in the prior quarter. Each statement will contain the following information:
| 1. | Name of Supervised Person |
| 2. | Name of the securities purchased or sold, including the number of shares or principal amount if fixed income securities; |
| 3. | Date and nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition); |
| 4. | Price at which the transaction was effected; and |
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| 5. | Names of the broker/dealer or bank through whom the transaction was effected. |
Upon receipt of brokerage account data and/or statements, the CCO, or his or her designee, will review all brokerage account data and statements for any evidence of improper trading activities or conflicts of interest by Supervised Persons, including, without limitation, trades placed shortly before or after trades placed in the same security for client accounts. After reviewing each Supervised Person’s data and/or statements, the CCO, or his or her designee, will create a report that summarizes the findings of the review, which will be signed and dated by the CCO.
Negative Reports
It is the policy of Ascend that brokerage account information for all Supervised Persons be reviewed quarterly by the CCO whether or not securities transactions have occurred in their Covered Accounts during the period.
Confidentiality
All statements of holdings, duplicate trade confirmations, duplicate account statements, electronic data feeds of account information and monthly and quarterly reports will generally be held in confidence by the CCO. However, the CCO may provide access to any of those materials to other members of Ascend’s management in order to resolve questions regarding compliance with this policy and regarding potential purchases or sales for Client accounts, and Ascend may provide regulatory authorities with access to those materials when required to do so under applicable laws, regulations, or orders of such authorities. The CCO may, in his or her discretion, consult with legal counsel in relation to the disclosure of such information.
Transaction Monitoring
To determine whether Supervised Persons have complied with the rules described above (and to detect possible insider trading), the CCO will have access to and will review transactions effected in Covered Accounts within 30 days after the end of each month, and will review duplicate trade confirmations provided pursuant to those rules within 10 days after their receipt. The CCO will compare transactions in Covered Accounts with transactions in client accounts for transactions or trading patterns that suggest violations of this Policy or potential front running, scalping, or other practices that constitute or could appear to involve abuses of Supervised Persons' positions. Transactions in the CCO’s Covered Accounts, will be reviewed by the Managing Member, who will act as to the CCO’s transactions, in the same manner as the CCO. If the Managing Member determines that a violation of this Policy has or may have occurred, he or she shall submit his or her written determination, together with documentation relating to the determination and any additional explanatory material provided by the CCO to the Managing Member, who shall make an independent determination of whether a violation has occurred.
The restrictions and reporting requirements in this Personal Account Trading Policy do not apply to transactions in any account over which a Supervised Person does not have Beneficial Ownership or does not exercise direct or indirect influence or control. The most common example of such a situation is one in which Securities are held in a trust of which a Supervised Person is a beneficiary but is not the trustee and has no control or influence over the trustee. This exception is very limited and will be construed narrowly. Questions about "influence or control" or otherwise about Beneficial Ownership or reporting responsibilities should be directed to the CCO.
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Appendix IV
Initial and Annual Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics
Initial Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics
I have read, understand, acknowledge that I am subject to, and agree to abide by, the guidelines set forth in the Code of Ethics and Conduct (the "Code") of Ascend Capital, LLC ("Ascend"), including the Appendices and Schedules thereto. I further certify that I have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY DESCRIBED IN THE CODE AND THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO DETECT AND PREVENT INSIDER TRADING ATTACHED AS APPENDIX I TO THE CODE REQUIRE THAT I MAINTAIN STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALL INFORMATION I OBTAIN THROUGH MY EMPLOYMENT AT ASCEND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INFORMATION REGARDING ASCEND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, CLIENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND HOLDINGS, AND CLIENT PERSONAL INFORMATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISCLOSURE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION BY ME TO ANY PERSON INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MY SPOUSE, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, OR PERSONS SHARING A RESIDENCE WITH ME, WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE CODE AND MAY BE A VIOLATION OF LAW. I UNDERSTAND THAT ANY VIOLATION OF THE CODE MAY LEAD TO SANCTIONS BY ASCEND, INCLUDING THE TERMINATION OF MY EMPLOYMENT OR ASSOCIATION WITH ASCEND (AS APPLICABLE), AND THAT VIOLATIONS OF LAWS REGARDING INSIDER TRADING CARRY SEVERE PENALTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FINES AND IMPRISONMENT.
I AGREE TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER OF ASCEND ANY BREACH BY ME OF THE CODE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY BREACH OF THE DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO DETECT AND PREVENT INSIDER TRADING.
Annual Acknowledgment of Code of Ethics
I have read, understand, acknowledge that I am subject to, and agree to abide by, the guidelines set forth in the Code of Ethics and Conduct (the "Code") of Ascend Capital, LLC ("Ascend"), including the Appendices and Schedules thereto. I further certify that I have complied with the Code since the date of my previous Acknowledgement of Code of Ethics, if any, and that I have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY DESCRIBED IN THE CODE AND THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO DETECT AND PREVENT INSIDER TRADING ATTACHED AS APPENDIX I TO THE CODE REQUIRE THAT I MAINTAIN STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALL INFORMATION I OBTAIN THROUGH MY EMPLOYMENT AT ASCEND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INFORMATION REGARDING ASCEND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, CLIENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND HOLDINGS, AND CLIENT PERSONAL INFORMATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISCLOSURE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION BY ME TO ANY PERSON INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MY SPOUSE, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, OR PERSONS SHARING A RESIDENCE WITH ME, WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE CODE AND MAY BE A VIOLATION OF LAW. I UNDERSTAND THAT ANY VIOLATION OF THE CODE MAY LEAD TO SANCTIONS BY ASCEND, INCLUDING THE TERMINATION OF MY EMPLOYMENT OR ASSOCIATION WITH ASCEND (AS APPLICABLE), AND THAT VIOLATIONS OF LAWS REGARDING INSIDER TRADING CARRY SEVERE PENALTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FINES AND IMPRISONMENT.
I AGREE TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER OF ASCEND ANY BREACH BY ME OF THE CODE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY BREACH OF THE DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO DETECT AND PREVENT INSIDER TRADING.
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Appendix V
Pre-Clearance Form
Entry Date:_____________
Name of Access Person: _____________________________ Account: _____________________________
Symbol:_______________________________________
Security Name: _______________________________________
Transaction Type: _____ (Buy/Sell)
Quantity: _________
Activity Type: _____
IPO: _________ (No/Yes)
To the best of your knowledge, is this security also held or about to be held (long or short) for any Ascend account?: ___
(Yes/No)
If Yes, date the security was last traded for an Ascend account: ______________
Does Supervised Person have any relationship with the issuer of the securities in question? _____ (Yes/No)
If Yes, explain:_____________________________________________
Date of most recent purchase or sale of any security of same issuer ________________ (write N/A if none)
Approximate percentage of outstanding securities of the same class of the issuer owned now__________
(write N/A if under 1%)
Approximate percentage of outstanding securities of the same class of the issuer to be owned after transaction: ___________
(write N/A if under 1%)
All securities purchased by a Supervised Person must be retained (long or short) for at least 30 calendar days after purchase.
Supervised Person acknowledges and agrees that Supervised Person may be prohibited from liquidating a particular position due to Inside Information received by Ascend or transactions entered into by Ascend for an Ascend Account. Supervised Person recognizes that he or she may suffer substantial losses as a result of such liquidation prohibition and agrees that Ascend shall have no responsibility whatsoever therefore.
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Appendix VI
Initial Disclosure of Supervised Person Personal Accounts
ACCOUNT INFORMATION
I certify that listed below are the account name and description of each of my Covered Accounts, if any. See the Code of Ethics and Conduct (the “ Code ”) of Ascend Capital, LLC (“ Ascend ”) for the definition of “Covered Account.” You must provide copies of a brokerage account statement with respect to each listed account, dated within 45 days prior, within 10 days after you have joined Ascend (or after you otherwise become an Access Person (as defined in the Code) .
| Name of Account | Name of Broker-Dealer or Bank | Account Number | Statements Provided to Ascend | |||
¨ (check, if applicable) I certify that: (i) I do not have any Covered Account to report .
Signature : __________________________
Name : ____________________________
Date : _____________________________
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Appendix VII
Holdings Certifications
Initial Holdings Certification
I certify that below is a list of all Covered Securities held in each of my Covered Accounts. See the Glossary section of the Code of Ethics and Conduct of Ascend Capital, LLC (“Ascend”) for the definition of “Covered Securities” and “Covered Accounts.”
I certify that all of the information provided by me or on my behalf is true, complete and correct as of the date hereof. I agree to notify Ascend immediately in writing if I establish a new Covered Account. I agree to either (i) give Ascend my authorization to access electronically all data regarding the holdings and transactions in each of my Covered Accounts, or (ii) provide or cause to be provided brokerage statements for each such Covered Account to Ascend within 20 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
Annual Holdings Certification
I certify that below is a list of all Covered Securities held in each of my Covered Accounts (if any) for which I have provided consent for electronic delivery of account information to Ascend. See the Glossary section of the Code of Ethics and Conduct of Ascend Capital, LLC ("Ascend") for the definition of “Covered Securities” and “Covered Accounts.” In addition, to the extent applicable, I certify that I will provide to Ascend, by no later than January 31 st , all brokerage statements showing all Covered Securities in each Covered Account for which I have not provided consent for electronic delivery of account information to Ascend.
I certify that all of the information provided by me or on my behalf is true, complete and correct as of the date hereof. I agree to notify Ascend immediately in writing if I establish a new Covered Account.
I certify that since my previous Annual Holdings Certification, I have provided Ascend with information regarding any new Covered Accounts.
I also certify that for each quarter of the period since my previous Annual Holdings Certification either (i) I have given Ascend my authorization to access electronically all data regarding the holdings and transactions in each of my Covered Accounts, or (ii) have provided or have caused to be provided brokerage statements for each such Covered Account to Ascend within 20 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
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Appendix VIII
Brokerage Account Data Access Consent Form
In connection with the Personal Account Trading Policy of Ascend Capital, LLC (“Ascend”) as set forth in Appendix III to Ascend’s Code of Ethics and Conduct (the “Code of Ethics”), I understand that Ascend has arrangements in place with certain broker-dealers pursuant to which Ascend, and service providers acting on behalf of Ascend, are able to receive electronic delivery of account information for purposes of satisfying the obligations of Ascend’s Supervised Persons (as defined in the Glossary section of the Code of Ethics) to provide certain brokerage statements to Ascend.
I hereby authorize the broker-dealer firms identified below to provide to Ascend, and to service providers acting on Ascend’s behalf, any and all transaction and holdings information relating to securities held in the account(s) identified below:
| Broker-dealer name: | ||
| Account numbers: | ||
| Signature of Supervised Person | Date | ||
| Name of Supervised Person (Please Print) |
Note: Supervised Persons must list all Covered Accounts maintained at the relevant broker-dealer, and must complete separate forms for each broker-dealer with which they maintain accounts.
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Appendix IX
Beneficial Ownership
Beneficial ownership by a person will be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether that person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that the determination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership shall apply to all securities a person has or acquires. Some examples of when beneficial ownership would exist are where securities are held:
| 1. | By a Supervised Person for his/her own benefit, whether bearer, registered in his/her own name, or otherwise; |
| 2. | By others for the Supervised Person's benefit (regardless of whether or how registered), such as securities held for the Supervised Person by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors or administrators; |
| 3. | For a Supervised Person's account by a pledgee; |
| 4. | By a trust in which a Supervised Person has an income or remainder interest unless the Supervised Person's only interest is to receive principal if (a) some other remainderman dies before distribution or (b) if some other person can direct by will a distribution of trust property or income to the Supervised Person; |
| 5. | By a Supervised Person as trustee or co-trustee, where either the Supervised Person or any member of his/her immediate family (i.e., spouse, children and their descendants, stepchildren, parents and their ancestors, and step-parents, in each case treating a legal adoption as blood relationship) has an income or remainder interest in the trust; |
| 6. | By a trust of which the Supervised Person is the settlor, if the Supervised Person has the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries; |
| 7. | By any non-public partnership in which the Supervised Person is a partner; |
| 8. | By a personal holding company controlled by the Supervised Person alone or jointly with others; |
| 9. | In the name of the Supervised Person's spouse unless legally separated; |
| 10. | In the name of minor children of the Supervised Person or in the name of any relative of the Supervised Person or of his/her spouse (including an adult child) who is presently sharing the Supervised Person's home. This applies even if the securities were not received from the Supervised Person and the dividends are not actually used for the maintenance of the Supervised Person's home; |
| 11. | In the name of any person other than the Supervised Person and those listed in (9) and (10) above, if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement, or other arrangement the Supervised Person obtains benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership and/or exercises direct or indirect influence or control; and |
| 12. | In the name of any person other than the Supervised Person, even though the Supervised Person does not obtain benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership (as described in (11) above), if the Supervised Person can vest or revest title in himself/herself. |
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Appendix X
Use of Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors
Ascend uses expert network firms and independent research vendors to arrange access to consultants and research associates with valuable expertise in particular markets or particular companies (“Consultants”). Federal law enforcement agencies have recently been paying close attention to the activities of expert networks and independent research vendors, believing that some such networks have been used as a conduit for the conveyance of material non-public information to investors. In order to ensure that any use of expert networks and independent research vendors by Ascend does not result in the violation of insider trading laws by Ascend or any person associated with Ascend, and to show any investigating regulators that Ascend has taken active steps to prevent such violations, Ascend has adopted these Use of Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors policies and procedures. The defined term “Consultant,” as used in these policies and procedures, shall not include the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or investor relations personnel of any company.
