Management Fees | 0.47% |
+ Distribution and/or Service Fees (12b-1 Fees) | 0.25% |
+ Other Expenses
(2)
|
0.08% |
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses | 0.80% |
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
|
AST Bond Portfolio 2032 | $82 | $255 |
Investment Manager
|
Subadviser
|
Portfolio Managers
|
Title
|
Service Date
|
PGIM Investments LLC |
PGIM Fixed Income;
PGIM Limited |
Richard Piccirillo | Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager | January 2021 |
Erik Schiller, CFA | Managing Director and Head of Liquidity | January 2021 | ||
David Del Vecchio | Managing Director and portfolio manager | January 2021 | ||
Gregory Peters | Managing Director and Head of Multi-Sector and Strategy | January 2021 |
■ |
Counterparty credit risk
. There is a risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to a Portfolio. This risk is especially important in the context of privately negotiated instruments. For example, a Portfolio would be exposed to counterparty credit risk to the extent it enters into a credit default swap, that is, it purchases protection against a default by a debt issuer, and the swap counterparty does not maintain adequate reserves to cover such a default.
|
■ |
Leverage risk
. Certain derivatives and related trading strategies create debt obligations similar to borrowings, and therefore create, leverage. Leverage can result in losses to a Portfolio that exceed the amount the Portfolio originally invested. To mitigate leverage risk, a Portfolio will segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover the
|
transactions that may give rise to such risk. The use of leverage may cause a Portfolio to liquidate Portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation or coverage requirements. | |
■ |
Liquidity and valuation risk
. Certain exchange-traded derivatives may be difficult or impossible to buy or sell at the time that the seller would like, or at the price that the seller believes the derivative is currently worth. Privately-negotiated instruments may be difficult to terminate, and from time to time, a Portfolio may find it difficult to enter into a transaction that would offset the losses incurred by another derivative that it holds. Derivatives, and especially privately-negotiated instruments, also involve the risk of incorrect valuation (that is, the value assigned to the derivative may not always reflect its risks or potential rewards).
|
■ |
Hedging risk
. Hedging is a strategy in which a Portfolio uses a derivative to offset the risks associated with its other portfolio holdings. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or magnify losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Portfolio. Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match the value of the holdings being hedged, to the extent expected by the Portfolio, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced and in fact, may be increased. No assurance can be given that any hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will be either available or cost effective. A Portfolio is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so.
|
■ |
Futures and Forward Contracts risk.
The primary risks associated with the use of futures or forward contracts are: (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by a Portfolio and the price of the futures or forward contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures or forward contract and the resulting inability to close a futures or forward contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the failure to predict correctly the direction of securities or commodities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty to the futures or forward contract will default in the performance of its obligations. Additionally, not all forward contracts require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose a Portfolio to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.
|
■ |
Credit risk
. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or guarantor of a security will be unable or unwilling to pay principal and interest when due, or that the value of the security will suffer because investors believe the issuer is less able or willing to make required principal and interest payments. The downgrade of the credit of a security held by a Portfolio may decrease its value. Credit ratings are intended to provide a measure of credit risk. However, credit ratings are only the opinions of the credit rating agency issuing the ratings and are not guarantees as to quality. The lower the rating of a debt security held by a Portfolio, the greater the degree of credit risk that is perceived to exist by the credit rating agency with respect to that security. Increasing the amount of Portfolio assets allocated to lower-rated securities generally will increase the credit risk to which a Portfolio is subject. Information on the ratings issued to debt securities by certain credit rating agencies is included in Appendix I to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). Not all securities are rated. In the event that the relevant credit rating agencies assign different ratings to the same security, a Portfolio’s Subadviser may determine which rating it believes best reflects the security’s quality and risk at that time. A Portfolio will not necessarily sell a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase. Some, but not all,
|
US government securities are insured or guaranteed by the US government, while others are only insured or guaranteed by the issuing agency, which must rely on its own resources to repay the debt. Although credit risk may be lower for US government securities than for other investment-grade securities, the return may be lower. | |
■ |
Liquidity risk
. Liquidity risk is the risk that a Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of the securities it holds, either at the price it values the security or at any price. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that there may be delays in selling a security, if it can be sold at all, which could prevent a Portfolio from taking advantage of other investment opportunities. In addition, liquidity risk refers to the risk that a Portfolio may not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, redemption requests by certain large shareholders such as institutional investors, or other reasons. Meeting such redemption requests may cause a Portfolio to have to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices or times and/or unfavorable conditions and, thus, could reduce the returns of a Portfolio and dilute remaining investors’ interests. The reduction in dealer market-making capacity in fixed income markets that has occurred in recent years also has the potential to decrease liquidity.
|
■ |
Interest rate risk.
Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of an investment may go down in value when interest rates rise. The prices of fixed income securities generally move in the opposite direction to that of market interest rates. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of a Portfolio’s investments in fixed income securities. The risks associated with changing interest rates are heightened, given that interest rates in the US may increase, possibly suddenly and significantly, with unpredictable effects on the markets and a Portfolio’s investments. Volatility in interest rates and in fixed income markets may increase the risk that a Portfolio’s investment in fixed income securities will go down in value. A wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, including central bank monetary policies and inflation rates. Generally, the longer the maturity of a fixed income security, the greater is the decline in its value when rates increase. As a result, portfolios with longer durations and longer weighted average maturities generally have more volatile share prices than portfolios with shorter durations and shorter weighted average maturities. Certain securities acquired by a Portfolio may pay interest at a variable rate or the principal amount of the security periodically adjusts according to the rate of inflation or other measure. In either case, the interest rate at issuance is generally lower than the fixed interest rate of bonds of similar seniority from the same issuer; however, variable interest rate securities generally are subject to a lower risk that their value will decrease during periods of increasing interest rates and increasing inflation. Decreases in interest rates create the potential for a decrease in income earned by a Portfolio. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, a Portfolio may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain countries have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Portfolio performance to the extent the Portfolio is exposed to such interest rates.
|
■ | To the extent that a Portfolio concentrates its assets among Underlying Portfolios that invest principally in one or several asset classes, a Portfolio may from time to time underperform mutual funds exposed primarily to other asset classes. For example, a Portfolio may be overweighed in the equity asset class when the stock market is falling and the fixed income market is rising. Likewise, a Portfolio may be overweighted in the fixed income asset class when the fixed income market is falling and the stock market is rising. |
■ | The ability of a Portfolio to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the selected Underlying Portfolios to achieve their investment objectives. There is a risk that the selected Underlying Portfolios will underperform relevant markets, relevant indices, or other portfolios with similar investment objectives and strategies. |
■ | A Portfolio will incur its pro rata share of the expenses of an Underlying Portfolio in which the Portfolio invests, such as investment advisory and other management expenses, and shareholders incur the operating expenses of these Underlying Portfolios. |
■ | The performance of a Portfolio may be affected by large purchases and redemptions of Underlying Portfolio shares. For example, large purchases and redemptions may cause an Underlying Portfolio to hold a greater percentage of its assets in cash than other portfolios pursuing similar strategies, and large redemptions may cause an Underlying Portfolio to sell assets at inopportune times. Underlying Portfolios that have experienced |
significant redemptions may, as a result, have higher expense ratios than other portfolios pursuing similar strategies. The Manager and a Portfolio’s Subadviser(s) seek to minimize the impact of large purchases and redemptions of Underlying Portfolio shares, but their abilities to do so may be limited. | |
■ | There is a potential conflict of interest between a Portfolio and its Manager and a Portfolio’s Subadviser(s). Because the amount of the investment management fees to be retained by the Manager and their affiliates may differ depending upon which Underlying Portfolios are used in connection with a Portfolio, there is a potential conflict of interest for the Manager and a Portfolio’s Subadviser(s) in selecting the Underlying Portfolios. In addition, the Manager and a Portfolio’s Subadviser(s) may have an incentive to take into account the effect on an Underlying Portfolio in which the Portfolio may invest in determining whether, and under what circumstances, to purchase or sell shares in that Underlying Portfolio. Although the Manager and a Portfolio’s Subadviser(s) take steps to address the potential conflicts of interest, it is possible that the potential conflicts could impact the Portfolios. |
■ | AST American Funds Growth Allocation Portfolio |
■ | AST BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio |
■ | AST BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio |
■ | AST BlackRock Corporate Bond Portfolio |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2026 |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2027 |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2028 |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2029 |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2030 |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2031 |
■ | AST Dimensional Global Core Allocation Portfolio |
■ |
AST Global Bond Portfolio
(formerly, AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio)
|
■ | AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio |
■ | AST PIMCO Corporate Bond Portfolio |
■ | AST Prudential Corporate Bond Portfolio |
■ | AST Prudential Flexible Multi-Strategy Portfolio |
■ | AST QMA International Core Equity Portfolio |
■ | AST T. Rowe Price Corporate Bond Portfolio |
■ | AST T. Rowe Price Diversified Real Growth Portfolio |
■ | AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio |
Average Daily Net Assets of Portfolio
|
Distribution and Service Fee Rate Including Waiver
|
Up to and including $300 million | 0.25% (no waiver) |
Over $300 million up to and including $500 million | 0.23% |
Over $500 million up to and including $750 million | 0.22% |
Over $750 million | 0.21% |
Glossary
|
|
Term | Definition |
1933 Act | Securities Act of 1933, as amended |
1934 Act | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
1940 Act | Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended |
ADR | American Depositary Receipt |
ADS | American Depositary Share |
ASTIS | AST Investment Services, Inc. |
Board | Trust’s Board of Directors or Trustees |
Board Member | A trustee or director of the Trust’s Board |
CFTC | Commodity Futures Trading Commission |
Code | Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended |
EDR | European Depositary Receipt |
ETF | Exchange-Traded Fund |
Fannie Mae | Federal National Mortgage Association |
Fitch | Fitch, Inc. |
Freddie Mac | The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation |
Global Depositary Receipt | GDR |
Ginnie Mae | Government National Mortgage Association |
IPO | Initial Public Offering |
IRS | Internal Revenue Service |
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
Moody’s | Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. |
NASDAQ | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System |
NAV | Net Asset Value |
NYSE | New York Stock Exchange |
OTC | Over-the-Counter |
PGIM Investments or the Manager | PGIM Investments LLC |
PMFS | Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC |
REIT | Real Estate Investment Trust |
RIC | Regulated Investment Company, as the term is used in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended |
S&P | S&P Global Ratings |
SEC | US Securities & Exchange Commission |
World Bank | International Bank for Reconstruction and Development |
■ | AST Bond Portfolio 2032 |
Independent Trustees
|
|||
Name
Date of Birth No. of Portfolios Overseen |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
Other Directorships Held
|
Length of Board Service
|
Robert F. Gunia
12/15/1946 No. of Portfolios Overseen: 106 |
Formerly Director of ICI Mutual Insurance Company (June 2016-June 2019; June 2012-June 2015); formerly Chief Administrative Officer (September 1999-September 2009) and Executive Vice President (December 1996-September 2009) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Executive Vice President (March 1999-September 2009) and Treasurer (May 2000-September 2009) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC; formerly President (April 1999-December 2008) and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (December 2008-December 2009) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; formerly Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Vice President and Director (May 2003-September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc. | Formerly Director (1989-2019) of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. | Since July 2003 |
Thomas T. Mooney
11/11/1941 No. of Portfolios Overseen: 106 |
Formerly Chief Executive Officer, Excell Partners, Inc. (2005-2007); founding partner of High Technology of Rochester and the Lennox Technology Center; formerly President of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce (1976-2004); formerly Rochester City Manager (1973); formerly Deputy Monroe County Executive (1974-1976); Former President of The First Financial Fund and High Yield Plus Fund (1988-2005); Former Vice Chairman Monroe County Water Authority (1980-2002). | Former Director of Executive Service Corps of Rochester (1988-1990); Former Director of Rural/Metro Medical Services (1985-1990); Former Trustee of Center for Governmental Research (1977-1995); Former Director of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (1980-1998). | Since July 2003 |
Thomas M. O'Brien
12/5/1950 No. of Portfolios Overseen: 106 |
Vice Chairman of Emigrant Bank and President of its Naples Commercial Finance Division (Since October 2018); formerly Director, President and CEO Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. (NASDAQ: SNBC) and Sun National Bank (July 2014-February 2018); formerly Consultant, Valley National Bancorp, Inc. and Valley National Bank (January 2012-June 2012); formerly President and COO (November 2006-April 2017) and CEO (April 2007-December 2011) of State Bancorp, Inc. and State Bank; formerly Vice Chairman (January 1997-April 2000) of North Fork Bank; formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (December 1984-December 1996) of North Side Savings Bank; formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (May 2000-June 2006) Atlantic Bank of New York. | Formerly Director, Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. (NASDAQ: SNBC) and Sun National Bank (July 2014-February 2018); formerly Director, BankUnited, Inc. and BankUnited N.A. (NYSE: BKU) (May 2012-April 2014); formerly Director (April 2008-January 2012) of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York; formerly Director (December 1996-May 2000) of North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.; formerly Director (May 2000-April 2006) of Atlantic Bank of New York; Director (November 2006 – January 2012) of State Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: STBC) and State Bank of Long Island. | Since July 2003 |
Interested Trustee
|
|||
Timothy S. Cronin
12/21/1965 Number of Portfolios Overseen: 106 |
Vice President of Prudential Annuities (Since May 2003); Senior Vice President of PGIM Investments LLC (Since May 2009); Chief Investment Officer and Strategist of Prudential Annuities (Since January 2004); Director of Investment & Research Strategy (Since February 1998); President of AST Investment Services, Inc. (Since March 2006). | None. | Since October 2009 |
Trust Officers
(a)
|
||
Name
Date of Birth Position with the Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
|
Length of Service as Trust Officer
|
Elyse M. McLaughlin
1/20/74 Assistant Treasurer |
Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2011-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration. | Since October 2019 |
Alina Srodecka, CPA
8/19/1966 Assistant Treasurer |
Vice President of Tax at Prudential Financial, Inc. (Since August 2007); formerly Director of Tax at MetLife (January 2003 – May 2006); formerly Tax Manager at Deloitte & Touché (October 1997 – January 2003); formerly Staff Accountant at Marsh & McLennan (May 1994 – May 1997) | Since June 2017 |
Board Committee Meetings (for most recently completed fiscal year)
|
|||
Audit Committee
|
Governance Committee
|
Compliance Committee
|
Investment Review and Risk Committee
|
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Name
|
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Trust |
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities Owned by Trustee in All Registered Investment Companies in Fund Complex* |
Trustee Share Ownership
|
||
Susan Davenport Austin | None | Over $100,000 |
Sherry S. Barrat | None | Over $100,000 |
Jessica M. Bibliowicz | None | Over $100,000 |
Kay Ryan Booth | None | Over $100,000 |
Stephen M. Chipman | None | Over $100,000 |
Timothy S. Cronin | None | Over $100,000 |
Robert F. Gunia | None | Over $100,000 |
Thomas T. Mooney | None | Over $100,000 |
Thomas M. O'Brien | None | Over $100,000 |
■ | furnishing of office facilities; |
■ | paying salaries of all officers and other employees of the Manager who are responsible for managing the Trust and the Portfolios; |
■ | monitoring financial and shareholder accounting services provided by the Trust’s custodian and transfer agent; |
■ | providing assistance to the service providers of the Trust and the Portfolios, including, but not limited to, the custodian, transfer agent, and accounting agent; |
■ | monitoring, together with each subadviser, each Portfolio’s compliance with its investment policies, restrictions, and with federal and state laws and regulations, including federal and state securities laws, the Internal Revenue Code and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations; |
■ | preparing and filing all required federal, state and local tax returns for the Trust and the Portfolios; |
■ | preparing and filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, including supervising financial printers who provide related support services; |
■ | preparing and filing with the SEC required monthly reports of portfolio holdings on Form N-PORT; |
■ | preparing and filing the Trust’s registration statement with the SEC on Form N-1A, as well as preparing and filing with the SEC supplements and other documents, as applicable; |
■ | preparing compliance, operations and other reports required to be received by the Trust’s Board and/or its committees in support of the Board’s oversight of the Trust; and |
■ | organizing the regular and any special meetings of the Board of the Trust, including the preparing Board materials and agendas, preparing minutes, and related functions. |
■ | the salaries and expenses of all of their and the Trust's personnel except the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Manager or any subadviser; |
■ | all expenses incurred by the Manager or the Trust in connection with managing the ordinary course of a Trust's business, other than those assumed by the Trust as described below; |
■ | the fees, costs and expenses payable to any investment subadvisers pursuant to Subadvisory Agreements between the Manager and such investment subadvisers; and |
■ | with respect to the compliance services provided by the Manager, the cost of the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Trust’s Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, and all personnel who provide compliance services for the Trust, and all of the other costs associated with the Trust’s compliance program, which includes the management and operation of the compliance program responsible for compliance oversight of the Portfolios and the subadvisers. |
■ | the fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the management of the investment and reinvestment of the Trust's assets payable to the Manager; |
■ | the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Manager or any subadviser; |
■ | the fees and certain expenses of the custodian and transfer and dividend disbursing agent, including the cost of providing records to the Manager in connection with their obligation of maintaining required records of the Trust and of pricing the Trust's shares; |
■ | the charges and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent auditors; |
■ | brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with its securities (and futures, if applicable) transactions; |
■ | all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Trust to governmental agencies; |
■ | the fees of any trade associations of which the Trust may be a member; |
■ | the cost of share certificates representing and/or non-negotiable share deposit receipts evidencing shares of the Trust; |
■ | the cost of fidelity, directors and officers and errors and omissions insurance; |
■ | the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Trust and of its shares with the SEC and paying notice filing fees under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Trust's registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes; |
■ | allocable communications expenses with respect to investor services and all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports and notices to shareholders; and |
■ | litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust's business and distribution and service (12b-1) fees. |
Management Fee Rates (effective January 4, 2021 and thereafter)
|
|
Portfolio
|
Contractual Fee Rate
|
AST Bond Portfolio 2032* |
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets |
Management Fees Paid by the Portfolio
|
|||
Portfolio
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
AST Bond Portfolio 2032 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fee Waivers & Expense Limitations
|
|
Portfolio
|
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Limitation
|
AST Bond Portfolio 2032 | The Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Portfolio so that the Portfolio’s investment management fee plus other expenses (exclusive, in all cases, of brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, including stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other Portfolio expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales) do not exceed 0.93% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets through June 30, 2022. Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. |
Subadvisory Fees Paid by PGIM Investments
|
||||
Portfolio
|
Subadviser
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
AST Bond Portfolio 2032 | PGIM Fixed Income; PGIM Limited | N/A | N/A | N/A |
■ | Attract and reward highly qualified employees |
■ | Align with critical business goals and objectives |
■ | Link to the performance results relevant to the business segment and Prudential |
■ | Retain top performers |
■ | Pay for results and differentiate levels of performance |
■ | Foster behaviors and contributions that promote Prudential's success |
1. | business initiatives; |
2. | the number of investment professionals receiving a bonus and related peer group compensation; |
3. | financial metrics of the business relative to those of appropriate peer groups; and |
4. | investment performance of portfolios: (i) relative to appropriate peer groups; and/or (ii) as measured against relevant investment indices. |
■ | elimination of the conflict; |
■ | disclosure of the conflict; or |
■ | management of the conflict through the adoption of appropriate policies, procedures or other mitigants. |
■ | Performance Fees - PGIM Fixed Income manages accounts with asset-based fees alongside accounts with performance-based fees. This side-by-side management may be deemed to create an incentive for PGIM Fixed Income and its investment professionals to favor one account over another. Specifically, PGIM Fixed Income or its affiliates could be considered to have the incentive to favor accounts for which PGIM Fixed Income or an affiliate receives performance fees, and possibly take greater investment risks in those accounts, in order to bolster performance and increase its fees. |
■ | Affiliated accounts - PGIM Fixed Income manages accounts on behalf of its affiliates as well as unaffiliated accounts. PGIM Fixed Income could be considered to have an incentive to favor accounts of affiliates over others. |
■ | Large accounts/higher fee strategies - large accounts and clients typically generate more revenue than do smaller accounts or clients and certain of PGIM Fixed Income’s strategies have higher fees than others. As a result, a portfolio manager could be considered to have an incentive when allocating scarce investment opportunities to favor accounts that pay a higher fee or generate more income for PGIM Fixed Income. |
■ | Long only and long/short accounts - PGIM Fixed Income manages accounts that only allow it to hold securities long as well as accounts that permit short selling. PGIM Fixed Income may, therefore, sell, and has at times sold, a security short in some client accounts while holding the same security long in other client accounts. These short sales could reduce the value of the securities held in the long only accounts. In addition, purchases for long only accounts could have a negative impact on the short positions. |
■ | Securities of the same kind or class - PGIM Fixed Income sometimes buys or sells, or direct or recommend that a client buy or sell, securities of the same kind or class that are purchased or sold for another client at prices that may be different. Although such pricing differences could appear as preferences for one client over another, PGIM Fixed Income’s trade execution in each case is driven by its consideration of a variety of factors as PGIM Fixed Income seeks the most advantageous terms reasonably attainable in the circumstances. PGIM Fixed Income may also, at any time, execute, and has at times executed, trades of securities of the same kind or class in one direction for an account and in the opposite direction for another account, or not trade such securities in any other account. While such trades (or a decision not to trade) could appear as inconsistencies in how PGIM Fixed Income views a security for one client versus another, opposite way trades are generally due to differences in investment strategy, portfolio composition or client direction. |
■ | Investment at different levels of an issuer’s capital structure - PGIM Fixed Income may invest, and has at times invested, client assets in the same issuer, but at different levels in the issuer’s capital structure. For instance, PGIM Fixed Income may invest, and has at times invested, client assets in private securities or loans of an issuer and invest the assets of other clients in publicly traded securities of the same issuer. In addition, PGIM Fixed Income may invest, and has at times invested, client assets in a class or tranche of securities of a securitized finance vehicle (such as a collateralized loan obligation, asset-backed security or mortgage-backed security) where PGIM Fixed Income also, at the same or different time, invests the assets of another client (including affiliated clients) in a different class or tranche of securities of the same vehicle. These different securities may have different voting rights, dividend or repayment priorities, rights in bankruptcy or other features that conflict with one another. For some of these securities (particularly private securitized product investments for which clients own all or a significant portion of the outstanding securities or obligations), PGIM Fixed Income may have, and has had, input regarding the characteristics and the relative rights and priorities of the various classes or tranches. |
■ | When PGIM Fixed Income invests client assets in different levels of an issuer’s capital structure, it is permitted to take actions with respect to the assets held by one client (including affiliated clients) that are potentially adverse to other clients, for example, by foreclosing on loans or by putting an issuer into default. In negotiating the terms and conditions of any such investments, or any subsequent amendments or waivers, PGIM Fixed Income may find that the interests of a client and the interests of one or more other clients (including affiliated clients) could conflict. In these situations, decisions over proxy voting, corporate reorganizations, how to exit an investment, bankruptcy matters (including, for example, whether to trigger an event of default or the terms of any workout) or other actions or inactions may result in conflicts of interest. Similarly, if an issuer in which a client and one or more other clients directly or indirectly hold different classes of securities encounters financial problems, decisions over the terms of any workout will raise conflicts of interest (including potential conflicts over proposed waivers and amendments to debt covenants). For example, a senior bond holder may prefer a liquidation of the issuer in which it may be paid in full, whereas an equity or junior bond holder might prefer a reorganization that holds the potential to create value for the equity holders or junior bond holders. In some cases, PGIM Fixed Income may refrain, and has at times refrained, from taking certain actions or making investments on behalf of certain clients or PGIM Fixed Income may sell, and has at times sold, investments for certain clients, in each case in order to mitigate conflicts of interest or legal, regulatory or other risks to PGIM Fixed Income. This could potentially disadvantage the clients on whose behalf the actions are not taken, investments are not made, or investments are sold. Conversely, in other cases, |
PGIM Fixed Income will not refrain, and has at times not refrained, from taking actions or making investments on behalf of some clients (including affiliated clients), which could potentially disadvantage other clients. Any of the foregoing conflicts of interest will be resolved on a case-by-case basis. Any such resolution will take into consideration the interests of the relevant clients, the circumstances giving rise to the conflict and applicable laws. | |
■ | Financial interests of investment professionals - PGIM Fixed Income investment professionals from time to time invest in certain investment vehicles that it manages, including ETFs, mutual funds and collective investment trusts. Also, certain of these investment vehicles are options under the 401(k) and deferred compensation plans offered by Prudential Financial, Inc. In addition, the value of grants under PGIM Fixed Income’s long-term incentive plan and targeted long-term incentive plan is affected by the performance of certain client accounts. As a result, PGIM Fixed Income investment professionals have financial interests in accounts managed by PGIM Fixed Income or that are related to the performance of certain client accounts. |
■ | Non-discretionary/limited discretion accounts - PGIM Fixed Income provides non-discretionary investment advice to some clients and manages others on a discretionary basis. Trades in non-discretionary accounts or accounts where discretion is limited could occur before, in concert with, or after PGIM Fixed Income executes similar trades in its discretionary accounts. The non-discretionary/limited discretion clients may be disadvantaged if PGIM Fixed Income delivers investment advice to them after it initiates trading for the discretionary clients, or vice versa. |
■ | In keeping with PGIM Fixed Income’s fiduciary obligations, its policy with respect to trade aggregation and allocation is to treat all of its client accounts fairly and equitably over time. PGIM Fixed Income’s trade management oversight committee, which generally meets quarterly, is responsible for providing oversight with respect to trade aggregation and allocation. Its compliance group periodically reviews a sampling of new issue allocations and related documentation to confirm compliance with the trade aggregation and allocation procedures. In addition, the compliance and investment risk management groups review forensic reports regarding new issue and secondary trade activity on a quarterly basis. This forensic analysis includes such data as the: (i) number of new issues allocated in the strategy; (ii) size of new issue allocations to each portfolio in the strategy; (iii) profitability of new issue transactions; (iv) portfolio turnover; and (v) metrics related to large and block trade activity. The results of these analyses are reviewed and discussed at PGIM Fixed Income’s trade management oversight committee meetings. The procedures above are designed to detect patterns and anomalies in PGIM Fixed Income’s side-by-side management and trading so that it may assess and improve its processes. |
■ | PGIM Fixed Income has procedures that specifically address its side-by-side management of certain long/short and long only portfolios. These procedures address potential conflicts that could arise from differing positions between long/short and long only portfolios. In addition, lending opportunities with respect to securities for which the market is demanding a slight premium rate over normal market rates are allocated to long only accounts prior to allocating the opportunities to long/short accounts. |
■ |
Conflicts Related to Investment of Client Assets in Affiliated Funds
. PGIM Fixed Income invests, and may in the future invest, client assets in funds that it manages or subadvises for an affiliate. PGIM Fixed Income also invests cash collateral from
securities lending transactions in these funds. These investments benefit both PGIM Fixed Income and its affiliate.