The use of expert networks and independent research vendors is subject to the following restrictions and procedures:
Representations by Expert Network Firms and Independent Research Vendors
Each expert network firm and independent research vendor with which Ascend does business will be required to provide a letter to Ascend substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other forms as the CCO shall deem to be appropriate).
Procedures for Use of Consultants
Procedures for scheduling calls (which term for purposes of these Use of Expert Networks and Independent Research Vendors procedures will also include meetings) with Consultants:
| 1. | If the call is with a public company employee, pre-clear the call (see “Public Company Employees” section below”) |
| 2. | When calls are set up/confirmed, an email confirming the call must be sent with the following disclaimer: |
“As you know, Ascend Capital, LLC and its affiliates, on behalf of such entities and their clients, buy and sell securities and collect information to help make investment decisions. We do not wish to receive any confidential information that you are not authorized to provide to us. Please be sure to comply with (i) any confidentiality obligations that you may have, and (ii) any policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the securities laws to which you are subject. We do not intend to restrict our securities trading activity following the receipt of any information that you provide.”
| 3. | All Consultants will be provided with the following representations (either by us or by Guidepoint, DeMatteo or other expert network) prior to any call with the Consultant, and the Consultant must provide its acknowledgment prior to the call: |
“You hereby represent and acknowledge the following to Ascend Capital, LLC and its affiliates (“Ascend”), in connection with each consultation that you may have with them:
* You acknowledge that Ascend is in the business of investing and trading in securities.
* You are not currently, and have not been, within the past 6 months, an employee or member of the board of directors of any company with outstanding publicly traded securities which is the subject of the consultation between you and any employee of Ascend, and your participation in any consultation with Ascend will not violate any policies of any current or former company by which I am or have been employed, or to which I serve or have served as a director.
* You will not provide to Ascend any material non-public information regarding a publicly traded company. Material non-public information is any information that would likely have an effect on the value of a company and/or that a reasonable investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions, and that is not ordinarily made available to the public.
* You will not provide or transmit information to Ascend if you believe that someone breached a duty of confidence by disclosing the information to you.
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* You will not provide or transmit information to Ascend if you believe that to do so would result in a violation of any duty that you owe to a third party, including (as applicable and without limitation) your current or former employer.
* You will not disclose the identity of Ascend to anyone other than the employees of the expert network or independent research vendor through which you were retained by Ascend with a need to know such information.
Please acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the above representations, warranties and agreements by responding to this email with a response reading “Agreed.” Failure to so acknowledge will prevent your participating in this consultation.”
Consultants at Public Companies
| 1. | Pre-Clearance |
* All scheduled calls with Consultants that are employed at public companies must be pre-cleared with compliance prior to the consultation on the day of the consultation, to confirm that we do not currently have a position in the company's stock. If we do have a position, the call will be cancelled unless an exception is granted by the CCO in the circumstances described below.
* The pre-clearance request to compliance must include information regarding the identity of the Consultant, the expected scope of the discussions and the general purpose of the call, and the topics to be discussed.
* Prior to providing clearance for a call with a Consultant, the CCO may perform such background investigations of the Consultant as the CCO deems necessary.
* Sector Managers, Analysts/Associates and Research Assistants are responsible for ensuring that they have documentation of the approval from compliance.
* All scheduled calls with Consultants that are employed at public companies that are not pre-cleared by compliance must be cancelled.
| 2. | A Consultant that is employed by a public company may only be used in Ascend’s research process if Ascend (or the accounts for which it provides investment advisory services) does not have a position in the equity securities of the public company. Exceptions may approved by the CCO where the consultation is related to a specific topic that is not related to Ascend’s investment thesis on the company and/or where the position is held by a different sector manager. In connection with any such exception, the CCO may institute a five day cooling-off period (or such other period as the CCO deems appropriate) after any such consultation, during which Ascend will not trade in the equity securities of the Consultant’s employer. |
| 3. | Employees speaking with Consultants who are employed at public companies are not permitted to discuss anything about the public company by which the Consultant is employed, except as may be agreed by the CCO in advance of the Consultant call. |
For the purposes of the above policies, a Consultant will be deemed to be employed by a public company until six months have elapsed from the date upon which the Consultant ceased to be an employee of the public company.
Resolving Issues Concerning Information Provided by Consultants
In the event that there is any concern that a Consultant may have provided material non-public information, the matter should be discussed with the CCO before trading or communicating the information to anyone.
Review of Research Relationships
All relationships with expert networks and independent research vendors will be reviewed by Malcolm Fairbairn and the sector managers no less frequently than once each fiscal year. Relationships with expert networks and independent research vendors will be continued, modified or terminated as warranted based on this review. In order to perform such review, the CCO shall seek from the expert network or independent research vendor such information regarding the expert network or independent research vendor’s business practices, compliance policies and contractual and compensation arrangements between the expert network or
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independent research vendor and the Consultants as Malcolm Fairbairn, the Sector Managers and/or the CCO deem to be necessary.
In addition, all expert networks and independent research vendors with which Ascend does business will be subject to an automated daily scan of news sources for articles relating to such companies, the results of which will be reviewed by the CCO or his or her designee and will be communicated to Malcolm Fairbairn and the sector managers if such articles suggest that an immediate review of Ascend’s relationship with the expert network or independent research vendor is warranted.
Supervisory Procedures
On a quarterly basis, the CCO, or his or her designee, will perform the following supervisory procedures relating to the use of expert networks and independent research vendors:
| 1. | perform a random review of e-mails confirming calls with Consultants, to ensure that the required disclaimer language was included; |
| 2. | obtain from each expert network: (i) written confirmation that the expert network has obtained the required representations from each Consultant used by Ascend; and (ii) a detailed written record indicating all calls and meetings with Consultants, including the name of the Consultant, the name of the company discussed, and the names of the Ascend attendees on the call or at the meeting; |
| 3. | prepare and maintain internal records with respect to independent research vendors that include: (i) confirmation that all Consultants has made the required representations; and (ii) a detailed written record indicating all calls and meetings with Consultants, including the name of the Consultant, the name of the company discussed and the names of the Ascend attendees on the call or at the meeting; and |
| 4. | prepare and maintain an internal report indicating that all meetings with Consultants were pre-cleared by the CCO, or his or her designee. |
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EXHIBIT A
[LETTERHEAD OF SERVICE PROVIDER]
[DATE]
Ascend Capital LLC
4 Orinda Way, Suite 200-C
Orinda, CA 94563
Dear Sir or Madam:
[NAME OF SERVICE PROVIDER] (“ we ” or “ the firm ”) is a service provider of Ascend Capital LLC (“ Ascend ”). [The services provided by the firm to Ascend include, without limitation, providing research, analysis and/or recommendations regarding issuers in which Ascend, or the customer accounts and investment funds managed by Ascend and its affiliates, are invested or may in the future invest.] Ascend has requested that we provide it with certain representations and undertakings regarding the firm’s insider trading practices and procedures. Accordingly, we hereby represent, warrant and agree as follows:
1. The firm has adopted policies and procedures designed to ensure that the firm and its personnel do not violate any federal, state or foreign securities laws involving material non-public information (“ Inside Information ”) of issuers whose securities are traded on any U.S. or non-U.S. securities market(s). Among other things, such policies and procedures prohibit: (a) the disclosure by the firm and its personnel of any Inside Information in the firm’s or its personnel’s possession to third parties, such as Ascend; and (b) the use by the firm and its personnel of Inside Information in connection with providing services to customers of the firm, such as Ascend. We will at all times comply with such policies and procedures.
2. The firm and its personnel have not, and will not in the future, utilize and/or rely upon any Inside Information in connection with providing services to Ascend.
3. The firm and its personnel have not, and will not in the future, communicate or otherwise provide any Inside Information to Ascend or any of its personnel.
We agree that if, at any time, the firm ceases to be in compliance with any agreement contained in this letter, or if any representation or warranty contained in this letter ceases to be true, we shall notify Ascend immediately.
| Sincerely, | |
| [NAME] | |
| [TITLE] |
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Schedule I
Supervised Persons 1
Current Supervised Persons that are subject to the Code:
Adrian Barnes
Carlo Casulo
J. Cogan
James Ellman
Kimberly Evers
Emily Fairbairn
Malcolm P. Fairbairn
Rebecca Frick
Peter Friedland
Rahul Gandhi
Rachael Guinto
Benjamin Hejna
Yedda Ho
Michael Hughes
Paul Jones
Helen Kang
Scott L. Kintz
Darby Kroyer
Sheila Magill
Shane McCarty
Michael Napolitana
David Newhall
Nick Nguyen
Sam Palmer
Christopher Pierce
Tomas Pieter
Roshan Raman
Dirk Renick
Megan Sevcik
Ramona Shenoy
Jaime Simon
Benjamin D. Slavet
Stephanie Stephan
Michael Stokes
Joshua Wyss
Gina Yacoub
Orlin Zhekov
1 Updated as of January 2015.
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Exhibit 99.(p).7
GRAHAM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
GRAHAM CAPITAL LLP
CODE OF ETHICS
Effective December 2014
A. Scope
As an investment adviser, Graham Capital Management, L.P., including for these purposes Graham Capital LLP (together, “Graham”), stands in a position of trust and confidence with respect to its clients. Accordingly it has a fiduciary duty to act all times in the best interests of the funds that it advises (the “Funds”) and their investors. In order to assist Graham and its employees or members (together, “employees”), as applicable, in meeting their obligations as fiduciaries, Graham has adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The Code incorporates the following general principles which all employees are expected to uphold:
| · | Employees must at all times place the interests of the Funds above the interests of all others. |
| · | All personal securities transactions must be conducted in a manner consistent with the Code and avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of an employee’s position of trust and responsibility. |
| · | Employees must not take any inappropriate advantage of their positions at Graham. |
| · | Information concerning the identity of securities and financial circumstances of the Funds and their investors must be kept confidential. |
| · | Employees are absolutely forbidden from engaging in insider trading, as further described in the Code. |
Graham believes that these general principles not only help it to fulfill its fiduciary obligations, but also protect Graham’s reputation and instill in its employees Graham’s commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism. Employees should understand that these general principles apply to all conduct, whether or not the conduct also is covered by more specific standards or procedures set forth below. Failure to comply with the Code may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
B. Persons and Accounts Covered by the Code
1. Employees
The Code applies to all of Graham’s “supervised persons,” which for purposes of the Code include all of Graham’s employees. Graham’s supervised persons consist of its officers (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), its employees, and any other person who is subject to Graham’s supervision and control and for whom it is deemed
appropriate to so designate such person as a supervised person by virtue of the person’s relationship to Graham.
2. Access Persons
All officers, employees and persons subject to Graham’s supervision and control generally are subject to the Code; however, certain provisions of the Code apply only to Graham’s “access persons.” Access persons include any supervised person who:
| · | has access to nonpublic information regarding any Fund’s purchases or sales of securities; is involved in making securities recommendations to the Funds, or has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; or |
| · | in respect of any Fund advised by Graham that is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), any officer or employee of Graham who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes participates in or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by such a Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales. |
A list of Graham’s access persons designated by department is attached hereto as Schedule 1. All officers, employees and certain other designated persons are considered supervised persons and therefore subject to the general provisions of the Code. However, only those persons identified in Schedule 1 as access persons are subject to the requirements under Sections F and G applicable to access persons.
In addition to those requirements applicable to access persons of Graham, portfolio managers, their dedicated trading assistants and members of Graham’s Risk Department are subject to additional requirements and restrictions on personal trading as set forth in Schedule 2.
3. Accounts
a. Personal Accounts
The term “personal account” means any securities account that has the ability to execute trades in covered securities, as that term is defined below, and in which an employee has any direct or indirect “beneficial ownership,” and includes any personal account of an employee’s immediate family members (including any relative by blood or marriage either living in the employee’s household or financially dependent on the employee) and domestic partner sharing the employee’s household. 1
An employee is deemed to have beneficial ownership if the employee, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or
1 The term “immediate family member” is defined by reference to SEC Rule 16a-1(a)(2)(ii)(A) and includes any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and includes adoptive relationships.
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shares a direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from the relevant personal account. For examples of indirect beneficial ownership, refer to Appendix A attached hereto.
A personal account does not include an account over which the access person has no direct or indirect influence or control. For example, if an access person owns a securities account and all investment decisions for that account are made by an investment adviser or broker-dealer (provided that the access person may define general investment criteria relating to the account), then that account would not be considered a personal account subject to this code. This is generally referred to as a managed account arrangement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the details of any such account must be reported to Graham’s Chief Compliance Officer upon an employee becoming an access person, including the name of the financial institution, account number, account name, identification of the account as being directed by a third party and a copy of the investment management agreement.
Examples of accounts which may be considered a personal account include a roll-over IRA, a child’s UGMA or UTMA, a securities account with brokerage capabilities for which the access person serves as an executor, an ISA (for UK-based employees) and a SIPP (for UK-based employees), provided that in each case the account is able to transact in covered securities. Examples of accounts which are not personal accounts include a checking or savings account, your Graham 401(k) plan account and a state 529 college savings plan.
b. Designated Brokers
US-based Access Persons . US-based access persons may only hold a personal account at a Designated Broker, as defined below. Designated Brokers provide electronic confirmation of an access person’s securities transactions and holdings to Graham via MyComplianceOffice, the computer-based application that provides holdings and transactions reporting capabilities for Graham’s access persons. The Designated Brokers are TD Ameritrade, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Fidelity and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Existing personal accounts that are not held at a Designated Broker must either be transferred to a Designated Broker or closed, unless otherwise directed by the Chief Compliance Officer.
UK-based Access Persons . UK-based access persons are not required to maintain their personal accounts at a Designated Broker. Such employees must, however, (i) notify the Chief Compliance Officer of all personal accounts that they hold and (ii) arrange for their brokers to send duplicate account statements and trade confirmations to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee.
c. Covered Securities
The term “Covered Securities” includes all securities as defined in section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act, and includes:
| · | Debt and equity securities; |
| · | Equity Options; |
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| · | Shares of Exchange-Traded Funds/Exchange-Traded Notes; |
| · | All forms of limited partnership and limited liability company interests, including interests in private investment funds (such as hedge funds), and interests in investment clubs; and |
| · | Foreign unit trusts and foreign mutual funds. |
The term “Covered Securities,” however, does not include the following:
| · | Direct obligations of the Government of the United States (“Government Securities”); |
| · | Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and high-quality short-term debt obligations, including repurchase agreements; and |
| · | Shares issued by open-end (NAV-traded) mutual funds, except where Graham serves as an investment adviser (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act) to any such fund (a “Reportable Fund”). |
Any questions regarding the application of these terms will be addressed by Graham’s Chief Compliance Officer.
C. Compliance with Applicable Securities Laws
In addition to the general principles of conduct stated in the Code and the specific trading restrictions and reporting requirements described below, the Code requires all supervised persons to comply with applicable US federal securities laws and, with respect to UK-based persons, UK laws. These laws include the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and any rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act and the UK Criminal Justice Act and the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
D. Policy on Insider Trading
1. Scope
a. Employees may not trade, personally or on behalf of others (such as the Funds), on the basis of material, non-public information. Employees should not communicate material, non-public information to anyone except persons who are entitled to receive the information in connection with the performance of their responsibilities for Graham. Although insider trading is commonly associated with trading in equity securities, the SEC has brought insider trading actions in connection with fixed-income instruments (e.g., 2003 action brought against Goldman Sachs in connection with issuance of 30-year bonds) and in connection with a swap transaction (e.g., 2009 action brought against employees of Millenium Partners and Deutsche Bank Securities in respect of credit default swaps). Graham’s policy prohibiting
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insider trading similarly extends beyond trading in equity securities to include trading in fixed-income instruments and swap transactions.
b. Information is considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decision. Generally, this includes any information the disclosure of which will have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Material information often relates to an issuer’s results and operations including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, and extraordinary business or management developments. Material information may also relate to the market for a security. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be material. Prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press may also be material.
c. Non-public information is information that is not generally available to the investing public. Information is “public” when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace, including through public filings with the SEC or other government agency, news reports, trade journals or similar sources.
d. Determinations as to what constitutes material non-public information are highly fact specific and any questions in this regard should be directed to Graham’s Chief Compliance Officer.
2. Actions
a. Prior to executing any trade for a personal account or on behalf of others, an employee must determine whether he has access to material non-public information concerning the issuer. If the employee believes that he is in possession of such information, the following steps must be taken:
| · | Report the information and proposed trade immediately to Graham’s Chief Compliance Officer; |
| · | Do not execute the trade; |
| · | Do not communicate the information other than to the Chief Compliance Officer; |
b. Following a review of available information, a determination will be made as to whether the trade may be executed or if the information is either material or non-public such that the trade may not be executed.
3. Sanctions for Violations
Severe penalties may result from engaging in illegal insider trading. In addition to any disciplinary action that Graham may take, including termination of employment, persons found guilty of having engaged in illegal insider trading may be subject to criminal and civil penalties in the United States and other countries. In the United States, the penalties are:
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a. Criminal Sanctions . The maximum prison sentence for an insider trading violation is currently 20 years. The maximum criminal fine for individuals is currently $5,000,000, and the maximum fine for non-natural persons (such as an entity whose securities are publicly traded) is currently $25,000,000.
b. Civil Sanctions . Persons who violate insider trading laws may become subject to an injunction and may be forced to disgorge any profits gained or losses avoided. The civil penalty for a violator may be an amount up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the insider trading violation. To the extent that Graham is deemed to be a controlling person of any employee who is found guilty of an insider trading violation, Graham (as well as other natural or non-natural persons who are deemed to be controlling persons of the violator) faces a civil penalty not to exceed the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the violation if Graham knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the controlled person was likely to engage in the acts constituting the insider trading violation and failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the acts before they occurred.
In addition to the foregoing, persons found guilty of insider trading could be permanently barred from the securities industry and face additional liability from claims by investors for damages resulting from illegal insider trading.
E. Personal Trading in Commodity Interests
No employee is permitted to trade futures, foreign exchange, swaps or other derivatives for their own account or that of a family member, friend or any other third party without prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. Employees with access to sensitive information are required periodically and upon request to furnish the Chief Compliance Officer with copies of their Federal income tax return, or a certificate in lieu thereof from a certified tax preparer attesting to the absence of income/loss from such activities on the employee’s Federal income tax return, to confirm adherence to this policy.
F. Reporting by Access Persons
1. Initial Holdings Report
a. Contents of Holdings Report
Every access person must submit an initial holdings report to the Chief Compliance Officer that discloses all covered securities held in any personal account, whether or not such personal account is maintained at a Designated Broker. The report must contain, at a minimum:
1) the title and type of covered security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each covered security in any personal account;
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2) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the access person maintains any personal account; and
3) the date on which the access person submits the report.
b. Timing of Initial Holdings Report
Every access person must submit the initial holdings report, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 (or as otherwise provided by electronic means) , not later than 10 days after becoming an access person, and the information contained in the report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date of becoming an access person.
2. Quarterly Transaction Attestation
Every access person must attest to their quarterly transactions in covered securities in any personal account. Access persons will make these attestations through MyComplianceOffice. Instructions for how to make these attestations will be contained in the assignment transmitted by MyComplianceOffice to access persons. In addition, access persons must report information on personal accounts established during the quarter, including the name of the broker, the date the account was established and the date the report is submitted. Quarterly transaction attestation assignments will be transmitted via MyComplianceOffice to access persons following the end of each calendar quarter and must be completed by the due date specified in the assignment, but not later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
3. Annual Holdings Attestation
Every access person must attest to their holdings of covered securities in any personal account on an annual basis, as of December 31 of each year. Access persons will make these attestations through MyComplianceOffice. Instructions for how to make these attestations will be contained in the assignment transmitted by MyComplianceOffice to access persons. Annual holding attestation assignments will be transmitted to access persons following the end of each calendar year and must be completed by the due date specified in the assignment, but not later than 30 days after the end of the calendar year.
4. Exceptions to the Reporting Requirements
No access person is required to report with respect to transactions (and holdings related thereto) effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan ( i.e. , a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation, including any dividend reinvestment plans).
G. Pre-Approval Procedures, Holding Period Requirement and Limit on Transactions
Every access person must obtain approval from the Chief Compliance Officer before transacting in any covered security for a personal account, in particular with respect to IPOs and offerings of securities exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 4(2) and 4(6) thereof.
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1. Pre-Approval Procedure
Requests must be entered into the MyComplianceOffice system. Requests will be reviewed by the Compliance Department for possible conflicts and approvals or denials will be communicated to the requestor through the MyComplianceOffice system, typically within twenty-four hours of submission. Approvals will be valid for the later of the requested trade date or the date of approval and the following 2 business days. If the trade is not executed in that time a new request must be submitted prior to executing the trade.
2. Holding Period Requirement
Personal accounts, other than those with respect to which a third party exercises sole investment discretion, are prohibited from engaging in active trading. For purposes of the Code, active trading is considered to be any purchase and sale, or any sale and purchase, of any covered security of an issuer within any period of less than 30 days. To be clear, this restriction relates to active trading in covered securities, as that term is defined in the Code.
3. Limit on Transactions
Graham believes that excessive trading by access persons in personal accounts can create actual and perceived conflicts of interest between Graham, through the actions of access persons, and the accounts that it manages. To avoid any such conflicts, access persons are restricted from executing more than 40 transactions (aggregated over all personal accounts relating to the access person) in covered securities over any twelve-month period. For purposes of this Section G.3, a single trade or series of trades for one or more personal accounts in the same covered security, in the same direction (i.e., buy, sell or sell short) during the approval period (i.e., the requested trade date plus the following 2 business days) will be considered a single transaction.
H. Reporting Violations
Every supervised person must immediately report any violation of the Code to the Chief Compliance Officer. All reports will be treated confidentially and investigated promptly and appropriately.
I. Administration of the Code
The Chief Compliance Officer will receive and review all reports, requests and attestations submitted pursuant to the Code. The Chief Compliance Officer will review these submissions to determine that access person trades are consistent with requirements and restrictions set forth in the Code and do not otherwise indicate any improper trading activities. The Chief Compliance Officer also will ensure that all books and records relating to the Code are properly maintained. The books and records required to be maintained include the following:
| · | A record of any violation of the Code, and of any action taken as a result of the violation; |
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| · | A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt, review and understanding of the Code from each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a supervised person; |
| · | A record of each report made by an access person, including any brokerage confirmations and brokerage account statements obtained from access persons; |
| · | A record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, access persons; and |
| · | A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of an initial public offering ( i.e. , an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, the issuer of which, immediately before registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) or limited offering ( i.e. , an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2), Section 4(6), Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 thereunder). |
These books and records must be maintained by Graham in an easily accessible place for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the record was created, the first two years in an appropriate office of Graham.
J. Sanctions
Any violation of any provision of the Code may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Graham has adopted the following guidelines that it will generally follow in connection with imposing sanctions for violations of the Code, subject, in its sole discretion, to vary any such sanctions depending on the circumstances surrounding the violation:
1. For the first offense, the violation will be reported to the employee’s supervisor and Graham’s Compliance Committee and the employee will receive a written warning.
2. For the second offense, the employee will be subject to restrictions on the employee’s personal trading.
3. For the third offense, a fine of up to $5,000 will be imposed, which amount will be deducted from any bonus or other amount payable to the employee for the period in which the violation occurs and subject to carryforward until satisfied.
4. For the fourth offense, additional fines and more restrictive measures will be imposed, up to and including termination of employment.
K. Acknowledgment of Receipt and Compliance
Graham will provide each supervised person with a copy of the Code and any amendments hereto. Any questions regarding any provision of the Code or its application should
| - 9 - |
be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer. Each supervised person shall attest to their having received the Code and having reviewed and understanding its subject matter.
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SCHEDULE 1
ACCESS PERSONS
Persons assigned to the following departments and their supervisors or managers shall be considered access persons for purposes of the Code:
Executive
System Research and Development
Investor Services
Portfolio Managers – Traders
Risk
Technology
Quantitative Trading
Trading Services (except for certain Corporate Accounting personnel)
Legal/Compliance
| S1- 1 |
SCHEDULE 2
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS/TRADING ASSISTANTS/RISK DEPARTMENT
Personal trading of certain employees of Graham may give rise to actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to Graham’s trading for GCM accounts, which may be detrimental to the interests of Graham and its clients. In order to prevent such conflicts, portfolio managers, their dedicated trading assistants and members of Graham’s Risk Department MUST COMPLY AT ALL TIMES with the following requirement and restriction in connection with their personal trading, which are in addition to those requirements and restrictions applicable to them as access persons of Graham.
Prohibited Transactions . Personal accounts may not trade or invest in any securities (debt or equity) of an issuer if the employee, while exercising investment discretion over such personal accounts, knows that any GCM account has a position in any securities of the same issuer, including for these purposes any derivatives related to such securities or such issuer irrespective of the counterparty. To be clear, this restriction relates to trading or investing in any security, including covered securities. In the event that a transaction for a GCM account causes personal accounts over which an employee has investment discretion and GCM accounts to be invested in securities of the same issuer, the personal accounts shall not dispose of the securities in the personal accounts for a seven-day period before and after any such securities are transacted (purchase or sale) for the GCM accounts.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, personal accounts may trade or invest in (i) Government Securities (as defined in Section B.3.c hereof), (ii)_ municipal securities (which shall include securities which are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, a state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or any political subdivision thereof, or any municipal corporate instrumentality of one or more states, and such other securities and instruments defined as municipal securities under the Exchange Act) and (iii) exchange-traded funds that seek to track an index based on stocks, bonds, commodities or currencies, without regard to this restriction on prohibited transactions.