|
■ |
Insurance Affiliate General Accounts
. Because of the substantial size of the general accounts of PGIM Fixed Income’s affiliated insurance companies (the “Insurance Affiliates”), trading by these general
accounts, including PGIM Fixed Income’s trades on behalf of the accounts, may affect the market prices or limit the availability of the securities or instruments transacted. Although PGIM Fixed Income does not
expect that the general accounts of affiliated insurers will execute transactions that will move a market frequently, and generally only in response to unusual market or issuer events, the execution of these
transactions could have an adverse effect on transactions for or positions held by other clients.
|
■ | PGIM Fixed Income invests in the securities of one or more clients for the accounts of other clients. |
■ | PGIM Fixed Income’s affiliates sell various products and/or services to certain companies whose securities PGIM Fixed Income purchases and sells for PGIM Fixed Income clients. |
■ | PGIM Fixed Income invests in the debt securities of companies whose equity is held by its affiliates. |
■ | PGIM Fixed Income’s affiliates hold public and private debt and equity securities of a large number of issuers. PGIM Fixed Income invests in some of the same issuers for other client accounts but at different levels in the capital structure. For example: |
■ |
Affiliated accounts have held and can in the future hold the senior debt of an issuer whose subordinated debt is held by PGIM Fixed Income’s clients or hold secured debt of an issuer whose public
unsecured debt is held in client accounts. See “
Investment at different levels of an issuer’s capital structure
|
■ | it provides advisory services to the proprietary accounts of investment consultants and/or their affiliates, and advisory services to funds offered by investment consultants and/or their affiliates; |
■ | it invites investment consultants to events or other entertainment hosted by PGIM Fixed Income; |
■ | it purchases software applications, market data, access to databases, technology services and other products or services from certain investment consultants; and |
■ | it may pay for the opportunity to participate in conferences organized by investment consultants. |
■ | printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, proxy statement materials, and annual and semi-annual reports for current owners of variable life or variable annuity contracts indirectly investing in the shares (the Contracts); |
■ | reconciling and balancing separate account investments in the Portfolio; |
■ | reconciling and providing notice to the Trust of net cash flow and cash requirements for net redemption orders; |
■ | confirming transactions; |
■ | providing Contract owner services related to investments in the Portfolio, including assisting the Trust with proxy solicitations, including providing solicitation and tabulation services, and investigating and responding to inquiries from Contract owners that relate to the Portfolio; |
■ | providing periodic reports to the Trust and regarding the Portfolio to third-party reporting services; |
■ | paying compensation to and expenses, including overhead, of employees of PAD and other broker-dealers and financial intermediaries that engage in the distribution of the shares including, but not limited to, commissions, service fees and marketing fees; |
■ | printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements and annual and semi-annual reports for prospective Contract owners; |
■ | paying expenses relating to the development, preparation, printing and mailing of advertisements, sales literature, and other promotional materials describing and/or relating to the Portfolio; |
■ | paying expenses of holding seminars and sales meetings designed to promote the distribution of the shares; |
■ | paying expenses of obtaining information and providing explanations to Contract owners regarding investment objectives, policies, performance and other information about the Trust and the Portfolio; |
■ | paying expenses of training sales personnel regarding the Portfolio; and |
■ | providing other services and bearing other expenses for the benefit of the Portfolio, including activities primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Trust. |
■ | To the extent that a Portfolio concentrates its assets among Underlying Portfolios that invest principally in one or several asset classes, a Portfolio may from time to time underperform mutual funds exposed primarily to other asset classes. For example, a Portfolio may be overweighted in the equity asset class when the stock market is falling and the fixed income market is rising. Likewise, a Portfolio may be overweighted in the fixed income asset class when the fixed income market is falling and the stock market is rising. |
■ | The ability of a Portfolio to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the selected Underlying Portfolios to achieve their investment objectives. There is a risk that the selected Underlying Portfolios will underperform relevant markets, relevant indices, or other portfolios with similar investment objectives and strategies. |
■ | A Portfolio may incur its pro rata share of the expenses of an Underlying Portfolio in which the Portfolio invests, such as investment advisory and other management expenses, and shareholders incur the operating expenses of these Underlying Portfolios. |
■ | The performance of a Portfolio may be affected by large purchases and redemptions of Underlying Portfolio shares. For example, large purchases and redemptions may cause an Underlying Portfolio to hold a greater percentage of its assets in cash than other portfolios pursuing similar strategies, and large redemptions may cause an Underlying Portfolio to sell assets at inopportune times. Underlying Portfolios that have experienced significant redemptions may, as a result, have higher expense ratios than other portfolios pursuing similar strategies. The Manager and a Portfolio’s subadviser(s) seek to minimize the impact of large purchases and redemptions of Underlying Portfolio shares, but their abilities to do so may be limited. |
■ | Junk bonds are issued by less credit worthy companies. These securities are vulnerable to adverse changes in the issuer's industry and to general economic conditions. Issuers of junk bonds may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments or the unavailability of additional financing. |
■ | The issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. If the issuer experiences financial stress, it may be unable to meet its debt obligations. The issuer's ability to pay its debt obligations also may be lessened by specific issuer developments, or the unavailability of additional financing. |
■ | Junk bonds are frequently ranked junior to claims by other creditors. If the issuer cannot meet its obligations, the senior obligations are generally paid off before the junior obligations. |
■ | Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from a Portfolio before it matures. If an issuer redeems the junk bonds, a Portfolio may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may forgo income. |
■ | Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Negative economic developments may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed income securities. |
■ | Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed income securities even under normal economic conditions. There are fewer dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences in the prices quoted for junk bonds by the dealers. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of a Portfolio's portfolio securities than in the case of securities trading in a more liquid market. |
■ | A Portfolio may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. |
■ | Full holdings on a daily basis to Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), Broadridge and Glass, Lewis & Co (proxy voting administrator/agents) at the end of each day; |
■ | Full holdings on a daily basis to ISS (securities class action claims services administrator) at the end of each day; |
■ | Full holdings on a daily basis to each Portfolio's subadviser(s) (as identified in the Trust's Prospectus), custodian bank, sub-custodian (including foreign sub-custodians), if any, and accounting agents (which includes the custodian bank and any other accounting agent that may be appointed) at the end of each day. |
■ | When a Portfolio has more than one subadviser, each subadviser receives holdings information only with respect to the “sleeve” or segment of the Portfolio for which the subadviser has responsibility; |
■ | Full holdings on a daily basis to Goldman Sachs Bank USA, doing business as Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (securities lending agent) at the end of each day; |
■ | Full holdings to a Portfolio's independent registered public accounting firm as soon as practicable following the Portfolio's fiscal year-end or on an as-needed basis; |
■ | Full holdings to a Portfolio’s counsel on an as-needed basis; |
■ | Full holdings to a Portfolio’s independent board members on an as-needed basis; and |
■ | Full holdings to financial printers as soon as practicable following the end of a Portfolio's quarterly, semi-annual and annual period ends. |
■ | Portfolio trades on a quarterly basis to Abel/Noser Corp. (an agency-only broker and transaction cost analysis company) as soon as practicable following a Portfolio's fiscal quarter-end; |
■ | Full holdings, on an as needed basis, to Zeno Consulting Group, LLC (an independent third-party transaction cost analysis company) as soon as practicable; |
■ | Full holdings on a daily basis to FactSet Research Systems, Inc. and Lipper, Inc. (analytical services/investment research providers) at the end of each day; |
■ | Full holdings on a daily basis to IHS Markit, Bloomberg BVAL, ICE Data Services (InterContinental Exchange), Refinitiv (formerly known as Thompson Reuters), and J.P. Morgan Pricing Direct (securities valuation service providers) at the end of each day; |
■ | Full holdings on a quarterly basis to Capital Institutional Services, Inc. (CAPIS) (investment research provider) when made available; and |
■ | Full holdings on a monthly basis to FX Transparency (foreign exchange/transaction analysis) when made available. |
■ | Amortization schedule-the longer the final maturity relative to other maturities the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
■ | Source of payment-the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
Name and Principal Business Address
|
Positions and Offices with Underwriter
|
James F. Mullery
One Corporate Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484-6208 |
President & CEO and Director |
Ann Nanda
One Corporate Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484-6208 |
Senior Vice President and Director |
Susan M. Mann
213 Washington Street Newark, New Jersey 07102-2917 |
Senior Vice President and Director |
Dianne D. Bogoian
One Corporate Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484-6208 |
Senior Vice President and Director
|
Elizabeth Guerrera
One Corporate Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484-6208 |
Vice President and Director |
Kevin M. Brayton
280 Trumbull Street Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3509 |
Senior Vice President and Director |
Christopher J. Hagan
2101 Welsh Road Dresher, Pennsylvania 19025-5000 |
Vice President |
Patricia L. O’Shea
213 Washington Street Newark, New Jersey 07102-2917 |
Chief Operating Officer |
Francine B. Boucher
Three Gateway Center Newark, New Jersey 07102-4061 |
Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary |
Kevin Chaillet
213 Washington Street Newark, New Jersey 07102-2917 |
Treasurer |
Robert P. Smit
3 Gateway Center Newark, New Jersey 07102-4061 |
Chief Financial Officer and Controller
|
William Wilcox
28 Trumbull Street Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3509 |
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer |
Charles H. Smith
Three Gateway Center Newark, New Jersey 07102-4061 |
AML Officer |
Lynn K. Stone
One Corporate Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484-6208 |
Vice President |
Scott P. Haggerty
One Corporate Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484-6208 |
Vice President |
Jessica Conley
2101 Welsh Road Dresher, Pennsylvania 19025-5000 |
Vice President |
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
Timothy S. Cronin*
Timothy S. Cronin |
President and Principal Executive Officer | |||
Susan Davenport Austin*
Susan Davenport Austin |
Trustee | |||
Sherry S. Barrat*
Sherry S. Barrat |
Trustee | |||
Kay Ryan Booth*
Kay Ryan Booth |
Trustee | |||
Stephen M. Chipman*
Stephen M. Chipman |
Trustee | |||
Robert F. Gunia*
Robert F. Gunia |
Trustee | |||
Thomas T. Mooney *
Thomas T. Mooney |
Trustee | |||
Thomas M. O’Brien*
Thomas M. O’Brien |
Trustee | |||
Jessica Bibliowicz*
Jessica Bibliowicz |
Trustee | |||
Christian J. Kelly*
Christian J. Kelly |
Treasurer, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer | |||
*By: /s/ Patrick McGuinness
Patrick McGuinness |
Attorney-in-Fact | December 15, 2020 |
/s/ Susan Davenport Austin
Susan Davenport Austin |
||
/s/ Sherry S. Barrat
Sherry S. Barrat |
||
/s/ Jessica M. Bibliowicz
Jessica M. Bibliowicz |
||
/s/ Kay Ryan Booth
Kay Ryan Booth |
||
/s/ Stephen M. Chipman
Stephen M. Chipman |
||
/s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Timothy S. Cronin |
||
/s/ Robert F. Gunia
Robert F. Gunia |
||
/s/ Thomas T. Mooney
Thomas T. Mooney |
||
/s/ Thomas M. O’Brien
Thomas M. O’Brien |
||
/s/ Christian J. Kelly
Christian J. Kelly |
||
Dated: June 16, 2020 |
Item 28
Exhibit No. |
Description
|
|
(d)(1)(g) | Contractual investment management fee waivers and/or contractual expense caps for selected AST portfolios. | |
(d)(2)(a)(1) | Amendment to Investment Management Agreement, among the Registrant and PGIM Investments LLC. | |
(d)(2)(h) | Contractual investment management fee waiver and/or contractual expense cap for the AST Bond Portfolio 2032. | |
(d)(4)(n) | Subadvisory Agreement among PGIM Investments LLC, AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM, Inc. and PGIM Limited for the AST Bond Portfolio 2032. | |
(d)(32) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and Western Asset Management Company Limited for the AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(33) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and Western Asset Management Company, LLC for the AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(49) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and Western Asset Management Company, LLC for the AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio. | |
(d)(50) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and Western Asset Management Company Limited for the AST Western Asset Emerging Market Debts Portfolio. | |
(d)(52) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC), Western Asset Management Company, LLC and Western Asset Management Company Limited for the AST Academic Strategies Asset Allocation Portfolio. | |
(d)(53) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and ClearBridge Investments, LLC for the AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio. | |
(d)(54) | Subadvisory Agreement among PGIM Investments LLC, Western Asset Management Company, LLC, Western Asset Management Company Limited, Western Asset Management Company Ltd. – Japan, and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. – Singapore for the AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(57)(c) | Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC for the AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio (formerly the AST RCM World Trends Portfolio. | |
(d)(61) | Subadvisory Agreement among AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC and QS Investors, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC; ClearBridge Investments, LLC, Western Asset Management Company, LLC and Western Asset Management Company Limited for the AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio. | |
(d)(75) | Subadvisory Agreement among PGIM Investments LLC, AST Investment Services, Inc., BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock International Limited and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited for the AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(76)(a)(ii) | Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement between PGIM Investments LLC and Wellington Management Company LLP for the AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio (now known as AST Global Bond Portfolio). | |
(d)(76)(b) | Subadvisory Agreement between PGIM Investments LLC and AllianceBernstein L.P. for the AST Global Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(76)(c)(i) | Subadvisory Agreement between PGIM Investments LLC and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. for the AST Global Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(76)(c)(ii) | Intercompany Investment Management Agreement (Sub-Subadvisory Agreement) between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International for the AST Global Bond Portfolio. | |
(d)(92) | Subadvisory Agreement between PGIM Investments LLC, AST Investment Services, Inc. and Martin Currie Inc. for the AST Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio. | |
(e)(3) | Distribution Agreement for the shares of each Portfolio of the Registrant, between Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant. | |
(g)(2)(b) | Amendment to the Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. |
Item 28
Exhibit No. |
Description
|
|
(g)(3)(h) | Addition of AST Bond Portfolio 2032 to the Accounting Services Agreement among the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon (as assigned from BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. f/k/a PFPC Inc.). | |
(h)(1)(b) | Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated May 29, 2007. | |
(i)(18) | Consent of Counsel for the Registrant. | |
(m)(1) | Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan. | |
(m)(8) | Shareholder Services and Distribution (12b-1) Fee contractual waiver for the AST Bond Portfolio 2032. |
PGIM Investments LLC
655 Broad Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
AST Investment Services, Inc.
One Corporate Drive
Shelton, Connecticut 06484
The Board of Trustees of Advanced Series Trust
655 Broad Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Re: Contractual Fee Waivers
PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. (collectively, the "Manager") hereby agree to cap expenses / reimburse certain expenses and/or waive a portion of their investment management fees as more particularly described and set forth for the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A hereto.
Very truly yours,
PGIM Investments LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST Investment Services, Inc.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
Exhibit A
Effective July 1, 2020:
AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive 0.018% of its investment management fee through June 30, 2021. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
AST Cohen & Steers Realty Portfolio: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Portfolio so that the Portfolio's investment management fee plus other expenses (exclusive, in all cases of, interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other Portfolio expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales) do not exceed 1.10% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets through June 30, 2021. Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
AST Goldman Sachs Multi-Asset Portfolio: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Portfolio so that the Portfolio's investment management fee plus other expenses (exclusive, in all cases of, interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other Portfolio expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales) do not exceed 0.910% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets through June 30, 2021. Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees. The Manager has also contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee equal to the management fee of any acquired fund managed or subadvised by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
AST Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive 0.0047% of its investment management fee through June 30, 2021. In addition, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Portfolio so that the Portfolio's investment management fee plus other expenses (exclusive, in all cases of, interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other Portfolio expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales) do not exceed 1.05% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets through June 30, 2021. Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year. These arrangements may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Portfolio so that the Portfolio's investment management fee plus other expenses (exclusive, in all cases of, interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other Portfolio expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales) do not exceed 1.07% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets through June 30, 2021. Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Amendment No. 5 to Management Agreement made this 11th day of December, 2020, by and between Advanced Series Trust (AST), on behalf of each series listed on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the Portfolios) and PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments or the Manager).