For purposes of the above restriction, the term “GCM account” means any account managed by Graham on a proprietary basis or on behalf of Graham clients.
| S2- 1 |
EXHIBIT 1
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Name of Access Person: ___________________________
Date of Submission: ______________________________
I. Securities Accounts
| Account Title |
Broker/Institution Name and Address |
Account Number | ||
II. Covered Securities
| Title of Security | Type of Security | Ticker or CUSIP | Number of Shares | Principal Amount | ||||
| 1. | ||||||||
| 2. | ||||||||
| 3. | ||||||||
| 4. | ||||||||
| 5. | ||||||||
| 6. | ||||||||
| 7. | ||||||||
| 8. | ||||||||
| 9. | ||||||||
| 10. |
I hereby certify that the information contained in this report is accurate and that listed above are all personal accounts and covered securities with respect to which I have beneficial ownership.
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Date: |
| EX1- 1 |
APPENDIX A
(from Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 16a-1(a)(2))
(2) Other than for purposes of determining whether a person is a beneficial owner of more than ten percent of any class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Act, the term “beneficial owner” shall mean any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the equity securities, subject to the following:
(i) The term “pecuniary interest” in any class of equity securities shall mean the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject securities.
(ii) The term “indirect pecuniary interest” in any class of equity securities shall include, but not be limited to:
| (A) | securities held by members of a person’s immediate family sharing the same household; provided, however, that the presumption of such beneficial ownership may be rebutted; see §240.16a-1(a)(4);\ |
| (B) | a general partner’s proportionate interest in the portfolio securities held by a general or limited partnership. The general partner’s proportionate interest, as evidenced by the partnership agreement in effect at the time of the transaction and the partnership’s most recent financial statements, shall be the greater of: |
| (1) | the general partner’s share of the partnership’s profits, including profits attributed to any limited partnership interests held by the general partner and any other interests in profits that arise from the purchase and sale of the partnership’s portfolio securities; or |
| (2) | the general partner’s share of the partnership capital account, including the share attributable to any limited partnership interest held by the general partner. |
| (C) | a performance-related fee, other than an asset-based fee, received by any broker, dealer, bank, insurance company, investment company, investment adviser, investment manager, trustee or person or entity performing a similar function; provided, however, that no pecuniary interest shall be present where: |
(1) the performance-related fee, regardless of when payable, is calculated based upon net capital gains and/or net capital appreciation generated from
| A- 1 |
the portfolio or from the fiduciary’s overall performance over a period of one year or more; and
(2) equity securities of the issuer do not account for more than ten percent of the market value of the portfolio. A right to a nonperformance-related fee alone shall not represent a pecuniary interest in the securities;
| (D) | A person’s right to dividends that is separated or separable from the underlying securities. Otherwise, a right to dividends alone shall not represent a pecuniary interest in the securities; |
| (E) | A person’s interest in securities held by a trust, as specified in §240.16a-8(b); and |
| (F) | A person’s right to acquire equity securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable. |
(iii) A shareholder shall not be deemed to have a pecuniary interest in the portfolio securities held by a corporation or similar entity in which the person owns securities if the shareholder is not a controlling shareholder of the entity and does not have or share investment control over the entity’s portfolio.
| A- 2 |
Exhibit 99.(p).10
LaSalle Investment Management Securities
| Subject | Original Date of Issue | |
| CODE OF ETHICS POLICY | January 13, 2005 |
I. Introduction
The following policies and procedures (collectively, the "Procedures") have been adopted by LaSalle Investment Management Securities, LLC ("LaSalle US"), LaSalle Investment Management Securities B.V. (“LaSalle BV”) and LaSalle Investment Management Securities Hong Kong (“LaSalle HK”, and collectively with LaSalle US and LaSalle BV, “LaSalle”)). These Procedures are designed to foster compliance with the local regulations applicable to each of the LaSalle entities, to ensure that actions taken are in the best interests of LaSalle's clients and to eliminate transactions suspected of being in conflict with the best interests of LaSalle's clients, including with respect to securities trading by LaSalle "Access Persons".
The Securities Trading Committee (the "Committee") has the responsibility for interpreting these Procedures and for determining whether a violation of these Procedures has occurred. The Committee shall follow the procedures set forth in Section V of this Code; and, in the event it determines that a material violation has occurred, the Committee shall take such action as it deems appropriate. A listing of Committee members is set forth in Exhibit A. A senior officer of LaSalle HK or LaSalle BV will be asked to participate in a Committee meeting in the event an employee of that affiliate violates these Procedures.
Any questions regarding these Procedures should be referred to LaSalle's Chief Compliance Officer. A list of frequently asked questions is provided in Exhibit G.
II. Definitions
For purposes of these Procedures, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
| A. | "Access Person" is a defined term in the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which is the reason for its adoption herein. Access Person means any director, officer, partner or employee of LaSalle who makes any recommendation, who participates in the determination of which recommendation shall be made, or whose functions or duties relate to the determination of which recommendation shall be made, or who, in connection with his or her duties, obtains any information concerning which securities are being recommended prior to the effective dissemination of such recommendations or of the information concerning such recommendations; and any of the following persons who obtain information concerning securities recommendations being made by such investment adviser prior to the effective dissemination of such recommendations or of the information concerning such recommendations: (i) any person in a control relationship to the investment adviser, (ii) any affiliated person of such controlling person, and (iii) any affiliated person of such affiliated person. |
For purposes of this policy, all LaSalle HK and LaSalle BV employees are deemed Access Persons. With respect to LaSalle US, all employees other than clerical employees are Access Persons. Employees associated with LaSalle Investment Management KK who assist in the
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day to day management of LaSalle US’s Japanese clients are also Access Persons only for purposes of these Procedures.
| B. | "Personal Brokerage Account" means any brokerage account in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest ( e.g. , brokerage accounts in the name of the Access Person, his or her spouse and minor children, adults living in his or her household and in the name of trusts for which the Access Person is a trustee or in which the Access Person has a Beneficial Ownership interest), including any retirement account or account associated with a company stock purchase plan capable of transacting in Reportable Securities (e.g., Individual Retirement Accounts, self-directed 401(k) plans) in which an Access Person may trade or custody a Reportable Security, even if the account currently holds only non-Reportable Securities. Accounts in which Access Persons have no investment discretion are not required to be disclosed in any report required to be submitted hereunder. |
| Personal Brokerage Account does not include (i) United States Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 529 college savings plans or (ii) employer sponsored IRC § 401(k) retirement accounts that are structured to hold only open-end mutual funds registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| C. | "Advised Fund Shares" means shares in any fund for which LaSalle acts as an adviser or sub-adviser pursuant to a written advisory agreement. |
| D. | "Beneficial Ownership" means: |
| 1. | the receipt of benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership through relationship, understanding, agreement, contract or other arrangements; or |
| 2. | the power to vest ownership in oneself at once or at some future time. |
Generally a person will be regarded as having a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest in securities held in the name of himself, his spouse, minor children who live with him, and any other relative (parents, adult children, brothers, sisters, etc.) whose investments he directs or controls, whether the person lives with him or not. Exhibit B to these Procedures provides a more complete description of beneficial ownership as well as examples of beneficial ownership.
| E. | "Restricted Security" means any Reportable Security issued by an issuer whose primary business is investments in real estate. For purposes of clarity, Restricted Securities include issuers in LaSalle's investment universe, as well as mortgage REITs and "homebuilder" issuers. |
| F. | A "Reportable Security" means any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, shares of open-end or closed-end exchange-traded funds, shares of a closed-end investment company, shares of mutual funds not registered under the United States Investment Company Act of |
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1940, Advised Fund Shares, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security," or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.
| F. | "Supervised Person" means any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of LaSalle, or other person who provides investment advice on behalf of LaSalle and is subject to the supervision and control of LaSalle. All LaSalle employees are deemed Supervised Persons for purposes of these Procedures. |
| III. | Personal Trading Restrictions |
Supervised Persons may purchase and sell Reportable Securities except as limited below:
| A. | Personal Trading. |
No Supervised Person may personally acquire a Beneficial Ownership in a Restricted Security. The following securities may be purchased and sold without any restriction under this policy even if they are issued by, or represent indirect investments in securities of, issuers of Restricted Securities:
| (i) | Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (or any other foreign government with the approval of the Chief Compliance Officer); |
| (ii) | Money market instruments, such as banker's acceptances, certificates of deposit or repurchase agreements; |
| (iii) | Exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and closed end funds; |
| (iv) | Securities issued by Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (note that JLL Global Policy No. 8 prohibits employees from engaging in option or hedging transactions on Jones Lang LaSalle stock); |
| (v) | Options on a currency; or |
| (vi) | Securities acquired upon exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities to the extent such rights are acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired. |
| B. | Transactions in Advised Fund Shares. |
Supervised Persons (i) must pre-clear any purchase or sale of any Advised Fund Shares with the Chief Compliance Officer, of his designee, and (ii) may not purchase and sell, or sell and purchase, shares in any Advised Fund Shares within 60 calendar days; provided, however, that the Chief
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Compliance Officer may make exceptions to this prohibition on a case-by-case basis in situations where no abuse is involved, and the equities strongly support an exception.
| C. | Purchase of New Issues During the Initial Public Offering or in a Limited Offering. |
No Access Person may purchase or become the Beneficial Owner of (i) a new issue of securities (other than securities issued by investment companies or collective investment schemes) during the initial public offering thereof or (ii) securities that are issued in a private placement under the laws of the jurisdiction 1 in which such security is purchased without the prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee.
This Section C. shall not apply to limited offerings of funds sponsored or advised by LaSalle Investment Management, Inc. or its affiliates. To the extent that LaSalle is engaged by an affiliate to perform sub-advisory responsibilities to a fund or a public non-traded REIT, Section B. shall apply and a LaSalle employee will be required to seek prior approval for a transaction in the Advised Fund Shares.
| D. | Narrow-based Restricted Security Index. |
Approval of the Chief Compliance Officer, or his designee, is required prior to a transaction in a Narrow-based Restricted Security Index, which is defined as any index or closed-end fund that has nine or fewer securities (1) one of which is a Restricted Security that comprises more than 30 percent of the fund weighting or (b) two of which are Restricted Securities that comprise more than 50 percent of the fund weighting.
| IV. | Other Conduct Requirements |
| A. | Boards of Directors |
No Access Person shall serve as a director of another company which issues Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Access Person is a director of a company which issues Restricted Securities as of the date these Procedures are adopted or is the director of a company which becomes the issuer of Restricted Securities after such Access Person has already become a director of such company, such Access Person may continue to serve as such director as long as such Access Person resigns as such director as soon as reasonably possible; provided, however, such Access Person shall not participate in any discussions within LaSalle regarding that company as long as such Access Person continues to serve as a director of that company.
1 Relevant private placement requirements in the United States are set forth in Sections 4(a)(2) and 4(6) of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
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| B. | Compliance with Laws |
In addition to the requirements set forth in this policy, all Supervised Persons shall comply with the securities laws applicable to the regions in which they operate.
| V. | Personal Trading Reporting and Disclosure |
The Initial Holdings Report, Annual Holding Report and Quarterly Transactions Report (collectively, "Reports") all require disclosure of the Access Person's holdings in Reportable Securities. This means that holdings and transactions in any Reportable Security held in any Personal Brokerage Account, as well as Advised Fund Shares, require disclosure on a quarterly basis.
Restricted Securities may not be held or traded by Supervised Persons. Members of the Legal & Compliance Department review the Reports to ensure Restricted Securities are not held in employee Accounts. LaSalle employees are responsible for reviewing their personal investments and notifying the Legal & Compliance Department if they suspect a holding may be deemed a Restricted Security.
The Compliance Department uses the Compliance 11 system for automated transaction reporting and employees are expected to affirm their holdings and transactions as required through the system. If an Access Person is unable to link an account through the Compliance 11 system, the Access Person will be asked to forward duplicate copies of the brokerage statements to a local compliance officer.
The forms set forth in Exhibit C and D are legacy forms that should generally no longer be used to affirm holdings and transaction, but are being retained within this document as a visible example of the information that is required to be reported initially upon hire, and thereafter quarterly and annually.
| A. | Initial Holdings Reports |
Within 10 days of becoming an Access Person, each Access Person shall supply the Chief Compliance Officer, or if applicable the regional compliance officer, with an Initial Holdings Report identifying:
| (i) | all Accounts; and |
| (ii) | all Securities holdings. Specifically, the Initial Holdings Report must contain the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Security as of the date the person became an Access Person and the date the report was submitted. The required format for the Initial Holdings Report is set forth in Exhibit C. |
Each Access Person is required to update his or her list and to provide an updated list to the Chief Compliance Officer at the time the Access Person opens any new Account.
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For LIMS Hong Kong employees, each Supervised Person is required to write to his or her brokerage to direct duplicate copies of his/her monthly/quarterly/annual statements to the regional Compliance Officer. This is to facilitate the periodic monitoring of the employees personal trades as specified under the SFC code.
| B. | Annual Holdings Reports |
Within 30 days of each calendar year-end, each Access Person shall supply the Chief Compliance Officer, or if applicable the regional compliance officer, with an Annual Holdings Report identifying:
| (i) | all Accounts showing information as of the calendar year-end; and |
| (ii) | all Securities holdings. Specifically, the report shall contain the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Security in which the access person had a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest and the date the report was submitted. The required format for the Annual Holdings Report is set forth in Exhibit C. |
| C. | Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Each Access Person is required to furnish a Quarterly Transaction Report, in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto, to the Chief Compliance Officer, , or if applicable the regional compliance officer, no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The transaction report shall identify:
(i) all Accounts opened during the quarter; and
(ii) all Securities purchased during the quarter. Specifically, the report shall contain whether the transaction was a purchase or sale and the name of the Security, the date of the transaction, quantity, price, the name of the broker-dealer through which the transaction was effected and the date the report was submitted.
| VI. | Outside Business Activities |
LaSalle believes the following personal business activities represent a potential conflict of interest that requires manager approval and Ethics Officer disclosure prior to engaging in the activity. These limitations do not apply to LaSalle employee co-investment activities alongside LaSalle clients in connection with an investment advisory agreement with LaSalle or its affiliate.
| 1. | Having a personal interest in a transaction with any Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) subsidiary or a transaction in which a JLL subsidiary is involved on behalf of a client (including a LaSalle client). |
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| 2. | Having a substantial percentage ownership or other business interest in a competitor, supplier or client of a JLL entity (including a LaSalle client) that gives you (in your individual capacity) a meaningful influence over such other entity. |
| 3. | Owning, making private investments in, or managing commercial or investment properties. |
| 4. | Participating in a venture in which a JLL entity client (including a LaSalle client) has, or might have, an interest, or acquire an interest in property in which a JLL entity client (including a LaSalle client) has, or might have, an interest. |
| 5. | Serving as an officer or a Board member of another company or an industry association, subcommittee or educational/best practices group. |
| 6. | Engaging in personal business activities that interfere with the employee’s day to day work obligations with the Company. |
Subject to the circumstances described above, the Company has determined that the (i) ownership or leasing of an employee’s second residential home or (ii) participation on not-for-profit or elementary/secondary organizations and boards would generally not require manager approval.
Any request to conduct a personal business activity must be submitted to the Legal and Compliance Department for approval through the Compliance Disclosure System using the following link, and the request must include evidence of manager approval:
https://apps.joneslanglasalle.com/home/compliance11/ssologin.aspx?sId=NTMzNA
Employees are required to seek manager and compliance approval for any material changes to the activities that were already disclosed and approved.
| VI. | Policy Statement on Insider Trading |
LaSalle seeks to foster a reputation for integrity and professionalism. That reputation is a vital business asset. To further that goal, this Policy Statement implements procedures to deter the misuse of material, nonpublic information in securities transactions.
Accordingly, LaSalle forbids any Supervised Person (for purposes of Articles VI and VII, this term shall include spouses, minor children and adult members of their households) from trading, whether personally, on behalf of LaSalle or on behalf of others while in possession of material, nonpublic information or communicating material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred to as "insider trading." This policy applies to every Supervised Person and extends to activities within and outside their duties at LaSalle .
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Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information or improperly communicating that information to others may expose you to stringent penalties, including criminal sanctions. Additionally, in the United States, the SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the prohibited trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall and issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, you may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.
The term "insider trading" is the term generally refers to the use of material, nonpublic information to trade in securities (whether or not one is an "insider") or to the communication of material, nonpublic information to others. While the laws concerning insider trading is not static, it is currently understood that insider trading laws generally prohibit:
| · | Trading by an insider, while in possession of material, nonpublic information; |
| · | Trading by a non-insider, while in possession of material, nonpublic information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider's duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; or |
| · | Communicating material, nonpublic information to others. |
The elements of insider trading and the penalties for such unlawful conduct under U.S. law are described in Exhibit F attached hereto. Although this description is helpful for all employees as a general description of “insider trading” activity, LaSalle HK and LaSalle BV employees should also be familiar with local regulatory requirements and laws. For example, the LaSalle HK Compliance Manual contains a specific section on insider dealing and market manipulation and cross references specific provisions in the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance relating to insider trading and market manipulation. Similarly, the LaSalle BV Administrative Organization/Internal Controls Manual cross references certain rules requiring notification of instances of market manipulation and insider trading to the AFM. LaSalle BV employees should also be familiar with Chapter 5.4 of the Dutch Act on Financial Supervision (Wet op het financieel toezicht ), which contains prohibitions on insider trading and market manipulation.
Any Supervised Person who has any question concerning LaSalle's policy and procedures regarding insider trading should consult with the Chief Compliance Officer. To protect yourself and LaSalle, you should contact the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information. Often, a single question can forestall disciplinary action or complex legal problems.
| VII. | Procedures Designed to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading |
The following procedures have been established to aid LaSalle and all Supervised Persons in avoiding insider trading, and to aid LaSalle in preventing, detecting, and imposing sanctions against insider trading. Every Supervised Person must follow these procedures or risk serious sanctions, including dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties. Any questions about these procedures should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer.
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| 1. | Before trading securities for yourself or others, a Supervised Person should ask himself or herself the following questions: |
| a. | Am I executing this trade based on information that is material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions? Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed? |
| b. | Is the information nonpublic? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been effectively communicated to the marketplace by being published in Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times or other publications of general circulation? |
| 2. | If, after consideration of the above, any Supervised Person believes that the information is material and nonpublic, or if a Supervised Person has questions as to whether the information is material and nonpublic, he or she should take the following steps: |
| a. | Report the information and proposed recommendation/trade immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer or the regional compliance officer. |
| b. | Do not purchase or sell, or recommend the purchase or sale, of the securities either on behalf of yourself, on behalf of LaSalle or on behalf of others. |
| c. | Do not communicate the information inside or outside LaSalle, other than to the Chief Compliance Officer. |
| d. | After the Chief Compliance Officer has reviewed the issue, the Supervised Person will be instructed either to continue the prohibitions against trading and communication because the Chief Compliance Officer has determined that the information is material and nonpublic, or he or she will be allowed to trade the Security and communicate the information. |
| 3. | Information in a Supervised Person's possession that is identified as material and nonpublic may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within LaSalle, except as otherwise provided herein. In addition, care should be taken so that such information is secure. For example, files containing material, nonpublic information should be sealed and access to computer files containing material, nonpublic information should be restricted, and conversations containing such information, if appropriate at all, should be conducted in private (for example, not by cellular telephone, to avoid potential interception). |
| 4. | If, after consideration of the items set forth in Section 1 of this Article VII, doubt remains as to whether information is material or nonpublic, or if there is any unresolved question as to the applicability or interpretation of the foregoing procedures, or as to the propriety of any |
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action, it must be discussed with the Chief Compliance Officer before trading or communicating the information to anyone.
VIII. Administrative Procedures
| A. | Distribution of these Procedures |
The regional compliance officer shall maintain a list of those persons who are deemed Access Persons in the particular region and shall periodically remind the Access Persons that they are subject to the terms of these Procedures. Each Supervised Person, including Access Persons, shall be given a copy of these Procedures. Promptly thereafter, each such Supervised Person shall file with the Compliance Department a statement containing language substantively in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto indicating that he or she has read and understands these Procedures and agrees to be bound by them, as well as in the event of any material change to these Procedures. On an annual basis, the Chief Compliance Officer shall send a notice to all Access Persons reminding them of their obligations to comply with these Procedures.
| B. | Reporting of Violations of These Procedures |
It shall be the responsibility of each Supervised Person to promptly report any violation of these procedures to the Chief Compliance Officer.
| C. | Record keeping Responsibilities |
The Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for maintaining custody of the following records in an easily accessible place for a period of five years:
| · | A copy of each Code of Ethics for the organization that is currently in effect, or at any time within the past five years was in effect; |
| · | A copy of each report and attached documentation supplied to the Chief Compliance Officer pursuant to the requirements of Article V of these Procedures; |
| · | A record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were deemed Access Persons; |
| · | A record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were responsible for reviewing the reports required under Article V of these Procedures; |
| · | A written record of each violation of these Procedures and a written record of any action taken as a result of each such violation; |
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| · | A record of any decision and the reasons supporting the decision, if any, to approve the acquisition by an Access Person of Securities under Article III. B of this Code; and |
| · | All Supervised Person's statements referred to in Article VIII.A. of these Procedures. |
| D. | Monitoring of Securities Transactions of Access Persons |
The Reports and attached documentation supplied to the Chief Compliance Officer pursuant to Section IV of these Procedures shall be reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer or regional compliance officer in order to monitor compliance with these Procedures. The Reports and attached documentation supplied by the Chief Compliance Officer shall be reviewed by the General Counsel. Any approvals required for transactions undertaken by the Chief Compliance Officer shall be obtained from the General Counsel.
Code of Ethics Revisions
3/23/15: added a new definition of a Narrow Based Restricted Security Index, included the ability of CCO to consent to transactions in IPOs and limited offers and added an FAQ.
4/7/14: updated the policy to clarify terms and definitions; update members of the Securities Trading Committee; remove references to non-U.S. mutual funds as not being securities that are required to be reported; and raised the threshold for Securities Trading Committee of violations to be “material” violations.
10/22/13: updated the name of LaSalle US, replaced Kim Woodrow with Elisabeth Stheeman and revised the Securities Trading Committee section to provide for meetings of the Committee based on material violations.
1/24/13: clarified that the entire LIMS BV office are categorized as Access Persons.
11/21/12: created a single Code of Ethics for LIMS, LIMS HK and LIMS BV and added explanatory material to accommodate the different regulatory regimes governing insider trading.
4/3/09: added procedures and material related to possession of material, non-public information.
9/8/08: changed reference to mutual fund to investment company in the Advised Fund Share definition to include closed-end funds.
12/10/07: general changes were made to place the Code in a plain English format.
7/9/07: added David Doherty as CCO and as a member of the Securities Trade Committee.
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7/2/07: removed the access person list from the Code for administrative reasons.
3/7/07: added exchange-traded funds to the definition of securities; made clear that those securities are permissible securities; extended period that quarterly reports are due from 10 days to 30 days.
2/12/07: removed Lynn Thurber from the Securities Committee, changed references from senior compliance officer to Chief Compliance Officer.
10/1/06: included within the definition of a Security open-end investment companies.
6/1/06: changed titles of Gordon Repp and Stan Kraska.
2/13/05: cleaned up references to LaSalle employees.
1/13/05: added definition of Supervised Person and Advised Mutual Fund Shares; made requirement that all supervised persons comply with applicable federal law.
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A – Securities Trading Committee
Exhibit B – Beneficial Ownership
Exhibit C – Holdings Report
Exhibit D – Quarterly Transaction Report / Access Persons Stock Transactions
Exhibit E – Code of Ethics Acknowledgment
Exhibit F – Insider Trading
Exhibit G - FAQ
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EXHIBIT A
SECURITIES TRADING COMMITTEE OF LASALLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SECURITIES, LLC
Meetings of the Committee may be called by the Chief Compliance Officer or any member of the Committee when such person believes that a possible material violation of these Procedures has occurred or that the Committee should meet for other purposes, such as to consider interpretations of or changes to these Procedures. A majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum, provided, that the Chief Compliance Officer must be present in order to have a quorum. A majority of the members present at a meeting constitutes the vote required for any action taken by the Committee.
Members of the Committee are as follows:
LaSalle General Counsel (currently Gordon G. Repp)
LaSalle Chief Compliance Officer (currently David Doherty)
LaSalle Global Business Head (currently Stanley Kraska, Jr.)