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated February 25, 2013 with AST for the Portfolios, as amended from time to time, pursuant to which PGIM Investments acts as Manager of AST; and
WHEREAS, AST and the Manager have mutually agreed to revise Schedule A of the Management Agreement in order to include the AST Bond Portfolio 2032 as a new series of AST (the New Portfolio), and whereby the New Portfolio compensates the Manager for the services provided by the Manager to the New Portfolio under the Management Agreement; and
NOW THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as follows:
1.The management fee rate schedule for the Portfolios appearing in Schedule A of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and is replaced with the attached Schedule A.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
By: /s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: President
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
Schedule "A"
Portfolio
Contractual Fee Rate
0.9825% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.9725% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.9625% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST Prudential Flexible Multi-Strategy Portfolio
0.9525% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.9425% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.9125% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.8925% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.7325% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.7225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.7125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio
0.7025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6425% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.7325% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.7225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.7125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST T. Rowe Price Diversified Real Growth Portfolio
0.7025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6425% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2026*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2027*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2028*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2029*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2030*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2031*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.4925% of average daily net assets to $500 million;
AST Bond Portfolio 2032*
0.4725% on next $4.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4525% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.7325% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.7225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.7125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST QMA International Core Equity Portfolio
0.7025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6425% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.64% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.63% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
AST Global Bond Portfolio
0.62% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
0.61% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
(formerly, AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio)
0.60% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.57% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.55% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.6825% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.6725% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.6625% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST American Funds Growth Allocation Portfolio
0.6525% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6425% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.6125% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.5925% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.525% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.515% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.505% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
0.495% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.485% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.455% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.435% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.525% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.515% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.505% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
0.495% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.485% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.455% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.435% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
0.5325% of average daily net assets to $300 million;
0.5225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets;
0.5125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
0.5025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
AST BlackRock Corporate Bond Portfolio
0.4925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4425% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4225% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4025% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets;
0.3825% over $20 billion of average daily net assets
0.5325% of average daily net assets to $300 million; 0.5225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets; 0.5125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets; 0.5025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
AST PIMCO Corporate Bond Portfolio0.4925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4425% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4225% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4025% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.3825% over $20 billion of average daily net assets
0.5325% of average daily net assets to $300 million; 0.5225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets; 0.5125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets; 0.5025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
AST Prudential Corporate Bond Portfolio**0.4925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4425% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4225% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4025% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.3825% over $20 billion of average daily net assets
0.5325% of average daily net assets to $300 million; 0.5225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets; 0.5125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets; 0.5025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
AST T. Rowe Price Corporate Bond Portfolio0.4925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4425% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4225% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4025% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.3825% over $20 billion of average daily net assets
0.5325% of average daily net assets to $300 million; 0.5225% on next $200 million of average daily net assets; 0.5125% on next $250 million of average daily net assets; 0.5025% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets;
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio0.4925% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4625% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets;
0.4425% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4225% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.4025% on next $5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.3825% over $20 billion of average daily net assets
0.6825% of average daily net assets to $300 million; 0.6725% on next $200 million of average daily net assets; 0.6625% on next $250 million of average daily net assets;
AST Dimensional Global Core Allocation Portfolio0.6525% on next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.6425% on next $2.75 billion of average daily net assets; 0.6125% on next $4 billion of average daily net assets; 0.5925% over $10 billion of average daily net assets
*The assets for each of the AST Bond Portfolio 2020, AST Bond Portfolio 2021, AST Bond Portfolio 2022, AST Bond Portfolio 2023, AST Bond Portfolio 2024, AST Bond Portfolio 2025, AST Bond Portfolio 2026, AST Bond Portfolio 2027, AST Bond Portfolio 2028, AST Bond Portfolio 2029, AST Bond Portfolio 2030, AST Bond Portfolio 2031, AST Bond Portfolio 2032 and AST Investment Grade Bond Portfolio are aggregated for purposes of determining the fee rate applicable to each Portfolio.
**The assets of the AST Prudential Corporate Bond Portfolio will be aggregated with the assets of the AST Multi- Sector Fixed Income Portfolio.
As of December 11, 2020
PGIM Investments LLC
655 Broad Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
December 11, 2020
The Board of Trustees of Advanced Series Trust
655 Broad Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Re: Contractual Fee Waiver
PGIM Investments LLC (the "Manager") hereby agrees to cap expenses / reimburse certain expenses and/or waive a portion of its investment management fees as more particularly described and set forth for the Portfolio listed on Exhibit A hereto.
Very truly yours,
PGIM Investments LLC
By: /s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
Exhibit A
AST Bond Portfolio 2032: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Portfolio so that the Portfolio's investment management fee plus other expenses (exclusive, in all cases, of brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, including stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other Portfolio expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales) do not exceed 0.93% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets through June 30, 2022. Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
Execution Version
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Bond Portfolio 2032
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Subadvisory Agreement (Agreement) made as of this 23rd day of November, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments or the Manager), a New York limited liability company, and PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a New Jersey Corporation, and PGIM Limited (PGIM Limited), a United Kingdom limited company (PGIM and PGIM Limited are collectively referred to herein as the Subadvisers).
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated February 25, 2013, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments acts as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadvisers to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadvisers are willing to render such investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, PGIM Limited is authorized and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and both PGIM Limited and PGIM are each registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act).
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadvisers shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadvisers by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadvisers shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of their duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadvisers shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadvisers shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Commission. The Manager shall provide Subadvisers timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadvisers shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadvisers (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadvisers will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadvisers may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadvisers' other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadvisers) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the
Subadviser(s)) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadvisers) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadvisers deem the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadvisers, the Subadvisers, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadvisers in the manner the Subadvisers consider to be the most equitable and consistent with their fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. Pursuant to the rules promulgated under Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act, Brokers are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account with them. In accordance therewith, Brokers whom the Subadvisers select to execute transactions in the Trust's account may seek identifying information about the Trust.
(iv)The Subadvisers shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadvisers shall make reasonably available their employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadvisers or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets they manage, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadvisers hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadvisers shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadvisers and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadvisers through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadvisers, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadvisers recognize that their services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadvisers acknowledge that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadvisers hereby agree that they shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadvisers shall authorize and permit any of their directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadvisers under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadvisers shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadvisers pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadvisers' services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadvisers agree that all records which they maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadvisers will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadvisers may retain a copy of such records. The Subadvisers further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadvisers are commodity trading advisors duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and are members in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadvisers shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadvisers agree to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadvisers under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadvisers' commodity trading advisor registration or NFA
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membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadvisers are subject or have been advised they are a target.
(e)In connection with their duties under this Agreement, the Subadvisers agree to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act), and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadvisers shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that they reasonably believe complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadvisers shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadvisers represent that they maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure their compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadvisers represent that they have policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadvisers and their employees as required by the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust upon reasonable request. The Subadvisers shall assure that their employees comply in all material respects with the provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act, and shall cooperate reasonably with the Manager for purposes of filing any required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) or such other regulator having appropriate jurisdiction.
(g)The Subadvisers shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(e) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadvisers shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadvisers acknowledge that they are responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadvisers (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadvisers have knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadvisers shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding their management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadvisers shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadvisers shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadvisers become aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadvisers shall comply with the Trust Documents provided to the Subadvisers by the Manager. The Subadvisers shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadvisers shall keep the Manager informed of developments relating to their duties as Subadvisers of which the Subadvisers have, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadvisers shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadvisers have assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadvisers shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadvisers' management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadvisers and the Manager. The Subadvisers shall certify quarterly to the
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Manager that they and their "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadvisers have done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadvisers shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadvisers 'Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadvisers shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadvisers' performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadvisers regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadvisers to perform their duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadvisers).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadvisers as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadvisers under this Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Trust and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadvisers, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadvisers by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadvisers acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadvisers may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadvisers certify that (i) their treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) they have implemented and currently maintain an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadvisers shall immediately notify the Manager if the Subadvisers are in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadvisers agree to certify in writing to the Manager, their compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadvisers shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadvisers' obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadvisers shall review and, as appropriate, revise their Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadvisers' business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadvisers may not alter or modify their Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadvisers shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadvisers' employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadvisers shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadvisers' compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadvisers.
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(g)The Subadvisers shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of their information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any anomalies, intrusions, or vulnerabilities in any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadvisers shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadvisers shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a "Security Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadvisers shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadvisers, Subadvisers' employees or third parties related to the Security Incident. The Subadvisers will provide the Manager with physical access to the facilities and operations affected, facilitate the Manager's interviews with Subadvisers' employees and others involved in the matter, and make available to the Manager all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadvisers shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadvisers' information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadvisers' compliance with this Section, the Subadvisers shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice: (a) access to the Subadvisers' information processing premises and records; (b) reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadvisers' relevant staff; and (c) reasonable facilities at the Subadvisers' premises.
5.The Subadvisers will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadvisers by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadvisers assume all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadvisers by the Manager. In addition, the Subadvisers shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6. The Subadvisers shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadvisers' part in the performance of their duties or from its reckless disregard of their obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadvisers under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadvisers, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of their duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadvisers shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadvisers' willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the Manager or the Subadvisers at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadvisers agree that they will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadvisers.
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To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadvisers management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadvisers agree that their duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadvisers.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadvisers at 7 Giralda Farms, Madison, NJ 07940, Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for PGIM) and at Grand Buildings 1-3 Strand Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5HR, Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for PGIM Limited).
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadvisers' directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadvisers' right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadvisers at their principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadvisers in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadvisers reasonably object in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadvisers, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadvisers. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadvisers' written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadvisers may be furnished to the Subadvisers hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
PGIM, INC.
By: /s/ Daniel J. Malooly
Name: Daniel J. Malooly
Title: Vice President
PGIM LIMITED
By: /s/ Sarah McMullen
Name: Sarah McMullen
Title: Director, PGIM Ltd.
7
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by PGIM Fixed Income, a business unit of PGIM, Inc., and PGIM Limited (collectively for purposes of this Schedule A referred to as PGIM), PGIM Investments LLC will pay PGIM an advisory fee on the net assets managed by PGIM that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Subadvisory Fee for the Portfolio*,** |
|
|
AST Bond Portfolio 2032 |
0.15% of average daily net assets to $500 million; |
|
0.14% of the next $1.5 billion of average daily net assets; and |
|
0.12% of average daily net assets over $2 billion. |
*In the event PGIM invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, PGIM will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to PGIM with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
**For purposes of calculating the investment subadvisory fee payable to PGIM, the subadvisory fee will be calculated using the combined average daily net assets of the AST Bond Portfolio 2021, AST Bond Portfolio 2022, AST Bond Portfolio 2023, AST Bond Portfolio 2024, AST Bond Portfolio 2025, AST Bond Portfolio 2026, AST Bond Portfolio 2027, AST Bond Portfolio 2028, AST Bond Portfolio 2029, AST Bond Portfolio 2030, AST Bond Portfolio 2031, AST Bond Portfolio 2032 and the AST Investment Grade Bond Portfolio, and the assets of any future portfolios of the Trust that are subadvised by PGIM pursuant to target maturity or constant duration investment strategies that are used in connection with non-discretionary asset transfers under certain living benefit programs.
Dated as of: November 23, 2020
8
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company, and AST Investment Services Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland Corporation (together with PGIM Investments, the Manager), and Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML or the Subadviser).
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust), and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, has entered into a separate subadvisory agreement with Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO), an affiliate of WAML (the WAMCO Agreement), pursuant to which WAMCO will provide investment advisory services to the Portfolio and will allocate and re-allocate the assets of the Portfolio between itself and WAML; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain
best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
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(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall comply with the Trust's Documents provided to the Subadviser by the Manager. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties
3
under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement and the WAMCO Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser and WAMCO as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement and to WAMCO under the WAMCO Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser or WAMCO, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser or WAMCO by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program (Information Security Program) including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a Security Incident). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser,
4
Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT, 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 10 Exchange Square Primrose Street, London, England EC2A 2 EN, Attention: Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
5
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
7
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay WAML a subadvisory fee on the Portfolio net assets managed by WAML that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Advisory Fee for the Portfolio*, ** |
|
|
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond |
0.225% of average daily net assets on the first $300 million; |
Portfolio |
0.150% of average daily net assets to $2 billion; |
|
0.100% of average daily net assets over $2 billion |
|
|
*For purposes of calculating the subadvisory fee, the assets managed by WAML in the AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio will be aggregated with the assets managed by Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO) in the AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio.
**In the event WAMCO and WAML invest Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles they manage or subadvise, WAMCO and WAML will waive their subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to WAMCO and WAML with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of: July 31, 2020
8
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company, and AST Investment Services Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland Corporation (together with PGIM Investments, the Manager), and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO or the Subadviser), a California limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust), and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, has entered into a separate subadvisory agreement with Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML), an affiliate of WAMCO (the WAML Agreement), pursuant to which WAML will provide investment advisory services to the Portfolio and will allocate and re-allocate the assets of the Portfolio between itself and WAMCO; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the
Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
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(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall comply with the Trust's Documents provided to the Subadviser by the Manager. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
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2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement and the WAML Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser and WAML as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement and to WAML under the WAML Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser or WAML, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser or WAML by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program (Information Security Program) including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a Security Incident).
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Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 385 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, Attention: Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or
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restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Karlen Powell
Name: Karlen Powell
Title: Manager of Client Service Support
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SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay WAMCO a subadvisory fee on the Portfolio net assets managed by WAMCO that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Advisory Fee for the Portfolio*, ** |
|
|
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond |
0.225% of average daily net assets on the first $300 million; |
Portfolio |
0.150% of average daily net assets to $2 billion; |
|
0.100% of average daily net assets over $2 billion |
|
|
*For purposes of calculating the subadvisory fee, the assets managed by WAMCO in the AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio will be aggregated with the assets managed by Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML) in the AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio.
**In the event WAMCO and WAML invest Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles they manage or subadvise, WAMCO and WAML will waive their subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to WAMCO and WAML with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of: July 31, 2020
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ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company, and AST Investment Services Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland Corporation (together with PGIM Investments, the Manager), and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO or the Subadviser), a California limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust), and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, has entered into a separate subadvisory agreement with Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML), an affiliate of WAMCO (the WAML Agreement), pursuant to which WAML will provide investment advisory services to the Portfolio and will allocation and re-allocate the assets of the Portfolio between itself and WAMCO; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the
Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
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(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall comply with the Trust's Documents provided to the Subadviser by the Manager. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
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2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement and the WAML Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser and WAML as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement and to WAML under the WAML Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser or WAML, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser or WAML by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program (Information Security Program) including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a Security Incident).
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Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 385 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, Attention: Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or
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restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Karlen Powell
Name: Karlen Powell
Title: Manager of Client Service Support
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SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay WAMCO a subadvisory fee on the Portfolio net assets managed by WAMCO that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Advisory Fee for the Portfolio*, ** |
|
|
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets |
0.40% of average daily net assets to $100 million; |
Debt Portfolio |
0.20% of average daily net assets over $100 million |
|
|
*For purposes of calculating the subadvisory fee, the assets managed by WAMCO in the AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio will be aggregated with the assets managed by Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML) in the AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio.
**In the event WAMCO and WAML invest Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles they manage or subadvise, WAMCO and WAML will waive their subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to WAMCO and WAML with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of: July 31, 2020
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ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company, and AST Investment Services Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland Corporation (together with PGIM Investments, the Manager), and Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML or the Subadviser),
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust), and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, has entered into a separate subadvisory agreement with Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO), an affiliate of WAML (the WAMCO Agreement), pursuant to which WAMCO will provide investment advisory services to the Portfolio and will allocation and re-allocate the assets of the Portfolio between itself and WAML; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain
best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
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(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall comply with the Trust's Documents provided to the Subadviser by the Manager. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties
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under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement and the WAMCO Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser and WAMCO as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement and to WAMCO under the WAMCO Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser or WAMCO, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser or WAMCO by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program (Information Security Program) including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a Security Incident). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser,
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Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT, 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 10 Exchange Square Primrose Street, London, England EC2A 2 EN, Attention: Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
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9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
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SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay WAML a subadvisory fee on the Portfolio net assets managed by WAML that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Advisory Fee for the Portfolio*, ** |
|
|
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets |
0.40% of average daily net assets to $100 million; |
Debt Portfolio |
0.20% of average daily net assets over $100 million |
|
|
*For purposes of calculating the subadvisory fee, the assets managed by WAML in the AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio will be aggregated with the assets managed by Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO) in the AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio.
**In the event WAMCO and WAML invest Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles they manage or subadvise, WAMCO and WAML will waive their subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to WAMCO and WAML with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of: July 31, 2020
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ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Academic Strategies Asset Allocation Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company, and AST Investment Services, Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland Corporation (together with PGIM Investments, the Manager), and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (WAMCO) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML) (collectively, the Subadviser),
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the Prospectus), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect
to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall comply with the Trust's Documents provided to the Subadviser by the Manager. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably
necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program (Information Security Program) including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a Security Incident). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive , Shelton, CT 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 385 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, Attention: Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed)
after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Karlen Powell
Name: Karlen Powell
Title: Manager of Client Service Support
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Academic Strategies Asset Allocation Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Western Asset Management Company, LLC and Western Asset Management Company Limited (collectively, Subadviser), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay the Subadviser an advisory fee on the net assets managed by the Subadviser that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Portfolio Investment Category* |
Advisory Fee* |
|
|
|
AST Academic |
Emerging Markets Bond* |
0.40% of average daily net assets to $100 million; |
Strategies Asset |
|
0.20% of average daily net assets over $100 million |
Allocation Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Macro Opportunities |
0.60% of average daily net assets to $100 million; |
|
|
0.40% of average daily net assets over $100 million |
|
|
|
*In the event the Subadviser invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, the Subadviser will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to the Subadviser with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of July 31, 2020
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PI), a New York limited liability company and AST Investment Services, Inc. (AST), a Maryland corporation (together, the Co-Managers), and ClearBridge Investments, LLC, a Delaware corporation (ClearBridge or the Subadviser),
WHEREAS, the Co-Managers have entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PI and AST act as Co-Managers of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Co-Managers, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desire to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Co-Managers shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Co-Managers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Co-Managers shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Co-Managers (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Co- Managers and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Co-Managers' (or their designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Co-Managers shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants (including but not limited to any broker or dealer affiliated with the Co-Managers or the Subadviser) to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Co-Managers (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through broker- dealers (including, to the extent legally permissible, broker-dealers affiliated with the Subadviser(s)) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and to cause the Trust to pay any such broker-dealers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Co-Managers (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission.
On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or futures contract to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities or futures contracts to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. The Subadviser may execute on behalf of the Trust certain agreements, instruments and documents in connection with the services performed by it under this Agreement. These may include, without limitation, brokerage agreements, clearing agreements, account documentation, futures and options agreements, swap agreements, other investment-related agreements, and any other agreements, documents or instruments the Subadviser believes are appropriate or desirable in performing its duties under this Agreement.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's Custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Co-Managers with such information upon request of the Co-Managers.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and Co-Managers understand and agree that if the Co- Managers manage the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Co-Managers will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Co-Managers and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-10, Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Co-Managers all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Co- Managers to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is, to the extent required by applicable law, a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of such Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Co-Managers copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(g)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Co-Managers.
(h)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio securities and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio securities and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Co-Managers upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio securities in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Co-Managers, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Co-Managers in valuing securities of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the securities being valued.
2.The Co-Managers shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Co-Managers shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Co-Managers shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Co-Managers to the Subadviser under this Agreement is contingent upon the Co-Managers' receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Co-Managers. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Co- Managers, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Co- Managers.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Co-Managers, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Co-Managers or third parties with whom the Co-Managers conduct business in relation to the Series of the Trust allocated to Subadviser. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Co-Managers' business and other proprietary information, written or oral as relates to the Series of the Trust allocated to Subadviser.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Co-Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Co-Managers or its agents of its designated primary security manager.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain an appropriate Information Security Program which includes, but is not limited to: (i) access controls to prevent the unauthorized or inappropriate use of Confidential Information,(ii) periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality and integrity of Confidential Information; and
(iii)regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(g)The Subadviser shall notify the Co-Managers promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours after determining that any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information occurred (a "Security Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the
Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Co-Managers and the Co-Managers' designated representatives in the Co-Managers' investigation of the Subadviser, employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Co-Managers in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Co-Managers to protect the Co- Managers' rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(h)Upon the Co-Managers' reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Co-Managers with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(i)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Co-Managers, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide investment advisory services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers without the express written consent of the Co-Managers. To the extent the Subadviser receives approval from the Co-Managers to engage such third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Co-Managers and their directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Co-Managers in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Co-Managers or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Co-Managers shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Co-Managers' willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Co- Managers, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Co-Managers or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Co-Managers of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Co-Managers delegate to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Co- Managers, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Co-Managers begin the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser provided however, that if a party other than the Subadviser is engaged to transition the portfolio to the Subadviser's strategy (a "Transition Manager"), Subadviser shall have no responsibilities under Sections 1(a)(iii) and (v) until such time as the portfolio is released to the Subadviser for trading.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Co-Managers at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PI) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, Connecticut, 06484, Attention: Secretary (for AST); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 620 8th Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, New York, 10018, Attention: General Counsel.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Co-Managers agree to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof.
During the term of this Agreement, the Co-Managers also agree to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Co-Managers further agree to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS, LLC
By: /s/ Barbara Brooke Manning
Name: Barbara Brooke Manning
Title: Managing Director
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by ClearBridge Investments (ClearBridge), LLC, PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay ClearBridge an advisory fee on the net assets managed by ClearBridge that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Advisory Fee* |
AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio |
0.25% of Portfolio's average daily net assets to $250 million; |
|
0.20% of Portfolio's average daily net assets from $250 million to |
|
$500 million; |
|
0.18% of Portfolio's average daily net assets over $500 million |
*In the event ClearBridge invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, ClearBridge will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to ClearBridge with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of July 31, 2020
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments or the Manager), a New York limited liability company and Western Asset Management Company, LLC, Western Asset Management Company Limited UK, Western Asset Management Company Ltd. Japan, and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. Singapore (collectively, the Subadviser),
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments acts as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section
3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided
to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall comply with the Trust's Documents provided to the Subadviser by the Manager. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2. The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program (Information Security Program) including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any intrusions of any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a Security Incident). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 385 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, Attention: Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly
scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Karlen Powell
Name: Karlen Powell
Title: Manager of Client Service Support
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LTD.
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY PTE. LTD.
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Western Asset Management Company, LLC, Western Asset Management Company Limited, Western Asset Management Company Ltd and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (collectively, Subadviser), PGIM Investments LLC will pay the Subadviser an advisory fee on the net assets managed by the Subadviser that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Advisory Fee for the Portfolio* |
|
|
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond |
0.15% of average daily net assets to $500 million; |
Portfolio |
0.125% of average daily net assets over $500 million to $1.5 billion; |
|
0.10% of average daily net assets over $1.5 billion |
|
|
*In the event the Subadviser invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, the Subadviser will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to the Subadviser with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of July 31, 2020
Execution Version
AMENDMENT TO SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
FOR AST ALLIANZGI WORLD TRENDS PORTFOLIO OF
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC (formerly Prudential Investments LLC) (collectively, the "Manager") and Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC (the "Subadviser") hereby agree to amend the Subadvisory Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2013, as amended December 1, 2018, by and among the Manager and the Subadviser, pursuant to which the Subadviser has been retained to provide investment advisory services to the AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio (formerly AST RCM World Trends Portfolio) as follows;
1.All references to "AST RCM World Trends Portfolio" are hereby changed to "AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio"; and
2.Schedule A is hereby deleted and replaced with the attached Schedule A.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, AST Investment Services, Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, and Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC have duly executed this Amendment as of the effective date of this Amendment.