Regional Senior Officer (if violation involves employee of the region)
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EXHIBIT B
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
| A. | General Description of Beneficial Ownership |
As used in the Procedures, "beneficial ownership" will be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether a person is subject to Section 16 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that the determination of such ownership shall apply to all securities, including equity securities. For the purpose of that Act, "beneficial ownership" means:
| · | the receipt of benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership through relationship, understanding, agreement, contract or other arrangements; or |
| · | the power to vest such ownership in oneself at once, or at some future time. |
Using the above general definition as abroad guidelines, the ultimate determination of "beneficial ownership" will be made in light of the facts of the particular case. Key factors are the degree of the individual's ability to exercise control over the security and the ability of the individual to benefit from the proceeds of the security. Employees are encouraged to seek the advice of the Chief Compliance Officer if they have any questions concerning whether or not they have beneficial ownership of any security.
| B. | General Rules |
| 1. | Securities Held by Family Members |
As a general rule, a person is regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in his or her name, as well as the name of his or her spouse and their minor children. These relationships ordinarily confer to the holders benefits substantially equivalent to ownership. In addition, absent countervailing facts, it is expected that securities held by relatives who share the same home as the reporting person will be reported as beneficially owned by such person.
| 2. | Securities Held by a Corporation or Partnership |
Generally, ownership of securities in a company (i.e., corporation, partnership, etc.) does not constitute beneficial ownership with respect to the holdings of the company in the securities of another issuer. However, an owner of securities issued by a company will be deemed to have beneficial ownership in the securities holdings of the company where:
| · | the company is merely a medium through which one or several persons in a small group invest or trade in securities; |
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| · | the owner owns 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of, or a 25% or more equity interest in, the company; and |
| · | the company has no other substantial business. |
In such cases, the person or persons who are in a position of control of the company are deemed to have a beneficial ownership interest in the securities of the company.
| 3. | Securities Held in Trust |
Beneficial ownership of securities in a private trust includes:
| · | the ownership of securities as a trustee where either the trustee or members of his "immediate family" have a vested interest in the income or corpus of the trust; |
| · | the ownership of a vested beneficial interest in a trust; and |
| · | the ownership of securities as a settlor of a trust in which the settlor has the owner to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all beneficiaries. |
As used in this section, the "immediate family" of a trustee means:
| · | parents, mother-in-law or father-in-law, husband or wife, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law and children, including stepchildren and descendants. |
For the purpose of determining whether any of the foregoing relations exists, a legally adopted child of a person shall be considered a child of such person by blood.
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EXHIBIT C
INITIAL AND ANNUAL PERSONAL SECURITIES HOLDINGS
THIS REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 10 DAYS OF BECOMING AN ACCESS PERSON AND THEREAFTER ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BY JANUARY 30.
In accordance with the Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all Accounts in which Securities are held for your direct or indirect benefit. Restricted Securities may not be held by Access Persons.
| (1) | Name of Access Person: | |
| (2) | If different than (1), name of the person | |
| in whose name the account is held: | ||
| (3) | Relationship of (2) to (1): | |
| (4) | Broker, dealer or bank at which account is maintained: | |
| (5) | Account Number: | |
| (6) | Contact person at broker, dealer or bank and phone number: |
| (7) | For each Account, attach the most recent account statement listing all Securities in that Account. If you beneficially own Securities that are not listed in an attached account statement, list them below: |
| Title and Type of Security | Exchange Ticker/CUSIP | # Shares | Principal Amount | ||||
| 1. | |||||||
| 2. | |||||||
| 3. | |||||||
| 4. | |||||||
| 5. |
(Attach separate sheet if necessary)
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| Check if applicable: | ¨ | The reporting of any transaction below shall not be construed as an admission that I have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the subject security. |
| ¨ | I do not own any Securities. |
I certify that this form and the attached statements (if any) constitute all of the Securities which I beneficially own, including those held in accounts of my immediate family residing in my household.
| Access Person Signature | ||||
| Dated: | ||||
| Print Name |
| REVIEWED: | |||
| (Date) | (Signature) |
FOLLOW-UP ACTION (if any) (attach additional sheet if required)
_______________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT D
THIS REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF QUARTER END
| ACCESS PERSON TRANSACTION RECORD for | |
| (Name) | |
| FOR CALENDAR QUARTER ENDED | |
| (Date) |
I AM REPORTING BELOW ALL TRANSACTIONS REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED FOR THE QUARTER PURSUANT TO THE CODE OF ETHICS AND SECURITIES TRADING POLICY.
| (Date) | (Access Person's Signature) |
I. TRANSACTION REPORTING
| Check if applicable: | (a) | ¨ | I had no transactions to report during this period because: | |
| ¨ | I had no transactions in Securities during the quarter; or | |||
| ¨ | I had no transactions that were required to reported during the quarter. | |||
| (b) | ¨ | All transactions required to be reported are indicated below or have been provided to the Chief Compliance Officer through statements and, if applicable, are additionally indicated below. | ||
| (c) | ¨ | The reporting of any transaction below shall not be construed as an admission that I have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Security. | ||
Transactions
| Date |
Security
Title, Ticker/ CUSIP |
Interest
Rate |
Maturity
Date |
# Shares |
Principal
Amount |
Purchase/
Sale/ Other |
Price |
Broker/
Dealer/ Bank |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||
(attach additional sheets if necessary)
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II. ACCOUNT REPORTING
Securities Accounts Opened During Quarter
Instruction: The following section must be completed by all Access Persons.
¨ I did not open any Account with any broker, dealer or bank during the quarter; or
¨ I opened an Account with a broker, dealer or bank during the quarter as indicated below.
| Date Account | Broker, Dealer or Bank | |
| Was Established | Name | |
| REVIEWED: | |||
| (Date) | (Signature) |
FOLLOW-UP ACTION (if any) (attach additional sheet if required)
________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT E
CODE OF ETHICS ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have read the Code of Ethics of LaSalle Investment Management Securities, LLC and understand the requirements thereof and will comply with such requirements.
| Dated: | Signature: | ||||
| Please print your name here | |||||
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EXHIBIT F
| (1) | Who is an Insider? |
The concept of "insider" is broad. It includes officers, directors and employees of a company. In addition, a person can be a "temporary insider" if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company's affairs and as a result is given access to information solely for the company's purposes. A temporary insider can include, among others, a company's attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers and the employees of such organizations. In addition, the adviser may become a temporary insider of a company it advises or for which it performs other services. According to the United States Supreme Court, the company must expect the outsider to keep the disclosed nonpublic information confidential, and the relationship must at least imply such a duty before the outsider will be considered an insider.
| (2) | What is material information? |
Trading on inside information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. "Material information" generally is defined as information for which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities. No simple "bright line" test exists to determine when information is material. Assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any question about whether information is material to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Material information often relates to a company's results and operations including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems and extraordinary management developments.
Material information also may relate to the market for a company's securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be deemed material.
Material information does not have to relate to a company's business. For example, in Carpenter v. U.S. , 108 U.S. 316 (1987), the United States Supreme Court considered as material certain information about the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that was expected to affect the market price of a security. In that case, a Wall Street Journal reporter was found criminally liable for disclosing to others the dates that reports on various companies would appear in The Wall Street Journal and whether those reports would be favorable or unfavorable.
| (3) | What is nonpublic information? |
Information is nonpublic until it has been effectively disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through a public filing with the SEC or some other governmental agency, the Dow Jones "tape,"
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Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely.
| (4) | What are the penalties for insider trading? |
Penalties for trading on or communicating material, nonpublic information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he or she does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include: (a) civil injunctions; (b) treble damages; (c) disgorgement of profits; (d) jail sentences; (e) fines for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited: and (f) fines for the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided.
The information above is geared towards conduct that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, but it has general applicability with respect to how LaSalle trades on behalf of clients across the globe, as well as personal conduct of LaSalle employees in the course of their personal trading.
In addition to the foregoing, any violation of LaSalle's Code of Ethics Policy can be expected to result in serious sanctions as set forth in Article VI of the Code of Ethics, including dismissal of the person or persons involved.
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Exhibit G
Code of Ethics Frequently Asked Questions
| 1. | I would like to invest in a real estate security that is not in LaSalle’s investment universe. Can I purchase shares in that security? No. The Code of Ethics prohibits holdings or trading of securities in any company whose primary business is investments in real estate. This category is greater in scope than LaSalle’s investment universe and its broad scope is intended to ensure that employees do not hold any securities that LaSalle Securities may invest on behalf of clients at a future point in time. |
| 2. | Can I invest in the public securities issued by “home builder” companies or mortgage REITs? No. Stocks of residential builders and mortgage REITs are companies whose primary business is investments in real estate. |
| 3. | I only have a 401(k) retirement account. Do I need to report that account as a brokerage account in the Compliance Disclosure System? No. 401(k) retirement accounts are not required to be disclosed. |
| 4. | Refer to #3. Do I need to report the U.S. mutual funds held in the 401(k) account? No. Transactions in and holdings of U.S. mutual funds are not required to be reported. Furthermore, under the Code U.S. mutual funds are not required to be reported regardless of the type of brokerage or retirement account in which they are held. |
| 5. | I transferred my 401(k) retirement account to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Do I need to report both the IRA and the securities held in the IRA in the Compliance Disclosure System? The IRA must be reported as a brokerage account. If the IRA is linked to the Compliance Disclosure System so that the securities holdings in the IRA are reported automatically through the system, then all securities held in the IRA will be disclosed through the Compliance Disclosure System, even U.S. mutual funds. |
| 6. | I do not hold any U.S. mutual funds, but I hold non-U.S. mutual funds. Do I need to report those ? Yes. The Code of Ethics does not exempt non-U.S. mutual funds from disclosure. |
| 7. | I have a roommate and we share rent expenses. Do I need to report my roommate’s brokerage account and securities? No. |
| 8. | I am a homeowner and living with me in the home are my spouse, my 15-year old son and my mother-in-law (who lives rent-free). Each individual holds a brokerage account and within each brokerage account is 10 shares of IBM. Which accounts and holdings do I need to report? An Access Person is presumed to be a beneficial owner of securities |
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that are held by such person’s immediate family members sharing the access person’s household. Therefore, you must report the brokerage accounts and their respective IBM holdings for you, your spouse, your child and your mother-in-law.
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Exhibit 99.(p).13
OWL CREEK ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
CODE OF ETHICS
February 2015
As an investment adviser, Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P. (the " Firm ") stands in a position of trust and confidence with respect to our clients. Accordingly we have a fiduciary duty to place the interests of our clients before the interests of the Firm, our partners and our employees (together with the partners, the " Employees "). In order to assist the Firm and our Employees in meeting our obligations as a fiduciary, the Firm has adopted this Code of Ethics (the " Code "). The Code incorporates the following general principles which all Employees are expected to uphold:
| · | We must at all times place the interests of our clients first. |
| · | All personal securities transactions must be conducted in a manner consistent with the Code and avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of an Employee's position of trust and responsibility. |
| · | Employees must not take any inappropriate advantage of their positions at the Firm. |
| · | Information concerning the identity of securities and financial circumstances of the Funds, the Registered Funds (as defined below), and their investors must be kept confidential. |
| · | Independence in the investment decision-making process must be maintained at all times. |
The Firm believes that these general principles not only help us fulfill our fiduciary obligations, but also protect the Firm's reputation and instill in our Employees the Firm's commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism. Employees should understand that these general principles apply to all conduct, whether or not the conduct also is covered by more specific standards or procedures set forth below. Failure to comply with the Code may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
Terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Firm’s Compliance Manual or Compliance Manual Supplement for Sub-Advised Registered Funds, as applicable.
A. Persons and Accounts Covered by the Code
1. Employees
The Code applies to all of the Firm's Employees and any other person who provides advice on behalf of the Firm and is subject to the Firm's supervision and control.
2. Access Persons
Certain provisions of the Code apply only to the Firm's " access persons ". Our access persons include any Employee who:
| 1 |
| · | Has access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s holdings, purchases or sales of securities or |
| · | Is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic. |
All of the Firm's officers, partners, traders and analysts are presumed to be access persons .
3. Accounts
The requirements and restrictions contained in the Code apply to all " covered securities " in any " personal account ".
a. Personal Accounts
The term " personal account " means any securities account in which an Employee has any direct or indirect " beneficial ownership ," and includes any personal account of an Employee's immediate family member (including any relative by blood or marriage either living in the Employee's household or financially dependent on the Employee).
An Employee is deemed to have beneficial ownership if the Employee, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from the relevant personal account . For examples of indirect beneficial ownership , refer to Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act" ).
b. Covered Securities
The term " covered securities " includes all securities defined as " reportable securities " under Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act" ), and includes (for purposes of this Code):
| · | Debt and equity securities; |
| · | Options on securities, on indices, and on currencies; |
| · | Shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by the Firm, including shares of the Dreyfus Select Managers Long/Short Equity Fund (DBNAX, DBNCX, DBNIX, DBNYX), the Virtus Alternative Total Solution Fund (VATAX, VATCX, VATIX), and the JPMorgan Multi-Manager Alternatives Fund (JMMAX, JMCMX, JMMSX, JMMRX, JMMYX); |
| · | All forms of limited partnership and limited liability company interests, including interests in private investment funds (such as hedge funds), and interests in investment clubs; |
| · | Closed-end mutual funds and closed-end unit trusts; |
| · | Any exchange-traded fund (" ETF ") which is not an Approved ETF or an Approved Leveraged ETF (as defined below), and |
| 2 |
| · | Other registered investment companies such as Business Development Companies and Unit Investment Trusts. |
The term " covered securities," however, does not include the following (“Excluded Securities”):
| · | Direct obligations of the U.S. government ( e.g., treasury securities); |
| · | Bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and high-quality short-term debt obligations, including repurchase agreements (collectively “Bank Deposits and Instruments”); |
| · | Shares issued by money market funds; |
| · | Shares of open-end mutual funds or open-end unit trusts that are not advised or sub-advised by the Firm (or the Firm's affiliates) (i.e. not the open-end mutual funds listed above); |
| · | Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end mutual funds, none of which are funds advised or sub-advised by the Firm (or the Firm's affiliates); and |
| · | The following ETFs (" Approved ETFs "): |
| 1. | SPDR S&P 500 Trust (SPY) |
| 2. | Powershares QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ) |
| 3. | iShares S&P 500 (IVV) |
| 4. | SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA) |
| 5. | Midcap SPDR Trust Series 1 (MDY) |
| 6. | iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) |
| 7. | iShares Russell 1000 Growth (IWF) |
| 8. | iShares Russell 1000 Value (IWD) |
| 9. | Financial SPDR (XLF) |
| 10. | iShares MSCI EAFE (EFA) |
| 11. | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) |
| 12. | iShares MSCI Japan (EWJ) |
| 13. | iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond (SHY) |
| 14. | iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond Fund (AGG) |
| 15. | iShares Barclays TIPS Bond (TIP) |
| 16. | SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) |
| 17. | Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) |
| 18. | iShares Barclays 20 Year Treasury Bond Fund (TLT) |
| 19. | iShares Barclays 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund (IEI) |
| 20. | iShares Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund (IEF) |
| 21. | iShares Barclays 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund (TLH) |
| 22. | Silver Trust (SLV) |
| · | The following Leveraged ETFs (“ Approved Leveraged ETFs ”): |
| · | S&P 500 Index |
| i. | Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3x (SPXL) |
| ii. | ProShares Ultra S&P 500 (SSO) |
| 3 |
| iii. | ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500 (SPXU) |
| iv. | Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3x Shares (SPXS) |
| v. | ProShares UltraShort S&P 500 (SDS) |
| · | Russell 2000 Index |
| vi. | Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3x Shares (TNA) |
| vii. | ProShares UltraPro Short Russell 2000 (SRTY) |
| viii. | Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3x Shares (TZA) |
| · | Dow Jones Industrial Average Index |
| ix. | ProShares UltraPro Dow 30 (UDOW) |
| · | Nasdaq 100 Index |
| x. | ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) |
| xi. | ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) |
| xii. | ProShares UltraShort QQQ (QID) |
| · | Treasury Bonds |
| xiii. | ProShares Ultra 7-10 Year Treasury (UST) |
| xiv. | ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (TBT) |
Any questions regarding the application of these terms will be addressed by Stephen Back (the " Compliance Officer "). For the avoidance of doubt, Excluded Securities (other than Bank Deposits and Instruments and shares in Money Market Mutual Funds) are still subject to the reporting requirements set forth in this Code of Ethics (See Section C below).
B. Compliance with Applicable Federal Securities Laws
In addition to the general principles of conduct stated in the Code and the specific trading restrictions and reporting requirements described below, the Code requires all Employees to comply with applicable federal securities laws. These laws include the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act" ), the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Advisers Act, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, any rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to private investment funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Department of the Treasury.
With respect to managed accounts sub-advised or advised by the Firm on behalf of investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (" Registered Funds ") it is, in particular, unlawful for any Employee, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by an Employee of a reportable security "held or to be acquired by a Registered Fund" 1 :
| 1 | For these purposes, a reportable security "held or to be acquired by a Registered Fund" means any reportable security which, within the most recent 15 days, is or has been held by a Registered Fund or is being or has been considered by the Registered Fund or the Firm for purchase for a Registered Fund. If the Firm manages only a portion of a Registered Fund's assets (the "Allocated Portion"), a reportable security "held or to be acquired by a Registered Fund" means any reportable security which, within the most recent 15 days, is or has been held by or is being or has been considered for purchase by the Allocated Portion. |
| 4 |
| · | To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Registered Funds; |
| · | To make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Registered Funds or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Registered Funds, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; |
| · | To engage in any act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Registered Funds; or |
| · | To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Registered Funds. |
C. Securities Holdings Reports by Access Persons
1. Initial and Annual Holdings Reports
a. Contents of Holdings Reports
Every access person must submit both initial and annual holdings reports to the Compliance Officer, or a designee, that disclose all covered securities held in any personal account . Each such report must contain, at a minimum:
(1) the title and type of covered security , and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each covered security in any personal account ;
(2) the name and account information of any broker, dealer or bank with which the access person maintains any personal account ; and
(3) the date on which the access person submits the report.
The Compliance Officer, or a designee, will review all submitted reports for compliance with applicable rules and regulations and will prepare a written summary of the review at least annually. . Access persons considering opening a new brokerage account should report this to the Compliance Officer to discuss potential reporting obligations. In any event, all access persons must inform the Compliance Officer in the event a new personal account is opened by or on behalf of such access person. Such reports may be submitted through the Compliance Science PTCC System or in paper format.
b. Timing of Holdings Reports
Every access person must submit a holdings report, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , within the following time frames:
(1) no later than 10 days after becoming an access person , and the information contained in the report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date of becoming an access person ; and
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(2) at least once each year thereafter within 30 days of the end of the Firm's fiscal year, and the information contained in the report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.
2. Quarterly Transaction Reports 2
a. Contents of Transaction Reports
Every access person must submit a quarterly transaction report to Compliance personnel for each covered securities transaction in any personal account or for any new personal accounts established by or for the benefit of the access person . The Compliance Officer, or a designee, will review all submitted reports for compliance with applicable rules and regulations. The report must contain, at a minimum, the following information for each transaction:
(1) the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each covered security involved;
(2) the nature of the transaction ( i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(3) the price of the covered security at which the transaction was effected;
(4) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected;
(5) the date on which the access person submits the report;
(6) in the case of new personal accounts, the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the access person opened such account, the date such account was opened and the date such report is submitted by the access person in respect of such new account
The Compliance Officer, or a designee, will review all submitted reports for compliance with applicable rules and regulations and will prepare a written summary of their review at least quarterly. Such reports may be submitted through the Compliance Science PTCC System or in paper format.
b. Timing of Quarterly Transaction Reports
Each access person must submit a quarterly transaction report, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C , no later than 28 days after the end of each calendar quarter, which report must cover, at a minimum, all transactions that occurred during the preceding quarter.
3. Exceptions to the Reporting Requirements
No access person is required to submit:
| 2 | In addition to the reporting requirements set forth herein, all access persons must arrange for the broker-dealers of their personal accounts to forward duplicate copies of all account statements and/or confirmations, at least quarterly, to Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P., either in hard copy or electronically. |
| 6 |
| a. | Any report with respect to covered securities held in a personal account over which the access person had no direct or indirect influence or control. |
| b. | A quarterly transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan ( i.e. , a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation, including any dividend reinvestment plans). |
| c. | A quarterly transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements that the Firm holds in its records so long as the Firm receives such confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter. |
D. Pre-Approval for trading Covered Securities
The Firm generally prohibits purchases or short-selling by all employees of individual securities or participation in IPOs. Every access person must obtain prior written approval (via email, hard copy or electronically via the Compliance Science PTCC System) from the Compliance Officer or General Counsel before trading for a personal account any covered security or before making any personal investments in any IPO or private placement (also referred to as a “limited offering”), including hedge funds. Approval for a trade is valid for 3 business days after issued by the Compliance Officer or the General Counsel, beginning the day approval was granted, unless approval was granted after 4PM EST in which case the three-day trade window begins on the following trading day. Any Employee seeking to trade the previously authorized security after this time has lapsed must receive a new written approval before making any such trades.
In the event that an employee has been authorized to invest in a limited offering and the Firm subsequently contemplates making an investment in such issuer on behalf of a client, the employee shall disclose such investment and the Firm’s decision to make an investment in such issuer shall be independently reviewed by other professionals of the Firm who do not have a personal interest in such investment, including the Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.
E. Transactions in Uncovered Securities
Although Employees are not restricted from investing in uncovered securities, including open-end mutual funds (not sub-advised by the Firm), Approved ETFs, and Approved Leveraged ETFs, it is expected that Employees will use their professional discretion and are discouraged from actively trading such securities. All Employees are prohibited from trading in the shares of mutual funds for their personal accounts and for the Funds managed by the Firm in a manner inconsistent with a mutual fund's prospectus.
F. Service on Boards of Directors and Other Outside Activities
An Employee's service on the board of directors of an outside company, as well as other outside activities generally, could lead to the potential for conflicts of interest and insider trading problems, and may otherwise interfere with an Employee's duties to the Firm. Accordingly, Employees are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of any outside company, including not-for-profit organizations, unless the service (i) would be in the best interests of the Firm or the clients and (ii) has been approved in writing by the Compliance Officer, General Counsel or COO. In addition, any person serving on the board
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of a public company which is about to list its securities on an exchange may be required to resign either immediately or at the end of the current term.
The Firm also discourages Employees from (i) engaging in outside business ventures (such as consulting engagements or public/charitable positions); (ii) accepting any executorships, trusteeship or power of attorney (except with respect to a family member); and (iii) serving on a creditors committee except as part of the Employee's duties at the Firm. Accordingly, an Employee must obtain pre-approval from the Compliance Officer, General Counsel or COO prior to engaging in any of these activities.
In order to ensure compliance with the Firm’s policies on the matter, the Firm has adopted a Conflicts Questionnaire, which is attached as Exhibit B to the Compliance Manual.
G. Gifts and Entertainment
In order to address conflicts of interest that may arise when an Employee accepts or gives a gift, favor, entertainment, special accommodation, or other items of value, the Firm places restrictions on gifts and entertainment. As a general matter, no Employee may accept or give a gift or provide or receive entertainment exceeding a de minimis value, which for purposes of the Code is set at $250 to or from any one person or entity over the course of a calendar quarter. An employee must receive prior written approval from the Compliance Officer, General Counsel or the COO before accepting or receiving any gifts or any entertainment in excess of this amount. The following specific restrictions are placed on gifts and entertainment.
| · | Gifts. No Employee may receive any gift, service, or other thing of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm. No Employee may give or offer any gift of more than de minimis value to existing investors, prospective investors, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm without the prior written approval of the Compliance Officer or General Counsel. |
| · | Cash. No Employee may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from an investor, prospective investor, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm. |
| · | Entertainment. No Employee may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from an investor, prospective investor, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of the Firm. Employees may provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as dinner or a sporting event, of reasonable value, if the person or entity providing the entertainment is present. Any event likely to exceed a de minimis value must be approved in advance by the Compliance Officer or General Counsel. |
| · | Government Officials. No gift or entertainment event of any value involving government officials or their families may be given or sponsored by the Firm or any Employee without the prior written approval of the Compliance Officer or General Counsel. |
| · | Reporting. Each Employee must report all gifts or entertainment and get prior approval from the Compliance Officer or General Counsel for those gifts and benefits in excess of de minimis value received in connection with the Employee's employment. The Compliance Officer or General Counsel may require that any such gift be returned to the |
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provider or that an entertainment expense be repaid by the Employee. The Compliance Officer also will keep records of any gifts and entertainment so reported.
| · | Solicited Gifts. No Employee may use his or her position with the Firm to obtain anything of value from a client investor, prospective investor, supplier, person to whom the Employee refers business, or any other entity with which the Firm does business. |
| · | Referrals. Employees may not make referrals to investors or clients (e.g., of accountants, attorneys, or the like) if the Employee expects to personally benefit in any way from the referral. |
H. Political Contributions
It is the policy of the Firm to comply fully with Rule 206(4)-5 under the Advisers Act, which is intended to deter advisers from seeking to influence the award of advisory contracts by certain “government entities” (including state pension funds and other government plans and programs) through making political contributions to governmental officials or engaging in other practices generally referred to as “pay-to-play.” In addition, each potential or current government investor may be subject to additional state or local pay-to-play rules and/or its own internal pay-to-play policies that may be stricter than the SEC’s pay-to-play rules. Accordingly, IR and Firm Management should consult with the General Counsel prior to entering into an advisory contract or subscription agreement with any investor that is a government entity in order to ensure compliance with applicable pay-to-play laws applicable to such government entity.
As such, all employees must seek pre-clearance from the Compliance Officer or General Counsel through the Compliance Science PTCC system for any political contributions to any federal, state or local government entity, official, candidate, election committee, political party, or political action committee. Similarly, any such contributions by the Firm must also be pre-approved by the Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.
The IR department and the General Counsel will maintain a list of all “governmental entity” investors that may be subject to Rule 206(4)-5 or analogous state requirements. In addition, the Compliance Officer will maintain a list of all applicable political contributions made by the Firm or its Covered Associates.
All new employees must disclose any political contributions made within the prior two years of their employment. The Compliance Officer will review all such disclosures to ensure compliance with Rule 206(4)-5 and any applicable state laws and regulations.
1. Rule 206(4)-5 and Covered Associates
Under Rule 206(4)-5, “Covered Associates” are prohibited from making, soliciting or coordinating political contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining government entities as investors in any of our funds or for advisory services.
Among other things, Rule 206(4)-5 prohibits:
| · | an adviser from providing investment advisory services for compensation to government entities for two years after the adviser or any of its Covered Associates (defined below) has made a political contribution to a state or local government official for such governmental entity; |
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| · | an adviser and its Covered Associates from soliciting a political contribution to a state or local government official or candidate or to a political party of a state or locality where the adviser provides (or seeks to provide) advisory services to a government entity; and |
| · | an adviser and its Covered Associates from paying a third-party placement agent or other solicitor to solicit a government entity for advisory services, unless such placement agent or solicitor is a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer subject to “pay-to-play” restrictions comparable to those to which a registered investment adviser is subject. |
It is important to note that the failure by a Covered Associate to comply with these rules could result in significant adverse consequences to the adviser, including a two-year bar from providing advisory services for compensation to certain government entities.
As defined under Rule 206(4)-5(f)(2) of the Advisers Act, the term “ Covered Associate ” means:
| · | Any general partner, managing member or other individual or entity with a similar status or function of the Company; |
| · | The president; any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance) of the Company; any other officer of the Company who performs a policy-making function; or any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for the Company; |
| · | Any person who solicits a government entity for the Company and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such person; |
| · | Any political action committee controlled by the Company or by any person described above; and |
| · | Any other person that the CCO designates to be treated as a Covered Associate. The Company may determine that a person should be treated as a Covered Associate because of the possibility that in the future the person may be promoted or the duties of the person may be changed. |
Currently, all IR personnel, all Managing Directors, the COO, Portfolio Managers, and Assistant Portfolio Managers have been designated as Covered Associates.
Covered Associates may not (i) contribute to the political campaigns of certain candidates for or incumbents of U.S. state or local offices that have direct or indirect authority over a government entity that is a Fund investor or where the Company is seeking to have such entity become a Fund investor or (ii) make contributions to U.S. state or local political parties, political action committees or other similar entities where the contributions are proposed or requested to be directed to a candidate or incumbent described in clause (i). Prohibited types of contributions include campaign contributions or loans, payments of campaign related debts and payments for transition or inaugural expenses (including purchasing of inaugural event tickets).
Additionally, Covered Associates may not engage in certain solicitations or coordination of political contributions or payments. As used in this policy “solicitation” or “coordination” means any communication made, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining or arranging a political contribution or payment. Generally, Covered Associates are not permitted to solicit any political contribution to an official or a government entity which is a Fund investor or where the Company is
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seeking to have such entity become a Fund investor. Also, a Covered Associate is prohibited from soliciting or coordinating payments to the state or local chapter of a political party where a government entity which is a current or potential Fund investor is located.
2. Pre-Clearance Requirement
To ensure compliance with SEC and other applicable “pay-to-play” requirements, each employee must obtain written pre-clearance from the Compliance Officer or General Counsel by completing and submitting a request on the Compliance Science system. No political contributions may be made, coordinated or solicited without the prior written consent of the Compliance Officer or General Counsel. An employee is responsible for providing all of the information necessary for the Compliance Officer or General Counsel to make the required evaluation of the proposed contribution or solicitation.
The General Counsel and Compliance Officer are ultimately responsible for determining whether a political contribution (or coordination or solicitation of a contribution) will be permitted. While the General Counsel and Compliance Officer may permit a political contribution (or coordination or solicitation of a contribution) that is not prohibited under the Advisers Act or any other applicable law or policy, the Compliance Officer and General Counsel will consider a variety of other factors prior to deciding whether to approve any political contribution (or coordination or solicitation of a contribution) including (i) potential effects of the contribution or activity on limiting future Company business activities and the solicitation of future investors, (ii) potential limiting effects on future promotions or business activities of the employee, (iii) whether the contributor is eligible to vote for the applicable candidate, (iv) permissible de minis contributions in the applicable jurisdiction, and (v) the appearance of a conflict of interest.
3. No Indirect Contribution or Solicitation
Employees should not seek to participate in a scheme to evade the requirements against making or soliciting political contributions. A person should not attempt to do something indirectly that would be prohibited if done directly. Examples of prohibited activities include but are not limited to:
| · | An employee should not try to funnel a prohibited political contribution through a third party. For example, an employee should not make a payment to a third party in connection with any request or understanding that the third party would make a political contribution. |
| · | An employee should not ask a family member, any other Company employee or any other person to make or to solicit a political contribution in a case where the employee is not permitted to make or to solicit the contribution. |
| · | An employee should not make a contribution to a political party and seek to have the party direct the contribution to a candidate or incumbent if a political contribution to that candidate or incumbent would be prohibited if made directly by the employee. |
I. Charitable Donations
Donations by the Firm or Employees to charities with the intention of influencing such charities to become investors are strictly prohibited. Notify the Compliance Officer if you perceive an actual or apparent conflict of interest in connection with any charitable contribution, or if you believe that the contribution could give an appearance of impropriety.
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J. Reporting Violations
Every Employee must immediately report any violation of the Code to the Compliance Officer. All reports will be treated confidentially and investigated promptly and appropriately. The Firm will not retaliate against any Employee who reports a violation of the Code in good faith and any retaliation constitutes a further violation of the Code. The Compliance Officer will keep records of any violation of the Code, and of any action taken as a result of the violation.
K. Exceptions to the Code
The Compliance Officer may, under very limited circumstances, grant an exception from the requirements of the Code on a case-by-case basis, provided that:
| · | The Employee seeking the exception provides the Compliance Officer with a written statement (i) detailing the efforts made to comply with the requirement from which the Employee seeks an exception and (ii) containing a representation that compliance with the requirement would impose significant undue hardship on the Employee; |
| · | The Compliance Officer believes that the exception would not harm or defraud a client, violate the general principles stated in the Code or compromise the Employee's or the Firm's fiduciary duty to any client; and |
| · | The Employee provides any supporting documentation that the Compliance Officer may request from the Employee. |
No exceptions may be made to the fundamental requirements contained in the Code that have been adopted to meet applicable rules under the Advisers Act.
L. Administration of the Code
The Compliance Officer shall advise the chief compliance officer of each Registered Fund of any material changes to the Code so that such changes may be approved by the board of directors/trustees of each Registered Fund (" Registered Fund Board ").
No less frequently than annually, the Compliance Officer shall furnish to each Registered Fund Board, a written report that: (i) describes any issues arising under the Code since the last report to the Registered Fund Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to material violations; and (ii) certifies that the Firm has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Employees from violating the Code (each, a “Registered Fund Report”).
The Compliance Officer, or its designees, will receive and review all reports submitted pursuant to the Code. The Compliance Officer, or a designee, will review the reports to determine that access person trades are consistent with requirements and restrictions set forth in the Code and do not otherwise indicate any improper trading activities. In addition, the Firm has implemented the Compliance Science PTCC System in order to facilitate the administration of the Code.
The Compliance Officer, or a designee, will ensure that all books and records relating to the Code are properly maintained. The books and records required to be maintained include the following:
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| · | A copy of each Code currently in effect and each Code that was in effect in the past five years; |
| · | A record of any violation of the Code, and of any action taken as a result of the violation; |
| · | A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt, review and understanding of the Code from each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, an Employee; |
| · | A copy or record of each report made by an access person , including any brokerage confirmations and brokerage account statements obtained from access persons ; |
| · | A record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, access persons and all persons who were responsible for monitoring and reviewing the Code; |
| · | A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of an IPO, limited offering or any other reportable securities . |
| · | A record of any exception from the Code granted by the Compliance Officer, all related documentation supplied by the Employee seeking the exception, and the reasons supporting the decision to grant the exception; and |
| · | Copies of any Registered Fund Reports made to the Registered Funds’ Boards and/or the chief compliance officers of the Registered Funds |
These books and records must be maintained by the Firm in an easily accessible place for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the record was created, the first two years in an appropriate office of the Firm.
M. Sanctions
Any violation of any provision of the Code may result in disciplinary action. The COO or Jeffrey Altman, in consultation with the Compliance Officer, will determine an appropriate sanction. Disciplinary action may include, among other sanctions, a letter of reprimand, disgorgement, suspension, demotion or termination of employment.
N. Acknowledgment of Receipt and Compliance
The Firm will provide each Employee with a copy of the Code at least annually and any amendments hereto (such copies may be provided by e-mail or through the Compliance Science PTCC system) promptly following such amendment. Any questions regarding any provision of the Code or its application should be directed to the Compliance Officer or General Counsel. Each Employee must provide the Firm with a written acknowledgement (in the form provided by the Firm) at least annually evidencing the fact that such Employee has received and reviewed, and understands, the Code (such acknowledgments may be effected through the Compliance Science PTCC system).
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EXHIBIT A
OWL CREEK ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
CODE OF ETHICS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3
| Date________________ |
By signing hereunder, I, _________________, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have received the Code of Ethics of Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P. (the " Code") and represent that I have reviewed and understand the policies and procedures set forth therein.
Further, I represent that I have and will furnish to the Compliance Officer (i) a holdings report, substantially in the form attached to the Code as Exhibit B as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the date on which I started employment with Owl Creek Asset Management, L.P., (ii) quarterly reports, substantially in the form attached to the Code as Exhibit C for every quarter ended thereafter and (iii) duplicate copies of broker-dealer confirmations and account statements for the periods covered in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence.
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
3 Note that this form may be completed electronically through the Compliance Science PTCC System under “Code of Ethics Acknowledgment”)
| A- 1 |
EXHIBIT B
HOLDINGS REPORT 4
Name of Access Person: ___________________________
Type
of Report
(check one)
: ___ Initial Holdings Report
(submitted
within 10 days after becoming an access person)
___ Annual Holdings Report, as of year-end _______
(submitted annually)
I. Securities Accounts
| Account Title |
Broker/Institution Name and Address |
Account Number | ||
II. Covered Securities
| Title of Security | Type of Security | Ticker or CUSIP | Number of Shares | Principal Amount | ||||
| 1. | ||||||||
| 2. | ||||||||
| 3. | ||||||||
| 4. | ||||||||
| 5. | ||||||||
| 6. | ||||||||
| 7. | ||||||||
| 8. | ||||||||
| 9. | ||||||||
| 10. |
I hereby certify that the information contained in this report is accurate and that listed above are all personal accounts and covered securities with respect to which I have beneficial ownership.
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Date: |
4 Note that this form may be completed electronically through the Compliance Science PTCC System under “Accounts, Holdings & Transactions.”
| B- 1 |
EXHIBIT C
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT 5
Name of Access Person: ___________________________
I. Transactions
|
Trade Date
and Transaction Type |
Transaction
Price and Number of Share |
Name of
Security |
Ticker or
CUSIP |
Interest
Rate
and Maturity Date |
Principal
Amount |
Broker/
Institution |
||||||
I hereby certify that the information contained in this report is accurate and that listed above are all transactions for the quarter ended ___________ of covered securities with respect to which I have beneficial ownership.
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Date: |
5 Note that this form may be completed electronically through the Compliance Science PTCC System under “Account, Holdings & Transactions.”
| C- 1 |
QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE 6
For the quarter ended __________________
*Answers should only include information that was not previously disclosed.*
| Yes | No | |
| 1) Did you or an immediate family member living in your household invest in an IPO? | ||
| 2) Did you or an immediate family member living in your household invest in a hedge fund or other private placement? | ||
| 3) Did you or an immediate family member living in your household give or receive a gift or entertainment or do personal business with any person or company that does business with Owl Creek other than those permitted under Owl Creek’s Compliance Manual? | ||
| 4) Were you or any immediate family member (including your parents, children or siblings) employed by or on the board of directors of a public company? | ||
| 5) Have you, your spouse or any immediate family member (including your parents, children or siblings) conducted business or worked for an entity that conducted business with Owl Creek? | ||
| 6) Did you receive any material non-public information about a public company or any commodity other than in connection with a signed confidentiality agreement, or otherwise approved by the Owl Creek compliance department? | ||
| 7) Did you or an immediate family member living in your household open any new brokerage accounts? | ||
| 8) Have you made any political contributions to any federal, state or local political officials, campaigns or political action committees that have not been pre-cleared by the Owl Creek compliance department? | ||
| 9) Have you engaged in any electronic communications regarding Owl Creek business using e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, blackberry messenger, or other systems, other than the Owl Creek Company E-mail — the one with the “owlcreeklp.com” address or Bloomberg Mail — or the Owl Creek Company Instant Messaging Services — AOL Instant Messenger or Bloomberg Instant Messenger? | ||
| 10) Have you (1) received compensation (2) taken an active role in making management decisions (3) served as an officer, director or general partner; or (4) provided any advice about investments for any entity (including any commercial business or not-for-profit organization) other than Owl Creek? |
If you answered “YES” to any of the above questions, please clarify below:
6 Note that this form may be completed electronically through the Compliance Science PTCC System under “Gifts and Entertainment,” “Outside Affiliations,” “Political Contributions,” “Quarterly Compliance Questions,” and “Accounts, Holdings & Transactions.”
| C- 2 |