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: President
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS U.S. LLC
By: /s/ Andrew Wilmot
Name: Andrew Wilmot
Title: Head of Financial Institutions Group
Effective Date as Revised: July 1, 2020
Execution Version
SCHEDULE A
Advanced Series Trust
AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC ("AllianzGI"), AST Investment Services, Inc. and PGIM Investments LLC, as applicable, will pay AllianzGI an advisory fee on the net assets managed by AllianzGI that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio |
Subadvisory Fee* |
AST AllianzGI World Trends |
0.33% of average daily net assets to $500 million; |
Portfolio |
0.28% of average daily net assets over $500 million to $1 billion; |
|
0.24% of average daily net assets over $1 billion to $2.5 billion; |
|
0.18% of average daily net assets over $2.5 billion |
*In the event AllianzGI invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, AllianzGI will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to AllianzGI with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Effective Date as Revised: July 1, 2020
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio
Subadvisory Agreement
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020, between PGIM Investments LLC, a New York limited liability company (the Manager), and QS Investors (QS), a Delaware limited liability company, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (Brandywine), a Delaware limited liability company, ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge), a Delaware limited liability company, Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset) a California corporation, and Western Asset Management Company Limited (Western Asset Limited), a limited liability company incorporated in England and Wales (each, a Subadviser and collectively, the Subadvisers).
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments LLC acts as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain each Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and each Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, each Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as is delegated to such Subadviser by the Manager and, in the case of each Subadviser other than QS, QS, from time to time (the Allocated Assets), including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)Each Subadviser shall provide advice, management and supervision with respect to its Allocated Assets, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash. The Manager and/or QS may, from time to time, allocate and reallocate the Trust's assets among the Subadvisers. In addition, the Manager and/or QS may determine not to allocate any portion of the Trust's assets to a Subadviser for a period of time during the term of this Agreement. A Subadviser's responsibilities for providing investment advisory services to the Trust shall be limited solely to its Allocated Assets.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, each Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, and the Prospectus of the Trust, as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents), and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, shall co-operate with the Manager' (or their designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Manager shall provide each Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)Each Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by its Allocated Assets, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with such Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), as such Subadviser may determine. In selecting brokers, dealers or futures commissions merchants with which to execute
portfolio transactions, it is recognized that a Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, a Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. Each Subadviser shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with such Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of such Subadviser with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when a Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of such Subadviser, such Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by such Subadviser in the manner such Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. Each Subadviser may execute on behalf of the Trust certain agreements, instruments and documents in connection with the services performed by it under this Agreement. These may include, without limitation, brokerage agreements, clearing agreements, account documentation, futures and options agreements, swap agreements, other investment-related agreements, and any other agreements, documents or instruments the Subadviser believes are appropriate or desirable in performing its duties under this Agreement.
(iv)Each Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. Each Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, to assist in the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)Each Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's Custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning its Allocated Assets, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by each Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and each Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, each Subadviser and Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadvisers through quantitative and
qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more Subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. Each Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)Each Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule
12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and each Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust, including any Subadviser, with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust Assets.
(b)Each Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by each Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)Each Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by such Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to such Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-
1under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. Each Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and each Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that such Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. Each Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)Each Subadviser is, to the extent required by applicable law, a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). Each Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, each Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of such Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of such Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, each Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)Each Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(g)Each Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in its Allocated Assets, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(h)Pursuant to the delegation of fair valuation of the Trust's securities to the Manager by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the valuation committee of the Manager shall have primary responsibility for valuation of the Trust's assets. The Manager represents and warrants to each Subadviser that such delegation of valuation responsibility complies with applicable law. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, each Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including being reasonably available to consult with the valuation committee of the Trust and the Manager and making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued; provided, however, that the valuation committee of the Manager shall retain primary day-to-day responsibility for valuation of the Trust's assets. In addition, each Subadviser will use its reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Manager in the event that such Subadviser becomes aware that the Trust is carrying a security in such Subadviser's Allocated Assets at a value that such Subadviser believes does not fairly represent the price that could be obtained for the security in a current market transaction.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review each Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to each Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the Subadviser's Allocated Assets, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such Allocated Assets, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for such Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of such Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadvisers as full compensation therefor, as promptly as possible after the end of each month, a fee computed daily at the annual rate set forth on the attached Schedule A and based on the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust
managed in the aggregate by the Subadvisers, as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadvisers under this Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadvisers, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadvisers by the Manager. For administrative convenience, the Manager shall pay all compensation due to the Subadvisers to QS.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business in relation to services provided to the Trust by the Subadviser. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral as it relates to services provided to the Trust by the Subadviser.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of a material breach of this Section, notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain an appropriate Information Security Program which includes, but is not limited to: (i) access controls to prevent the unauthorized or inappropriate use of Confidential Information; (ii) periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and (iii) regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks.
(f)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred (a "Security Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser, employees or third parties related to the Security Incident, which may include requests for all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(g)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(h)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff.
5.Each Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to each Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that each Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.Each Subadviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services to be provided by such Subadviser hereunder in good faith. No Subadviser shall be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on such Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties hereunder or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against such Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify each Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors, and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager' willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. Each Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of such Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or by a Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. Termination of this Agreement by a Subadviser other than QS shall terminate this Agreement only with respect to such Subadviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. Each Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser, provided however, that if a party other than the Subadviser is engaged to transition the portfolio to the Subadviser's strategy (a "Transition Manager"), Subadviser shall have no responsibilities under Sections 1(a)(iii) and (v) until such time as the portfolio is released to the Subadviser for trading.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments LLC); (2) to the Trust at Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to a Subadviser at the address set forth beneath its signature below.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of a Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict a Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish promptly to each Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to a Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if such Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agree to furnish each Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to such Subadviser. The Manager further agree to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon a Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to a Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
13.This Agreement, including Schedule A hereto, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Should any part of this Agreement be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement should not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefits of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
14.The obligations of each Subadviser hereunder are several and not joint. Each Subadviser shall be liable only for its own obligations hereunder. No Subadviser shall be a guarantor of or jointly liable for the obligations of any other Subadviser.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
QS INVESTORS, LLC
By: /s/ Steven R. Ducker
Name: Steven R. Ducker
Title: Chief Compliance Officer
Address for Notices: QS Investors, LLC
880 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10022 Attn: Business Management
BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: /s/ Mark P Glassman
Name: Mark P Glassman
Title: Chief Administrative Officer
Address for Notices:
CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS, LLC
By: /s/ Barbara Brooke Manning
Name: Barbara Brooke Manning
Title: Managing Director
Address for Notices:
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
By: /s/ Karlen Powell
Name: Karlen Powell
Title: Manager of Client Service Support
Address for Notices:
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Marzo Bernardi
Name: Marzo Bernardi
Title: Director of Global Client Service and Marketing
Address for Notices:
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by QS Investors (QS) and its affiliates, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (Brandywine), ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge), Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (Western Asset Limited), PGIM Investments LLC will pay QS an advisory fee on the aggregate net assets managed by the Subadvisers that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Contractual Subadvisory Fee Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
0.350% of average daily net assets to $250 million; |
|
AST Legg Mason |
0.325% of average daily net assets over $250 million to $500 million; |
|
0.300% of average daily net assets over $500 million to $750 million; |
||
Diversified Growth |
||
0.275% of average daily net assets over $750 million to $1 billion; |
||
Portfolio |
||
0.250% of average daily net assets over $1 billion to $2 billion; |
||
|
||
|
0.225% of average daily net assets over $2 billion |
|
|
|
QS has agreed to a contractual fee waiver arrangement that applies to the AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio (Portfolio). Under this arrangement, QS will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund subadvisory fee paid to QS for any portfolio affiliated with the Trust. In addition, QS will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in amount equal to the management or subadvisory fee it receives for acquired funds that are not affiliated with the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waiver will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Effective Date: July 31, 2020
Execution Version
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 18th day of May 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company and AST Investment Services, Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland corporation (together, the Co- Managers), and each of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BlackRock Financial), a Delaware corporation, BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock International), a corporation organized under the laws of Scotland with registered number SC160821, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (BlackRock Singapore), a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore (collectively, BlackRock or the Subadvisers),
WHEREAS, the Co-Managers have entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Co-Managers of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Co-Managers, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desire to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Co-Managers shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, BlackRock International is authorized and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and BlackRock Singapore is a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. BlackRock Financial, BlackRock International and BlackRock Singapore are each registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act).
Based on the information supplied by the Co-Managers, BlackRock International has categorized the Co-Managers and the Trust as Professional Clients. By accepting the provision of investment management services, the Co-Managers acknowledge and accept this categorization. The Co-Managers and the Trust have the right to request a different categorization at any time from BlackRock International, however, BlackRock International only provides services to Professional Clients and will no longer be able to provide services to the Co-Manager and the Trust in the event of a request for change of categorization.
References in the Subadvisory Agreement to the "Supplemental Disclosures" means the document of that title provided to potential clients of BlackRock International and its delegates prior to investment that contains BlackRock International's disclosures, as amended and notified to the Co-Managers from time to time.
This Subadvisory Agreement supersedes all previous subadvisory agreements between BlackRock and the Co- Managers with respect to the AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Co-Managers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadvisers shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadvisers by the Co-Managers, including the purchase, retention and disposition of securities, exchange traded funds, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, derivatives contracts, options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and swap agreements and other financial instruments, all in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time and previously provided to the Subadvisers, being herein called the "Prospectus"). The Co-Managers hereby authorize the Subadviser , as agent on behalf of the Trust, to negotiate, enter into, amend, and perform any and all obligations and exercise any and all rights under: (x) any affirmation platform and middleware provider agreements, trading platform and exchange agreements, clearinghouse agreements or similar types of agreements,: (y) brokerage agreements and other documents to establish, operate and conduct all brokerage or other trading accounts and (z) International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") Master Agreements, including any schedules and annexes to such agreements, releases, consents, elections and confirmations, limited partnership agreements, repurchase agreements, and such agreements and other documentation as may be required for the purchase or sale, assignment, transfer, and ownership of any permitted investment; provided, however, that upon request the Subadviser will supply the Co-Managers with copies of any ISDA Master Agreements and the related schedules and annexes. The Co-Managers acknowledge and understand that the Trust and the Co-
Managers, as applicable, will be bound by any such trading accounts established, and agreements and other documentation executed, by the Subadviser for such investment purposes as permitted hereunder. The Subadviser is permitted to open and maintain brokerage or other trading accounts in the name of the Trust, and complete all such account opening forms and agreements and provide relevant "know your customer" and other information regarding the Trust. The assets the Trust has provided to BlackRock for management may be transferred by BlackRock as collateral or margin free and clear of any lien, pledge, claim, charge or encumbrance granted directly by the Trust, consistent with the Prospectus and applicable law. The Subadviser's management of such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers shall be subject to the following additional understandings:
(i)The Subadvisers shall provide investment advisory services to such portion of the Trust's investments as the Co- Managers shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash. The Subadvisers may delegate the performance of services and functions under this Agreement to an "affiliated person" (as defined in the 1940 Act), including foreign affiliates, of the Subadvisers so long as: (v) such delegation and the resulting performance of services and functions hereunder by any such "affiliated person" is not prohibited by, or inconsistent with the requirements of, applicable law, including the 1940 Act; (w) such delegation and the resulting performance of services and functions hereunder by any such "affiliated person" is not deemed to be advisory services under this Agreement; (x) BlackRock retains ultimate discretionary authority over any portfolio management services provided by any such "affiliated person"; (y) BlackRock exercises appropriate oversight of the performance of services and functions hereunder by any such "affiliated person"; and (z) BlackRock does not pay any portion of the subadvisory fee received from the Co-Managers hereunder to such "affiliated person". Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Subadvisers' liability to the Co-Managers under this Agreement shall not be affected in any way whatsoever by any delegation of services by the Subadvisers to any "affiliated person" of the Subadviser. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, the Subadvisers: (xx) may provide information about the Co- Managers and the Trust to any "affiliated person" of the Subadvisers to which the performance of services and functions has been delegated hereunder; (yy) will act in good faith and with due diligence in the selection, use, and monitoring of any "affiliated person" of the Subadvisers to which the performance of services and functions has been delegated hereunder; and (zz) shall ensure that any "affiliated person" of the Subadvisers to which the performance of services and functions has been delegated hereunder is subject to confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations that are substantially similar to the confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations to which the Subadvisers are subject with respect to the Trust.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, each Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust and the Prospectus of the Trust, each as provided to the Subadvisers by the Co-Managers (the Trust Documents) and with the reasonable written instructions and directions of the Co-Managers and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Co-Managers' (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, each as applicable, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, provided that compliance with the Code shall be solely with respect to the assets of the Trust under management of the Subadvisers and based solely upon information provided by the Trust's administrator, custodian and other service providers. In connection therewith, the Subadvisers shall provide reasonable assistance to the Co- Managers in preparing and filing such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Commission. For the avoidance of doubt, the Subadvisers are not responsible for preparing or filing any reports on behalf of the Co-Managers or the Trust.
The Co-Managers shall supply the Subadvisers in advance with written copies of such policies and procedures of the Trust applicable to each Subadviser's performance of its duties and obligations in managing the Trust's portfolio (or allocated portion thereof, as applicable), as well as any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto within a reasonable time before they become effective. The Co-Managers agree that the Subadviser shall not be responsible for compliance with the policies and procedures of the Trust not provided to the Subadviser, or not agreed upon in writing by the Subadviser, in advance in accordance with this paragraph.
(iii)In effecting transactions for the Trust, BlackRock International will act in the Trust's best interests and comply with any applicable obligations regarding best execution under the Financial Conduct Authority Rules (the "FCA Rules"). The Co-Managers confirm that they have been provided with a copy of the Supplemental Disclosures, as amended and notified to the Co-Managers from time to time, which includes information on BlackRock International's order execution policy (the "Order Execution Policy"). The Co-Managers confirm that they have read and understood, and agree to, the Order Execution Policy. In particular, the Co-Managers consent to (i) BlackRock International trading through brokers/counterparties and /or outside of a Trading Venue (as defined in the FCA Rules) and (ii) some or all orders resulting from BlackRock International's decisions to deal on the Co-Managers' behalf, or received from the Co-Manager, to be placed with an affiliated company, who will act as agent for the purpose of executing such orders in accordance with the Order Execution Policy. Specific instructions from the Co-Managers in relation to the execution
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of orders may prevent BlackRock International from following its Order Execution Policy in relation to such orders in respect of the elements of execution covered by the instructions.
The Subadvisers shall determine the securities and futures contracts and other financial instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including but not limited to any broker or dealer affiliated with the Co- Managers or the Subadvisers) to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct to the Subadvisers in advance in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadvisers will give consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution as more fully detailed in its Order Execution Policy. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadvisers may consider the size of trade, financial responsibility, reputation, financial condition, research and investment information and other services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadvisers' other clients may be a party. The Co-Managers (or the Subadvisers) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through broker-dealers (including, to the extent legally permissible, broker-dealers affiliated with the Subadvisers) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such broker-dealers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealers would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such broker-dealers, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Co-Managers (or the Subadvisers) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadvisers deem the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadvisers, the Subadvisers, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations including, for the avoidance of doubt the FCA Rules, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadvisers in the manner the Subadvisers consider to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations (as defined under U.S. law) to the Trust and to such other clients.
The Co-Managers acknowledge that BlackRock International does not hold Client Money and/or Safe Custody Assets for the Co-Managers and/or the Trust under the Client Asset Rules (the "CASS Rules") of the FCA.
In accordance with Section 11(a) of the 1934 Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and subject to any other applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including, without limitation, Section 17(e) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17e-1 promulgated thereunder, and in accordance with the Subadviser's policies and procedures, each Subadviser may engage its affiliated persons, the affiliated persons of the Co-Managers, or any other subadviser to the Trust and such Subadvisers' affiliated persons, as broker-dealers to effect portfolio transactions in securities and other investments for the Trust.
From time to time, when determined by Subadvisers in their capacity of a fiduciary to the Trust to be in the best interests of the Trust, the Subadvisers may purchase securities from, or sell securities on behalf of the Trust to, another account for which the Subadvisers serve as investment manager or subadviser at the current market price for the relevant securities in accordance with the Subadvisers' policies and procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and other applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing and pursuant to Trust's 17a-7 Procedures, a copy of which shall be provided to Subadviser, Subadviser shall provide to the Co-Managers: (i) quarterly reports on the 17a-7 transactions entered into on behalf of the Trust (ii) all reasonable information necessary for the Board of Trustees of the Trust to review such transactions.
(iv)The Subadvisers shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by them as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadvisers shall make reasonably available during the Subadvisers' normal business hours their employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities managed by the Subadvisers.
(v)All assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers shall be held by a custodian who has been appointed by the Co-Managers and notified in writing to the Subadvisers (the Custodian). The Co-Managers acknowledge that they have been and will be solely responsible for the selection, appointment, monitoring and supervision of the Custodian. The Co-Managers agree to notify the Subadvisers as soon as reasonably practicable in advance of any change to the Custodian. The Subadvisers or their affiliates shall provide the Custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets they manage, and shall provide the Co-Managers with such information upon reasonable request of the Co-Managers.
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(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadvisers hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadvisers shall be free to render similar services to others. Conflicts of interest and material interests are described in the Supplemental Disclosures. Conversely, the Subadvisers and the Co-Managers understand and agree that if the Co-Managers manage the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Co-Managers will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadvisers through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadvisers, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadvisers recognize that their services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadvisers acknowledge that the Co-Managers and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule
12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadvisers hereby agree that they shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(viii)In the event the Co-Managers or Custodian engages in securities lending activities with respect to the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers, the Subadvisers will not be a party to or may not necessarily be aware of such lending activities. It is understood that the Subadvisers shall not be responsible for settlement delay or failure, corporate action failure or any related costs or loss due to such activities.
(ix)The Subadvisers shall not be responsible for filing proofs of claim or otherwise initiating or otherwise determining to participate in class action lawsuits with respect to securities held by that portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers.
(a)With respect to the portion of the Trust's assets the Subadvisers manage, the Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadvisers pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Co-Managers all information relating to the Subadvisers' services hereunder needed by the Co-Managers to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadvisers agree that all records which they maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadvisers will surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadvisers may retain a copy of such records. The Subadvisers further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(b)In connection with their duties under this Agreement, the Subadvisers agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), and other applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
(c)Each Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and are members in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA) or is relying on an exemption from registration as a commodity trading advisor. If applicable, the Subadvisers shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadvisers agree to notify the Co-Managers within a commercially reasonable time upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadvisers under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA or (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadvisers' commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership.
(d)The Subadvisers shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that they reasonably believe complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Co-Managers and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadvisers shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadvisers represent that they maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure their compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadvisers represent that they have policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non- public information by the Subadvisers and their employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(e)The Subadvisers shall furnish to the Co-Managers (i) copies of all records prepared in connection with the performance of this Agreement and (ii) summaries of, or the opportunity to review printed copies of, compliance procedures maintained pursuant to paragraph 1(e) hereof, each as the Co-Managers may reasonably request, subject to applicable law, attorney-client privilege and confidentiality restrictions.
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(f)The Subadvisers shall be responsible for the voting, or the abstaining from voting, of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities managed by the Subadvisers and held in the Trust's portfolio, in accordance with their standard proxy voting guidelines, and subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Co-Managers.
(g)Upon reasonable request from the Co-Managers, the Subadvisers (through a qualified person) will reasonably assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Co-Managers in valuing investments of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadvisers have knowledge related to the investments being valued, provided that the Subadviser shall not be deemed a substitute for any independent pricing agent and/or valuation committee of the Trust pursuant to the Trust's Fair Valuation Policies and Procedures. For the avoidance of doubt, the Subadvisers are not the valuation agents for the Trust.
(h)The Co-Managers have or will furnish the Subadviser with properly certified or authenticated copies of, each of the following prior to the date hereof:
(i)the Declaration of Trust;
(ii)the By-Laws;
(iii)resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust authorizing the appointment of the Subadviser and approving the execution of this Agreement by the Co-Managers;
(iv)the Prospectus; and
(v)any applicable written instructions and directions of the Co-Managers.
During the term of this Agreement, the Co-Managers agree to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing: (i) ten (10) business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof with respect to prospectuses and proxy statements which refer to the Subadviser in any
way and (ii) five (5) business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof with respect to reports to shareholders, sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which refer to the Subadvisers in any way. Sales literature may be furnished to the Subadvisers hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery. The Co-Managers agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that materials prepared by their employees or agents or their affiliates that refer to the Subadvisers are consistent with those materials previously approved by the Subadvisers as referenced in the first sentence of this paragraph. It is understood that "BlackRock" is the name of the Subadvisers' parent company, BlackRock, Inc., and any derivative names or logos associated with such name are the valuable property of the Subadvisers, that the Trust has the right to include such phrase as a part of the name of the series of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers or for any other purpose only so long as this Agreement shall continue, and that BlackRock does, in fact, consent to the use of such name as a part of the name of the series of the Trust identified herein. Upon a termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Co-Managers shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after a termination or expiration of this Agreement: (i) supplement or otherwise amend the Prospectus to indicate that BlackRock no longer serves as a subadviser to the Trust; (ii) discontinue any new production or publication of sales literature bearing the name "BlackRock" or any related name, mark, or logo; and (iii) "buckslip" or otherwise supplement sales literature in the possession of the Co-Managers or its affiliates bearing the name "BlackRock" or any related name, mark, or logo to indicate that such firm no longer serves as a subadviser to the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Co-Managers may, after any termination or expiration of this Agreement, retain copies of sales literature bearing the name "BlackRock" or any related name, mark or logo only to fulfill applicable legal, compliance, and regulatory requirements, and for their document retention purposes. The Co-Managers will furnish the Subadvisers with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing that impact the management of the Trust within a reasonable time before they become effective to the extent reasonably practicable. Any amendments or supplements that impact the management of the Trust will not be deemed effective with respect to the Subadvisers until the Subadvisers' receipt thereof, notice of which will be provided to the Subadvisers, to the extent reasonably practicable, within a reasonable time before such amendments or supplements become effective.
(i)Each Co-Manager represents and warrants that: (i) it is registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act; (ii) such registration is current and complete and complies with all material applicable provisions of the Advisers Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) it has all requisite authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iv) its performance under this Agreement does not conflict with any law, regulation or order to which it is subject and (v) it will comply in all material respects with all laws (including applicable anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws and regulations) and orders to which it may be subject in performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the execution, delivery and
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performance of this Agreement. This Agreement will not violate any laws or regulations or any constituent document, policy, guideline, contract or other document applicable to it in the provision of the services.
(j)With respect to BlackRock Singapore, the Co-Managers represent and warrant that: (i) there are no natural persons holding interests in the Trust, or any other persons whose information, if disclosed to BlackRock Singapore, will subject BlackRock Singapore to the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act of Singapore; (ii) the assets of the Trust will not be derived from activities that contravene Singapore or international anti-money laundering laws and regulations; and (iii) the Trust is an "accredited investor" as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore. The Co-Managers hereby request not to receive a monthly or quarterly statement of account from BlackRock Singapore pursuant to Regulation 40(1A)(b)(ii) and Regulation 40(4)(b) of the Securities and Futures (Licensing and Conduct of Business Regulations).
2.The Co-Managers shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadvisers' performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Co-Managers shall provide (or cause the Custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadvisers regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadvisers to perform their duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadvisers).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Co-Managers shall pay BlackRock Financial as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadvisers as described in the attached Schedule A. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Co-Managers, but not agreed to by the Subadvisers, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadvisers by the Co-Managers.
4.(a) The Subadvisers acknowledge that, in the course of its engagement by the Co-Managers, the Subadvisers may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Co-Managers or third parties with whom the Co-Managers conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Co-Managers' business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadvisers certify that (i) their treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) they have implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Co-Managers, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadvisers shall immediately notify the Co-Managers if the Subadvisers are in material breach of this Section. At the Co-Managers' request, the Subadvisers agree to certify in writing to the Co-Managers, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadvisers shall notify the Co-Managers or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadvisers' obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadvisers shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadvisers' business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadvisers may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadvisers shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Co-Managers.
(f)The Subadvisers shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadvisers' compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadvisers.
(g)The Subadvisers shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any anomalies, intrusions, or vulnerabilities in any information
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technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Co-Managers' Confidential Information, the Subadvisers shall promptly report a summary of those findings to the Co-Managers upon request.
(h)The Subadvisers shall notify the Co-Managers, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of confirmation of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information that has occurred (a "Security Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadvisers shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Co-Managers full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Co-Managers and the Co-Managers' designated representatives in the Co-Managers's investigation of the Subadvisers, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident. The Subadvisers will provide the Co-Managers with physical access to the facilities and operations affected, facilitate the Co-Managers' interviews with Employees and others involved in the matter, and make available to the Co-Managers all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Co-Managers in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Co-Managers to protect the Co-Managers' rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Co-Managers' reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadvisers shall promptly provide the Co-Managers with information related to the Subadvisers' information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadvisers' compliance with this Section, the Subadvisers shall provide to the Co-Managers, on reasonable notice: (a) access to the Subadvisers' information processing premises and records;
(b)reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadvisers' relevant staff; and (c) reasonable facilities at the Subadvisers' premises.
5.The Co-Managers acknowledges that the Subadvisers do not guarantee investment results. The Co-Managers further recognizes and agrees that the Subadvisers may provide advice to or take action with respect to other clients, which advice or action, including the timing and nature of such action, may differ from or be identical to advice given or action taken with respect to the Trust. The Subadvisers shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or the Co-Managers in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or the Co-Managers except in connection with the investment management services provided by the Subadvisers under this Agreement. The Subadvisers and their affiliates shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Co-Managers in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadvisers' part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Co- Managers or the Trust may have against the Subadvisers under federal or state securities laws. The Subadvisers and their affiliates shall not be liable or responsible for any loss incurred in connection with any act or omission of any of the Trust's trustees, administrators, custodian, or any broker-dealer or other third party (including any other subadviser to the Trust) in the absence of the Subadvisers' willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence. The Co-Managers shall indemnify the Subadvisers, their affiliated persons, its agents, officers, directors and employees for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Co-Managers' willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadvisers shall indemnify the Co-Managers, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadvisers' willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
6.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Portfolio, or by the Co-Managers or the Subadvisers at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadvisers agree that they will promptly notify the Trust and the Co-Managers of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadvisers.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Co-Managers at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, Connecticut, 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention:
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Secretary; (3) to BlackRock Financial at BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540-6455, Attention: Kerrianne Berneck; with a copy to: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., Attention email:blk-sa-serviceteam@blackrock.com. Telephone conversation between the Co-Managers and BlackRock International, where required by the FCA Rules, will be recorded.
Each party may communicate with and provide information to the other party in whatever medium deemed appropriate. This may include use of e-mail, the internet or other electronic means, in the place of paper communications. The parties acknowledge that instructions or communications conveyed by electronic methods such as facsimile or e-mail are not secure forms of communication and may accordingly give rise to higher risks of manipulation or attempted fraud. The Co-Managers each acknowledge that the Subadviser may not encrypt or digitally sign any information transferred by internet or e-mail nor shall the Subadviser be required to verify any communications received from the Co-Managers by e-mail.
7.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadvisers' directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadvisers' right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
8.This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
9.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
10.This Agreement is enforceable by the Co-Managers and the Subadvisers and by their successors in title and permitted assignees. No other person shall have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce a term of this Agreement.
11.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is affected by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
12.This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: President
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Melissa Buccilli
Name: Melissa Buccilli
Title: Director
BLACKROCK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
By: /s/ Hannah Burns
Name: Hannah Burns
Title: Director
BLACKROCK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
By: /s/ Jeremy Agnew
Name: Jeremy Agnew
Title: Managing Director
BLACKROCK (SINGAPORE) LIMITED
By: /s/ Sanjeev Malik
Name: Sanjeev Malik
Title: Managing Director
BLACKROCK (SINGAPORE) LIMITED
By: /s/ Toby Ritch
Name: Toby Ritch
Title: Managing Director
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SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BlackRock Financial), BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock International) and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (BlackRock Singapore, and collectively, BlackRock), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay BlackRock Financial a subadvisory fee on the net assets managed by BlackRock that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Subadvisory Fee for the Portfolio*,** |
|
|
AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
0.20% of average daily net assets to $250 million; |
|
0.15% of average daily net assets over $250 million |
|
|
*In the event BlackRock invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, BlackRock will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to BlackRock with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
**For purposes of calculating the subadvisory fee, the assets managed by BlackRock Financial in the Portfolio will be aggregated with the assets managed by BlackRock International and BlackRock Singapore in the Portfolio. The subadvisory fee will be paid to BlackRock Financial.
Dated as of: May 18, 2020
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Execution Version
AMENDMENT TO SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
FOR AST WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO OF
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
Prudential Investments LLC (the "Manager") has changed its name to PGIM Investments LLC. All references to "Prudential Investments LLC" in the Subadvisory Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2015, shall refer to the new entity name, "PGIM Investments LLC".
The Manager and Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Subadviser") hereby agree to amend the Subadvisory Agreement by and among the Manager and the Subadviser, pursuant to which the Subadviser has been retained to provide investment advisory services to the AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio, as follows;
1.Schedule A is hereby deleted and replaced with the attached Schedule A.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, PGIM Investments LLC and Wellington Management Company LLP have duly executed this Amendment as of the effective date of this Amendment.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLP
By: /s/ Steven Muson
Name: Steven Muson
Title: Senior Managing Director
Effective Date as Revised: June 1, 2020
Execution Version
SCHEDULE A
Advanced Series Trust
AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio
As compensation for services provided by Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington) for the AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio), PGIM Investments LLC will pay Wellington a subadvisory fee on the net assets managed by Wellington that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Subadvisory Fee for the Portfolio* |
|
|
AST Wellington Management Global |
0.19% of average daily net assets |
Bond Portfolio |
|
*In the event Wellington invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, Wellington will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to Wellington with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Effective Date as Revised: June 1, 2020
Execution Version
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Global Bond Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 15th day of September, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments) or the Manager), a New York limited liability company and AllianceBernstein L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (AB or the Subadviser),
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated February 25, 2013, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments acts as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the reasonable instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of the Trust Documents. The Manager shall provide the Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or the Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research
services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. Furthermore, in accordance with the Trust's procedures, to the extent consistent with its duty to seek best execution, the Subadviser may cause the delegated portion of the Trust's portfolio to participate in cross transactions with other fund accounts managed by the Subadviser.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser
under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
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(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall, in all material respects, follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains compliance procedures reasonably designed to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i)The Subadviser acknowledges that it is responsible for evaluating whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio investments and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio investments and determining the Trust's net asset value per share and promptly notifying the Manager upon the occurrence of any significant event with respect to any of the Trust's portfolio investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and any related written guidance from the Commission and the Commission staff. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued.
(j)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting for which the Manager has provided reasonable advance notice, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely
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information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement is contingent upon the Manager's receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Manager.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall immediately notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's reasonable request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Manager.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any anomalies, intrusions, or vulnerabilities in any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Manager's Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Manager.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a "Security Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the
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Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident. The Subadviser will provide the Manager with physical access to the facilities and operations affected, facilitate the Manager's interviews with Employees and others involved in the matter, and make available to the Manager all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Manager with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Manager, on reasonable notice: (a) access to the Subadviser's information processing premises and records; (b) reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff; and (c) reasonable facilities at the Subadviser's premises.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager without the express written consent of the Manager. To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Manager to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or
violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; (3) to the Subadviser at AllianceBernstein L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, Attention: Chief Compliance Officer; or (4), in each case, at such other address as the applicable party shall have given written notice thereof to each other party pursuant to this Section 7.
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8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Manager further agrees to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
By: /s/ Matthew S. White
Name: Matthew S. White
Title: Assistant Secretary
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SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by AllianceBernstein L.P. (AB), PGIM Investments LLC will pay AB an advisory fee on the net assets managed by AB that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Subadvisory Fee for the Portfolio* |
|
|
AST Global Bond Portfolio |
0.20% of average daily net assets to $500 million; |
|
0.15% of average daily net assets over $500 million |
*In the event AB invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, AB will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to AB with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of: September 15, 2020
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ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Global Bond Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 30th day of October, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments) or the Manager), a New York limited liability company and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (GSAM or the Subadviser),
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated February 25, 2013, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments acts as Manager of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Manager shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures as provided to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's (or its designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) that relate to the investment advisory services being provided by the Subadviser to the extent the Subadviser is required by law or regulation to be preparer and filer of such reports. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance limitations or restrictions specifically applicable to (i) the portions of the Trust's portfolio not delegated to the Subadviser; or (ii) such portion of the Trust's portfolio delegated to the Subadviser unless, with respect to this clause (ii) only, such limitations or restrictions are provided to the Subadviser either in writing or in the Prospectus and the Subadviser has consented to monitor such limitations or restrictions in the Prospectus upon execution of this Agreement or the Subadviser has consented to monitor such limitations or restrictions in a separate writing. The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Trust each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the
Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv)The Subadviser may delegate certain of its investment advisory and other responsibilities and duties hereunder to one or more sub-subadvisers; subject to: (i) the prior written approval of the Manager, (ii) the execution of a written Subadvisory Agreement between the Subadviser and its delegate, and (iii) the approval of such agreement by the Board of Trustees.
(v)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(vi)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager. Further, the Manager will direct the Trust's custodian to honor orders and instructions by employees of the Subadviser designated by the Subadviser to settle transactions in respect of the portion of the Trust's investments allocated by the Manager to the Subadviser.
(vii)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and the Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(viii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-I under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(c)The Subadviser is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA.
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(d)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, non-public information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(f)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(g)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio pursuant to the Subadviser's proxy voting policy, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and not the Subadviser shall be responsible for any and all filings in connection with class action lawsuits and securities litigations.
(h)The Subadviser agrees to use reasonable efforts (i) to monitor whether market quotations are readily available for the Trust's portfolio securities managed by the Subadviser and whether those market quotations are reliable for purposes of internally valuing the Trust's portfolio securities and determining the Trust's net asset value per share, and (ii) with respect to any security or instrument held both by the Trust and a mutual fund where the Subadviser is the primary adviser ("GS Proprietary Fund") the Subadviser further agrees to make reasonable efforts to: (i) notify the Manager and its designated Accounting Agent within a reasonable timeframe (prior to 5 p.m. on such day) if the Subadviser believes the market price does not reflect the security's or instrument's fair value; and (ii) provide the Manager that value assigned to such security or instrument within such GS Proprietary Fund, pursuant to the Subadviser's procedures for determining the fair value of a security or instrument. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued. The Manager and the Trust acknowledge and agree that (i) the Subadviser shall not be deemed a substitute for any independent pricing agent and/or valuation committee of the Trust pursuant to the Trust's Fair Valuation Policies and Procedures; and (ii) none of the information which the Subadviser provides the Manager hereunder shall be deemed to be the official books and records of the Fund for tax, accounting or any other purposes.
Valuation levels for the assets listed in the monthly account statements delivered to the Manager by the Subadviser will reflect the Subadviser's good faith effort to ascertain fair market levels for the securities and other assets in the portion of the Trust's portfolio delegated to the Subadviser based on pricing and valuation information believed by the Subadviser to be reliable for round lot sizes. These valuation levels may not be realized by the Trust upon liquidation of the assets delegated to the Subadviser under this Agreement. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser will assist the manager and/or their custodian in obtaining reliable market quotations for purposes of valuing the Trust's portfolio securities. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust in valuing securities of the Trust as may be required from time to time. The Manager and the Trust acknowledge and agree that (i) the Subadviser shall not be deemed a substitute for any independent pricing agent and/or valuation committee of the Trust pursuant to the Trust's Fair Valuation Policies and Procedures; and (ii) none of the information which the Subadviser provides the Manager hereunder shall be deemed to be the official books and records of the Fund for tax, accounting or any other purposes. In addition, the Subadviser will use its reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Manager in the event that the Subadviser becomes aware that the Trust is carrying a security at a value that the Subadviser believes does not fairly represent the price that could be obtained for the security in a current market transaction.
(i)The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust's portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of
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shareholder reports by the Trust's principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if the Subadviser becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(j)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser's management of the Trust's portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Manager that it and its "Advisory Persons" (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Manager. Upon written request of the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Trust, the Subadviser shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-l(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
2.The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Manager.
4. (a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Manager, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Manager or third parties with whom the Manager conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Manager's business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security, and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm to the Manager, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall immediately notify the Manager if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to meet and discuss its Information Security Program with the Manager.
(c)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(d)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks.
(e)The Subadviser shall notify the Manager, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 72 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction, acquisition of, or damage to the Trust's or the Manager's Confidential Information may have occurred (a "Security
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Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Manager full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Manager and the Manager's designated representatives in the Manager's investigation of the Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident. The Subadviser will make available to the Manager all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Manager in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Manager to protect the Manager's rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
5.To the extent that the Subadviser engages a third-party service provider to provide direct services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Manager. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Manager and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6. The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Manager delegates to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Manager, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Manager begins the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 200 West Street, New York, NY, 10282-2198, Attention Marci Green with a copy to 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282-2198, Attention: GSAM Legal Department.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed)
5
after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager also agrees to (i) furnish the Subadviser, upon Subadviser's request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature and other materials that expressly reference the Subadviser prior to final production and use or distribution of such literature and materials and (ii) not to use or distribute any such literature or materials if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing within four (4) business days (or such other period as may be mutually agreed) after Subadviser's receipt thereof. The Subadviser's right to object to such literature and materials and provide proposed revisions is limited solely to the portions of such literature and materials that expressly relate to the Subadviser. Notwithstanding the forgoing, advance review and approval shall not be required from the Subadviser with respect to: (i) sales literature, applications, confirmation statements, account statements, or forms in which the Subadviser is only referenced in a listing of advisors to the Trust or short description of relevant variable insurance product investment options; (ii) web pages that solely refer to the name of the specific series of the Trust subadvised by GSAM and such series' investment performance and/or portfolio holdings and that do not provide additional information relating to such series or GSAM; (iii) literature or materials that are based upon literature or materials that were previously approved by Subadviser where no material changes have been made to such previously approved literature or materials; or (iv) other materials as agreed upon mutually by the Manager and the Subadviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any literature or materials that are submitted to GSAM for its advance review and written approval in accordance with this Section 7, if GSAM does not, within four (4) business days of its receipt thereof, (or, with respect to Prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders, within five (5) business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof), expressly disapprove in writing or request in writing that specific changes be made to specific pieces of literature or other materials, then such pieces of literature or other materials shall be deemed approved by GSAM. If the Manager or their affiliates agree in writing to incorporate into such literature or materials the specific changes requested by Subadviser, the Manager and its affiliates shall not be required to re-submit such literature or materials to Subadviser for its review or approval. The Manager further agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that materials prepared by their employees or agents or their affiliates that refer to the Subadviser in any way are consistent with those materials previously approved by the Subadviser or descriptions previously provided by the Subadviser to the Manager. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
It is understood that "Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC" or "Goldman Sachs" or any derivative names or logos associated with such name are the valuable property of the Subadviser, and that the Trust has the right to include such phrase so long as this Agreement shall continue.
9. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
10.Each of the parties acknowledge that it may be provided or come into contact with Confidential Information of the other party. In recognition of the foregoing, each party covenants and agrees that: (i) it will treat as confidential the other party's Confidential Information; (ii) it will use and disclose the other party's Confidential Information solely for the purposes for which such information, or access to it, is provided (which in the case where the Subadviser is the receiving party, will be deemed to include disclosures required in connection with the investment and reinvestment of Trust assets, including to counterparties and other service providers) and the receiving party will not use or disclose such Confidential Information for its own purposes or for the benefit of anyone other than the disclosing party, including for purposes of replicating transactions in any assets other than Trust assets; (iii) it will not directly or indirectly disclose any Confidential Information of the other party to any third party, except with the disclosing party's prior written consent or as otherwise provided herein; and (iv) upon the termination of the Agreement, the receiving party shall, upon request of the disclosing party, promptly destroy or return Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receiving party is permitted to disclose Confidential Information (i) to its counsel, accountants and other advisors, provided that the receiving party makes such recipient aware of the terms of this Section 10, (ii) to third parties who are under a duty of confidentiality to the receiving party; (iii) where the Subadviser is the receiving party, to counterparties and other third parties in connection with the Subadviser's obligations under the Agreement , and (iv) if disclosure is required by law; provided that the receiving party shall notify the disclosing party in writing in advance of such disclosure, and provide the disclosing party with copies of any related information so that it may take appropriate action to protect the Confidential Information. "Confidential Information" shall be construed broadly and shall mean any written or oral information provided by the disclosing party to the receiving party pursuant to this Agreement.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to
6
interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy Cronin
Name: Timothy Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By: /s/ Marci Green
Name: Marci Green
Title: Managing Director
8
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM), PGIM Investments LLC (the Manager) will pay GSAM an advisory fee on the net assets managed by GSAM that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Subadvisory Fee for the Portfolio* |
|
|
AST Global Bond Portfolio |
0.19% of average daily net assets to $500 million; |
|
0.185% of average daily net assets over $500 million to $1.5 billion; and |
|
0.180% of average daily net assets over $1.5 billion. |
|
|
*In the event GSAM invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, GSAM will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to GSAM with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
**GSAM has agreed to a voluntary subadvisory fee waiver arrangement that will apply across each of the portfolios or sleeves of portfolios subadvised by GSAM that are managed by the Manager. The waiver is based on the following percentages based on the combined average daily net assets of each of the portfolios or sleeves of portfolios subadvised by GSAM:
Combined assets up to $1 billion: 2.5% fee reduction
Combined assets between $1 billion and $2.5 billion: 5.0% fee reduction
Combined assets between $2.5 billion and $5.0 billion: 7.5% fee reduction
Combined assets above $5.0 billion: 10.0% fee reduction
Dated as of: October 30, 2020
9
INTERCOMPANY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This Intercompany Investment Management Agreement (the Agreement) is made as of this 30th day of October 2020 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM or the Subadviser), a Delaware limited partnership, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (GSAMI), a private unlimited liability company incorporated in the United Kingdom.
WHEREAS, Prudential Investments LLC (now known as PGIM Investments LLC) (the Manager), a New York limited liability company, has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated February 25, 2013 with Advanced Series Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Manager, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with the Subadviser, under which the Subadviser provides investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series and manages such portion of the Trust as the Manager shall from time to time direct; and
WHEREAS, with respect to one or more of series of the Trust, as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust), to which the Subadviser provides investment advisory services, the Subadviser desires either (i) to delegate to GSAMI certain of the Subadviser’s responsibilities under the Subadvisory Agreement as the Subadviser shall direct from time to time and/or (ii) to authorize employees of GSAMI to act on behalf of the Subadviser and perform some or all of the Subadviser’s responsibilities pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement on behalf of the Subadviser, and GSAMI is willing to render such services and/or provide personnel for such purposes.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. (a) Subject to the supervision of the Subadviser, GSAMI shall manage such portion of the Trust’s portfolio as delegated to GSAMI by the Subadviser, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the Prospectus), and subject to the following understandings:
(i) GSAMI shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as GSAM shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii) In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, GSAMI shall act in conformity with the copies of the Agreement and the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, the Prospectus of the Trust, and the Trust's valuation procedures and any other procedures adopted by the Board applicable to the Trust (and any amendments thereto) as provided to GSAMI by GSAM (the Trust Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager, GSAM and of the Board of Directors of the Trust, co-operate with the Manager's and GSAM’s (or their designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust’s compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(iii) GSAMI shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants affiliated with the Manager, GSAM, or GSAMI (collectively, Brokers) to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized GSAMI will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, GSAMI may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's or GSAMI’s other clients may be a party. The Manager, GSAM, and GSAMI shall each have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser or GSAMI) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager, GSAM or GSAMI with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when GSAMI deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of GSAMI, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, GSAMI may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by GSAMI in the manner GSAMI considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients.
(iv) GSAMI shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust’s portfolio transactions effected by it as required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Board of Directors such periodic and special reports as the Directors may reasonably request. GSAMI shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Directors or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Trust’s securities.
(v) GSAMI or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian (the Custodian) on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust’s assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.
(vi) The investment management services provided by GSAMI hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and GSAMI shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, GSAMI understands and agrees that if the Manager manages the Trust in a “manager-of-managers” style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of GSAM, including GSAMI, through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with GSAM, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust’s Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust’s Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. GSAMI recognizes that any subadvisory services it provides pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii) GSAMI acknowledges that the Manager and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-10, Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, and GSAMI hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust other than GSAM with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust’s portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(b) To the extent requested by GSAM, GSAMI agrees to provide personnel to act on behalf of GSAM and to perform GSAM’s obligations under the Subadvisory Agreement and GSAM agrees to grant such personnel proper authority to act on behalf of GSAM and to perform GSAM’s obligations under the Subadvisory Agreement. Subject to the foregoing and to the laws and regulations to which either GSAM and/or GSAMI are subject, GSAMI may, at its discretion, obtain any of the services it provides to GSAM hereunder from its affiliates or any other parties, provided that GSAMI will remain responsible hereunder for such services.
(c) GSAMI shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Directors or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by GSAMI under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(d) GSAMI shall keep the Trust’s books and records required to be maintained by GSAMI pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to GSAMI’s services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. GSAMI agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and GSAMI will surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust’s request, provided, however, that GSAMI may retain a copy of such records. GSAMI further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(e) GSAMI is a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). GSAMI shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, GSAMI agrees to notify the Manager promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of GSAMI under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of GSAMI’s commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which GSAMI is subject or has been advised it is a target.
(f) In connection with its duties under this Agreement, GSAMI agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.1
(g) GSAMI shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(f) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.
(h) GSAMI shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in that portion of the Trust’s portfolio managed by GSAMI pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.
(i) GSAMI agrees, with respect to assets of the Trust that are managed by GSAMI pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof, to use reasonable efforts to monitor whether market quotations are reliable for purposes of internally valuing the Trust’s portfolio securities and determining the Trust’s net asset value per share. Upon reasonable request from the Manager, GSAMI (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing securities of the Trust that are managed by GSAMI pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which GSAMI has knowledge related to the securities being valued.
(j) GSAMI shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Trust’s portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). GSAMI shall provide the Manager with any reasonable certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust’s principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. GSAMI shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if GSAMI becomes aware of any information in the Prospectus that is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
(k) GSAMI shall comply with the Trust Documents provided to GSAMI by GSAM, the Manager or the Trust. GSAMI shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Trust Documents.
(l) GSAMI shall keep the Trust, the Manager and GSAM informed of developments relating to its duties under this Agreement of which GSAMI has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Trust. In this regard, GSAMI shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations GSAMI has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, GSAMI shall, to the extent GSAM delegates any subadvisory responsibilities pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof, provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding GSAMI’s management of the Trust’s portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by GSAMI, GSAM and the Manager.
2. The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under the Subadvisory Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Custodian to provide) timely information to GSAM regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by GSAM, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for GSAM to perform its duties under the Subadvisory Agreement (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of the Trust that affect the duties of GSAM). GSAM may share with GSAMI any information the Manager provides to GSAM under this Agreement or the Subadvisory Agreement.
3. For the services provided and the expenses assumed by GSAMI pursuant to this Agreement, GSAM shall pay GSAMI as full compensation therefor, a fee, if any, as set forth in Schedule A hereto or as otherwise mutually agreed upon by GSAM and GSAMI from time to time. Unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by GSAM and GSAMI, liability for payment of compensation by GSAM to GSAMI under this Agreement is contingent upon GSAM’s receipt of payment from the Manager for investment management services described under the Subadvisory Agreement. GSAMI shall bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its services under this Agreement.
4. GSAMI shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust, GSAM or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on GSAMI’s part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager, GSAM or the Trust may have against GSAMI under federal or state securities laws.
5. This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by GSAM or GSAMI at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement or the Subadvisory Agreement.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to (1) GSAM, at 200 West Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10282, Attention: Legal Department; and (2) GSAMI, at [River Court, 120 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BE, United Kingdom, Attention: Chief Executive Officer].
6. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of GSAMI’s directors, officers or employees who may also be a Director, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser’s or GSAMI’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
7. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
8. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
9. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By: /s/ Marci Green
Name: Marci Green
Title: Managing Director
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL
By: /s/ David Curtis
Name: David Curtis
Title: Managing Director
Schedule A
|
Fee Rate |
AST Global Bond Portfolio |
0.00% of average daily net assets
|
|
11 |
NTD: Section aligned with corresponding section of subadvisory agreement. |
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 31st day of July, 2020 between PGIM Investments LLC (PGIM Investments), a New York limited liability company and AST Investment Services, Inc. (ASTIS), a Maryland corporation (together, the Co-Managers), and Martin Currie Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (Martin Currie or the Subadviser).
WHEREAS, the Co-Managers have entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) dated May 1, 2003, with Advanced Series Trust (formerly American Skandia Trust), a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PGIM Investments and ASTIS act as Co-Managers of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Co-Managers, acting pursuant to the Management Agreement, desire to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage such portion of the Trust as the Co-Managers shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1.(a) Subject to the supervision of the Co-Managers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Trust's portfolio as is delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following understandings:
(i)The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Trust's investments as the Co-Managers shall direct, and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Trust, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, the By-laws of the Trust, and the Prospectus of the Trust, as provided to it by the Co-Managers (the Trust Documents), and with the instructions and directions of the Co- Managers and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, shall co-operate with the Co-Managers' (or their designees') personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust's compliance and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the CEA) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). The Co-Managers shall provide the Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.
(iii)The Subadviser shall determine the securities, futures contracts and other instruments to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Trust's portfolio, as applicable, and may place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants, including any person or entity affiliated with the Subadviser (collectively, Brokers), to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Trust's Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct in writing from time to time. In providing the Trust with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by Brokers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a party. The Subadviser shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Trust through Brokers (including, to the extent legally permissible, Brokers affiliated with the Subadviser) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Trust to pay any such Brokers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such Broker, viewed in light of either that
particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the Trust and other accounts as to which it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security, futures contract or other instrument to be in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities, futures contracts or other instruments to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of the securities, futures contracts or other instruments so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. Furthermore, the Subadviser warrants that it complies with the best execution and transaction reporting requirements under the rules and guidance contained in the FCA's Handbook (as amended from time to time) (the "FCA Rules"). Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Subadviser warrants that it will comply with the execution policy set out online at https://mcauth.martincurrie.com/~/media/corporate/documents/martin-currie-execution-policy.pdf or such other web address as shall be made available to the Co-Managers (the "Execution Policy"). The Co-Managers hereby consent to the Execution Policy and the execution of orders by the Subadviser outside a Trading Venue (as defined in the FCA Rules) from time to time. Where the Subadviser places reliance on their executing brokers, confirmation that they comply with the best execution and transaction reporting requirements imposed by the FCA Rules (or equivalent requirements imposed by MiFID II (meaning the recast Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2014/65/EU) and Regulation (600/2014/EU) as well as any delegated acts under Level 2 and any updates, amendments or revisions thereto) if they are based in the European Economic Area) will be sought from their terms of business.
(iv)The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's portfolio transactions effected by it as required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, to assist in the valuation of the Trust's securities.
(v)The Subadviser or an affiliate shall provide the Trust's custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Trust's assets it manages, and shall provide the Co-Managers with such information upon request of the Co-Managers.
(vi)The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and Co-Managers understand and agree that if the Co-Managers manage the Trust in a "manager-of-managers" style, the Co-Managers will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Trust's Board as to whether the contract with the Subadviser should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Trust's Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.
(vii)The Subadviser acknowledges that the Co-Managers and the Trust intend to rely on Rule 17a-l0, Rule l0f-3, Rule 12d3- 1 and Rule 17e-l under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Trust's portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.
(viii)The Subadviser represents and warrants that it is also authorized and regulated by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and that, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, the Subadviser is duly authorized to carry out its duties under this Agreement. The FCA's address is 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HS. The Subadviser undertakes to use its best endeavors at all times to maintain its status as an authorized person for the purposes of the United Kingdom's Financial Services and Markets Act or any successor legislation.
(ix)For the purposes of the FCA Rules and based on information obtained in respect of the Co-Managers, the Subadviser has categorized the Co-Managers as Professional Clients (as defined in the FCA Rules) for all services. The Subadviser will notify the Co-Managers in writing if there is any change to this position. The Co-Managers agree to their classification as Professional Clients for the purposes of this Agreement and the FCA Rules; provided, however, that the Subadviser will, at all times, provide the Co-Managers all protections required under the statutory and regulatory regimes to which the Subadviser and the arrangements contemplated under this Agreement are subject. . The Co-Managers has the right under the FCA Rules to request categorization as a Retail Client (as defined in the FCA Rules). Retail Clients benefit from a higher level of protection than that afforded to Professional Clients.
(b)The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c)The Subadviser shall keep the Trust's books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Co-Managers all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by the Co-Managers to keep the other books and records of the Trust required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser will tender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act or any successor regulation any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.
(d)The Subadviser is, to the extent required by applicable law, a commodity trading advisor duly registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association (the NFA). The Subadviser shall maintain such registration and membership in good standing during the term of this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser agrees to notify the Co-Managers promptly upon (i) a statutory disqualification of the Subadviser under Sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the CEA, (ii) a suspension, revocation or limitation of the Subadviser's commodity trading advisor registration or NFA membership, or (iii) the institution of an action or proceeding that could lead to a statutory disqualification under the CEA or an investigation by any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization of which the Subadviser is subject or has been advised it is a target.
(e)In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the CEA, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations, and applicable rules of any self-regulatory organization.
(f)The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Co-Managers and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, 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 as required by the applicable federal securities laws.
(g)The Subadviser shall furnish to the Co-Managers copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Co-Managers may reasonably request.
(h)The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Trust's portfolio, subject to such reasonable reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Co- Managers.
(i)The valuation committee of the Trust and the Co-Managers shall have primary responsibility for valuation of the Trust's assets. Upon reasonable request from the Co-Managers, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) will assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Co-Managers in valuing investments of the Trust as may be required from time to time, including being reasonably available to consult with the valuation committee of the Trust and the Co-Managers and making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the investments being valued provided; however, that the valuation committee of the Trust and the Co-Managers shall retain primary responsibility for valuation of the Trust's assets. In addition, the Subadviser will use its reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Co-Managers in the event that the Subadviser becomes aware that the Trust is carrying a security in the assets in the portion of the Trust managed by the Subadviser at a value that the Subadviser believes does not fairly represent the price that could be obtained for the security in a current market transaction.
2.The Co-Managers shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Co-Managers shall provide (or cause the Trust's custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Trust managed by
the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Trust, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust that affect the duties of the Subadviser).
3.For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Co-Managers shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Trust's average daily net assets of the portion of the Trust by the Subadviser, as described in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Co-Managers to the Subadviser under this Agreement is contingent upon the Co-Managers' receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Co-Managers. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Co-Managers, but not agreed to by the Subadvisers, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers.
4.(a) The Subadviser acknowledges that, in the course of its engagement by the Co-Managers, the Subadviser may receive or have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Co-Managers or third parties with whom the Co-Managers conducts business. Such information is collectively referred to as "Confidential Information." Confidential Information includes the Co-Managers' business and other proprietary information, written or oral.
(b)The Subadviser certifies that (i) its treatment of Confidential Information is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to privacy and data security (including, but not limited to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data ("GDPR"), and/or any corresponding or replacement UK legislation or equivalent to the GDPR), and (ii) it has implemented and currently maintains an effective written information security program ("Information Security Program") including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and other security measures necessary to (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to, destruction, modification, disclosure or use of Confidential Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Co-Managers, or to any person who may be identified by Confidential Information. The Subadviser shall immediately notify the Co-Managers if the Subadviser is in material breach of this Section. At the Manager's request, the Subadviser agrees to certify in writing to the Manager, its compliance with the terms of this Section.
(c)The Subadviser shall notify the Co-Managers or its agents of its designated primary security manager. The security manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the performance of the Subadviser's obligations set forth in its Information Security Program and this Agreement.
(d)The Subadviser shall review and, as appropriate, revise its Information Security Program at least annually or whenever there is a material change in the Subadviser's business practices that may reasonably affect the security, confidentiality or integrity of Confidential Information. During the course of providing the services, the Subadviser may not alter or modify its Information Security Program in such a way that will weaken or compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Confidential Information.
(e)The Subadviser shall maintain appropriate access controls, including, but not limited to, limiting access to Confidential Information to the minimum number of the Subadviser's Employees who require such access in order to provide the services to the Co-Managers. The Subadviser may use, store, transfer or otherwise process information about the Trust, the Co- Managers or their employees, agents or representatives for the purpose of fulfilling the Subadviser's obligations under this Agreement, to comply with record keeping obligations, and as reasonably necessary for management of the client relationship.
(f)The Subadviser shall conduct periodic risk assessments to identify and assess reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality, and integrity of Confidential Information; and evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of its information security controls. Such assessments will also consider the Subadviser's compliance with its Information Security Program and the laws applicable to the Subadviser.
(g)The Subadviser shall conduct regular penetration and vulnerability testing of its information technology infrastructure and networks. If any testing detects any anomalies, intrusions, or vulnerabilities in any information technology systems processing, storing or transmitting any of the Fund's and/or Co-Managers' Confidential Information, the Subadviser shall promptly report those findings to the Co-Managers.
(h)The Subadviser shall notify the Co-Managers, promptly and without unreasonable delay, but in no event more than 48 hours of learning of any unauthorized access or disclosure, unauthorized, unlawful or accidental loss, misuse, destruction,
acquisition of, or damage to Confidential Information may have occurred or is under investigation (a "Security Incident"). Thereafter, the Subadviser shall: (i) promptly furnish to the Co-Managers full details of the Security Incident; (ii) assist and cooperate with the Co-Managers and the Co-Managers' designated representatives in the Co-Managers' investigation of the Subadviser, Employees or third parties related to the Security Incident. The Subadviser will provide the Co-Managers with physical access to the facilities and operations affected, facilitate the Co-Managers' interviews with Employees and others involved in the matter, and make available to the Co-Managers all relevant records, logs, files, and data; (iii) cooperate with the Co-Managers in any litigation or other formal action against third parties deemed necessary by the Co-Managers to protect the Co-Managers' rights; and (iv) take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of any Security Incident.
(i)Upon the Co-Managers' reasonable request at any time during the term of the Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly provide the Co-Managers with information related to the Subadviser's information security safeguards and practices.
(j)For the purpose of auditing the Subadviser's compliance with this Section, the Subadviser shall provide to the Co- Managers, on reasonable notice: (a) access to the Subadviser's information processing premises and records; (b) reasonable assistance and cooperation of the Subadviser's relevant staff; and (c) reasonable facilities at the Subadviser's premises.
5.The Subadviser will not engage any third party to provide services to the portion of the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers without the express written consent of the Co-Managers excepts as follows:
(a)The Subadviser may delegate certain functions relating to proxy voting to ISS plc (or any equivalent replacement provider in the future);
(b)The Subadviser may delegate certain operational middle and front office functions to State Street Bank (and its group companies) and Fidessa respectively (and to any equivalent replacement providers in the future); and
(c)The Subadviser may engage one or more affiliates within the Legg Mason group including, but not limited to, Legg Mason Asset Management Singapore Pte. Limited, to perform non-advisory services for the Portfolio.
To the extent that the Subadviser receives approval from the Co-Managers to engage a third-party service provider, the Subadviser assumes all responsibility for any action or inaction of the service provider as it related to the Trust's portfolio as delegated to the Subadviser by the Co-Managers. In addition, the Subadviser shall fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Co-Managers and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs) which arise out of or relate to the provision of services provided by any such service provider.
6.The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Co-Managers in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Co-Managers or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Co-Managers shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Co-Managers' willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Co-Managers, their affiliated persons, their officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.
7.This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Co-Managers or by the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Trust and the Co-Managers of the occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change of control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser.
To the extent that the Co-Managers delegate to the Subadviser management of all or a portion of a portfolio of the Trust previously managed by a different subadviser or the Co-Managers, the Subadviser agrees that its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to that delegated portfolio or portion thereof shall commence as of the date the Co- Managers begin the transition process to allocate management responsibility to the Subadviser.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Co-Managers at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary (for PGIM Investments) and One Corporate Drive, Shelton, Connecticut, 06484, Attention: Secretary (for ASTIS); (2) to the Trust at 655 Broad Street, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2ES, United Kingdom, Attention: Mel Bucher.
8.Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of the Subadviser's directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
9.During the term of this Agreement, the Co-Managers agree to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, and reports to shareholders which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. During the term of this Agreement, the Co-Managers also agree to furnish the Subadviser, upon request, representative samples of marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which make reference to the Subadviser. The Co-Managers further agree to prospectively make reasonable changes to such materials upon the Subadviser 's written request, and to implement those changes in the next regularly scheduled production of those materials or as soon as reasonably practical. All such prospectuses, proxy statements, replies to shareholders, marketing and sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public which make reference to the Subadviser may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by electronic mail, first- class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
10.This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
11.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
12.Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
13.This Agreement, including Schedule A hereto, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Should any part of this Agreement be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement should not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefits of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
PGIM INVESTMENTS LLC
By: /s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: Senior Vice President
AST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy S. Cronin
Name: Timothy S. Cronin
Title: President
MARTIN CURRIE INC.
By: /s/ Nigel Anderson
Name: Nigel Anderson
Title: Chief Compliance Officer
SCHEDULE A
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
As compensation for services provided by Martin Currie Inc. (Martin Currie or the Subadviser), PGIM Investments LLC and AST Investment Services, Inc. will pay Martin Currie an advisory fee on the net assets managed by the Subadviser that is equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:
Portfolio Name |
Contractual Subadvisory Fee Rate |
|
|
|
0.50% of average daily net assets to $150 million; |
AST Emerging Markets Equity |
0.40% of average daily net assets from $150 million to $300 million; |
Portfolio |
0.35% of average daily net assets from $300 million to $450 million; |
|
0.30% of average daily net assets over $450 million. |
|
|
*In the event Martin Currie invests Portfolio assets in other pooled investment vehicles it manages or subadvises, Martin Currie will waive its subadvisory fee for the Portfolio in an amount equal to the acquired fund fee paid to Martin Currie with respect to the Portfolio assets invested in such acquired fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subadvisory fee waivers will not exceed 100% of the subadvisory fee.
Dated as of: July 31, 2020
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
Distribution Agreement
THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of February 25, 2013, between the Advanced Series Trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of the portfolios set forth on attached Exhibit A (each, a "Portfolio" and, collectively, the "Portfolios"), and Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), as an open-end, management investment company and it is in the interest of the Trust to offer the shares of each Portfolio (the "Shares") for sale continuously;
WHEREAS, the Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor wish to enter into this Agreement, under which the Distributor shall act as principal underwriter for the Trust and each Portfolio and shall act as the agent for the Trust and each Portfolio with respect to the continuous offering of the Shares from and after the date hereof in order to facilitate the distribution of the Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trust has adopted a Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act with respect to the Shares of some or all of the Portfolios (the "Plan") authorizing payments by the Portfolios to the Distributor with respect to certain shareholder services and distribution services as set forth in the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Appointment of the Distributor
The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as principal underwriter for the Trust and the Portfolios and agent for the Trust and the Portfolios for the sale of the Shares. The Shares shall be sold only to insurance companies and their separate accounts that have entered into participation agreements with the Trust ("Participating Insurance Companies"), qualified plans and other purchasers permitted by Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and associated regulations (collectively, "Permissible Shareholders"). The Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares. The Distributor, as agent, does not undertake to sell any specific amount of the Shares. The parties hereby agree during the term of this Agreement that the Portfolios will sell the Shares through the Distributor on the terms and conditions set forth below and in the participation agreements with the Participating Insurance Companies and any other Permissible Shareholders (the "Participation Agreements").
Section 2. Exclusive Nature of Duties
The Distributor shall be the exclusive representative of the Trust to act as principal underwriter and agent of the Trust and the Portfolios for the sale of the Shares, except that:
2.1The exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell the Shares shall not apply to any Shares issued in connection with the merger or consolidation of any other investment company with a Portfolio or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by a Portfolio.
Section 3. Purchase of Shares from the Trust
3.1The Shares shall be sold by the Distributor as the agent of the Trust to Permissible Shareholders at the net asset value next determined as set forth in the Prospectus after an order to purchase Shares is properly received. The term "Prospectus" shall mean the Summary Prospectus, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the applicable Portfolio that is included as part of the Trust's Registration Statement, as such Summary Prospectus, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and the term "Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission and effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Investment Company Act, as such Registration Statement is amended from time to time.
3.2The Trust shall have the right to suspend the sale of any or all of the Shares at times when redemption is suspended pursuant to the conditions in Section 4.3 hereof or at such other times as may be determined by the Trust's Board of Trustees in its sole discretion (the "Board").
3.3The Shares shall be sold in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreements. Section 4. Redemption of Shares by the Trust
4.1Any of the outstanding Shares may be tendered for redemption at any time, and the Trust (or the Distributor acting as the Trust's agent) agrees to redeem the Shares so tendered in accordance with the Trust's Declaration of Trust as amended from time to time, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Prospectus. The price to be paid to redeem the Shares shall be equal to the net asset value next determined as set forth in the Prospectus after an order to redeem the Shares is properly received (the "Redemption Price").
4.2The Shares shall be redeemed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Participation
Agreements.
4.3Redemption of any Shares or payment may be suspended at times when the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays, when trading on the NYSE is restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Trust of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Trust fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order, so permits.
Section 5. Duties of the Trust
5.1Subject to the possible suspension of the sale of the Shares as provided herein, the Trust agrees to sell the Shares so long as it has Shares of the respective Portfolio available.
5.2The Trust shall furnish the Distributor copies of all information, financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of the Shares. The Trust shall make available to the Distributor copies of its Prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports upon request.
5.3The Trust shall take, from time to time, but subject to the necessary approval of the Board, all necessary action to register the Shares under the Securities Act, to the end that there will be available for sale such number of Shares as the Distributor reasonably may expect to sell. The Trust agrees to file from time to time such amendments, reports and other documents as may be necessary in order that there will be no untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, or necessary in order that there will be no omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement which omission would make the statements therein misleading.
Section 6. Duties of the Distributor
6.1The Distributor shall be responsible for preparing all sales literature (e.g., advertisements, brochures and shareholder communications) with respect to each of the Portfolios, and shall file with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") or the appropriate regulators all such materials as are required to be filed under applicable laws and regulations.
6.2Sales of the Shares shall be on the terms described in the Prospectus. The Distributor may enter into similar arrangements with other investment companies. The Distributor shall not be obligated to sell any specific number of Shares.
6.3The Distributor shall provide or arrange for the provision of the services set forth in the Plan.
6.4The Distributor shall use reasonable efforts in all respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws relating to the sale of the Shares, including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, the regulations of FINRA, or its predecessor, the National Association of Securities Dealers, and all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Specifically, the Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures for the confirmation of transactions as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b-10 under the Securities Exchange Act and the rules of FINRA.
6.5The Distributor shall act as agent of the Trust in connection with the sale and redemption of the Shares. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Distributor shall act as principal with respect to all other matters relating to the promotion or the sale of the Shares.
6.6The Distributor shall prepare reports for the Board regarding its activities under this Agreement as from time to time shall be reasonably requested by the Board, including reports regarding the use of payments received by the Distributor under the Plan.
6.7The Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other information relative to the Portfolios and/or the Trust and its prior, present or potential shareholders, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except when so requested by the Trust or after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities.
Section 7. Payments to the Distributor
The Trust shall pay to the Distributor, as compensation for services under the Plan, any fee set forth in the Plan. Any such fee is subject to the terms of the Plan. No additional compensation or reimbursement for expenses shall be provided by the Trust with respect to services under the Plan or services under this Agreement.
Section 8. Allocation of Expenses
The Trust shall bear all costs and expenses of the continuous offering of the Shares (except for those costs and expenses borne by the Distributor pursuant to the Plan and subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act), including fees and disbursements of the Trust's counsel and auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of any required Registration Statements and/or Prospectuses under the Investment Company Act or the Securities Act, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and preparing and mailing annual and periodic reports and proxy materials to shareholders (including but not limited to the expense of setting in type any such Registration Statements, Prospectuses, annual or periodic reports or proxy materials). The Trust shall also bear the expenses it assumes pursuant to the Plan, so long as the Plan is in effect.
Section 9. Indemnification
9.1The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, and its officers and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Distributor, its officers or any such controlling person may incur under the Securities Act, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in either thereof or necessary to make the statements in either thereof not misleading, except insofar as such claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Distributor to the Trust for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any such officer or controlling person unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine in a final decision on the merits, that the person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement ("disabling conduct"), or, in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnified person was not liable by reason of disabling conduct, by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act nor parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Trust's agreement to indemnify the Distributor or its officers and any such controlling person as aforesaid is expressly conditioned upon the Trust's being promptly notified of any action brought against the Distributor or its officers, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or telegram addressed to the Trust at its principal business office. The Trust agrees to promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any Shares.
9.2The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its officers and Trustees and any person who controls the Trust, if any, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending against such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers and Trustees or any such controlling person may incur under the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust, its Trustees or officers or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands shall arise out of or be based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in information furnished by the Distributor to the Trust for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or shall arise out of or be based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information required to be stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to make such information not misleading. The Distributor's agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Trustees and any such controlling person as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Distributor's being promptly notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers and directors or any such controlling person, such notification being given to the Distributor at its principal business office.
9.3Except as provided in Section 9.1, the Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any Portfolio in connection with matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Section 10. Duration and Termination of this Agreement
10.1This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first above written and shall remain in force only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the Board of the Trust, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Portfolio, and (b) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such parties and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or in the operation of the Plan or in any agreement related
thereto (the "Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting upon such approval.
10.2This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Portfolio, or by the Distributor, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
10.3The terms "affiliated person," "assignment," "interested person" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," when used in this Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act.
Section 11. Amendments to this Agreement
This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by (a) the Board of the Trust, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Portfolio, and
(b)by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment.
Section 12. Separate Agreement as to Portfolios
The amendment or termination of this Agreement with respect to any Portfolio shall not result in the amendment or termination of this Agreement with respect to any other Portfolio unless explicitly so provided.
Section 13. Governing Law
The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey as at the time in effect, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles, and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the applicable law of the State of New Jersey, or any of the provisions herein, conflicts with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year above
written.
Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc.
By: /s/ George Gannon
Name: George Gannon
Title: President
Advanced Series Trust (on behalf of its portfolios as listed on Exhibit A).
By: /s/ Robert F. O'Donnell
Name: Robert F. O'Donnell
Title: President
Exhibit A
AST Academic Strategies Asset Allocation Portfolio AST Advanced Strategies Portfolio
AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio (formerly, AST RCM World Trends Portfolio) AST American Funds Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST Balanced Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
AST BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio AST BlackRock Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio
AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio (formerly, AST PIMCO Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio) AST BlackRock/Loomis Sayles Bond Portfolio (formerly, AST PIMCO Total Return Bond Portfolio) AST Bond Portfolio 2020
AST Bond Portfolio 2021
AST Bond Portfolio 2022
AST Bond Portfolio 2023
AST Bond Portfolio 2024
AST Bond Portfolio 2025
AST Bond Portfolio 2026
AST Bond Portfolio 2027
AST Bond Portfolio 2028
AST Bond Portfolio 2029
AST Bond Portfolio 2030
AST Bond Portfolio 2031
AST Bond Portfolio 2032
AST Capital Growth Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio
AST Cohen & Steers Global Realty Portfolio (formerly, AST Global Real Estate Portfolio) AST Cohen & Steers Realty Portfolio
AST Dimensional Global Core Allocation Portfolio
AST Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (AST Parametric Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio)
AST Fidelity Institutional AM® Quantitative Portfolio (formerly, AST Fidelity Institutional AMSM Quantitative Portfolio, AST FI Pyramis® Quantitative Portfolio and AST First Trust Balanced Target Portfolio)
AST Global Bond Portfolio (formerly, AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio) AST Goldman Sachs Multi-Asset Portfolio
AST Goldman Sachs Small-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Government Money Market Portfolio (formerly, AST Money Market Portfolio)
AST High Yield Portfolio
AST Hotchkis & Wiley Large-Cap Value Portfolio (formerly, AST Large-Cap Value Portfolio) AST International Growth Portfolio
AST International Value Portfolio AST Investment Grade Bond Portfolio AST J.P. Morgan Global Thematic Portfolio AST J.P. Morgan International Equity Portfolio AST J.P. Morgan Strategic Opportunities Portfolio AST Jennison Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Large-Cap Core Portfolio (formerly, AST QMA Large-Cap Portfolio) AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio
AST Loomis Sayles Large-Cap Growth Portfolio (formerly, AST Marsico Capital Growth Portfolio)
AST MFS Global Equity Portfolio
AST MFS Growth Allocation Portfolio (formerly, AST New Discovery Asset Allocation Portfolio) AST MFS Growth Portfolio
AST MFS Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio (formerly, AST Goldman Sachs Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio) AST Multi-Sector Fixed Income Portfolio (formerly, AST Long Duration Bond Portfolio) AST Neuberger Berman/LSV Mid-Cap Value Portfolio
AST PIMCO Corporate Bond Portfolio AST Preservation Asset Allocation Portfolio AST Prudential Core Bond Portfolio
AST Prudential Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST Prudential Flexible Multi-Strategy Portfolio AST Prudential Growth Allocation Portfolio AST QMA International Core Equity Portfolio AST QMA US Equity Alpha Portfolio
AST Quantitative Modeling Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Growth Opportunities Portfolio (formerly, AST Federated Aggressive Growth Portfolio) AST Small-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Value Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Diversified Real Growth Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Growth Opportunities Portfolio AST T. Rowe Price Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Large-Cap Value Portfolio (formerly, AST Value Equity Portfolio) AST T. Rowe Price Natural Resources Portfolio
AST WEDGE Capital Mid-Cap Value Portfolio (formerly, AST Mid-Cap Value Portfolio)
AST Wellington Management Hedged Equity Portfolio (formerly, AST Aggressive Asset Allocation Portfolio)
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
Dated February 25, 2013, as amended effective as of April 29, 2013. As further amended effective as of December 31, 2013. As further amended as of April 15, 2014, July 1, 2015, December 21, 2015, December 15, 2016, December 1, 2017, April 2, 2018, December 11, 2018, July 1, 2019, October 8, 2019, December 2, 2019 and December 11, 2020.
AMENDMENT
AMENDMENT made as of December 11, 2020, to that certain Custody Agreement dated as of November 7, 2002, as amended from time to time, between each Fund listed on the attached Schedule A thereto, including any series thereof (the "Fund") and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly, The Bank of New York) ("Custodian") (such Custody Agreement hereinafter referred to as the "Custody Agreement"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them pursuant to the Custody Agreement.
WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend the Custody Agreement to add certain Funds, as parties to the Custody Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.Schedule A of the Custody Agreement shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit I to this Amendment, attached hereto and made a part hereof.
2.Each party represents to the other that this Amendment has been duly executed.
3.This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts, shall, together, constitute only one amendment.
4.This Amendment shall become effective for each Fund as of the date of first service as listed in Exhibit I hereto upon execution by the parties hereto. From and after the execution hereof, any reference to the Custody Agreement shall be a reference to the Custody Agreement as amended hereby. Except as amended hereby, the Custody Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Fund and Custodian have caused this Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized representatives, as of the day and year first above written.
EACH FUND LISTED ON
EXHIBIT I HERETO
By: |
/s/ Deborah Conway |
Name: |
Deborah Conway |
Title: |
Assistant Treasurer |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By: |
/s/ Adam Cohen |
Name: |
Adam Cohen |
Title: |
Vice President |
Exhibit I
SCHEDULE A TO THE CUSTODY AGREEMENT
INSURANCE FUNDS
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
Date of First
Service
Advanced Series Trust
AST American Funds Growth Allocation Portfolio
4/5/18
AST BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
12/11/18
AST BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
12/11/18
AST BlackRock Corporate Bond Portfolio
7/1/19
AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio
5/1/11
AST Bond Portfolio 2020
1/1/09
AST Bond Portfolio 2021
12/31/09
AST Bond Portfolio 2022
12/31/10
AST Bond Portfolio 2023
12/28/11
AST Bond Portfolio 2024
11/14/12
AST Bond Portfolio 2025
12/5/13
AST Bond Portfolio 2026
1/2/15
AST Bond Portfolio 2027
12/21/15
AST Bond Portfolio 2028
12/15/16
AST Bond Portfolio 2029
12/1/17
AST Bond Portfolio 2030
12/11/18
AST Bond Portfolio 2031
12/2/19
AST Bond Portfolio 2032
12/11/20
AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio
2/25/13
AST Dimensional Global Core Allocation Portfolio
11/1/19
AST Global Bond Portfolio
AST Wellington Management Global Bond
7/8/15
Portfolio
AST Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
1/28/08
AST Jennison Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
9/25/09
AST Large-Cap Core Portfolio
AST QMA Large-Cap Portfolio
4/29/13
AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio
7/1/14
AST MFS Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST New Discovery Asset Allocation Portfolio
3/25/12
AST MFS Large-Cap Value Portfolio
8/20/12
AST Multi-Sector Fixed-Income Portfolio
AST Long Duration Bond Portfolio
2/25/13
AST PIMCO Corporate Bond Portfolio
7/1/19
AST Prudential Core Bond Portfolio
10/5/11
AST Prudential Corporate Bond Portfolio
7/1/19
AST Prudential Flexible Multi-Strategy Portfolio
4/15/14
AST QMA International Core Equity Portfolio
1/5/15
AST Quantitative Modeling Portfolio
5/1/11
AST T. Rowe Price Corporate Bond Portfolio
7/1/19
AST T. Rowe Price Diversified Real Growth Portfolio
4/15/14
AST T. Rowe Price Growth Opportunities Portfolio
12/5/13
2
AST Wellington Management Hedged Equity Portfolio
AST Aggressive Asset Allocation Portfolio
5/1/11
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio
7/1/19
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
8/20/12
The Prudential Series Fund
Conservative Balanced Portfolio
7/25/05
Diversified Bond Portfolio
7/25/05
Flexible Managed Portfolio
7/25/05
Global Portfolio
7/25/05
Government Income Portfolio
7/25/05
Government Money Market Portfolio
Money Market Portfolio
9/12/05
High Yield Bond Portfolio
7/25/05
Jennison Portfolio
7/25/05
Jennison 20/20 Focus Portfolio
7/25/05
Natural Resources Portfolio
7/25/05
Small Capitalization Stock Portfolio
7/25/05
Stock Index Portfolio
7/25/05
Value Portfolio
7/25/05
SP Prudential U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio
7/25/05
Prudential Gibraltar Fund
7/25/05
RETAIL FUNDS
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
Date of First
Service
Prudential Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Dryden Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
PGIM Global Total Return Fund
Prudential Global Total Return Fund,
6/6/05
Prudential Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
PGIM Global Total Return (USD Hedged) Fund
Prudential Global Total Return (USD Hedged)
12/1/17
Fund
Prudential Government Money Market Fund, Inc.
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.,
MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
PGIM Government Money Market Fund
Prudential Government Money Market Fund,
6/6/05
Inc.
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc.
Prudential Balanced Fund, Prudential Asset
PGIM Balanced Fund
Allocation Fund, Dryden Asset Allocation
6/6/05
Fund, Dryden Active Allocation Fund
PGIM Jennison Equity Opportunity Fund,
PGIM Jennison Focused Value Fund
Prudential Jennison Equity Opportunity Fund,
6/27/05
Jennison Equity Opportunity Fund
PGIM Jennison Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Growth Fund, Jennison
6/27/05
Growth Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 2
Dryden Core Investment Fund
PGIM QMA Commodity Strategies Fund
Prudential Commodity Strategies Fund
11/1/16
PGIM QMA Commodity Strategies Subsidiary, Ltd.
Prudential Commodity Strategies Subsidiary,
11/1/16
Ltd.
PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund
Prudential Core Conservative Bond Fund
11/1/16
3
PGIM Core Short Term Bond Fund
Prudential Core Short Term Bond Fund, Short
6/6/05
Term Bond Series
Prudential Core Ultra Short Bond Fund,
PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund
Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund,
6/6/05
Taxable Money Market Series
PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund
Prudential Institutional Money Market Fund
7/15/16
PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund
Prudential Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity
11/1/16
Fund
PGIM QMA Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Emerging Markets Equity
11/1/16
Fund
PGIM QMA International Developed Markets Index Fund
Prudential QMA International Developed
11/1/16
Markets Index Fund
PGIM QMA Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund
11/1/16
PGIM QMA US Broad Market Index Fund
Prudential QMA US Broad Market Index Fund
11/1/16
PGIM TIPS Fund
Prudential TIPS Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Investment Portfolios 3
Jennison Dryden Opportunity Funds,
Strategic Partners Opportunity Funds
Prudential Jennison Select Growth Fund,
PGIM Jennison Focused Growth Fund
Jennison Select Growth Fund, Strategic
12/9/02
Partners Focused Growth Fund
PGIM Real Assets Fund
Prudential Real Assets Fund
12/30/10
PGIM Real Assets Subsidiary, Ltd.
Prudential Real Assets Subsidiary, Ltd.
12/30/10
Prudential QMA Global Tactical Allocation
PGIM QMA Global Tactical Allocation Fund
Fund, Prudential Global Tactical Allocation
4/1/15
Fund
PGIM QMA Global Tactical Allocation Subsidiary, Ltd.
Prudential Global Tactical Allocation
4/1/15
Subsidiary, Ltd.
PGIM Strategic Bond Fund
Prudential Unconstrained Bond Fund, PGIM
6/1/15
Unconstrained Bond Fund
PGIM Global Dynamic Bond Fund
Prudential Global Absolute Return Bond Fund,
10/1/15
PGIM Global Absolute Return Bond Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 4
Dryden Municipal Bond Fund
PGIM Muni High Income Fund
Prudential Muni High Income Fund, High
6/6/05
Income Series
Prudential Investment Portfolios 5
Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds
PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund
9/1/15
Prudential Day One Income Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2015 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2020 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2025 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2030 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2035 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2040 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2045 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2050 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2055 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2060 Fund
11/1/16
Prudential Day One 2065 Fund
12/16/19
PGIM Jennison Diversified Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Diversified Growth Fund
11/18/02
and Prudential Jennison Conservative Growth
Fund
4
PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund
Prudential Jennison Rising Dividend Fund
3/5/14
Prudential Investment Portfolios 6
Dryden California Municipal Fund
PGIM California Muni Income Fund
Prudential California Muni Income Fund
9/12/05
Prudential Investment Portfolios 7
JennisonDryden Portfolios
PGIM Jennison Value Fund
Prudential Jennison Value Fund
6/27/05
Prudential Investment Portfolios 8
Dryden Index Series Fund
PGIM QMA Stock Index Fund
Prudential QMA Stock Index Fund, Prudential
6/27/05
Stock Index Fund
PGIM Securitized Credit Fund
7/1/19
Prudential Investment Portfolios 9
Dryden Tax-Managed Funds
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund
Prudential Absolute Return Bond Fund
3/30/11
PGIM International Bond Fund
Prudential International Bond Fund
11/1/16
Prudential QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund,
PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund
Prudential Large-Cap Core Equity Fund,
6/27/05
Dryden Large-Cap Core Equity Fund
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund
Prudential Select Real Estate Fund
7/7/14
PGIM Real Estate Income Fund
Prudential Real Estate Income Fund
6/1/15
Prudential Investment Portfolios 12
Prudential Global Real Estate Fund
PGIM Global Real Estate Fund
Prudential Global Real Estate Fund
9/17/10
PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity PLUS Fund
Prudential QMA Large-Cap Core Equity PLUS
9/1/17
Fund
PGIM QMA Long-Short Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Long-Short Equity Fund,
5/28/14
Prudential Long-Short Equity Fund
PGIM Short Duration Muni High Income
PGIM Short Duration Muni Fund
Fund, Prudential Short Duration Muni High
5/28/14
Income Fund
PGIM US Real Estate Fund
Prudential US Real Estate Fund
12/21/10
PGIM Jennison Technology Fund
6/18/18
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 14
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
PGIM Government Income Fund
Prudential Government Income Fund, Dryden
7/25/05
Government Income Fund, Inc.
PGIM Floating Rate Income Fund
Prudential Floating Rate Income Fund
3/30/11
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc., Dryden
High Yield Fund, Inc.
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Income Fund
Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income
9/24/12
Fund
PGIM High Yield Fund
Prudential High Yield Fund
7/25/05
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 17
Prudential Total Return Bond Fund, Inc.,
Dryden Total Return Bond Fund, Inc.
PGIM Total Return Bond Fund
Prudential Total Return Bond Fund
7/25/05
PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond Fund
Prudential Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond
12/5/13
Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 18
Prudential Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund,
6/27/05
Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund
PGIM Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund
Prudential Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund
6/27/05
PGIM Jennison MLP Fund
Prudential Jennison MLP Fund
12/5/13
5
Prudential Jennison Blend Fund, Inc
Jennison Blend Fund, Inc., Strategic Partners
Equity Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Blend Fund
Prudential Jennison Blend Fund, Inc
9/12/05
Prudential Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.,
Jennison U.S. Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund,
6/27/05
Inc.
Prudential Jennison Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Jennison Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Natural Resources Fund
Prudential Jennison Natural Resources Fund,
6/27/05
Inc.
Prudential Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc.
Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund
Prudential Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc.
6/27/05
Prudential National Muni Fund, Inc.
Dryden National Municipals Fund, Inc.
PGIM National Muni Fund
Prudential National Muni Fund, Inc.
9/12/05
Prudential Sector Funds
Jennison Sector Funds, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund
Prudential Jennison Financial Services Fund
6/27/05
and Prudential Financial Services Fund
Prudential Health Sciences Fund d/b/a
PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund
Prudential Jennison Health Sciences Fund,
6/27/05
Jennison Health Sciences Fund
PGIM Jennison Utility Fund
Prudential Utility Fund d/b/a Prudential
6/27/05
Jennison Utility Fund, Jennison Utility Fund
Prudential Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund, Inc.
Dryden Short-Term Bond Fund, Inc.
PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund
Prudential Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund,
6/6/05
Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund
Prudential Emerging Markets Debt Local
3/30/11
Currency Fund
PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency Fund
Prudential Emerging Markets Debt Hard
12/1/17
Currency Fund
PGIM QMA International Equity Fund
Prudential QMA International Equity, Fund
6/6/05
Prudential International Equity Fund
PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities
Prudential Jennison Emerging Markets Equity
Fund
Fund
9/3/14
PGIM Jennison Global Infrastructure Fund
Prudential Jennison Global Infrastructure
8/12/13
Fund
PGIM Jennison Global Opportunities Fund
Prudential Jennison Global Opportunities
3/14/12
Fund
PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund
Prudential Jennison International
6/5/12
Opportunities Fund
CLOSED END FUNDS
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
Date of First
Service
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Short Duration High Yield Fund,
3/8/12
Inc.
PGIM Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield
9/24/12
Fund, Inc.
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund
10/9/20
6
7
ADDITION OF PORTFOLIOS TO ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
This document relates to the addition by each registered investment company listed on Attachment A to this document (each an "Additional Fund") to the Agreement (as defined below) of its investment portfolio listed on Attachment A to this document.
WHEREAS, each Additional Fund wishes to retain The Bank of New York Mellon (as assigned from BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. f/k/a PFPC Inc.)) ("BNY Mellon") to provide the services set forth in the Agreement (as defined below) to its investment portfolios listed on Attachment A to this document (each an "Additional Portfolio"), and BNY Mellon wishes to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each Additional Fund and BNY Mellon agree as follows:
1.For purposes of this document:
A."Agreement" means the Accounting Services Agreement initially made as of July 1, 2005 separately by and between each of Advanced Series Trust (f/k/a American Skandia Trust) and Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 10 (f/k/a Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc.) (each of which is a "Fund" under such Accounting Services Agreement) and BNY Mellon, as such Accounting Services Agreement may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.
B."Effective Date" means, with respect to a particular Additional Portfolio, the effective date listed for such Additional Portfolio on Attachment A to this document (or such other date as agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and the Additional Fund to which such Additional Portfolio relates).
2.Each Additional Fund hereby appoints BNY Mellon to provide the services set forth in the Agreement, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement, to each of its Additional Portfolios as of the Effective Date for each such respective Additional Portfolio. BNY Mellon accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such services as of the relevant Effective Date.
3.[Reserved].
1
4.An Additional Portfolio shall be deemed to be listed on Exhibit A attached to the Agreement as of the Effective Date for such Additional Portfolio, and as of the Effective Date for a particular Additional Portfolio (but not before such Effective Date) such Additional Portfolio shall be a "Portfolio" for all purposes under the Agreement.
5.For clarity and notwithstanding the provisions of the first sentence of Section 22(c) of the Agreement, this document embodies a portion of the agreement and understanding between each Additional Fund and BNY Mellon relating to the subject matter of the Agreement and the Agreement shall not supersede the terms and provisions of this document.
6.BNY Mellon is entering into this document with each of the Additional Funds separately, and any duty, obligation or liability owed or incurred by BNY Mellon with respect to a particular Additional Fund shall be owed or incurred solely with respect to that Additional Fund, and shall not in any way create any duty, obligation or liability with respect to any other Additional Fund. This document shall be interpreted to carry out the intent of the parties hereto that
BNY Mellon is entering into a separate arrangement with each separate Additional Fund.
2
Agreed: |
|
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The Bank of New York Mellon |
Each Registered Investment Company set |
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Forth on Attachment A attached hereto |
By: /s/ Adam Cohen |
By: /s/ Deborah Conway |
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Name: Adam Cohen |
Name: Deborah Conway |
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Title: Vice President |
Title: Assistant Treasurer |
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Dated: |
December 11, 2020 |
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3
ATTACHMENT A
ADDITIONAL FUND |
ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO |
EFFECTIVE DATE |
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|
|
Advanced Series Trust |
AST Bond Portfolio 2032 |
12/11/20 |
4
AMENDMENT
AMENDMENT made as of December 11, 2020 to that certain Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement made as of May 29, 2007 (the "TA Agreement"), between each of the investment companies listed in Exhibit A hereto including any series thereof (the "Fund") and Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC ("PMFS"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them pursuant to the TA Agreement.
WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend the TA Agreement to add certain Funds, as parties to the TA Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.Exhibit A of the TA Agreement shall be amended as set forth in this Amendment, attached hereto and made a part hereof.
2.Each party represents to the other that this Amendment has been duly executed.
3.This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts, shall, together, constitute only one amendment.
4.This Amendment shall become effective for each Fund as of the date of first service as listed in Exhibit A hereto upon execution by the parties hereto. From and after the execution hereof, any reference to the TA Agreement shall be a reference to the TA Agreement as amended hereby. Except as amended hereby, the TA Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and PMFS have caused this Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized representatives, as of the day and year first above written.
EACH FUND LISTED ON EXHIBIT A HERETO
By: |
/s/ Scott E. Benjamin |
|
Scott E. Benjamin |
Title: |
Executive Vice President |
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES LLC
By: |
/s/ Hansjerg P. Schlenker |
|
Hansjerg P. Schlenker |
Title: |
Senior Vice President |
1
EXHIBIT A
FUNDS AND PORTFOLIOS
RETAIL FUNDS
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
Prudential Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
PGIM Global Total Return Fund
Prudential Global Total Return Fund, Prudential
Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
PGIM Global Total Return (USD Hedged) Fund
Prudential Global Total Return (USD Hedged) Fund
Prudential Government Money Market Fund, Inc.
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
PGIM Government Money Market Fund
Prudential Government Money Market Fund, Inc.
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc.
PGIM Balanced Fund
Prudential Balanced Fund and Prudential Asset
Allocation Fund
PGIM Jennison Focused Value Fund
PGIM Jennison Equity Opportunity Fund, Prudential
Jennison Equity Opportunity Fund
PGIM Jennison Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 2
PGIM QMA Commodity Strategies Fund
Prudential Commodity Strategies Fund
PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund
Prudential Core Conservative Bond Fund
PGIM Core Short Term Bond Fund
Prudential Core Short Term Bond Fund
PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund
Prudential Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and
Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund
PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund
Prudential Institutional Money Market Fund
PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund
Prudential Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund
PGIM QMA Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Emerging Markets Equity Fund
PGIM QMA International Developed Markets Index Fund
Prudential QMA International Developed Markets
Index Fund
PGIM QMA Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund
PGIM QMA US Broad Market Index Fund
Prudential QMA US Broad Market Index Fund
PGIM TIPS Fund
Prudential TIPS Fund, Prudential TIPS Enhanced
Index Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 3
PGIM Global Dynamic Bond Fund
Prudential Global Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM
Global Absolute Return Bond Fund
PGIM Focused Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Select Growth Fund
PGIM QMA Global Tactical Allocation Fund
Prudential QMA Global Tactical Allocation Fund
PGIM QMA Large-Cap Value Fund
Prudential QMA Strategic Value Fund and
Prudential Strategic Value Fund
PGIM Real Assets Fund
Prudential Real Assets Fund
PGIM Strategic Bond Fund
Prudential Unconstrained Bond Fund, PGIM
Unconstrained Bond Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 4
2
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
PGIM Muni High Income Fund
Prudential Muni High Income Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 5
PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund
Prudential 60/40 Allocation Fund
Prudential Day One Income Fund
Prudential Day One 2015 Fund
Prudential Day One 2020 Fund
Prudential Day One 2025 Fund
Prudential Day One 2030 Fund
Prudential Day One 2035 Fund
Prudential Day One 2040 Fund
Prudential Day One 2045 Fund
Prudential Day One 2050 Fund
Prudential Day One 2055 Fund
Prudential Day One 2060 Fund
Prudential Day One 2065 Fund
PGIM Jennison Diversified Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Diversified Growth Fund and
Prudential Jennison Conservative Growth Fund
PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund
Prudential Jennison Rising Dividend Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 6
PGIM California Muni Income Fund
Prudential California Muni Income Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 7
PGIM Jennison Value Fund
Prudential Jennison Value Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 8
PGIM QMA Stock Index Fund
Prudential QMA Stock Index Fund and Prudential
Stock Index Fund
PGIM Securitized Credit Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 9
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund
Prudential Absolute Return Bond Fund
PGIM International Bond Fund
Prudential International Bond Fund
PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund and
Prudential Large-Cap Core Equity Fund
PGIM Real Estate Income Fund
Prudential Real Estate Income Fund
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund
Prudential Select Real Estate Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 10
PGIM Jennison Global Equity Income Fund
PGIM Jennison Equity Income Fund, Prudential
Jennison Equity Income Fund
PGIM QMA Mid-Cap Value Fund
Prudential QMA Mid-Cap Value Fund and
Prudential Mid-Cap Value Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 12
PGIM Global Real Estate Fund
Prudential Global Real Estate Fund
3
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity PLUS Fund
Prudential QMA Large-Cap Core Equity PLUS Fund
PGIM QMA Long-Short Equity Fund
Prudential QMA Long-Short Equity Fund and
Prudential Long-Short Equity Fund
PGIM Short Duration Muni Fund
PGIM Short Duration Muni High Income Fund,
Prudential Short Duration Muni High Income Fund
PGIM US Real Estate Fund
Prudential US Real Estate Fund
PGIM Jennison Technology Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 14
PGIM Government Income Fund
Prudential Government Income Fund
PGIM Floating Rate Income Fund
Prudential Floating Rate Income Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15
PGIM High Yield Fund
Prudential High Yield Fund
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Income Fund
Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 16
PGIM Income Builder Fund
Prudential Income Builder Fund and Target
Conservative Allocation Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 17
PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond Fund
Prudential Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond Fund
PGIM Total Return Bond Fund
Prudential Total Return Bond Fund
Prudential Investment Portfolios 18
PGIM Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund
Prudential Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund
PGIM Jennison MLP Fund
Prudential Jennison MLP Fund
Prudential Jennison Blend Fund, Inc
PGIM Jennison Blend Fund
Prudential Jennison Blend Fund, Inc
Prudential Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Prudential Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Jennison Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Natural Resources Fund
Prudential Jennison Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc.
PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund
Prudential Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc.
Prudential National Muni Fund, Inc.
PGIM National Muni Fund
Prudential National Muni Fund, Inc.
Prudential Sector Funds
PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund
Prudential Jennison Financial Services Fund and
Prudential Financial Services Fund
PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund
Prudential Health Sciences Fund d/b/a Prudential
Jennison Health Sciences Fund
4
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
PGIM Jennison Utility Fund
Prudential Utility Fund d/b/a Prudential Jennison
Utility Fund
Prudential Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund, Inc.
PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund
Prudential Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency Fund
Prudential Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency
Fund
PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund
Prudential Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency
Fund
PGIM QMA International Equity Fund
Prudential QMA International Equity Fund and
Prudential International Equity Fund
PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities
Fund
Prudential Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Fund
PGIM Jennison Global Infrastructure Fund
Prudential Jennison Global Infrastructure Fund
PGIM Jennison Global Opportunities Fund
Prudential Jennison Global Opportunities Fund
PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund
Prudential Jennison International Opportunities
Fund
The Target Portfolio Trust
PGIM Core Bond Fund
Prudential Core Bond Fund and Intermediate-Term
Bond Portfolio
PGIM Corporate Bond Fund
Prudential Corporate Bond Fund and Mortgage
Backed Securities Portfolio
Prudential QMA Small-Cap Value Fund, Prudential
PGIM QMA Small-Cap Value Fund
Small-Cap Value Fund and Small Capitalization
Value Portfolio
INSURANCE FUNDS
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
Advanced Series Trust
AST Academic Strategies Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST Advanced Strategies Portfolio
AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio
AST RCM World Trends Portfolio
AST American Funds Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST Balanced Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
AST BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
AST BlackRock Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio
AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio
AST PIMCO Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
AST BlackRock/Loomis Sayles Bond Portfolio
AST PIMCO Total Return Bond Portfolio
AST Bond Portfolio 2020
AST Bond Portfolio 2021
AST Bond Portfolio 2022
AST Bond Portfolio 2023
5
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
AST Bond Portfolio 2024
AST Bond Portfolio 2025
AST Bond Portfolio 2026
AST Bond Portfolio 2027
AST Bond Portfolio 2028
AST Bond Portfolio 2029
AST Bond Portfolio 2030
AST Bond Portfolio 2031
AST Bond Portfolio 2032
AST Capital Growth Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio
AST Cohen & Steers Global Realty Portfolio
AST Global Real Estate Portfolio
AST Cohen & Steers Realty Portfolio
AST Dimensional Global Core Allocation Portfolio
AST Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
AST Parametric Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
AST Fidelity Institutional AM® Quantitative Portfolio
AST Fidelity Institutional AMSM Quantitative
Portfolio, AST FI Pyramis® Quantitative Portfolio
AST Global Bond Portfolio
AST Wellington Management Global Bond Portfolio
AST Goldman Sachs Multi-Asset Portfolio
AST Goldman Sachs Small-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Government Money Market Portfolio
AST Money Market Portfolio
AST High Yield Portfolio
AST Hotchkis & Wiley Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST International Growth Portfolio
AST International Value Portfolio
AST Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
AST J.P. Morgan Global Thematic Portfolio
AST J.P. Morgan International Equity Portfolio
AST J.P. Morgan Strategic Opportunities Portfolio
AST Jennison Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Large-Cap Core Portfolio
AST QMA Large-Cap Portfolio
AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio
AST Loomis Sayles Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST MFS Global Equity Portfolio
AST MFS Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST New Discovery Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST MFS Growth Portfolio
AST MFS Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Goldman Sachs Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Multi-Sector Fixed-Income Portfolio
AST Neuberger Berman/LSV Mid-Cap Value Portfolio
AST PIMCO Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST Preservation Asset Allocation Portfolio
6
RIC/Fund Name
Former Name
AST Prudential Core Bond Portfolio
AST Prudential Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST Prudential Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST Prudential Flexible Multi-Strategy Portfolio
AST QMA International Core Equity Portfolio
AST QMA US Equity Alpha Portfolio
AST Quantitative Modeling Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Growth Opportunities Portfolio
AST Federated Aggressive Growth Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Value Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Diversified Real Growth Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Growth Opportunities Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Value Equity Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Natural Resources Portfolio
AST WEDGE Capital Mid-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Mid-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Wellington Management Hedged Equity Portfolio
AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
AST Western Asset Corporate Bond Portfolio
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
The Prudential Series Fund
Conservative Balanced Portfolio
Diversified Bond Portfolio
Equity Portfolio
Flexible Managed Portfolio
Global Portfolio
Government Income Portfolio
Government Money Market Portfolio
Money Market Portfolio
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Jennison Portfolio
Jennison 20/20 Focus Portfolio
Natural Resources Portfolio
Small Capitalization Stock Portfolio
Stock Index Portfolio
Value Portfolio
SP International Growth Portfolio
SP Prudential U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio
SP Small-Cap Value Portfolio
End of Exhibit A
7
Goodwin Procter LLP
Counselors at Law
1900 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
T: 202.346.4000
F: 202.346.4444
December 15, 2020
Advanced Series Trust
655 Broad Street
17th Floor
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Re: Advanced Series Trust ("Registrant") Form N-1A; Post-Effective Amendment No. 181 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and Amendment No. 183 to the Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Amendment")
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We provided an opinion to the Registrant dated April 25, 2005 (the "Opinion"), which the Registrant filed as an exhibit to its Registration Statement filed April 29, 2005.
We consent to the filing of this letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Amendment and the incorporation by reference of the Opinion as an exhibit to the Amendment. We also consent to the reference in the Registration Statement to the Trust to the fact that Goodwin Procter LLP serves as counsel to the Trust and has provided the Opinion.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Goodwin Procter LLP
Goodwin Procter LLP
ACTIVE/106076165.1
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Advanced Series Trust (the "Trust"), including a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined herein), have concluded in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan (the "Plan") will benefit each of the Trust's portfolios listed on Schedule A (each a "Portfolio") and the shareholders of each Portfolio;
NOW, THEREFORE, this Plan is hereby adopted as follows:
Section 1. The Trust is authorized to pay a fee (the "Services and Distribution Fee") for the services rendered and expenses borne as set forth in Section 2, including services and expenses in connection with the distribution of shares of the Trust, at an annual rate with respect to each Portfolio not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. The Trust shall pay the Services and Distribution Fee to the distributor of the Trust's shares ("Distributor"). Subject to such limit and subject to the provisions hereof, the Services and Distribution Fee must be approved at least annually by:
(a)a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and
(b)a majority of the Trustees who (i) are not "interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the Act, and (ii) have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related thereto (the "Independent Trustees").
If at any time this Plan shall not be in effect with respect to the shares of all Portfolios of the Trust, the Services and Distribution Fee shall be computed on the basis of the net assets of the shares of those Portfolios for which the Plan is in effect. The Services and Distribution Fee shall be accrued daily and paid bi-weekly or at such other intervals as the Board of Trustees shall determine. The Services and Distribution Fee shall not apply to Portfolios that invest all of their assets in other Portfolios. For Portfolios that invest a portion of their assets in other Portfolios, the Services and Distribution Fee shall apply only on assets not invested in other Portfolios.
Section 2. The Distributor shall provide (or arrange for the provision of) the following services and bear the following expenses (collectively, the "Services"):
•printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, proxy statement materials, and annual and semi-annual reports for current owners of variable life or variable annuity contracts indirectly investing in the shares (the "Contracts");
•reconciling and balancing separate account investments in the Portfolios;
•reconciling and providing notice to the Trust of net cash flow and cash requirements for net redemption orders;
•confirming transactions;
•providing Contract owner services related to investments in the Portfolios, including assisting the Trust with proxy solicitations, including providing solicitation and tabulation services, and investigating and responding to inquiries from Contract owners that relate to the Portfolios;
•providing periodic reports to the Trust and regarding the Portfolios to third-party reporting services;
•paying compensation to and expenses, including overhead, of employees of the Distributor and other broker-dealers and financial intermediaries that engage in the distribution of the shares, including but not limited to commissions, servicing fees and marketing fees;
•printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements and annual and semi-annual reports for prospective Contract owners;
•paying expenses relating to the development, preparation, printing, and mailing of advertisements, sales literature, and other promotional materials describing and/or relating to the Portfolios;
•paying expenses of holding seminars and sales meetings designed to promote the distribution of the shares;
•paying expenses of obtaining information and providing explanations to Contract owners regarding investment objectives, policies, performance and other information about the Trust and its Portfolios;
•paying expenses of training sales personnel regarding the Portfolios; and
•providing other services and bearing other expenses for the benefit of the Portfolios, including activities primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Trust.
Section 3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by votes of the majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder) of both (a) the Trustees, and (b) the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan. If adopted with respect to a Portfolio after the public offering of shares of that Portfolio (or the sale of shares to persons who are not affiliated persons of the Portfolio, affiliated persons of such persons, affiliated persons of the promoter or affiliated persons of such persons), the Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. Any agreement related to the Plan must be approved by votes of the majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder) of both (a) the Trustees, and (b) the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the agreement.
Section 4. To the extent any payments made by a Portfolio pursuant to the Plan are deemed payments for the financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, such payments shall be deemed to be approved under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Portfolio shall be obligated to make any payments under the Plan that exceed the maximum amounts payable under Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or any successor rule thereto adopted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Section 5. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 3 hereof.
Section 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the shares of the
Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Section 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to the shares of any Portfolio by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities representing the shares of that Portfolio.
All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan with respect to the shares of any
Portfolio shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan with respect to the shares of any Portfolio shall provide:
(a)That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities representing the shares of such Portfolio, on not more than 60 days' written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
(b)That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Section 8. This Plan may not be amended to materially increase the amount of Services and Distribution Fee permitted pursuant to Section 1 hereof with respect to any Portfolio until it has been approved by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities representing the shares of that Portfolio.
Section 9. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, and any related agreement or written report regarding this Plan presented to the Board of Trustees for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Plan, agreement or written report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Section 10. The provisions of the Plan are severable for each Portfolio of the Trust, and whenever any action is to be taken with respect to the Plan, such action shall be taken separately for each Portfolio of the Trust.
Section 11. While the Plan is in effect, the Board of Trustees shall satisfy the fund governance standards as defined in Rule 0-1(a)(7) under the Act.
Section 12. As used in this Plan, the terms "assignment," "interested person," and "majority of the outstanding voting securities" shall have the respective meanings specified in the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Schedule A
AST Academic Strategies Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST Advanced Strategies Portfolio
AST AllianzGI World Trends Portfolio
AST American Funds Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
AST BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation ETF Portfolio
AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio
AST BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio
AST BlackRock/Loomis Sayles Bond Portfolio
AST Bond Portfolio 2020
AST Bond Portfolio 2021
AST Bond Portfolio 2022
AST Bond Portfolio 2023
AST Bond Portfolio 2024
AST Bond Portfolio 2025
AST Bond Portfolio 2026
AST Bond Portfolio 2027
AST Bond Portfolio 2028
AST Bond Portfolio 2029
AST Bond Portfolio 2030
AST Bond Portfolio 2031
AST Bond Portfolio 2032
AST ClearBridge Dividend Growth Portfolio
AST Cohen & Steers Global Realty Portfolio
AST Cohen & Steers Realty Portfolio
AST Dimensional Global Core Allocation Portfolio
AST Global Bond Portfolio
AST Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
AST Fidelity Institutional AM® Quantitative Portfolio
AST Goldman Sachs Multi-Asset Portfolio
AST Goldman Sachs Small-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Government Money Market Portfolio
AST High Yield Portfolio
AST Hotchkis & Wiley Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST International Growth Portfolio
AST International Value Portfolio
AST Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
AST J.P. Morgan Global Thematic Portfolio
AST J.P. Morgan International Equity Portfolio
AST J.P. Morgan Strategic Opportunities Portfolio
AST Jennison Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Large-Cap Core Portfolio
AST Legg Mason Diversified Growth Portfolio
AST Loomis Sayles Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST MFS Global Equity Portfolio
AST MFS Growth Portfolio
AST MFS Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST MFS Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Multi-Sector Fixed Income Portfolio
AST Neuberger Berman/LSV Mid-Cap Value Portfolio
AST Prudential Core Bond Portfolio
AST Prudential Flexible Multi-Strategy Portfolio
AST Prudential Growth Allocation Portfolio
AST QMA International Core Equity Portfolio
AST QMA US Equity Alpha Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Growth Opportunities Portfolio
AST Small-Cap Value Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Asset Allocation Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Diversified Real Growth Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Growth Opportunities Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Large-Cap Value Portfolio
AST T. Rowe Price Natural Resources Portfolio AST WEDGE Capital Mid-Cap Value Portfolio AST Wellington Management Hedged Equity Portfolio AST Western Asset Core Plus Bond Portfolio
AST Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
ADVANCED SERIES TRUST
AST Bond Portfolio 2032
Notice of Rule 12b-1 Fee Waiver
THIS NOTICE OF RULE 12B-1 FEE WAIVER is signed as of December 11, 2020, by PRUDENTIAL ANNUITIES DISTRIBUTORS, INC. (PAD), the principal underwriter of the shares of each Portfolio of the Advanced Series Trust, an open-end management investment company (the Trust).
WHEREAS, PAD desires to waive a portion of its distribution and shareholder services fees (Rule 12b-1 fees) payable by the AST Bond Portfolio 2032 (the Portfolio) of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, PAD understands and intends that the Trust will rely on this Notice and agreement in preparing a registration statement on Form N-1A and in accruing the Portfolio's expenses for purposes of calculating net asset value and for other purposes, and expressly permits the Trust to do so; and
WHEREAS, shareholders of the Portfolio will benefit from the ongoing contractual waiver by incurring lower operating expenses than they would absent such waiver.
NOW, THEREFORE, PAD hereby provides notice that it has agreed to limit the distribution and service fees (Rule 12b-1 fees) incurred the Portfolio of the Trust pursuant to the waiver schedule set forth below:
|
Distribution and Service Fee |
Average Daily Net Assets of Portfolio |
(12b-1 Fee) Rate Including Waiver |
Up to and including $300 million |
0.25% (no waiver) |
Over $300 million up to and including $500 million |
0.23% |
Over $500 million up to and including $750 million |
0.22% |
Over $750 million |
0.21% |
This contractual waiver schedule, as set forth above, shall not have an expiration or termination date, and may not be modified or discontinued.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PAD has signed this Notice of Rule 12b-1 Fee Waiver as of the day and year first above written.
PRUDENTIAL ANNUITIES DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ James Mullery
Name: James Mullery
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer