N-14 1 d200080dn14.htm GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST Goldman Sachs Trust

Securities Act File No. [    ]

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2021

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

     Pre-Effective Amendment No. _____   
  Post-Effective Amendment No. _____   

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (312) 655-4400

CAROLINE L. KRAUS, ESQ.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

STEPHEN H. BIER, ESQ.    BRENDEN P. CARROLL, ESQ.
Dechert LLP    Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas    1900 K Street, NW
New York, NY 10036    Washington, DC 20006

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

Title of Securities Being Registered:

Class A, Institutional, Investor, Service, Class R6 and Class P Shares of Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund, a series of the Registrant. The Registrant has registered an indefinite amount of securities pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; accordingly, no fee is payable herewith in reliance upon Section 24(f).

It is proposed that this filing will become effective on November 22, 2021 pursuant to Rule 488 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

 

 


LOGO

GOLDMAN SACHS HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

November [●], 2021

Dear Shareholder:

We are writing to inform you of an important matter concerning your investment in the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”). At a meeting held on October 12-13, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Acquired Fund (the “Board”) approved a reorganization pursuant to which the Acquired Fund will be reorganized with and into another series of the Goldman Sachs Trust—the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund (the “Surviving Fund,” and together with the Acquired Fund, the “Funds”). Shareholders were first notified of the reorganization on October 15, 2021 in a supplement to the Acquired Fund’s then effective Prospectuses and Summary Prospectuses.

After careful consideration, the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the reorganization. After considering the recommendation of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: (i) the reorganization is in the best interests of each Fund; and (ii) the interests of the shareholders of each Fund will not be diluted as a result of the reorganization.

Effective on or about January 28, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), you will own shares in the Surviving Fund equal in dollar value to your interest in the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date. No sales charge, redemption fees or other transaction fees will be imposed in the reorganization. The reorganization is intended to be a tax-free reorganization for Federal income tax purposes.

NO ACTION ON YOUR PART IS REQUIRED REGARDING THE REORGANIZATION. YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE SHARES OF THE SURVIVING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SHARES OF THE ACQUIRED FUND AS OF THE CLOSING DATE. THE BOARD IS NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND A PROXY.

If you have any questions regarding the attached Information Statement/Prospectus or other materials, please contact the Acquired Fund at 1-800-526-7384.

 

By Order of the Board of Trustees of the Goldman
Sachs Trust,
James A. McNamara
President


COMBINED INFORMATION STATEMENT

FOR

GOLDMAN SACHS HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

(a series of the GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST)

AND

PROSPECTUS FOR

GOLDMAN SACHS ENHANCED INCOME FUND

(a series of the GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST)

The address, telephone number and website of the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund

and the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund is:

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

1-800-526-7384

www.gsamfunds.com

Shares of the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund have not been approved or disapproved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC has not passed upon the adequacy of this Information Statement/Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

An investment in either the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) or the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund (the “Surviving Fund,” and together with the Acquired Fund, the “Funds”) is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

This Information Statement/Prospectus sets forth information about the Surviving Fund that an investor needs to know before investing. Please read this Information Statement/Prospectus carefully before investing and keep it for future reference.

The date of this Information Statement/Prospectus is November [], 2021.

For more complete information about each Fund, please read the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended and/or supplemented. Each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and other additional information about each Fund, have been filed with the SEC (www.sec.gov) and are available upon written or oral request and without charge by writing to the address above or calling the following toll-free number: 1-800-526-7384.


INTRODUCTION

This combined information statement/prospectus, dated November [●], 2021 (the “Information Statement/Prospectus”), is being furnished to shareholders of the Acquired Fund in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund (the “Plan”), pursuant to which the Acquired Fund will (i) transfer all of its assets attributable to each class of its shares to the Surviving Fund in exchange for shares of the Surviving Fund and the assumption by the Surviving Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; and (ii) distribute to its shareholders a portion of the Surviving Fund shares to which each shareholder is entitled (as discussed below) in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund (the “Reorganization”). At a meeting held on October 12-13, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Funds (the “Board” or “Trustees”) approved the Plan. A copy of the Plan is attached to this Information Statement/Prospectus as Exhibit A. Shareholders should read this entire Information Statement/Prospectus, including the exhibits, carefully.

After considering the recommendation of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or the “Investment Adviser”), investment adviser to the Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund, the Board concluded that: (i) the Reorganization is in the best interests of each Fund; and (ii) the interests of the shareholders of each Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.

NO ACTION IS REQUIRED REGARDING THE REORGANIZATION. AS DISCUSSED MORE FULLY BELOW, THE FUNDS ARE RELYING ON RULE 17a-8 UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND ARE NOT BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON OR APPROVE THE PLAN. THE BOARD IS NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND A PROXY.

Background to the Reorganization

GSAM, an SEC-registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to the Acquired Fund, an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). GSAM also serves as investment adviser to the Surviving Fund, also an investment company registered under the 1940 Act. GSAM serves as investment adviser to the Funds under the Management Agreements, each dated April 30, 1997. The Investment Adviser recommended to the Board that it approve the reorganization of the Acquired Fund with and into the Surviving Fund, each an existing series of Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), because it believes that the Reorganization: (i) would rationalize Funds that have similar investment objectives and similar investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences); (ii) may provide enhanced opportunities to realize greater efficiencies in the form of lower total operating expenses over time; and (iii) would enable the combined Fund to be better positioned for asset growth. The Investment Adviser also believes that the Reorganization is preferable to liquidating the Acquired Fund, as it will provide you and other shareholders with the opportunity to invest in a fund that: (i) has a similar investment objective and similar investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences); and (ii) is part of the Goldman Sachs Funds — a large, diverse fund family. Moreover, the Surviving Fund had higher total returns than the Acquired Fund over the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2020, and generally equivalent total returns year-to-date (as of September 30, 2021).1

On October 12-13, 2021, the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), voted to approve the Reorganization. In approving the Reorganization, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: (i) the Reorganization is in the best interests of each Fund; and (ii) the interests of the shareholders of each Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Board also considered and approved the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

1 

On October 20, 2021, the Surviving Fund implemented certain changes to its principal investment strategy. Performance reflects the Surviving Fund’s investment strategies prior to that date.

 

ii


At its meeting, the Board received and evaluated materials provided by the Investment Adviser regarding the Reorganization and its effect on the existing shareholders of the Funds. The Board also evaluated and discussed: (i) any material differences between each Fund’s investment objective, strategies, policies and risks; (ii) the specific terms of the Reorganization; and (iii) other information, such as the relative sizes of the Funds, the performance records of the Funds and the expenses of the Funds and the anticipated asset growth of the Funds in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Board considered additional factors, which are discussed in more detail below under “Why did the Board approve the Reorganization?”

The Independent Trustees were assisted in their consideration of the Reorganization by independent counsel.

Questions and Answers

How will the Reorganization affect me?

Under the terms of the Plan, the Acquired Fund will transfer all of its assets to the Surviving Fund and the Surviving Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund. Subsequently, the Acquired Fund will be liquidated and you will become a shareholder of the Surviving Fund. You will receive shares of the Surviving Fund that are equal in aggregate net asset value to the shares of the Acquired Fund that you held on the Closing Date (as defined below). Shareholders of each class of shares of the Acquired Fund will receive the corresponding class of the Surviving Fund, as follows:

 

Acquired Fund

       

Surviving Fund

Class A    g    Class A
Institutional    g    Institutional
Service    g    Service
Investor    g    Investor
Class R6    g    Class R6
Class P    g    Class P

No sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), commission, redemption fee or other transactional fee will be charged as a result of the Reorganization.

It is currently expected that a portion of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets (approximately 25%) will be sold prior to the consummation of the Reorganization, which may result in the Acquired Fund realizing capital gains. The repositioning will generally involve eliminating or reducing certain existing positions in the Acquired Fund’s portfolio. Taking into account net capital losses and capital loss carryforwards expected to be available to offset realized gains, it is currently estimated that the Acquired Fund will not distribute capital gains to its shareholders as a result of the repositioning (based on assets as of September 30, 2021), although the actual amount of such distribution may change depending on market conditions and on transactions entered into by the Acquired Fund prior to the Closing Date. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund will generally be taxed on any resulting capital gain distributions if the Acquired Fund actually distributes such capital gains. It is also estimated that such portfolio repositioning will result in the Acquired Fund bearing average spread costs associated with the sale of its portfolio assets (due to transaction costs, including any trading taxes) of approximately 3-5 basis points.

When will the Reorganization occur?

The Reorganization is scheduled to occur on or about January 28, 2022, but may occur on such earlier or later date as the parties agree (the “Closing Date”).

 

iii


How will the Reorganization affect the fees to be paid by the Surviving Fund, and how do they compare with the fees paid by the Acquired Fund?

Following the Reorganization, the Acquired Fund shareholders are expected to experience a decrease in net fees and expenses with respect to their investment in the Surviving Fund through at least July 29, 2023. The Surviving Fund’s management fee schedule is lower than that of the Acquired Fund across all breakpoints. In addition, with respect to each share class of the Surviving Fund, GSAM has agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to 0.064% of the Surviving Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to such class through at least July 29, 2023. Prior to such date, GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Surviving Fund. Following the expiration of the expense reimbursement agreement, it is possible that the total annual fund operating expenses of certain share classes of the Surviving Fund may be higher than the total annual fund operating expenses of the corresponding share class of the Acquired Fund, based in part on the asset size of the Surviving Fund at that time.

Additional information, including pro forma expense information, is included in this Information Statement/Prospectus under “Summary — The Funds’ Fees and Expenses.”

Why did the Board approve the Reorganization?

In approving the Reorganization, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: (i) the Reorganization is in the best interests of each Fund; and (ii) the interests of the shareholders of each Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Trustees also believe that the Reorganization offers a number of potential benefits. These potential benefits and considerations include the following:

 

   

The Reorganization would rationalize Funds that have similar investment objectives and investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences).

 

   

The Reorganization may provide enhanced opportunities to realize greater efficiencies in the form of lower total operating expenses over time and also would enable the combined Fund to be better positioned for asset growth.

 

   

The Reorganization is preferable to liquidating the Acquired Fund as it will provide you and other shareholders with the opportunity to invest in a fund that has a similar investment objective and investment strategy (albeit with some notable differences) and a significantly larger asset base to better pursue its investment objective and strategy. The Funds have a similar universe of permissible investments; however, the Surviving Fund is permitted to invest in additional types of fixed income securities (including emerging country securities, municipal securities and non-investment grade fixed income securities) and, unlike the Acquired Fund, the Surviving Fund is not limited to investing only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities or to investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in high quality floating rate or variable rate obligations. These differences, as well as other differences, are discussed in more detail below under “Summary — Comparison of the Acquired Fund with the Surviving Fund and Comparison of Principal Investments Risks of Investing in the Funds.

 

   

The Surviving Fund had higher total returns than the Acquired Fund over the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2020, and generally equivalent total returns year-to-date (as of September 30, 2021).2

 

   

The Reorganization is expected to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and, therefore, you will not recognize

 

2 

On October 20, 2021, the Surviving Fund implemented certain changes to its principal investment strategy. Performance reflects the Surviving Fund’s investment strategies prior to that date.

 

iv


 

gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the exchange of your shares of the Acquired Fund for the shares of the Surviving Fund.

 

   

The Surviving Fund’s management fee schedule is lower than the Acquired Fund across all breakpoints. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Acquired Fund’s effective management fee (after breakpoints) was 0.31% and the Surviving Fund’s effective management fee (after breakpoints) was 0.25%. Accordingly, shareholders of the Acquired Fund are expected to experience a lower management fee rate upon consummation of the Reorganization.

 

   

GSAM will bear the external costs of the Reorganization (as described below).

 

   

Current shareholders of the Acquired Fund may redeem their shares at any time before the Reorganization takes place, as set forth in the Acquired Fund’s prospectuses.

Additional considerations are discussed in more detail below under “Summary — Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations.”

Who bears the expenses associated with the Reorganization?

GSAM has agreed to pay the external costs (e.g., legal, auditor/accounting, printing and mailing costs) associated with each Fund’s participation in the Reorganization. GSAM estimates that these costs will be approximately $275,000.

Additionally, as discussed in more detail above under “How will the Reorganization affect me?, it is currently expected that a portion of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets (approximately 25%) will be sold prior to the consummation of the Reorganization. It is estimated that such portfolio repositioning will result in the Acquired Fund bearing average spread costs associated with the sale of its portfolio assets (due to transaction costs, including any trading taxes) of approximately 3-5 basis points.

Will the Investment Adviser benefit from the Reorganization?

Although reorganizing the Acquired Fund with and into the Surviving Fund (instead of liquidating the Acquired Fund) will benefit GSAM by managing a larger pool of assets, which will produce increased management fees that will accrue to GSAM, the Investment Adviser believes that the combined Fund would be better positioned for asset growth than the Acquired Fund on its own.

What are the Federal income and other tax consequences of the Reorganization?

As a condition to the closing of the Reorganization, the Funds must receive an opinion of Dechert LLP to the effect that the Reorganization will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. Accordingly, subject to the limited exceptions described below under the heading “Tax Status of the Reorganization,” it is expected that neither you nor a Fund will recognize gain or loss as a direct result of the Reorganization, and that the aggregate tax basis of the Surviving Fund shares that you receive in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares that you surrendered in the Reorganization.

In addition, in connection with the Reorganization, it is currently expected that a portion of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets (approximately 25%) will be sold prior to the consummation of the Reorganization, which may result in the Acquired Fund realizing capital gains. The repositioning will generally involve eliminating or reducing certain existing positions in the Acquired Fund’s portfolio. Taking into account net capital losses and capital loss carryforwards expected to be available to offset realized gains, it is currently estimated that the Acquired Fund will not distribute capital gains to its shareholders as a result of the repositioning (based on assets as September 30, 2021), although the actual amount of such distribution may change depending on market conditions and on transactions entered into by the Acquired Fund prior to the Closing Date. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund will generally be taxed on any resulting capital gain distributions if the Acquired Fund actually

 

v


distributes such capital gains. It is also estimated that such portfolio repositioning will result in the Acquired Fund bearing average spread costs associated with the sale of its portfolio assets (due to transaction costs, including any trading taxes) of approximately 3-5 basis points.

Why are shareholders not being asked to vote on the Reorganization?

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust and applicable state law do not require shareholder approval of the Reorganization. Moreover, Rule 17a-8 under the 1940 Act does not require shareholder approval of the Reorganization, provided certain conditions are met. Because applicable legal requirements do not require shareholder approval under these circumstances and the Board has determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of each Fund, shareholders are not being asked to vote on the Reorganization.

Where can I get more information?

 

Each Fund’s current prospectuses and any applicable supplements.   

On file with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov) (file nos. 811-05349; 33-17619) and available at no charge by calling: 1-800-526-7384 or on the Funds’ website (www.gsamfunds.com).

 

Each Fund’s current statement of additional information and any applicable supplements.   

On file with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov) (file nos. 811-05349; 33-17619) and available at no charge by calling: 1-800-526-7384 or on the Funds’ website (www.gsamfunds.com).

 

Each Fund’s most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.   

On file with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov) (file nos. 811¬-5349; 33-17619) and available at no charge by calling: 1-800-526-7384 or on the Funds’ website (www.gsamfunds.com).

 

A statement of additional information for this Information Statement/Prospectus, dated November [●], 2021 (the “SAI”). The SAI contains additional information about the Surviving Fund.   

On file with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov) (file nos. 811-05349; 33-17619) and available at no charge by calling: 1-800-526-7384. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Information Statement/Prospectus

 

To ask questions about this Information Statement/Prospectus.    Call the toll-free telephone number: 1-800-526-7384.

Each Fund’s: (i)  prospectuses, dated July 29, 2021, as supplemented October 22, 2021 (with respect to the Acquired Fund), and dated October 22, 2021 (with respect to the Surviving Fund), (ii) statement of additional information, dated July 29, 2021, as supplemented October 22, 2021 (with respect to the Acquired Fund), and dated October 22, 2021 (with respect to the Surviving Fund), and (iii) March 31, 2021 Annual Report, are incorporated by reference into this Information Statement/Prospectus, which means they are considered legally a part of this Information Statement/Prospectus. The materials have been filed with the SEC (www.sec.gov) and are available upon written or oral request and without charge by writing to the address above or calling the following toll-free number: 1-800-526-7384.

 

vi


SUMMARY

     1  

Comparison of the Acquired Fund with the Surviving Fund

     1  

Risks of the Funds

     5  

The Funds’ Fees and Expenses

     14  

The Funds’ Past Performance

     18  

Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations

     21  

Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares of the Funds

     23  

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

     23  

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE REORGANIZATION

     24  

CAPITALIZATION

     25  

TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     26  

TAX STATUS OF THE REORGANIZATION

     26  

CHARTER DOCUMENTS OF GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST

     27  

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUNDS

     27  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

     29  

DISTRIBUTIONS

     35  

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     37  

EXPERTS

     43  

OTHER INFORMATION

     43  

EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT OF PLAN AND OF REORGANIZATION

     A-1  

EXHIBIT B GSAM’S FIXED INCOME INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PORTFOLIO RISKS, SECURITIES AND TECHNIQUES

     B-1  

EXHIBIT C SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

     C-1  

EXHIBIT D INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS

     D-1  

 

-i-


GOLDMAN SACHS HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

AND

GOLDMAN SACHS ENHANCED INCOME FUND

SUMMARY

The following is a summary of more complete information appearing later in this Information Statement/Prospectus or incorporated by reference herein. You should read carefully the entire Information Statement/Prospectus, including the form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization attached as Exhibit A, because it contains details that are not in the summary.

Comparison of the Acquired Fund with the Surviving Fund

Although each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities, there are some important differences between the principal investment strategies of the Surviving Fund and those of the Acquired Fund. These differences are discussed in more detail in the side-by-side chart below to facilitate comparison.

 

     The Acquired Fund    The Surviving Fund
Diversification Status    The Funds are currently diversified under the 1940 Act.
Investment Objective    The Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income, consistent with low volatility of principal.    The Fund seeks to generate return in excess of traditional money market products while maintaining an emphasis on preservation of capital and liquidity.
Principal Investment Strategy    The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of Net Assets in high quality floating rate or variable rate obligations. Floating rate and variable rate obligations are debt instruments issued by companies or other entities with interest rates that reset periodically (typically, daily, monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually) in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. The Fund considers “high quality” obligations to be (i) those rated AAA or Aaa by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) at the time of purchase (or the equivalent short term rating for short term obligations such as commercial paper), or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality, including repurchase agreements with counter-parties rated AAA or Aaa by an NRSRO at the time of purchase, or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality, and (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies,    The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, primarily in a portfolio of U.S. or foreign fixed income securities, including securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”), including agency issued adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities or other mortgage-related securities (“Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities”), corporate notes, privately issued adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities or other mortgage-related securities (“Private Mortgage-Backed Securities” and, together with Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, “Mortgage-Backed Securities”), commercial paper, fixed and floating rate asset-backed securities (including collateralized loan obligations), high yield non-investment grade fixed income securities (i.e., securities rated BB+, Ba1 or below by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable

 

1


     The Acquired Fund    The Surviving Fund
  

instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”), including securities representing an interest in or collateralized by agency issued adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage loans or other mortgage-related securities (“Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities”), and in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities, with counterparties approved by the Investment Adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The remainder of the Fund’s Net Assets (up to 20%) may be invested in fixed rate obligations (subject to the credit quality requirements specified above) and investment grade floating rate or variable rate obligations. The Fund also intends to invest in derivatives, including (but not limited to) futures, swaps, options on swaps and other derivative instruments, which are used primarily to manage the Fund’s duration. The Fund may also invest in privately issued adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities or other mortgage-related securities (“Private Mortgage-Backed Securities” and, together with Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, “Mortgage-Backed Securities”). The Fund may invest in obligations of foreign issuers (including sovereign and agency obligations), although 100% of the Fund’s portfolio will be invested in U.S. dollar-denominated securities.

 

The Fund’s investments in floating and variable rate obligations may include, without limitation: agency floating rate bonds and agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, including adjustable rate mortgages and collateralized mortgage obligation floaters; asset-backed floating rate bonds including, but not limited to, those backed by Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”) student loans and credit card receivables; other floating rate Mortgage-Backed Securities; asset-backed securities (including collateralized loan obligations); corporate obligations; and overnight repurchase agreements.

 

The Fund may gain exposure to Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities through several methods, including by utilizing to-be-announced (“TBA”) agreements in Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities or

  

credit quality), sovereign and corporate debt securities, and other U.S. dollar denominated debt instruments of emerging market countries. The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities issued by or on behalf of states, territories, and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) (“Municipal Securities”). The Fund may also seek to obtain exposure to fixed income investments through investments in affiliated or unaffiliated investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).

 

Except for asset-backed securities, Mortgage-Backed Securities and U.S. Treasury securities deliverable in futures transactions, the Fund will not invest in securities with remaining maturities of more than 5 years as determined in accordance with the SAI. With respect to asset-backed securities and Mortgage-Backed Securities, the Fund will not invest in asset-backed securities with a weighted average life of more than 5 years. In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, the Investment Adviser will seek to enhance the Fund’s return by identifying those fixed income securities that are within the maturity limitations discussed above and that the Investment Adviser believes offer advantageous yields relative to other similar securities.

 

The Fund may not invest, in the aggregate, more than 10% of its total assets measured at the time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in (i) U.S. dollar denominated emerging market countries debt and (ii) non-investment grade fixed income securities.

 

The Fund may engage in forward foreign currency transactions in G4 currencies (U.S. Dollar, Euro, GBP and JPY) for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. The Fund may invest in obligations of domestic and foreign issuers that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (and may also be denominated in a currency other than that associated with the issuer’s domicile).

 

The Fund also intends to invest in other derivative instruments, including (but not limited to) interest rate futures contracts,

 

2


     The Acquired Fund    The Surviving Fund
  

through the use of reverse repurchase agreements. TBA agreements for Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities are standardized contracts for future delivery of fixed-rate mortgage pass-through securities in which the exact mortgage pools to be delivered are not specified until shortly before settlement. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund subject to an agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price (including interest). These transactions enable the Fund to gain exposure to specified pools of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities by purchasing them on a forward settling basis and using the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement to settle the trade. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements when the Investment Adviser expects that the return to be earned from the investment of the transaction proceeds to be greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements may also be entered into as a temporary measure for emergency purposes or to meet redemption requests.

 

The Fund may also seek to obtain exposure to fixed income investments through investments in affiliated or unaffiliated investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).

 

The Fund’s target duration range under normal interest rate conditions is expected to approximate that of the ICE BofAML Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, plus or minus 3 months, and over the last five years ended June 30, 2021, the duration of the Index has ranged between 0.16 and 0.25 years.

  

options (including options on futures contracts, swaps, bonds and indexes), swaps (including credit default, index, basis, total return, volatility and currency swaps) and other forward contracts. The Fund may use derivatives, instead of buying and selling debt directly, to manage duration, to gain exposure to certain securities or indexes, or to take short positions with respect to individual securities or indexes. The Fund may invest in derivatives that are not denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

The Fund may gain exposure to Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities through several methods, including by utilizing to-be-announced (“TBA”) agreements in Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities or through the use of reverse repurchase agreements. TBA agreements for Agency Mortgage- Backed Securities are standardized contracts for future delivery of fixed-rate mortgage pass-through securities in which the exact mortgage pools to be delivered are not specified until shortly before settlement. A reverse repurchase agreement enables the Fund to gain exposure to specified pools of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities by purchasing them on a forward settling basis and using the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement to settle the trade.

 

The Fund’s target duration range under normal interest rate conditions is expected to be approximately 1 year plus or minus 1 year, and over the past five years ended June 30, 2021, the duration of the ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index has ranged between 0.90 to 0.99 years.

What is each Fund’s limit with respect to an investment in a single industry or group of industries?    Each Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities).

 

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     The Acquired Fund    The Surviving Fund
Benchmarks    The Fund’s benchmark index is the ICE BofAML Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index.    The Fund’s benchmark index is the ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index.
Fund turnover    Each Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities or instruments (i.e., “turns over” its portfolio). A high rate of portfolio turnover may result in increased transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains for taxable shareholders. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example, but are reflected in the Fund’s performance.
   The Acquired Fund’s and Surviving Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 was 24% and 58%, respectively, of the average value of the portfolio.
Investment Adviser    GSAM serves as the investment adviser of each Fund.
Fund management team   

Each Fund has the same portfolio management team, which consists of Dave Fishman and John Olivo.

 

Dave Fishman, Managing Director, has managed the Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund since 2008. Mr. Fishman is the head of GSAM’s Global Liquidity Management team. Mr. Fishman joined the Investment Adviser in 1997.

 

John Olivo, Managing Director, has managed the Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund since 2016. Mr. Olivo is the global head of GSAM’s short duration fixed income strategies. Mr. Olivo is a member of the Investment Strategy Committee. Mr. Olivo joined the Investment Adviser in 1995.

 

Dave Fishman and John Olivo are expected to continue to manage the Surviving Fund upon the consummation of the Reorganization.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation and other accounts managed by the portfolio managers.

Fiscal year end    March 31

As the above table indicates, the Funds have similar investment objectives and investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences). The Funds have a similar universe of permissible investments; however, the Surviving Fund is permitted to invest in additional types of fixed income securities (including emerging country securities, Municipal Securities and non-investment grade fixed income securities) and, unlike the Acquired Fund, the Surviving Fund is not limited to investing only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities or to investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in high quality floating rate or variable rate obligations. Additionally, the Surviving Fund has a longer target duration than the Acquired Fund.

The Surviving Fund’s principal investment strategies may impact performance and the risk/return profile of your investment. The investment philosophy of the Funds, as well as additional information on portfolio risks, securities and techniques, is described in more detail in Exhibit B.

 

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Risks of the Funds

Risks of Investing in the Funds

The Chart below compares the principal and additional risks of investing in each Fund. Principal risks of each Fund are discussed in the Summary section of the Prospectus. The following section provides additional information on the risks that apply to the Funds, which may result in a loss of your investment. The risks applicable to each Fund are presented below in alphabetical order, and not in the order of importance or potential exposure. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Investments in a Fund involve substantial risks which prospective investors should consider carefully before investing.

 

✓ Principal Risk

● Additional Risk

   Acquired
Fund
     Surviving
Fund
 

Call/Prepayment

         

Collateralized Loan Obligations and Other Collateralized Debt Obligations

         

Counterparty

         

Credit/Default

         

Derivatives

         

Emerging Countries

       

ESG Integration

         

Extension

         

Floating and Variable Rate Obligations

         

Foreign

         

Inflation Protected Securities

         

Interest Rate

         

Large Shareholder Transactions

         

Leverage

         

Liquidity

         

Management

         

Market

         

Mortgage-Backed and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities

         

Municipal Securities

       

NAV

         

Non-Hedging Foreign Currency Trading

       

Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities

       

Other Investment Companies

         

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

         

Sovereign Default

     

Political

         

Economic

         

Repayment

         

U.S. Government Securities

         

Call/Prepayment Risk—An issuer could exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as a mortgage- backed security) earlier than expected. This may happen when there is a decline in interest rates, when credit spreads change, or when an issuer’s credit quality improves. Under these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to recoup all of its initial investment and will also suffer from having to reinvest in lower-yielding securities.

 

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Collateralized Loan Obligations and Other Collateralized Debt Obligations Risk—The Fund may invest in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured investments. A CLO is an asset-backed security whose underlying collateral is a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign floating rate and fixed rate senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. In addition to the normal risks associated with loan- and credit-related securities discussed elsewhere in the Prospectus (e.g., interest rate risk and default risk), investments in CLOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to, the risk that: (i) distributions from the collateral may not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of CLOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; and (v) the CLO’s manager may perform poorly. CLOs may charge management and other administrative fees, which are in addition to those of the Fund.

CLOs issue classes or “tranches” that offer various maturity, risk and yield characteristics. Losses caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. Tranches are categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/ equity, according to their degree of risk. If there are defaults or the CLO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those of subordinated/equity tranches. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the collateral and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Because it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CLO trust typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying collateral and may be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity and mezzanine tranches, more senior tranches of CLOs can experience losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of more subordinate tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class. The Fund’s investments in CLOs primarily consist of investment grade tranches.

Typically, CLOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid investments and may have limited independent pricing transparency. However, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs that qualify under the Rule 144A “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers, and such CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as liquid investments.

The Fund may also invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which are structured similarly to CLOs, but are backed by pools of assets that are debt securities (rather than being limited only to loans), typically including bonds, other structured finance securities (including other asset-backed securities and other CDOs) and/or synthetic instruments. Like CLOs, the risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type and quality of the collateral securities and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests. CDOs collateralized by pools of asset-backed securities carry the same risks as investments in asset-backed securities directly, including losses with respect to the collateral underlying those asset-backed securities. In addition, certain CDOs may not hold their underlying collateral directly, but rather, use derivatives such as swaps to create “synthetic” exposure to the collateral pool. Such CDOs entail the risks associated with derivative instruments.

Counterparty Risk—Many of the protections afforded to cleared transactions, such as the security afforded by transacting through a clearing house, might not be available in connection with certain OTC transactions. Therefore, in those instances in which the Fund enters into certain OTC transactions, the Fund will be subject to the risk that its direct counterparty will not perform its obligations under the transactions and that the Fund will sustain losses. However, recent regulatory developments require margin on certain uncleared OTC transactions which may reduce, but not eliminate, this risk.

Credit/Default Risk—An issuer or guarantor of fixed income securities or instruments held by a Fund (which, for certain Funds, may have low credit ratings) may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal or

 

6


default on any other obligation. The credit quality of a Fund’s portfolio securities or instruments may meet the Fund’s credit quality requirements at the time of purchase but then deteriorate thereafter, and such a deterioration can occur rapidly. In certain instances, the downgrading or default of a single holding or guarantor of the Fund’s holding may impair the Fund’s liquidity and have the potential to cause significant deterioration in NAV. These risks are more pronounced in connection with a Fund’s investments in non-investment grade fixed income securities.

Derivatives Risk—The Fund’s use of options, futures, forwards, swaps, options on swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments may result in losses. These instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Certain derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligations, liquidity risk and risks arising from margin requirements, which include the risk that the Fund will be required to pay additional margin or set aside additional collateral to maintain open derivative positions. Derivatives may be used for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments, and there is no guarantee that the use of derivatives will achieve their intended result. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuation in securities prices, interest rates, currency prices or other variables, the use of derivatives could result in losses, which in some cases may be significant. A lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivatives and the value of the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged could also result in losses. In addition, there is a risk that the performance of the derivatives or other instruments used by the Investment Adviser to replicate the performance of a particular asset class may not accurately track the performance of that asset class.

As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must identify on its books (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or SEC staff-approved or other appropriate measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments. For more information about these practices, see Appendix A. As discussed in more detail in Appendix A and the SAI, the SEC adopted a final rule related to the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by registered investment companies. In connection with the final rule, the SEC and its staff will rescind and withdraw applicable guidance and relief regarding asset segregation and coverage transactions reflected in the Fund’s asset segregation and cover practices discussed therein.

Emerging Countries Risk (Surviving Fund)—The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. Investments in securities of issuers located in, or otherwise economically tied to, emerging countries are subject to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities. The securities markets of most emerging countries are less liquid, developed and efficient, are subject to greater price volatility, and have smaller market capitalizations. In addition, emerging markets and frontier countries may have more or less government regulation and generally do not impose as extensive and frequent accounting, auditing, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries. As a result, there could be less information available about issuers in emerging and frontier market countries, which could negatively affect the Investment Adviser’s ability to evaluate local companies or their potential impact on the Fund’s performance. Further, investments in securities of issuers located in certain emerging countries involve the risk of loss resulting from problems in share registration, settlement or custody, substantial economic, political and social disruptions and the imposition of exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions). The legal remedies for investors in emerging and frontier markets may be more limited than the remedies available in the U.S., and the ability of U.S. authorities (e.g., SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice) to bring actions against bad actors may be limited. These risks are not normally associated with investments in more developed countries. For more information about these risks, see Appendix A in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

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ESG Integration Risk—The Investment Adviser employs a fundamental investment process that may integrate ESG factors with traditional fundamental factors. The relevance and weightings of specific ESG factors to or within the fundamental investment process varies across asset classes, sectors and strategies and no one factor or consideration is determinative. When integrating ESG factors into the investment process, the Investment Adviser may rely on third-party data that it believes to be reliable, but it does not guarantee the accuracy of such third-party data. ESG information from third-party data providers may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable, which may adversely impact the investment process. Moreover, ESG information, whether from an external and/or internal source, is, by nature and in many instances, based on a qualitative and judgmental assessment. An element of subjectivity and discretion is therefore inherent to the interpretation and use of ESG data. While the Investment Adviser believes that the integration of material ESG factors into the Fund’s investment process has the potential to identify financial risks and contribute to the Fund’s long-term performance, ESG factors may not be considered for each and every investment decision, and there is no guarantee that the integration of ESG factors will result in better performance. Investors can differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG characteristics. Moreover, the current lack of common standards may result in different approaches to integrating ESG factors. As a result, the Fund may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor. The Investment Adviser’s approach to ESG integration may evolve and develop over time, both due to a refinement of investment decision-making processes to address ESG factors and risks, and because of legal and regulatory developments.

Extension Risk—An issuer could exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as a mortgage-backed security) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease, and the Fund will also suffer from the inability to reinvest in higher yielding securities.

Floating and Variable Rate Obligations Risk—Floating rate and variable rate obligations are debt instruments issued by companies or other entities with interest rates that reset periodically (typically, daily, monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually) in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. For floating and variable rate obligations, there may be a lag between an actual change in the underlying interest rate benchmark and the reset time for an interest payment of such an obligation, which could harm or benefit the Fund, depending on the interest rate environment or other circumstances. In a rising interest rate environment, for example, a floating or variable rate obligation that does not reset immediately would prevent the Fund from taking full advantage of rising interest rates in a timely manner. However, in a declining interest rate environment, the Fund may benefit from a lag due to an obligation’s interest rate payment not being immediately impacted by a decline in interest rates.

Certain floating and variable rate obligations have an interest rate floor feature, which prevents the interest rate payable by the security from dropping below a specified level as compared to a reference interest rate (the “reference rate”), such as LIBOR. Such a floor protects the Fund from losses resulting from a decrease in the reference rate below the specified level. However, if the reference rate is below the floor, there will be a lag between a rise in the reference rate and a rise in the interest rate payable by the obligation, and the Fund may not benefit from increasing interest rates for a significant amount of time.

On March 5, 2021, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and ICE Benchmark Authority formally announced that certain LIBORs will cease publication after December 31, 2021 while others will cease publication after June 30, 2023. The unavailability or replacement of LIBOR may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain Fund investments and may result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades. Any pricing adjustments to the Fund’s investments resulting from a substitute reference rate may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV.

Foreign Risk —When the Fund invests in foreign securities, it may be subject to risks of loss not typically associated with U.S. issuers. Loss may result because of more or less foreign government regulation; less public information; less stringent investor protections; less stringent accounting, corporate governance, financial

 

8


reporting and disclosure standards; less liquid, developed or efficient trading markets, greater volatility and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. Loss may also result from, among other things, deteriorating economic and business conditions in other countries, including the United States, regional and global conflicts, the imposition of exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions), sanctions, foreign taxes, confiscation of assets and property, trade restrictions (including tariffs), expropriation and other government restrictions by the United States and other governments, higher transaction costs, difficulty enforcing contractual obligations or from problems in share registration, settlement or custody. The Fund or the Investment Adviser may determine not to invest in, or may limit its overall investment in, a particular issuer, country or geographic region due to, among other things, heightened risks regarding repatriation restrictions, confiscation of assets and property, expropriation or nationalization. The Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. For more information about these risks, see Appendix A.

Inflation Protected Securities Risk—The value of IPS generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of IPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of IPS. Although the principal value of IPS declines in periods of deflation, holders at maturity receive no less than the par value of the bond. However, if a Fund purchases IPS in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, the Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation. If inflation is lower than expected during the period the Fund holds an IPS, the Fund may earn less on the security than on a conventional bond.

Interest Rate Risk—When interest rates increase, fixed income securities or instruments held by the Fund (which may include inflation protected securities) will generally decline in value. Long-term fixed income securities or instruments will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed income securities or instruments. A wide variety of market factors can cause interest rates to rise, including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation and changes in general economic conditions. The risks associated with changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and the Fund’s investments. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of fixed income securities and instruments held by the Fund.

Interest rates in the United States are currently at historically low levels. Certain countries have experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income instruments. 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 Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk—The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, institutional investors (including those trading by use of non-discretionary mathematical formulas), financial intermediaries (who may make investment decisions on behalf of underlying clients and/or include the Fund in their investment model), individuals, accounts and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio.

 

9


Leverage Risk—Leverage creates exposure to potential gains and losses in excess of the initial amount invested. Borrowing and the use of derivatives may result in leverage and may make the Fund more volatile. When the Fund uses leverage, the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a leveraged investment. A Fund will identify liquid assets on its books or otherwise cover transactions that may give rise to such risk, to the extent required by applicable law. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so. The use of leverage by the Fund can substantially increase the adverse impact to which the Fund’s investment portfolio may be subject.

Liquidity Risk—The Fund may invest to a greater degree in securities or instruments that trade in lower volumes and may make investments that are less liquid than other investments. Also, the Fund may make investments that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Investments that are illiquid or that trade in lower volumes may be more difficult to value. When there is no willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the security or instrument at all. An inability to sell one or more portfolio positions can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.

To the extent that the traditional dealer counterparties that engage in fixed income trading do not maintain inventories of bonds (which provide an important indication of their ability to “make markets”) that keep pace with the growth of the bond markets over time, relatively low levels of dealer inventories could lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. Additionally, market participants other than a Fund may attempt to sell fixed income holdings at the same time as the Fund, which could cause downward pricing pressure and contribute to decreased liquidity.

Because the Fund may invest in non-investment grade fixed income securities and emerging country issuers, the Fund may be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods, the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within a particular investment category, may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate.

Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period stated in the Prospectus or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests or other reasons. While the Fund reserves the right to meet redemption requests through in-kind distributions, the Fund may instead choose to raise cash to meet redemption requests through sales of portfolio securities or permissible borrowings. If the Fund is forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests.

Certain shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the Investment Adviser and/or other funds managed by the Investment Adviser, may from time to time own or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these shareholders of their shares of the Fund may further increase the Fund’s liquidity risk and may impact the Fund’s NAV. These shareholders may include, for example, institutional investors, funds of funds, discretionary advisory clients and other shareholders, whose buy-sell decisions are controlled by a single decision-maker.

Management Risk—A strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk—The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions throughout the world. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. The Fund’s investments may

 

10


be overweighted from time to time in one or more sectors or countries, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors or countries.

Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Furthermore, local, regional and global events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health threats could also adversely impact issuers, markets and economies, including in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. The Fund could be negatively impacted if the value of a portfolio holding were harmed by such political or economic conditions or events. In addition, governmental and quasi-governmental organizations have taken a number of unprecedented actions designed to support the markets. Such conditions, events and actions may result in greater market risk.

Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed Securities RiskMortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. Generally, rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, if the Fund holds Mortgage-Backed Securities, it may exhibit additional volatility. This is known as extension risk. In addition, adjustable and fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities are subject to prepayment risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates.

The Fund’s investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with Mortgage-Backed Securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral comparable to that of mortgage assets, resulting in additional credit risk.

The Fund may invest in Mortgage-Backed Securities issued by the U.S. Government (see “U.S. Government Securities Risk”). To the extent that the Fund invests in Mortgage-Backed Securities offered by non-governmental issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers, the Fund may be subject to additional risks. Timely payment of interest and principal of non-governmental issuers are supported by various forms of private insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance purchased by the issuer. There can be no assurance that the private insurers can meet their obligations under the policies. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Fund. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages. Subprime mortgages refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their mortgages.

The Fund may gain exposure to Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities by utilizing TBA agreements. TBA agreements involve the risk that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund could lose the opportunity to obtain a price or yield that it considers advantageous. In such circumstances, the Fund may not be able to secure an alternative investment with comparable terms. TBA agreements may give rise to a form of leverage. The Fund’s use of TBA agreements may also result in a higher portfolio turnover rate and/or increased capital gains for the Fund.

Municipal Securities Risk (Surviving Fund)Municipal securities are subject to call/prepayment risk, credit/default risk, extension risk, interest rate risk and certain additional risks. The Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the debt securities of similar projects (such as those relating to education, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities), industrial development bonds, or in particular types of municipal securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds and moral obligation bonds). While interest earned on municipal securities is generally not subject to federal tax, any interest earned on taxable municipal securities is fully taxable at the

 

11


federal level and may be subject to tax at the state level. Specific risks are associated with different types of municipal securities. With respect to general obligation bonds, the full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Certain of the municipalities in which the Funds invest may experience significant financial difficulties, which may lead to bankruptcy or default. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base.

With respect to revenue bonds, payments of interest and principal are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax, or other revenue source, and depends on the money earned by that source. Private activity bonds are issued by municipalities and other public authorities to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment. Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss.

NAV RiskThe net asset value of the Fund and the value of your investment will fluctuate.

Non-Hedging Foreign Currency Trading Risk (Surviving Fund)The Fund may engage in forward foreign currency transactions for investment purposes. The Investment Adviser may purchase or sell foreign currencies through the use of forward contracts based on the Investment Adviser’s judgment regarding the direction of the market for a particular foreign currency or currencies. In pursuing this strategy, the Investment Adviser seeks to profit from anticipated movements in currency rates by establishing “long” and/or “short” positions in forward contracts on various foreign currencies. Foreign exchange rates can be extremely volatile and a variance in the degree of volatility of the market or in the direction of the market from the Investment Adviser’s expectations may produce significant losses to the Fund. Some of the transactions may also be subject to interest rate risk.

Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities Risk (Surviving Fund)Non-investment grade fixed income securities and unrated securities of comparable credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are considered speculative and are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific issuer developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less liquidity.

Other Investment Companies RiskBy investing in other investment companies (including ETFs), indirectly through the Fund, investors will incur a proportionate share of the expenses of the other investment companies held by the Fund (including operating costs and investment management fees) in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund will be affected by the investment policies, practices and performance of such investment companies in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Fund invests therein.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements RiskReverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund subject to an agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price (including interest). The Fund may enter these transactions when the Investment Adviser expects that the return to be earned from the

 

12


investment of the transaction proceeds to be greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements may also be entered into as a temporary measure for emergency purposes or to meet redemption requests.

Reverse repurchase agreements are a form of secured borrowing and subject the Fund to the risks associated with leverage, including exposure to potential gains and losses in excess of the amount invested. If the securities held by the Fund decline in value while these transactions are outstanding, the NAV of the Fund’s outstanding shares will decline in value by proportionately more than the decline in value of the securities. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the investment return earned by the Fund (from the investment of the proceeds) will be less than the interest expense of the transaction, that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund will decline below the price the Fund is obligated to pay to repurchase the securities, and that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all.

When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it is subject to the risk that the buyer under the agreement may file for bankruptcy, become insolvent or otherwise default on its obligations to the Fund. In the event of a default by the counterparty, there may be delays, costs and risks of loss involved in the Fund’s exercising its rights under the agreement, or those rights may be limited by other contractual agreements or obligations or by applicable law. Such an insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities or other assets sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund; if the value of the purchased securities or other assets increases during such a delay, that loss may also be increased. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities or if the value of investments made by the Fund using the proceeds of the transaction is less than the value of securities. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it must identify on its books cash or liquid assets that have a value equal to or greater than the repurchase price.

Sovereign Default RiskThe issuer of non-U.S. sovereign debt held by the Fund or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay the principal or interest when due. This may result from political or social factors, the general economic environment of a country or levels of foreign debt or foreign currency exchange rates.

Economic RiskThe risks associated with the general economic environment of a country. These can encompass, among other things, low quality and growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”), high inflation or deflation, high government deficits as a percentage of GDP, weak financial sector, overvalued exchange rate, and high current account deficits as a percentage of GDP.

Political RiskThe risks associated with the general political and social environment of a country. These factors may include among other things government instability, poor socioeconomic conditions, corruption, lack of law and order, lack of democratic accountability, poor quality of the bureaucracy, internal and external conflict, and religious and ethnic tensions. High political risk can impede the economic welfare of a country.

Repayment RiskA country may be unable to pay its external debt obligations in the immediate future. Repayment risk factors may include but are not limited to high foreign debt as a percentage of GDP, high foreign debt service as a percentage of exports, low foreign exchange reserves as a percentage of short-term debt or exports, and an unsustainable exchange rate structure.

U.S. Government Securities RiskThe U.S. government may not provide financial support to U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. U.S. Government Securities issued by those agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises, including those issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including any legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that issuers of U.S. Government

 

13


Securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been operating under conservatorship, with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) acting as their conservator, since September 2008. The entities are dependent upon the continued support of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and FHFA in order to continue their business operations. These factors, among others, could affect the future status and role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the values of their securities and the securities which they guarantee. Additionally, the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market values of their securities, which may fluctuate.

Additional information on portfolio risks, securities and techniques is described in more detail in Exhibit B. The materials have been filed with the SEC (www.sec.gov) and are available upon written or oral request and without charge by writing to the address above or calling the following toll-free number: 1-800-526-7384.

The Funds’ Fees and Expenses

Shareholders of both Funds pay various fees and expenses, either directly or indirectly. The tables below show the fees and expenses that you would pay if you were to buy and hold shares of each Fund. Each Fund’s expenses are based upon the financial statements contained in the Funds’ annual report for fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, except as noted in the footnotes to the tables below. As the accounting survivor, the Surviving Fund’s operating history will be used for financial reporting purposes. The tables also show the pro forma expenses of the combined Fund after giving effect to the Reorganization based on pro forma net assets as of March 31, 2021. Pro forma numbers are estimated in good faith and are hypothetical. Different Intermediaries may impose different sales charges and these variations are described in Appendix C—Additional Information About Sales Charge Variations, Waivers and Discounts in the Funds’ prospectus. For financial statement purposes, the Surviving Fund will be the accounting survivor of the Reorganization. In addition, the tables do not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Institutional Shares of the Fund.

 

Class A Shares                   
     High Quality Floating
Rate Fund
(Class A Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Class A Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Combined Fund
Class
 A — Pro Forma)
 

Shareholder fees (paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

     None       None       None  

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

      

Management Fees

     0.31     0.25     0.25

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     0.15     0.15     0.15

Other Expenses

     0.32     0.21     0.21

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

     None       0.01 %1      0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     0.78     0.62     0.62

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     (0.19 )%2      (0.04 )%3      (0.04 )%3 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     0.59     0.58     0.58

 

14


Institutional Shares                   
     High Quality Floating
Rate Fund
(Institutional Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Institutional Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Institutional Shares —
Pro Forma)
 

Shareholder fees (paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

     None     None     None  

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

      

Management Fees

     0.31     0.25     0.25

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     None       None       None  

Other Expenses

     0.24     0.13     0.13

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

     None       0.01 %1      0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     0.55     0.39     0.39

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     (0.19 )%2      (0.04 )%3      (0.04 )%3 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     0.36     0.35     0.35
Investor Shares                   
     High Quality Floating
Rate Fund
(Investor Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Investor Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Combined Fund
Investor Shares —
Pro Forma)
 

Shareholder fees (paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

     None     None     None  

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

      

Management Fees

     0.31     0.25     0.25

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     None       None       None  

Other Expenses

     0.32     0.21     0.21

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

     None       0.01 %1      0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     0.63     0.47     0.47

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     (0.19 )%2      (0.04 )%3      (0.04 )%3 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     0.44     0.43     0.43

 

15


Class R6 Shares                   
     High Quality Floating
Rate Fund
(Class R6 Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Class R6 Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Combined Fund
Class
 R6 Shares —
Pro Forma)
 

Shareholder fees (paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

     None     None     None  

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

      

Management Fees

     0.31     0.25     0.25

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     None       None       None  

Other Expenses

     0.23     0.12     0.12

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

     None       0.01 %1      0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     0.54     0.38     0.38

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     (0.19 )%2      (0.04 )%3      (0.04 )%3 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     0.35     0.34     0.34
Service Shares                   
     High Quality Floating
Rate Fund
(Service Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Service Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Combined Fund
Service Shares —
Pro Forma)
 

Shareholder fees (paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

     None     None     None  

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

      

Management Fees

     0.31     0.25     0.25

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     0.25     0.25     0.25

Other Expenses

     0.49 %     0.38     0.38

Shareholder Administration Fees

     0.25     0.25     0.25

All Other Expenses

     0.24     0.13     0.13

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

     None       0.01 %1      0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     1.05 %     0.89     0.89

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     (0.19 )%2      (0.04 )%3      (0.04 )%3 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     0.86 %     0.85     0.85

 

16


Class P Shares                   
     High Quality Floating
Rate Fund
(Class P Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Class P Shares)
    Enhanced Income Fund
(Combined Fund
Class
 P Shares —
Pro Forma)
 

Shareholder fees (paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

     None     None     None  

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

      

Management Fees

     0.31     0.25     0.25

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     None       None       None  

Other Expenses

     0.23 %     0.12     0.12

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

     None       0.01 %1      0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     0.54 %     0.38     0.38

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     (0.19 )%2      (0.04 )%3      (0.04 )%3 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation

     0.35 %     0.34     0.34

 

1

The “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” and “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation” do not correlate to the ratios of the net and total expenses to average net assets provided in the Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”

2

The Investment Adviser has agreed to: (i) waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Acquired Fund in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser to any of the affiliated funds in which the Fund invests; and (ii) reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, shareholder administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to 0.014% of the Acquired Fund’s average daily net assets. These arrangements will remain in effect through at least July 29, 2022, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

3

The Investment Adviser has agreed to: (i) waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Surviving Fund in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser to any of the affiliated funds in which the Fund invests; and (ii) reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, shareholder administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to 0.064% of the Surviving Fund’s average daily net assets. These arrangements will remain in effect through at least July 29, 2023, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Expense Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in each Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in each Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your applicable shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, and that each Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangements for only the first year). Pro forma expenses are included assuming a Reorganization of the Funds. The examples are for comparison purposes only

 

17


and are not a representation of either Fund’s actual expenses or returns, either past or future. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Institutional Shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

     High Quality Floating Rate Fund      Enhanced Income Fund      Enhanced Income Fund
(Combined Fund — Pro Forma)
 
   1
Year
     3
Years
     5
Years
     10
Years
     1
Year
     3
Years
     5
Years
     10
Years
     1
Year
     3
Years
     5
Years
     10
Years
 

Class A

   $ 60      $ 230      $ 415      $ 948      $ 59      $ 194      $ 342      $ 770      $ 59      $ 194      $ 342      $ 770  

Institutional

   $ 37      $ 157      $ 288      $ 671      $ 36      $ 121      $ 215      $ 489      $ 36      $ 121      $ 215      $ 489  

Investor

   $ 45      $ 183      $ 332      $ 768      $ 44      $ 147      $ 259      $ 588      $ 44      $ 147      $ 259      $ 588  

Service

   $ 88      $ 315      $ 561      $ 1,265      $ 87      $ 280      $ 489      $ 1,092      $ 87      $ 280      $ 489      $ 1,092  

Class R6

   $ 36      $ 154      $ 283      $ 659      $ 35      $ 118      $ 209      $ 476      $ 35      $ 118      $ 209      $ 476  

Class P

   $ 36      $ 154      $ 283      $ 659      $ 35      $ 118      $ 209      $ 476      $ 35      $ 118      $ 209      $ 476  

The Funds’ Past Performance

Upon consummation of the Reorganization, the Surviving Fund will be the accounting and performance survivor.

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in each Fund by showing: (a) changes in the performance of each Fund’s Institutional Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of each Fund’s Class A, Institutional, Service, Investor, Class R6 and Class P Shares compare to those of a broad-based securities market index. Prior to October 20, 2021, certain of the Surviving Fund’s strategies differed. The performance information below reflects the Surviving Fund’s former strategies prior to October 20, 2021. In addition, as of October 20, 2021, the Surviving Fund’s benchmark index was changed from the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund Composite Index, a custom benchmark comprised of the ICE BofAML Six-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (50%) and the ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index (50%), to the ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index. The Investment Adviser believes that the ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index is a more appropriate benchmark against which to measure the Surviving Fund’s past performance.

Each Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost at www.gsamfunds.com/performance or by calling the appropriate phone number on the front cover of this Information Statement/Prospectus.

Acquired Fund Past Performance

 

TOTAL RETURN        CALENDAR YEAR (INSTITUTIONAL)

The year-to-date return for Institutional Shares for the period ended September 30, 2021 was 0.43%

 

Best Quarter

Q2 ‘20                 +2.52%

 

Worst Quarter

Q1 ‘20                 –2.88%

     LOGO

 

18


AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020

   1 Year     5 Year     10 Year     Inception
Date
 

Class A Shares*

        

Returns Before Taxes

     0.73     1.44     0.64     5/15/1995  

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

     0.43     0.89     0.32

Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

     0.43     0.86     0.35

Institutional Shares

        

Returns Before Taxes

     0.85     1.70     0.92     7/17/1991  

Service Shares

        

Returns Before Taxes

     0.39     1.18     0.45     3/27/1997  

Investor Shares

        

Returns Before Taxes

     0.76     1.61     0.82     11/30/2007  

Class R6 Shares**

        

Returns Before Taxes

     0.97     1.73     0.94     7/31/2015  

ICE BofAML Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)

     0.67     1.20     0.63  

 

*

Performance of Class A Shares reflects no initial sales charge. Prior to July 30, 2018, the maximum initial sales charge applicable to Class A Shares was 1.50%, which is not reflected in the performance shown in the table above.

**

Class R6 Shares commenced operations on February 28, 2018. Prior to that date, the performance of the Class R6 Shares shown in the table above is that of the Institutional Shares, including since inception performance as of Institutional Shares’ inception date. Performance has not been adjusted to reflect the lower expenses of Class R6 Shares. Class R6 Shares would have had higher returns because: (i) Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares represent interests in the same portfolio of securities; and (ii) Class R6 Shares have lower expenses.

Acquired Fund Past Performance (Class P Shares)

 

TOTAL RETURN        CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS P)

The year-to-date return for Class P Shares for the period ended September 30, 2021 was 0.43%

 

Best Quarter

Q2 ‘20                 +2.65%

 

Worst Quarter

Q1 ‘20                 –2.88%

     LOGO

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020

   1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Class P Shares

    

Returns Before Taxes

     0.97     1.78

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

     0.58     1.00

Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

     0.57     1.03

ICE BofAML Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)

     0.67     1.61

 

19


Surviving Fund Past Performance

 

TOTAL RETURN        CALENDAR YEAR (INSTITUTIONAL CLASS)

The total return for Institutional Class Shares for the period ended September 30, 2021 was 0.43%.

 

Best Quarter

Q2 ‘20                 +3.84%

 

Worst Quarter

Q1 ‘20                 –2.33%

     LOGO

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020

   1 Year     5 Year     10 Years     Inception
Date
 

Class A Shares*

        

Returns Before Taxes

     2.25     1.83     0.93     8/2/2000  

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

     1.67     1.23     0.54  

Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

     1.33     1.14     0.55  

Administration Shares

        

Returns Before Taxes

     2.24     1.85     1.24     8/2/2000  

Institutional Shares

        

Returns Before Taxes

     2.49     2.10     1.24     8/2/2000  

Investor Shares

        

Returns Before Taxes

     2.41     1.99     1.15     7/30/2010  

Service Shares**

        

Returns Before Taxes

     2.24     1.85     1.24     10/19/2021  

Class R6 Shares***

        

Returns Before Taxes

     2.50     2.11     1.26     7/31/2015  

ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)

     1.04     1.43     0.81  

ICE BofAML Six-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)

     1.82     1.58 %     0.93  

Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund Composite Index

     1.43     1.50     0.87  

 

*

Performance of Class A Shares reflects no initial sales charge. Prior to July 30, 2018, the maximum initial sales charge applicable to Class A Shares was 1.50%, which is not reflected in the performance shown in the table above.

**

As of the date of this Information Statement/Prospectus, Services Shares had not commenced operations. Performance of Service Shares shown in the table above is that of Administration Shares. Performance has not been adjusted to reflect the higher expenses of Service Shares. Service Shares would have had similar returns (because these share classes represent interests in the same portfolio of securities) and would differ only to the extent that Service Shares and Administration Shares have different expenses.

***

Class R6 Shares commenced operations on July 31, 2015. Prior to that date, the performance of Class R6 Shares shown in the table above is that of Institutional Shares. Performance has not been adjusted to reflect the lower expenses of Class R6 Shares. Class R6 Shares would have had higher returns because: (i) Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares represent interests in the same portfolio of securities; and (ii) Class R6 Shares have lower expenses.

 

20


Surviving Fund Past Performance (Class P Shares)

 

TOTAL RETURN        CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS P)

The total return for Class P Shares for the period ended September 30, 2021 was 0.44%.

 

Best Quarter

Q2 ‘20                 +3.84%

 

Worst Quarter

Q1 ‘20                 –2.43%

     LOGO

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020

   1 Year     Since
Inception
    Inception
Date
 

Class P Shares

      

Returns Before Taxes

     2.40     2.63     4/20/2018  

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

     1.72     1.77  

Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

     1.41     1.64  

ICE BofAML One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)

     1.04     1.89  

ICE BofAML Six-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)

     1.82     2.35  

Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund Composite Index

     1.43     2.12  

The after-tax returns are for Class A Shares and Class P Shares only. The after-tax returns for Institutional, Service, Investor and Class R6 Shares will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. In addition, the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations

The Investment Adviser recommended to the Board that it approve the reorganization of the Acquired Fund with and into the Surviving Fund, each an existing series of Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), because it believes that the Reorganization: (i) would rationalize Funds that have similar investment objectives and similar investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences); (ii) may provide enhanced opportunities to realize greater efficiencies in the form of lower total operating expenses over time; and (iii) would enable the combined Fund to be better positioned for asset growth. The Investment Adviser also believes that the Reorganization is preferable to liquidating the Acquired Fund, as it will provide you and other shareholders with the opportunity to invest in a fund that: (i) has a similar investment objective and similar investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences); (ii) a significantly larger asset base to better pursue its investment objective and strategy; and (iii) is part of the Goldman Sachs Funds — a large, diverse fund family. Moreover, the Surviving Fund had higher total returns than the Acquired Fund over the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2020, and generally equivalent total returns year-to-date (as of September 30, 2021).3

 

3 

On October 20, 2021, the Surviving Fund implemented certain changes to its principal investment strategy. Performance reflects the Surviving Fund’s investment strategies prior to that date.

 

21


On October 12-13, 2021, the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), voted to approve the Reorganization. In approving the Reorganization, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: (i) the Reorganization is in the best interests of each Fund; and (ii) the interests of the shareholders of each Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Board also considered and approved the terms and conditions of the Plan.

At its meeting, the Board received and evaluated materials provided by the Investment Adviser regarding the Reorganization and its effect on the existing shareholders of the Funds. The Board also evaluated and discussed: (i) any material differences between each Fund’s investment objective, strategies, policies and risks; (ii) the specific terms of the Reorganization; and (iii) other information, such as the relative sizes of the Funds, the performance records of the Funds and the expenses of the Funds and the anticipated asset growth of the Funds in the foreseeable future. As part of its consideration of the Reorganization, the Board considered various alternatives to the Reorganization, including (x) continuing to operate the Acquired Fund as a separate series; (y) liquidating the Acquired Fund; and (z) reorganizing the Surviving Fund with and into the Acquired Fund.

The Trustees also believe that the Reorganization offers a number of potential benefits. These potential benefits and considerations include the following:

 

   

The Reorganization would rationalize Funds that have the same investment objective and similar investment strategies (albeit with some notable differences).

 

   

The Reorganization may provide enhanced opportunities to realize greater efficiencies in the form of lower total operating expenses over time and also would enable the combined Fund to be better positioned for asset growth.

 

   

The Reorganization is preferable to liquidating the Acquired Fund as it will provide you and other shareholders with the opportunity to invest in a fund that has a similar investment objective and investment strategy (albeit with some notable differences) and a significantly larger asset base to better pursue its investment objective and strategy. The Funds have a similar universe of permissible investments; however, the Surviving Fund is permitted to invest in additional types of fixed income securities (including emerging country securities, Municipal Securities and non-investment grade fixed income securities) and, unlike the Acquired Fund, the Surviving Fund is not limited to investing only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities or to investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in high quality floating rate or variable rate obligations. These differences, as well as other differences, are discussed in more detail below under “Summary — Comparison of the Acquired Fund with the Surviving Fund and Comparison of Principal Investments Risks of Investing in the Funds.

 

   

The Reorganization is expected to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, and, therefore, you will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the exchange of your shares of the Acquired Fund for the shares of the Surviving Fund.

 

   

No sales charge, CDSC, commission, redemption fee or other transactional fee will be charged as a result of the Reorganization.

 

   

The Surviving Fund’s management fee schedule is lower than the Acquired Fund across all breakpoints. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Acquired Fund’s effective management fee (after breakpoints) was 0.31% and the Surviving Fund’s effective management fee (after breakpoints) was 0.25%. Accordingly, shareholders of the Acquired Fund are expected to experience a lower management fee rate upon consummation of the Reorganization.

 

   

The Reorganization is expected to result in net expense ratios that are lower than the current net expense ratios for each class of the Acquired Fund for at least the first year.

 

   

The Surviving Fund had higher total returns than the Acquired Fund over the one-, five- and ten-year period ended December 31, 2020, and generally equivalent total returns year-to-date (as of September 30, 2021).

 

22


   

The Trustees considered the tax implications of repositioning the Acquired Fund’s portfolio. The Acquired Fund can utilize capital loss carryforwards to offset some, if not all, of the capital gains resulting from the repositioning of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio. It was noted that the ability of the Surviving Fund to utilize the capital losses of the Acquired Fund following the Reorganization may be limited.

 

   

GSAM has agreed to pay the external costs (e.g., legal, auditor/accounting, printing and mailing costs) associated with each Fund’s participation in the Reorganization. GSAM estimates that these costs will be approximately $275,000.

The Board concluded that the Reorganization and the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization likely would benefit the Funds and their shareholders and that each should be approved.

Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares of the Funds

The minimum initial investment for Class A Shares of each Fund is, generally, $1,000. The minimum initial investment for Institutional Shares of each Fund is, generally, $1,000,000 for individual or certain institutional investors, alone or in combination with other assets under the management of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. There is no minimum for initial purchases of Investor, Class R6 and Class P Shares of each Fund, except for certain institutional investors who purchase Class R6 Shares directly with the Fund’s transfer agent for which the minimum initial investment is $5,000,000. Those share classes with a minimum initial investment requirement do not impose it on certain employee benefit plans, and Institutional Shares do not impose it on certain investment advisers investing on behalf of other accounts.

For each Fund, the minimum subsequent investment for Class A shareholders is $50, except for certain employee benefit plans, for which there is no minimum. There is no minimum subsequent investment for Institutional, Investor, Class R6 or Class P shareholders. Each Fund does not impose minimum purchase requirements for initial or subsequent investments in Service Shares, although an Intermediary (as defined below) may impose such minimums and/or establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any business day through certain intermediaries that have a relationship with Goldman Sachs, including banks, trust companies, brokers, registered investment advisers and other financial institutions (“Intermediaries”).

The Acquired Fund no longer accepts orders for the purchase of Acquired Fund shares or exchanges into the Acquired Fund from other Goldman Sachs Funds; provided, however, that existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund may continue to reinvest dividends and distributions, if any. Additionally, certain employee benefit plans and certain financial institutions providing services to employee benefit plans that hold shares of the Acquired Fund as of the close of business on November 15, 2021 may continue to purchase shares of the Acquired Fund, including 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans and money purchase pension plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans and SIMPLE plans.

The procedures for making purchases, redemptions and exchanges of the Acquired Fund are identical to those of the Surviving Fund. Please see the “Shareholder Guide” in Exhibit C to this Information Statement/Prospectus for additional information on making purchases, redemptions and exchanges.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase a Fund through an Intermediary, the Fund and/or its related companies may pay the Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend a Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Intermediary’s website for more information. Please see the “Shareholder Guide” in Exhibit C to this Information Statement/Prospectus for additional information.

 

23


OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE REORGANIZATION

Fund Securities and Portfolio Repositioning

If the Reorganization is effected, management will analyze and evaluate the portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund being transferred to the Surviving Fund. However, each Fund’s portfolio securities are subject to adjustments in the ordinary course of business prior to, or in anticipation of, the Reorganization. In connection with the Reorganization, it is currently expected that a portion of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets (approximately 25%) will be sold prior to the consummation of the Reorganization. The repositioning will generally involve eliminating or reducing certain existing positions in the Acquired Fund’s portfolio. Actual portfolio sales will depend on portfolio composition, market conditions and other factors at the time of, or prior to, the Reorganization and will be at the discretion of the Investment Adviser. The extent and duration to which the portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund will be maintained by the Surviving Fund will be determined consistent with the Surviving Fund’s investment objective, strategies and policies, any restrictions imposed by the Code and in the best interests of each Fund’s shareholders (including former shareholders of the Acquired Fund). Subject to market conditions at the time of any such disposition, the disposition of the portfolio securities by the Funds may result in a capital gain or loss for the Funds. The actual tax consequences of any disposition of portfolio securities will vary depending upon the specific security(ies) being sold and the Surviving Fund’s ability to use any available tax loss carryforwards. Taking into account net capital losses and capital loss carryforwards expected to be available to offset realized gains, it is currently estimated that the Acquired Fund will not distribute capital gains to its shareholders as a result of the repositioning (based on assets as of September 30, 2021), although the actual amount of such distribution may change depending on market conditions and on transactions entered into by the Acquired Fund prior to the Closing Date. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund will generally be taxed on any resulting capital gain distributions if the Acquired Fund actually distributes such capital gains. It is also currently estimated that such portfolio repositioning will result in the Acquired Fund bearing average spread costs associated with the sale of its portfolio assets (due to transaction costs, including any trading taxes) of approximately 3-5 basis points.

Final Distribution of Acquired Fund

Prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will pay its shareholders a cash distribution consisting of any undistributed investment company taxable income and/or any undistributed realized net capital gains, including any net gains realized from any sales of assets prior to the Closing Date. These distributions will be taxable to shareholders that are subject to tax. Because the final distribution amount for the Acquired Fund will depend on market conditions, transactions entered into by the Acquired Fund and shareholder activity prior to the Closing Date, such amount cannot be reliably estimated at this time.

Tax Capital Loss Carryforwards

Federal income tax law permits a regulated investment company to carry forward indefinitely its net capital losses. As of March 31, 2021 the Acquired Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $8,533,630. Additionally, as of March 31, 2021, the Surviving Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $3,916,328. The amount of the Funds’ capital loss carryovers as of the date of the Reorganization may differ substantially from these amounts. The Surviving Fund’s ability to use the capital loss carryovers of the Acquired Fund, if any, to offset gains of Surviving Fund in a given tax year after the Reorganization may be limited by loss limitation rules under Federal tax law. The impact of those loss limitation rules will depend on the relative sizes of, and the losses and gains in, the Funds at the time of the Reorganization and thus cannot be calculated precisely at this time.

The ability of the Surviving Fund to use capital losses to offset gains (even in the absence of the Reorganization) depends on factors other than loss limitations, such as the future realization of capital gains or losses.

 

24


Material Differences in the Rights of Fund Shareholders

The Funds are each a series of the Trust. Accordingly, the operations of each Fund are governed by the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated By-Laws, each as amended. The operations of each Fund are also governed by applicable Delaware law and are subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and the roles and regulations of the SEC thereunder. Each Fund offers the same classes of shares, except that the Surviving Fund also offers Administration Shares. Administration Shares are not involved in the Reorganization. Shareholders of Class A, Institutional, Investor, Service, Class R6, and Class P Shares, respectively, of the Acquired Fund will receive shares of the corresponding class of the Surviving Fund, which will have substantially identical legal characteristics as the corresponding shares of the Acquired Fund with respect to such matters as voting rights, accessibility, conversion rights, and transferability. Each Fund is organized as a series of a Delaware statutory trust. There are no material differences between the rights of shareholders of a class of shares of the Acquired Fund and shareholders of a corresponding class of the Surviving Fund.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Funds as of September 30, 2021. The table also sets forth the pro forma combined capitalization of the combined Fund as if the Reorganization had occurred on September 30, 2021. If the Reorganization is consummated, the net assets, net asset value per share and shares outstanding on the Closing Date will vary from the information below due to changes in the market value of the portfolio securities of the Funds between September 30, 2021 and the Closing Date, changes in the amount of undistributed net investment income and net realized capital gains of the Funds during that period resulting from income and distributions, and changes in the accrued liabilities of the Funds during the same period.

 

     The Acquired Fund
(September 30,
2021)
     The Surviving Fund
(September 30,
2021)
    Adjustments1     Surviving Fund

Pro Forma

(September 30,
2021)
 

Net Assets

  

Class A Shares

   $ 6,126,588      $ 18,602,667       N/A     $ 24,729,255  

Institutional Shares

   $ 95,869,430      $ 423,068,112       N/A     $ 518,937,542  

Administration Shares

     N/A      $ 5,010,875       N/A     $ 5,010,875  

Investor Shares

   $ 2,283,240      $ 10,645,657       N/A     $ 12,928,897  

Service Shares

   $ 34,091        N/A 2      N/A     $ 34,091  

Class R6 Shares

   $ 6,172,013      $ 24,487,377       N/A     $ 30,659,390  

Class P Shares

   $ 169,071,723      $ 347,690,416       N/A     $ 516,762,139  

Net Asset Value Per Share

  

Class A Shares

   $ 8.70        9.55       N/A     $ 9.55  

Institutional Shares

   $ 8.70        9.54       N/A     $ 9.54  

Administration Shares

     N/A        9.56       N/A     $ 9.56  

Investor Shares

   $ 8.68        9.53       N/A     $ 9.53  

Service Shares

   $ 8.72        N/A 2      N/A     $ 9.54  

Class R6 Shares

   $ 8.71        9.54       N/A     $ 9.54  

Class P Shares

   $ 8.71        9.54       N/A     $ 9.54  

Shares Outstanding

  

Class A Shares

     704,092        1,948,203       (62,472     2,589,823  

Institutional Shares

     11,021,618        44,365,731       (968,113     54,419,236  

Administration Shares

     N/A        524,160       N/A       524,160  

Investor Shares

     263,073        1,117,511       (23,393     1,357,191  

Service Shares

     3,910        N/A 2      (335     3,575  

Class R6 Shares

     708,989        2,567,919       (61,748     3,215,160  

Class P Shares

     19,416,801        36,462,394       (1,686,201     54,192,994  

 

1

Adjustment to reflect reduction of shares based on the Surviving Fund’s net asset values.

2

As of September 30, 2021, the Service Shares of the Surviving Fund had not commenced operations.

 

25


It is impossible to predict how many shares of the Surviving Fund will actually be received and distributed by the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date. The table should not be relied upon to determine the amount of the Surviving Fund shares that will actually be received and distributed.

TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

The description of the Plan contained herein includes the material provisions of the Plan, but this description is qualified in its entirety by the attached form copy of the Plan.

Timing.  The Reorganization is scheduled to occur on or about January 28, 2022 (i.e., Closing Date), but may occur on such earlier or later date as the parties agree.

Transfer and Valuation of the Assets.  The Plan contemplates the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to, and the assumption of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund by, the Surviving Fund, in exchange for the applicable shares of the Surviving Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the applicable shares of the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date. The Acquired Fund would then distribute to its shareholders the portion of the Surviving Fund shares to which each such shareholder is entitled. Thereafter, the Acquired Fund would be liquidated. All computations of value will be made State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as administrator for the Acquired Fund.

Conditions to Closing the Reorganization.  The obligation of each Fund to consummate the Reorganization is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the Fund’s performance of all of its obligations under the Plan, the receipt of certain documents and financial statements from the Funds and the receipt of all consents, orders and permits necessary to consummate the Reorganization. The Funds’ obligations are also subject to the receipt of a favorable opinion of Dechert LLP as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization.

Termination of the Plan.  The Plan may be terminated and the Reorganization may be abandoned by resolution of the Board at any time prior to the Closing Date, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of the Board, make proceeding with the Plan inadvisable.

Cost of the Reorganization.  GSAM (or an affiliate) has agreed to pay the legal and other costs associated with each Fund’s participation in the Reorganization.

TAX STATUS OF THE REORGANIZATION

The Reorganization is conditioned upon the receipt of an opinion from Dechert LLP, counsel to the Trust, substantially to the effect that, for federal income tax purposes:

 

   

The transfer to the Surviving Fund of all of the Acquired Fund’s assets in exchange solely for the issuance of the Surviving Fund shares to the Acquired Fund and the assumption of all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities by the Surviving Fund, followed by the distribution of the Surviving Fund shares to the Acquired Fund shareholders in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

   

No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund upon: (i) the transfer of all of its assets to the Surviving Fund as described above or (ii) the distribution by the Acquired Fund of Surviving Fund shares to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund, except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized on the transfer of “section 1256 contracts” as defined in Section 1256(b) of the Code, and (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code;

 

26


   

The tax basis of each asset of the Acquired Fund in the hands of the Surviving Fund will be the same as the tax basis of that asset in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately before the transfer of the asset, increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized by the Acquired Fund on the transfer;

 

   

The holding period of each asset of the Acquired Fund in the hands of the Surviving Fund will include the period during which that asset was held by the Acquired Fund (except where investment activities of the Surviving Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an asset);

 

   

No gain or loss will be recognized by the Surviving Fund upon its receipt of the Acquired Fund’s assets solely in exchange for shares of the Surviving Fund and the assumption of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities;

 

   

No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund shareholders upon the exchange of their Acquired Fund shares for the applicable Surviving Fund shares as part of the Reorganization;

 

   

The aggregate tax basis of the applicable Surviving Fund shares received by the Acquired Fund shareholders in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of the Acquired Fund surrendered in exchange therefor; and

 

   

Each Acquired Fund shareholder’s holding period for the applicable Surviving Fund shares received in the Reorganization will include the holding period of the shares of the Acquired Fund that were surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the shareholder held the Acquired Fund shares as capital assets on the date of the exchange.

In rendering such opinion, counsel shall rely upon, among other things, certain facts, assumptions and representations of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds.

No tax ruling has been or will be received from the IRS in connection with the Reorganization. An opinion of counsel is not binding on the IRS or a court, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or a court would not sustain, a contrary position.

The foregoing discussion is very general. The foregoing consequences may not apply to certain classes of taxpayers who are subject to special circumstances, such as shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, or persons who hold their shares as part of a straddle or conversion transaction. This discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the Reorganization. You should consult your tax adviser for the particular tax consequences to you of the transaction, including the applicability of any state, local or foreign tax laws.

CHARTER DOCUMENTS OF GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST

The Funds are each a series of the Trust. Accordingly, the operations of each Fund are governed by the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated By-Laws, each as amended. The operations of each Fund are also governed by applicable Delaware law and are subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and the roles and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUNDS

The Funds have adopted fundamental investment policies, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Funds’ fundamental investment policies are identical.

 

27


Under the 1940 Act, the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company. For purposes of the following limitations (except for the asset coverage requirement with respect to borrowings, which is subject to different requirements under the 1940 Act), any limitation which involves the maximum percentage will not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund. With respect to each Fund’s fundamental investment policy on borrowing below, in the event that asset coverage (as defined in the Act) at any time falls below 300%, the Fund, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, will reduce the amount of its borrowings to the extent required so that the asset coverage of such borrowings will be at least 300%.

The current fundamental investment policies of the Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund are listed below.

 

The Acquired Fund    The Surviving Fund

Fundamental Investment Policies

Concentration Policy

The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities). (For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and their agencies, authorities and instrumentalities are not deemed to be industries; telephone companies are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric utilities; personal credit finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries; and wholly-owned finance companies are considered to be in the industry of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents.) This restriction does not apply to investments in Municipal Securities which have been pre-refunded by the use of obligations of the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

Borrowing

The Fund may not borrow money, except (a) the Fund may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed); (b) the Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes; (c) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities; (d) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law; and (e) the Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings;

The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this fundamental policy: In determining whether a particular investment in portfolio instruments or participation in portfolio transactions is subject to this borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of such instrument or participation shall be considered, but shall not by itself be determinative. Whether a particular instrument or transaction constitutes a borrowing shall be determined by the Board, after consideration of all of the relevant circumstances.

 

28


Loans

The Fund may not make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies; (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions; and (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law.

Underwriting

The Fund may not underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting;

Real Estate

The Fund may not purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities.

Commodities

The Fund may not invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts.

Senior Securities

The Fund may not issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

Diversification

The Fund may not make any investment inconsistent with the Fund’s classification as a diversified company under the Act.

Each Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment restrictions and policies as the Fund.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

Other Investment Practices and Securities

The following tables identify some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The tables also highlight the differences and similarities between the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in these tables show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/semi-annual reports. For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Exhibit B.

Each Fund publishes on its website (http://www.gsamfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information

 

29


and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Funds publish month-end top ten holdings on the Trust’s website subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, a description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ SAI.

 

  10

Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) (italic type)

 
  10

Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)

 
 

No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund

 
 

Not permitted

 

 

     Acquired
Fund
  Surviving
Fund
 

Investment Practices

    

Borrowings

   33 1/3     33 1/3  

Credit, Interest Rate and Total Return Swaps (and Options on Swaps)

        

Cross Hedging of Currencies

        

Currency Swaps

        

Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates

        

Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Futures Contracts and Options and Swaps on Futures Contracts

        

Illiquid Investments*

   15     15  

Interest Rate Floors, Caps and Collars

        

Investment Company Securities (including ETFs)**

   10     10  

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

        

Mortgage Swaps

        

Options***

        

Options on Foreign Currencies****

        

Repurchase Agreements

        

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

        

Short Sales Against the Box

        

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments

        

 

*

Illiquid investments are any investments that the Funds reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.

** 

This percentage limitation does not apply to the Funds’ investments in investment companies (including ETFs) where a higher percentage limitation is permitted under the terms of an SEC exemptive order or SEC exemptive rule.

*** 

The Funds may sell call and put options and purchase call and put options on securities and securities indices in which it may invest.

**** 

The Surviving Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on foreign currencies.

 

30


  10

Percent of total assets (italic type)

 
  10

Percent of net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)

 
 

No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited only by the objective and strategies of the Fund

 
 

Not permitted

 

 

     Acquired
Fund
   Surviving
Fund

Investment Securities

     

Asset-Backed Securities

     

Bank Obligations

     

Collateralized Loan Obligations

     

Convertible Securities

     

Corporate Debt Obligations and Trust Preferred Securities

     

Emerging Country Securities1

      10

Floating and Variable Rate Obligations

   80+   

Foreign Securities2

     

Inflation Protected Securities

     

Mortgage-Related Securities

     

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans

     

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     

Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans

     

Government Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities

     

Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities

     

Privately Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities

     

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities

     

Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities1

      10

Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights

     

Structured Securities (which may include credit linked notes)3

     

Taxable Municipal Securities

     

Tax-Free Municipal Securities

     

Temporary Investments

     

U.S. Government Securities

     

 

1

The Surviving Fund may not invest, in the aggregate, more than 10% of its Total Assets in (i) emerging countries debt and (ii) non-investment grade fixed income securities.

2

Includes issuers domiciled in one country and issuing securities denominated in the currency of another.

3

Structured securities are not subject to the same minimum credit quality requirement as the Fund’s investments in fixed income securities.

Investment Adviser

GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990 and is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Founded in 1869, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a publicly held financial holding company and a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. As of June 30, 2021, GSAM, including its investment advisory affiliates, had assets under supervision of approximately $2.09 trillion. GSAM is located at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282.

The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and sale orders for the Funds’ portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any executing brokers, dealers, futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) or other counterparties, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the

 

31


management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. GSAM is responsible for the risk management functions for the Funds. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs (subject to legal, internal, regulatory and Chinese Wall restrictions), and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.

The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Funds (to the extent not performed by others pursuant to agreements with the Funds):

 

   

Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Funds

 

   

Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Funds

 

   

Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities

 

   

Maintains the records of each Fund

 

   

Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):

 

Fund

   Contractual
Management Fee
Annual Rate
    Average Daily Net Assets      Actual Rate For the
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2021*
 

Surviving Fund

     0.25   First $ 1 Billion        0.24
     0.23   Next $ 1 Billion     
     0.22   Next $ 3 Billion     
     0.22   Next $ 3 Billion     
     0.22   Over $ 8 Billion     

Acquired Fund

     0.31   First $ 1 Billion        0.31
     0.28     Next $ 1 Billion     
     0.27   Next $ 3 Billion     
     0.26   Next $ 3 Billion     
     0.25   Over $ 8 Billion     

 

*

The Actual Rate may not correlate to the Contractual Management Fee Annual Rate as a result of management fee waivers that may be in effect from time to time.

The Investment Adviser may waive a portion of its management fee, including fees earned as the Investment Adviser to any of the affiliated funds in which the Funds invest, from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such waivers in the future, consistent with the terms of any fee waiver arrangements in place.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreements for the Funds in 2020 is available in the Funds’ Semi-Annual Report dated September 30, 2020. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreements for the Funds in 2021 will be available in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report dated September 30, 2021.

The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and

 

32


extraordinary expenses) to 0.064% and 0.014% of average daily net assets for the Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund, respectively, through at least July 29, 2023 for the Surviving Fund and through at least July 29, 2022 for the Acquired Fund, and prior to such dates, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense limitations may be modified or terminated by the Investment Adviser at its discretion and without shareholder approval after such date, although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do so. A Fund’s “Other Expenses” may be further reduced by any custody and transfer agency fee credits received by the Fund.

Distributor and Transfer Agent

Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of each Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606, also serves as each Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.

For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.03% of average daily net assets with respect to Class P and Class R6 Shares, 0.04% of average daily net assets with respect to the Institutional and Service Shares and 0.12% of average daily net assets with respect to the Class A and Investor and Shares.

From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates reserve the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for their own accounts.

Activities of Goldman Sachs and its Affiliates and Other Accounts Managed by Goldman Sachs

The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs will present conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund and will, under certain circumstances, limit a Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. As such, it acts as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, investment banker, underwriter, research provider, administrator, financier, adviser, market maker, trader, prime broker, derivatives dealer, clearing agent, lender, counterparty, agent, principal, distributor, investor or in other commercial capacities for accounts or companies or affiliated or unaffiliated investment funds (including pooled investment vehicles and private funds) in which one or more accounts, including the Funds, invest. In those and other capacities, Goldman Sachs and its affiliates advise and deal with clients and third parties in all markets and transactions and purchase, sell, hold and recommend a broad array of investments, including securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps, indices, baskets and other financial instruments and products for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers and have other direct and indirect interests in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equities, bank loans and other markets and the securities and issuers in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is expected that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates perform or seek to perform investment banking or other services. The Investment Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates are the managers of the Goldman Sachs Funds. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates earn fees from this and other relationships with the Funds. Although management fees paid by the Funds to the Investment Adviser and certain other fees paid to the Investment Adviser’s affiliates are based on asset levels, the fees are not directly contingent on Fund performance, and the Investment Adviser and its affiliates will still receive significant compensation from the Funds even if shareholders lose money. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation

 

33


to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Funds. The results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, will likely differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs, and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Funds may enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates or their other clients have an adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs and its affiliates or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs-advised clients may, individually or in the aggregate, adversely impact the Funds. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs-advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Funds. A Fund’s activities will, under certain circumstances, be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs and its affiliates also provide a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it are expected to create markets or specialize in, have positions in and/or effect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Funds, and will likely also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for one or more of those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates are expected to have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Funds or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the section entitled “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.

A Fund will, from time to time, make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions, in accordance with applicable law.

 

34


DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund pays distributions from its investment income and from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have distributions paid in:

 

   

Cash;

 

   

Additional shares of the same class of the Fund;

 

   

Shares of the same class from another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply. See the SAI.

You may indicate your election on your account application. Any changes may be submitted in writing or via telephone, in some instances, to the Transfer Agent (either directly or through your Intermediary) at any time before the record date for a particular distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, your distributions will be reinvested automatically in the Fund. If cash distributions are elected with respect to the Fund’s distributions from net investment income, then cash distributions must also be elected with respect to the net short-term capital gains component, if any, of the Fund’s distributions.

The election to reinvest distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.

Distributions from net investment income and distributions from net capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid as follows:

 

     Investment Income
Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions
 

Fund

   Declared      Paid      Declared and
Paid
 

Enhanced Income (Surviving Fund)

     Daily        Monthly        Annually  

High Quality Floating Rate (Acquired Fund)

     Monthly        Monthly        Annually  

In addition, each Fund may occasionally make a distribution at a time when it is not normally made.

In addition to the net investment income dividends declared and paid as set forth above, each Fund may also earn additional net investment income throughout the year. Any additional net investment income will be distributed annually as a declared event and paid to shareholders of record for such events.

From time to time a portion of a Fund’s distributions may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

When you purchase shares of a Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 

35


 

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial tables are intended to help you understand the Surviving Fund’s financial performance for the past five years (or less if the Fund or a Share Class has been in operation for less than five years). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Surviving Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Because Service Shares of the Surviving Fund have not operated prior to the date of the Information Statement/Prospectus, financial highlights are not available. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Funds’ annual report (available upon request).

 

     Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund  
     Class A Shares  
     Year Ended March 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  

Per Share Data

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 9.22     $ 9.45     $ 9.41     $ 9.44     $ 9.41  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

     0.10       0.20       0.19       0.11       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.34       (0.24     0.04       (0.03     0.03  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.44       (0.04     0.23       0.08       0.11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.10     (0.19     (0.19     (0.11     (0.08
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 9.56     $ 9.22     $ 9.45     $ 9.41     $ 9.44  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     4.82     (0.41 )%      2.41     0.86     1.19
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 15,098     $ 10,456     $ 19,396     $ 10,590     $ 35,560  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     0.58     0.59     0.61     0.69     0.69

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     0.61     0.63     0.65     0.70     0.71

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.04     2.08     2.02     1.14     0.88

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

     58     53     42     63     89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the NAV at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the NAV at the end of the year and no sales or redemption charges (if any). Total returns would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge was taken into account. Returns do not reflect the impact of taxes to shareholders relating to Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

37


     Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund  
     Administration Shares  
     Year Ended March 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  

Per Share Data

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 9.23     $ 9.46     $ 9.43     $ 9.46     $ 9.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

     0.09       0.19       0.19       0.12       0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.35       (0.23     0.03       (0.03     0.03  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.44       (0.04     0.22       0.09       0.12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.10     (0.19     (0.19     (0.12     (0.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 9.57     $ 9.23     $ 9.46     $ 9.43     $ 9.46  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     4.79     (0.42 )%      2.33     0.95     1.28
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 16,333     $ 4,254     $ 2,905     $ 164     $ 162  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     0.59     0.60     0.60     0.60     0.60

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     0.63     0.64     0.64     0.61     0.62

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     0.97     2.02     2.03     1.27     0.97

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

     58     53     42     63     89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the NAV at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the NAV at the end of the year and no sales or redemption charges (if any). Total returns would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge was taken into account. Returns do not reflect the impact of taxes to shareholders relating to Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

38


     Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund  
     Institutional Shares  
     Year Ended March 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  

Per Share Data

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 9.21     $ 9.43     $ 9.39     $ 9.43     $ 9.40  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

     0.12       0.22       0.21       0.14       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.35       (0.22     0.04       (0.04     0.03  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.47       —         0.25       0.10       0.14  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.13     (0.22     (0.21     (0.14     (0.11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 9.55     $ 9.21     $ 9.43     $ 9.39     $ 9.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     5.18     (0.17 )%      2.70     1.09     1.53
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 299,844     $ 180,477     $ 252,561     $ 451,628     $ 435,915  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     0.34     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     0.38     0.39     0.37     0.36     0.37

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.25     2.30     2.18     1.52     1.22

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

     58     53     42     63     89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the NAV at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the NAV at the end of the year and no sales or redemption charges (if any). Total returns would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge was taken into account. Returns do not reflect the impact of taxes to shareholders relating to Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

39


     Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund  
     Investor Shares  
     Year Ended March 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  

Per Share Data

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 9.19     $ 9.42     $ 9.39     $ 9.42     $ 9.39  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

     0.11       0.21       0.21       0.14       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.36       (0.23     0.02       (0.04     0.02  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.47       (0.02     0.23       0.10       0.13  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.12     (0.21     (0.20     (0.13     (0.10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 9.54     $ 9.19     $ 9.42     $ 9.39     $ 9.42  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     5.10     (0.27 )%      2.50     1.11     1.44
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 9,184     $ 6,875     $ 6,096     $ 5,127     $ 2,012  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     0.42     0.44     0.44     0.44     0.44

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     0.46     0.48     0.48     0.45     0.45

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.20     2.21     2.19     1.45     1.14

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

     58     53     42     63     89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the NAV at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the NAV at the end of the year and no sales or redemption charges (if any). Total returns would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge was taken into account. Returns do not reflect the impact of taxes to shareholders relating to Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

40


     Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund  
     Class R6 Shares  
     Year Ended March 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  

Per Share Data

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 9.21     $ 9.43     $ 9.40     $ 9.43     $ 9.40  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

     0.13       0.22       0.23       0.14       0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.34       (0.22     0.01       (0.03     0.02  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.47       —         0.24       0.11       0.14  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.13     (0.22     (0.21     (0.14     (0.11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 9.55     $ 9.21     $ 9.43     $ 9.40     $ 9.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     5.19     (0.16 )%      2.59     1.21     1.55
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 36,558     $ 45,134     $ 49,846     $ 10     $ 10  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     0.33     0.34     0.34     0.34     0.34

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     0.37     0.38     0.42     0.35     0.36

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.34     2.30     2.48     1.53     1.23

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

     58     53     42     63     89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the NAV at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the NAV at the end of the year and no sales or redemption charges (if any). Total returns would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge was taken into account. Returns do not reflect the impact of taxes to shareholders relating to Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

41


     Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund  
     Class P Shares  
     Year Ended March 31,     Period Ended
March 31, 2019
 
     2021     2020  

Per Share Data

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 9.21     $ 9.43     $ 9.41  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

     0.12       0.22       0.21  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.35       (0.22     0.01  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.47       —         0.22  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.13     (0.22     (0.20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 9.55     $ 9.21     $ 9.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     5.19     (0.16 )%      2.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000s)

   $ 294,205     $ 152,713     $ 189,835  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     0.33     0.34     0.34 %(d)  

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     0.37     0.38     0.38 %(d)  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.23     2.31     2.33 %(d)  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

     58     53     42
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commenced operations on April 20, 2018.

(b)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(c)

Assumes investment at the NAV at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the NAV at the end of the period and no sales or redemption charges (if any). Total returns would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge was taken into account. Returns do not reflect the impact of taxes to shareholders relating to Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Annualized.

(e)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

42


EXPERTS

The financial highlights and financial statements incorporated in this Information Statement/Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 2021, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

OTHER INFORMATION

Independent Registered Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02210, is the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm may change from time to time. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provides assistance on certain non-audit matters.

Interest of Certain Persons

Exhibit D to this Information Statement/Prospectus sets forth the persons who owned beneficially more than 5% of each Fund as of September 30, 2021.

Legal Matters

Certain legal matters concerning the issuance of shares of the Surviving Fund will be passed upon by Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.

You can obtain more free information about each Fund from your Authorized Institution or

By calling:           1-800-526-7384

By writing to:    Goldman Sachs Funds

P.O. Box 06050

Chicago, IL 60606-6306

On the Internet: SEC EDGAR database — http://www.sec.gov.

The Funds’ statement of additional information and shareholder reports are available free of charge by using the contact information above or visiting the Fund’s website at: www.gsamfunds.com.

Annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, and quarterly reports filed with the SEC, provide information about each Fund’s investments. An annual report discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected a Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

Each Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the 1940 Act and files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Funds can be inspected and copied (for a duplication fee) at the public reference facilities of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. Copies of these materials can also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, copies of these documents may be viewed onscreen or downloaded from the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

43


Exhibit A

FORM OF

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

GOLDMAN SACHS HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

GOLDMAN SACHS ENHANCED INCOME FUND

This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization is made as of [●], 2021 by and between Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (“Goldman Sachs Trust”), on behalf of Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund (the “Surviving Fund,” and together with the Acquired Fund, the “Funds”) and solely for purposes of Sections 10.2 and 15.3 of this Plan (as defined below), Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.

This agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization and liquidation (the “Plan”) within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The reorganization and liquidation will consist of the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Surviving Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Fund (“Surviving Fund Shares”) corresponding to the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Acquired Fund, the assumption by the Surviving Fund of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund, and the distribution of the Surviving Fund Shares to the applicable shareholders of the Acquired Fund in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund, as provided herein (the “Reorganization”), all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Plan.

WHEREAS, the Funds are each a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Board”) has determined that the exchange of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund for Surviving Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund by the Surviving Fund is in the best interests of the Funds and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Funds would not be diluted as a result of this transaction; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

1.    Transfer of Assets of the Acquired Fund to the Surviving Fund in Exchange for Surviving Fund Shares, the Assumption of all of the Acquired Fund’s Liabilities and the Liquidation of the Acquired Fund

1.1.    Subject to the requisite approvals and the other terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Acquired Fund agrees to transfer all of its assets, as set forth in paragraph 1.2, to the Surviving Fund, and the Surviving Fund agrees in exchange therefor: (i) to deliver to the Acquired Fund the number of full and fractional Surviving Fund Shares of the respective class set forth on Schedule A, determined by dividing the value of the Acquired Fund’s net assets, computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.1, by the net asset value of one Surviving Fund Share of the corresponding class, computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.2; and (ii) to assume all liabilities of the Acquired Fund, as set forth in paragraph 1.3. Such transactions shall take place on the date of the closing provided for in paragraph 3.1 (the “Closing Date”).

1.2.    The assets of the Acquired Fund to be acquired by the Surviving Fund shall consist of all assets and property, including, without limitation, all cash, securities, commodities and futures interests and dividends or interests receivable that are owned by the Acquired Fund and any deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date (collectively, “Assets”).

 

A-1


1.3.    The Acquired Fund will endeavor to discharge all of its liabilities and obligations prior to the Closing Date. The Surviving Fund shall also assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, whether accrued or contingent, known or unknown, existing at the Valuation Date as defined in paragraph 2.1 (collectively, “Liabilities”). On or as soon as practicable prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will declare and pay to its shareholders of record one or more dividends and/or other distributions so that it will have distributed all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), realized net capital gain and net tax-exempt income, if any, for the current taxable year through the Closing Date.

1.4.    Immediately after the transfer of assets provided for in paragraph 1.1, the Acquired Fund will distribute to its respective shareholders of record, determined as of immediately after the close of business on the Closing Date (“Acquired Fund Shareholders”), on a pro rata basis, the Surviving Fund Shares of the corresponding class received by the Acquired Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1 and Schedule A, and will completely liquidate. Such distribution and liquidation will be accomplished by the transfer of the Surviving Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Acquired Fund on the books of the Surviving Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Surviving Fund in the names of the Acquired Fund Shareholders. The aggregate net asset value of Surviving Fund Shares to be so credited to the applicable Acquired Fund Shareholders, shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the corresponding class of shares of beneficial interest of the Acquired Fund (“Acquired Fund Shares”) owned by Acquired Fund Shareholders on the Closing Date. All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will simultaneously be redeemed and canceled on the books of the Acquired Fund. The Surviving Fund shall not issue certificates representing the Surviving Fund Shares in connection with such exchange.

1.5.    Ownership of Surviving Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the Surviving Fund’s Transfer Agent, as defined in paragraph 3.3. Shares of the Surviving Fund will be issued in the manner described in the Surviving Fund’s current prospectus.

1.6.    Any reporting responsibility of the Acquired Fund, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for filing regulatory reports, tax returns, or other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), any state securities commission, and any Federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of the Acquired Fund up to and including the Closing Date.

2.    Valuation

2.1.    The value of the Assets shall be the value of such Assets computed as of immediately after the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange and after the declaration of any dividends on the Closing Date, or such other time as agreed to by the Funds (such time and date being hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”), using the valuation procedures set forth in the then-current prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to the Acquired Fund and valuation procedures established by the Board (which are the same as those of the Surviving Fund).

2.2.    The net asset value of a Surviving Fund Share shall be the net asset value per share computed with respect to that class as of the Valuation Date, using the valuation procedures set forth in the Surviving Fund’s then-current prospectus and statement of additional information and valuation procedures established by the Board (which are the same as those of the Acquired Fund).

2.3.    The number of the Surviving Fund Shares to be issued (including fractional shares, if any) in exchange for the Acquired Fund’s Assets shall be determined by dividing the value of the net assets with respect to the Acquired Fund Shares, determined using the same valuation procedures referred to in paragraph 2.1, by the net asset value of a Surviving Fund Share, determined in accordance with paragraph 2.2.

2.4.    All computations of value shall be made by State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), in its capacity as administrator for the Acquired Fund.

 

A-2


3.    Closing and Closing Date

3.1.    The Closing Date shall be on or about January 28, 2022 or such other date as the parties may agree. All acts taking place at the closing of the transactions provided for in this Plan (the “Closing”) shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of immediately after the close of business on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The close of business on the Closing Date shall be as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Closing, except as otherwise provided herein, all the Assets, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Acquired Fund shall vest in the Surviving Fund, and all Liabilities, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Acquired Fund shall become the Liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving Fund.

3.2.    The Acquired Fund shall direct State Street, as custodian for the Acquired Fund (the “Custodian”), to deliver, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that the Assets have been delivered in proper form to the Surviving Fund. The Acquired Fund’s portfolio securities represented by a certificate or other written instrument shall be presented by the Custodian to those persons at the Custodian who have primary responsibility for the safekeeping of the assets of the Surviving Fund, which Custodian also serves as the custodian for the Surviving Fund. Such presentation shall be made for examination no later than five business days preceding the Closing Date, and shall be transferred and delivered by the Acquired Fund as of the Closing Date for the account of the Surviving Fund duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in such condition as to constitute good delivery thereof. The Custodian shall deliver to those persons at the Custodian who have primary responsibility for the safekeeping of the assets of the Surviving Fund as of the Closing Date by book entry, in accordance with customary practices of the Custodian and the requirements of Section 17(f) and the rules thereunder, the Acquired Fund’s Assets. The cash to be transferred by the Acquired Fund shall be delivered by wire transfer of Federal funds on the Closing Date. To the extent that any Assets of the Acquired Fund, for any reason, are not transferable at the Closing, the Acquired Fund shall cause such Assets of the Acquired Fund to be transferred to the Surviving Fund’s account with State Street at the earliest practicable date thereafter.

3.3.    The Acquired Fund shall direct Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, in its capacity as transfer agent for the Acquired Fund (the “Transfer Agent”), to deliver at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the names and addresses of the Acquired Fund Shareholders and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Surviving Fund shall issue and deliver to the Secretary of the Acquired Fund prior to the Closing Date a confirmation evidencing that the appropriate number of Surviving Fund Shares will be credited to the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date, or provide other evidence satisfactory to the Acquired Fund as of the Closing Date that such Surviving Fund Shares have been credited to the Acquired Fund’s accounts on the books of the Surviving Fund. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates, if any, receipts or other documents as such other party or its counsel may reasonably request.

3.4.    In the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Surviving Fund or the Acquired Fund (each, an “Exchange”) shall be closed to trading or trading thereupon shall be restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on such Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that, in the judgment of the Board, accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquired Fund or the Surviving Fund is impracticable, the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.

4.    Representations and Warranties

4.1.    Except as has been fully disclosed to the Surviving Fund in a written instrument executed by an officer, Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, represents and warrants to the Surviving Fund, as follows:

 

  (a)

The Acquired Fund is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, which is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with power under

 

A-3


  its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

  (b)

Goldman Sachs Trust is a registered investment company classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of the Acquired Fund Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), have not been revoked or rescinded and are in full force and effect;

 

  (c)

No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquired Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), and the 1940 Act, and such as may be required by state securities laws;

 

  (d)

The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquired Fund and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquired Fund used at all times prior to the date of this Plan conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading;

 

  (e)

On the Closing Date, Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver such Assets hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment for such Assets, Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, including such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act, other than as disclosed to the Surviving Fund;

 

  (f)

The Acquired Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Plan will not result, in (i) a material violation of Goldman Sachs Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, is a party or by which it is bound;

 

  (g)

All material contracts or other commitments of the Acquired Fund (other than this Plan and certain investment contracts, including options, futures, and forward contracts) will terminate without liability to the Acquired Fund on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

  (h)

Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, or any of its properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business. Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects the Acquired Fund’s business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated;

 

  (i)

The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statement of Operations, Statements of Changes in Net Assets, and Schedule of Investments of the Acquired Fund dated March 31, 2021 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

 

A-4


  (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Surviving Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquired Fund as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the Acquired Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date not disclosed therein;

 

  (j)

Since March 31, 2021 until the Closing, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquired Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Surviving Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph (j), a decline in net asset value per share of Acquired Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Acquired Fund, the discharge of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities, or the redemption of the Acquired Fund’s shares by shareholders of the Acquired Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change;

 

  (k)

On the Closing Date, all Federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of the Acquired Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all Federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and to the best of the Acquired Fund’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns;

 

  (l)

For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), the Acquired Fund has met (or will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company, has been (or will be) eligible to and has computed (or will compute) its Federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will have distributed all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (as defined in the Code) through the Closing Date;

 

  (m)

All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding and, subject to the qualifications set forth in the Goldman Sachs Trust’s Declaration of Trust, fully paid and non-assessable by Goldman Sachs Trust and have been offered and sold in every state and the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will, at the time of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, as provided in paragraph 3.3. The Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquired Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Acquired Fund Shares;

 

  (n)

The execution, delivery and performance of this Plan will have been duly authorized prior to the Closing Date by all necessary action, if any, on the part of the Board, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, and this Plan will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles;

 

  (o)

The information to be furnished by the Acquired Fund for use in registration statements, information statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any Federal, state or local regulatory authority (including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), which may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with Federal securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto; and

 

A-5


  (p)

The combined information statement and prospectus (“Information Statement”) to be included in the Registration Statement referred to in paragraph 5.5, insofar as it relates to the Acquired Fund, will, on the effective date of the Registration Statement on Form N-14 (“Registration Statement”) and on the Closing Date (i) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading, provided, however, that the representations and warranties of this subparagraph (p) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Information Statement and the Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Surviving Fund for use therein, and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

4.2.    Except as has been fully disclosed to the Acquired Fund in a written instrument executed by an officer of Goldman Sachs Trust, Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, represents and warrants to the Acquired Fund, as follows:

 

  (a)

The Surviving Fund is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, which is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with power under its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

  (b)

Goldman Sachs Trust is a registered investment company classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of the Surviving Fund Shares under the 1933 Act have not been revoked or rescinded and are in full force and effect;

 

  (c)

No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Surviving Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and such as may be required by state securities laws;

 

  (d)

The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Surviving Fund and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Surviving Fund used at all times prior to the Closing Date conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading;

 

  (e)

On the Closing Date, Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, will have good and marketable title to the Surviving Fund’s assets, free of any liens or other encumbrances, except those liens or encumbrances as to which the Acquired Fund has received notice and necessary documentation at or prior to the Closing;

 

  (f)

The Surviving Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Plan will not result, in (i) a material violation of Goldman Sachs Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, is a party or by which it is bound;

 

  (g)

Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any

 

A-6


  court or governmental body is presently pending or, to the Surviving Fund’s knowledge, threatened against Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, or any of the Surviving Fund’s properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect the Surviving Fund’s financial condition or the conduct of its business. Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects the Surviving Fund’s business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated;

 

  (h)

All issued and outstanding Surviving Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding and, subject to the qualifications set forth in the Goldman Sachs Trust’s Declaration of Trust, fully paid and non-assessable by Goldman Sachs Trust and will have been offered in every state and the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws. The Surviving Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Surviving Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Surviving Fund Shares;

 

  (i)

The execution, delivery and performance of this Plan will have been duly authorized prior to the Closing Date by all necessary action, if any, on the part of the Board, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, and this Plan will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Surviving Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles;

 

  (j)

The Surviving Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Acquired Fund, for the account of the Acquired Fund Shareholders, pursuant to the terms of this Plan, will on the Closing Date have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued Surviving Fund Shares, and, subject to the qualifications set forth in the Goldman Sachs Trust’s Declaration of Trust, will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Surviving Fund;

 

  (k)

On the Closing Date, all Federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of the Surviving Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all Federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and to the best of the Surviving Fund’s knowledge no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns;

 

  (l)

For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date), the Surviving Fund has met (or will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company, has been eligible to (or will be eligible to) and has computed (or will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and has distributed all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (as defined in the Code) that is required to have been distributed for periods ending prior to the Closing Date.

 

  (m)

The information to be furnished by the Surviving Fund for use in the registration statements, information statements and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with Federal securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto; and

 

  (n)

The Information Statement to be included in the Registration Statement (and any amendment or supplement thereto), insofar as it relates to the Surviving Fund and the Surviving Fund Shares, will, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the Closing Date (i) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein

 

A-7


  or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading, provided, however, that the representations and warranties of this subparagraph (n) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Information Statement and the Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Acquired Fund for use therein, and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

5.    Covenants of the Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund

5.1.    The Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund each will operate its business in the ordinary course between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and distributions, and any other distribution that may be advisable.

5.2.    The Acquired Fund covenants that the Surviving Fund Shares to be issued hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, other than in accordance with the terms of this Plan.

5.3.    The Acquired Fund will assist the Surviving Fund in obtaining such information as the Surviving Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Acquired Fund’s shares.

5.4.    Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund will each take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Plan.

5.5.    The Acquired Fund has provided the Surviving Fund with information reasonably necessary for the preparation of the Information Statement (referred to in subparagraph 4.1(p)) to be included in a Registration Statement on Form N-14, in compliance with the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.

5.6.    As soon as is reasonably practicable after the Closing, the Acquired Fund will make a liquidating distribution to its respective shareholders consisting of the Surviving Fund Shares received at the Closing.

5.7.    The Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund shall each use their reasonable best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to effect the transactions contemplated by this Plan as promptly as practicable.

5.8.    Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, covenants that it will, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Surviving Fund, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further action as Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) Goldman Sachs Trust’s, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, title to and possession of the Surviving Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder, and (b) Goldman Sachs Trust’s, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, title to and possession of all the Assets and otherwise to carry out the intent and purpose of this Plan.

5.9.    The Surviving Fund will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and such of the state blue sky or securities laws as may be necessary in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.

6.    Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Acquired Fund

The obligations of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at Goldman Sachs Trust’s election, to the performance by Goldman Sachs

 

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Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or before the Closing Date, and, in addition thereto, the following further conditions:

6.1.    All representations and warranties of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, contained in this Plan shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Plan, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date;

6.2.    Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquired Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Surviving Fund by its President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Fund, and dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the representations and warranties of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, made in this Plan are true and correct in all material aspects at and as of the Closing Date, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Plan, and as to such other matters as Goldman Sachs Trust shall reasonably request;

6.3.    Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Plan to be performed or complied with by Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, on or before the Closing Date; and

6.4.    The Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Surviving Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.

7.    Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Surviving Fund

The obligations of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, to complete the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at Goldman Sachs Trust’s election, to the performance by Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, of all of the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or before the Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following conditions:

7.1.    All representations and warranties of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, contained in this Plan shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Plan, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date;

7.2.    Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have delivered to the Surviving Fund a statement of the Acquired Fund’s Assets and Liabilities, as of the Closing Date, certified by the Treasurer of the Acquired Fund;

7.3.    Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have delivered to the Surviving Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Acquired Fund by its President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the representations and warranties of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, made in this Plan are true and correct in all material aspects at and as of the Closing Date, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Plan, and as to such other matters as Goldman Sachs Trust shall reasonably request;

7.4.    Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Plan to be performed or complied with by Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, on or before the Closing Date;

 

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7.5.    The Acquired Fund shall have declared and paid a distribution or distributions prior to the Closing that, together with all previous distributions, shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders (i) all of its investment company taxable income, net realized capital gains and net tax-exempt income, if any, for the period from the close of its last fiscal year to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Closing; and (ii) any undistributed investment company taxable income, net realized capital gains and net tax-exempt income, if any, from any period to the extent not otherwise already distributed; and

7.6.    The Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Surviving Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.

8.    Further Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund

If any of the conditions set forth below have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date with respect to Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, or Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Surviving Fund, the other party to this Plan (or in the case of Paragraph 8.1, either party to this Plan) shall, at its option, not be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Plan:

8.1.    On the Closing Date no action, suit or other proceeding shall be pending or, to either party’s knowledge, threatened before any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with, this Plan or the transactions contemplated herein;

8.2.    All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of Federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by each party to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Surviving Fund or the Acquired Fund, provided that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions;

8.3.    The Registration Statement (and the Information Statement included therein) shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under the 1933 Act; and

8.4.    The parties shall have received the opinion of counsel to the parties substantially to the effect that based upon certain facts, assumptions, and representations, the transactions contemplated by this Plan shall constitute a tax-free reorganization for Federal income tax purposes. The delivery of such opinion is conditioned upon receipt by counsel to the parties of representations it shall request of the parties. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the parties may not waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.4.

9.    Indemnification

9.1.    Goldman Sachs Trust, out of the Surviving Fund’s assets and property, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquired Fund from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquired Fund may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on any breach by the Surviving Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Plan.

9.2.    Goldman Sachs Trust, out of the Acquired Fund’s assets and property, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Surviving Fund from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Surviving Fund may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or

 

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actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on any breach by the Acquired Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Plan.

10.    Brokerage Fees and Expenses

10.1.    The Surviving Fund and the Acquired Fund represent and warrant to each other that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein, other than any brokerage fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization.

10.2.     The expenses relating to the proposed Reorganization will be borne by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (except brokerage costs, trading taxes and other transaction costs associated with portfolio adjustments). The costs of the Reorganization shall include, but not be limited to, costs associated with obtaining any necessary order of exemption from the 1940 Act, if any, preparation, printing and distributing the Registration Statement and Information Statement, legal fees, accounting fees and securities registration fees. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code.

11.    Entire Agreement; Survival of Warranties

11.1.    Each party to this agreement agrees that it has not made any representation, warranty or covenant, not set forth herein, and that this Plan constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

11.2.    The representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Plan or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder. The covenants to be performed after the Closing and the obligations of the Acquired Fund and Surviving Fund in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 shall survive the Closing.

12.    Termination

This Plan may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned by resolution of the Board at any time prior to the Closing Date, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of the Board, make proceeding with the Plan inadvisable.

13.    Amendments

This Plan may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of Goldman Sachs Trust, on behalf of the Funds.

14.    Notices

Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Plan shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail), personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed to the Funds, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Caroline L. Kraus, Esq., Secretary, in each case with a copy to Dechert LLP, 1900 K Street, NW, Washington, DC. 20006, Attn: Brenden P. Carroll, Esq.

15.    Headings; Governing Law; Assignment; Limitation of Liability

15.1.    The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Plan are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Plan.

 

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15.2.    This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

15.3.    This Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Plan.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Plan to be executed as of the date above first written.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST   GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
On behalf of the Surviving Fund:   On behalf of the Acquired Fund:
Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund   Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund
By:       By:    
Name:   Joseph F. DiMaria   Name:   Joseph F. DiMaria
Title:   Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer   Title:   Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. agrees to the provisions set forth in Sections 10.2 and 15.3 of this Plan.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By:    
Name:   James A. McNamara
Title:   President

 

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Schedule A

 

Acquired Fund

       

Surviving Fund

Class A    ®    Class A
Institutional    ®    Institutional
Investor    ®    Investor
Service    ®    Service
Class R6    ®    Class R6
Class P    ®    Class P

 

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Exhibit B

GSAM’S FIXED INCOME INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PORTFOLIO RISKS, SECURITIES AND TECHNIQUES

GSAM’s Fixed Income Investment Philosophy:

Our process:

 

   

Combines diversified sources of return by employing multiple strategies

 

   

Takes a global perspective to seek relative value opportunities

 

   

Considers a wide range of factors as part of the fundamental investment process, which may include environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors

 

   

Employs focused specialist teams to seek to identify short-term mis-pricings and incorporate long-term views

 

   

Emphasizes a risk-aware approach as we view risk management as both an offensive and defensive tool

The Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team implements this overall philosophy through an investment process that seeks to maximize risk adjusted total returns by utilizing a diverse set of investment strategies and revolves around four key elements:

 

  1.

Developing a long-term risk budget—Lead portfolio managers (the “Portfolio Team”) set the strategic direction of a Fund by establishing a “risk budget.” The “risk budget” for the Funds is the range the portfolio managers will allow the Funds to deviate from their respective benchmarks with respect to sector allocations, country allocations, securities selection and, to a lesser extent, duration. Following analysis of risk and return objectives, they allocate the overall risk budget to each component strategy to seek to optimize potential return.

 

  2.

Fundamental investment process—As part of its fundamental investment process, the Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team may integrate ESG factors alongside traditional fundamental factors to seek to: (i) determine whether a particular fixed income security and/or sector is suitable and attractively priced for investment and (ii) assess their potential impact on the credit quality and spreads of a particular fixed income security. Traditional fundamental factors that the Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team may consider include, but are not limited to, leverage, earnings, enterprise value, industry trends and macroeconomic factors. ESG factors that the Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team may consider include, but are not limited to, physical risk (e.g., wildfires, floods, droughts and rising sea levels), carbon intensity and emissions profiles, workplace health and safety, cyber risk, social unrest and equity, governance practices and stakeholder relations, employee relations, board structure and management incentives. The identification of a risk related to an ESG factor will not necessarily exclude a particular fixed income security and/or sector that, in the Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team’s view, is otherwise suitable and attractively priced for investment. The relevance of specific traditional fundamental factors and ESG factors to the fundamental investment process varies across asset classes, sectors and strategies. The Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team may utilize data sources provided by third-party vendors and/or engage directly with issuers when assessing the above factors.

 

  3.

Generating investment views and strategies—Our Top-down and Bottom-up Strategy Teams (collectively, “Strategy Teams”) generate investment ideas within their areas of specialization. The Top-down Strategy Teams are responsible for Cross-Sector, Duration, Country, and Currency decisions. Concurrently, Bottom-up Strategy Teams, comprised of sector specialists, formulate sub-sector allocation and security selection decisions.

 

  4.

Constructing the portfolios—The Portfolio and Strategy Teams construct each Fund’s portfolio through a collaborative process in which the Portfolio Team oversees the overall portfolio while the

 

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  Strategy Teams actively manage the securities and strategies within their areas of specialization. This process enables the Portfolio Team to build a portfolio consisting of the ideas of the individual Strategy Teams, consistent with a Fund’s overall risk and return objectives.

The Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team employs a fundamental investment process that considers a wide range of factors, and no one factor or consideration is determinative. With every fixed income portfolio, the Investment Adviser applies a team approach that emphasizes risk management and capitalizes on GSAM’s extensive research capabilities.

Additional Information on Fund Risks, Securities and Techniques

A.    General Fund Risks

The Enhanced Income Fund (the “Fund”) will be subject to the risks associated with fixed income securities. These risks include, among others, interest rate risk, credit/default risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed income securities tends to increase (although many mortgage-related securities will have less potential than other debt securities for capital appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed income securities tends to decline. Credit/default risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and the Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present in adjustable rate mortgage loans (“ARMs”), mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can result in losses to investors. The same would be true of asset-backed securities, such as securities backed by car loans.

A rising interest rate environment could cause the value of the Fund’s fixed income securities to decrease, and fixed income markets to experience increased volatility in addition to heightened levels of liquidity risk. Additionally, decreases in the value of fixed income securities could lead to increased shareholder redemptions, which could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The risks associated with increasing interest rates are heightened given that interest rates are near historic lows, but may be expected to increase in the future with unpredictable effects on the markets and the Fund’s investments.

To the extent the Fund invests in pooled investment vehicles (including investment companies and ETFs) and partnerships, the Fund will be affected by the investment policies, practices and performance of such entities in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Fund invests therein.

To the extent the Fund’s net assets decrease or increase in the future due to price volatility or share redemption or purchase activity, the Fund’s expense ratio may correspondingly increase or decrease from the expense ratio disclosed in the Prospectus.

The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to certain shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less.

The Fund may, from time to time, enter into arrangements with certain brokers or other counterparties that require the segregation of collateral. For operational, cost or other reasons, when setting up arrangements relating

 

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to the execution/clearing of trades, the Fund may choose to select a segregation model which may not be the most protective option available in the case of a default by a broker or counterparty.

The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including its associated risks. Additional information is provided in the SAI, which is available upon request. Among other things, the SAI describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

B.    Other Portfolio Risks

Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Fund may include U.S. Government Securities (including zero coupon bonds) and securities issued by foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the SAI.

The Fund also has credit rating requirements for the securities it buys, which are applied at the time of purchase. For this purpose, the Fund relies only on the ratings of the following NRSROs: S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, Inc.

Unrated securities may be purchased by the Fund if they are determined by the Investment Adviser to be of a credit quality consistent with the Fund’s credit rating requirements.

Debt securities rated A or higher by S&P or Moody’s or having a comparable credit rating by another NRSRO are considered “high grade.” Securities rated BBB- or Baa3 are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. For the purpose of determining compliance with any credit rating requirement, the Fund assigns a security, at the time of purchase, the highest rating by an NRSRO if the security is rated by more than one NRSRO. Therefore, a security will be deemed to have met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required rating from at least one such rating organization even though it has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating organizations, the security is determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality.

The Fund may invest in fixed income securities rated BB+ or Ba1 or below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Junk bonds are considered speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.

In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present greater speculative risks than those associated with investment in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.

Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments including some or all of the following: options, futures, options on futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions. Derivatives may be used for both hedging and nonhedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return), although suitable derivative instruments may not always be available to the Investment Adviser for these purposes. Losses from derivative instruments can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its

 

B-3


contractual obligations, or the risks related to leverage factors associated with such transactions. Derivatives are also subject to risks arising from margin requirements, which include the risk that the Fund will be required to pay additional margin or set aside additional collateral to maintain open derivative positions and the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of the bankruptcy or other similar insolvency with respect to a broker or counterparty with whom the Fund has an open derivative position. Losses may also arise if the Fund receives cash collateral under the transactions and some or all of that collateral is invested in the market. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and the Fund may be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the counterparty’s cash collateral. If cash collateral is not invested, the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss in the event of the insolvency of its custodian holding such collateral. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates, currency prices or other variables. Derivative instruments may be harder to value, subject to greater volatility and more likely subject to changes in tax treatment than other investments. For these reasons, the Investment Adviser’s attempts to hedge portfolio risks through the use of derivative instruments may not be successful, and the Investment Adviser may choose not to hedge portfolio risks. Using derivatives for nonhedging purposes presents greater risk of loss than derivatives used for hedging purposes.

Derivative mortgage-backed securities (such as principal-only (“POs”), interest-only (“IOs”) or inverse floating rate securities) are particularly exposed to call and extension risks. Small changes in mortgage prepayments can significantly impact the cash flow and the market value of these securities. In general, the risk of faster than anticipated prepayments adversely affects IOs, super floaters and premium priced mortgage-backed securities. The risk of slower than anticipated prepayments generally adversely affects POs, floating-rate securities subject to interest rate caps, support tranches and discount priced mortgage-backed securities. In addition, particular derivative securities may be leveraged such that their exposure (i.e., price sensitivity) to interest rate and/or prepayment risk is magnified.

Some floating-rate derivative debt securities can present more complex types of derivative and interest rate risks. For example, range floaters are subject to the risk that the coupon will be reduced below market rates if a designated interest rate floats outside of a specified interest rate band or collar. Dual index or yield curve floaters are subject to lower prices in the event of an unfavorable change in the spread between two designated interest rates.

Risks of Foreign Investments. The Fund may make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations (e.g., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (i.e., weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which the Fund receives dividends, interest or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.

Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals may adversely affect the Fund’s foreign holdings or exposures.

Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.

 

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Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to social, political or market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Certain foreign investments may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value, especially in changing markets.

If the Fund focuses its investments in one or a few countries and currencies, the Fund may be subjected to greater risks than if the Fund’s assets were not geographically focused.

Risks of Sovereign Debt. Investment in sovereign debt obligations by the Fund involves risks not present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and the Fund may have limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn the Fund’s NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt obligations of U.S. issuers.

A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.

Risks of Illiquid Investments. The Fund may not acquire any “illiquid investment” if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. An “illiquid investment” is an investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. In determining whether an investment is an illiquid investment, the Investment Adviser will take into account actual or estimated daily transaction volume of an investment, group of related investments or asset class and other relevant market, trading, and investment-specific considerations. In addition, in determining the liquidity of an investment, the Investment Adviser must determine whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class, in sizes that the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, is reasonably expected to significantly affect its liquidity, and if so, the Fund must take this determination into account when classifying the liquidity of that investment or asset class.

Investments purchased by the Fund that are liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid. If one or more investments in the Fund’s portfolio become illiquid, the Fund may exceed the 15% limitation in illiquid investments. In the event that changes in the portfolio or other external events cause the Fund to exceed this limit, the Fund must take steps to bring its illiquid investments that are assets to or below 15% of its net assets within a reasonable period of time. This requirement would not force the Fund to liquidate any portfolio instrument where the Fund would suffer a loss on the sale of that instrument.

 

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In cases where no clear indication of the value of the Fund’s portfolio instruments is available, the portfolio instruments will be valued at their fair value according to the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. These cases include, among others, situations where a security or other asset or liability does not have a price source, or the secondary markets on which an investment has previously been traded are no longer viable, due to its lack of liquidity. For more information on fair valuation, please see Shareholder Guide—“How To Buy Shares—How Are Shares Priced?”

Risks of Emerging Countries. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in, or otherwise economically tied to, emerging countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries are generally located in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern and Central Europe, and Central and South America. The Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.

Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain Asian countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased by the Fund. The repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales from certain emerging countries is subject to restrictions such as the need for governmental consents, which may make it difficult for the Fund to invest in such emerging countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for such repatriation. In situations where a country restricts direct investment in securities (which may occur in certain Asian and other countries), the Fund may invest in such countries through other investment funds in such countries.

Emerging market countries may have more or less government regulation and generally do not impose as extensive and frequent accounting, auditing, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries. The degree of cooperation between issuers in emerging and frontier market countries with foreign and U.S. financial regulators may vary significantly. Accordingly, regulators may not have sufficient access to audit and oversee issuers, and there could be less information available about issuers in certain emerging market countries. As a result, the Investment Adviser’s ability to evaluate local companies or their potential impact on the Fund’s performance could be inhibited.

Many emerging countries have recently experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of those emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.

Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a result of military coups, while governments in other emerging countries have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial

 

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disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Investing in emerging countries involves greater risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that similar expropriations will not occur in other countries

The Fund’s investment in emerging countries may also be subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant and may reduce the return to the Fund from an investment in issuers in such countries.

Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States and may involve the Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays may occur in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for the Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons.

The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.

The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make the Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the United States, Japan and most Western European countries). The Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and then only at a substantial drop in price. Investments in emerging countries may be more difficult to value precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading volumes.

The Fund’s use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging countries may be limited. The Investment Adviser anticipates that a significant portion of the Fund’s currency exposure in emerging countries may not be covered by those techniques.

Foreign Custody Risk. The Fund that invests in foreign securities may hold such securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories appointed by the Fund’s custodian (each a “Foreign Custodian”). Some Foreign Custodians may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight over or independent evaluation of their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to even greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Custody services in emerging market countries are very often undeveloped and may be considerably less well regulated than in more developed countries, and thus may not afford the same level of investor protection as would apply in developed countries.

Risks of Structured Investment Vehicles. Structured Investment Vehicles (“SIVs”) are legal entities that are sponsored by banks, broker-dealers or other financial firms specifically created for the purpose of issuing particular securities or instruments. SIVs are often leveraged and securities issued by SIVs may have differing credit preferences. Investments in SIVs present counterparty risks, although they may be subject to a guarantee or

 

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other financial support by the sponsoring entity. Investments in SIVs may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than other types of investments.

Temporary Investment Risks. The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes (and to the extent that it is permitted to invest in the following), invest up to 100% of its total assets in:

 

   

U.S. Government Securities

 

   

Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by S&P, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable credit rating by another NRSRO (or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality)

 

   

Certificates of deposit

 

   

Bankers’ acceptances

 

   

Repurchase agreements

 

   

Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

 

   

ETFs

 

   

Other investment companies

 

   

Cash items

When the Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

C.    Fund Securities and Techniques

This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks.

The Fund may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Further information is provided in the SAI, which is available upon request.

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (i) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.

U.S. Treasury obligations include, among other things, the separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury if such components are traded independently under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities program (“STRIPS”).

U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include (i) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed. Certain of these participations may be regarded as illiquid. U.S. Treasury obligations have

 

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historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will be able or willing to repay the principal or interest rate when due, or provide financial support to U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises that issue U.S. Treasury obligations if it is not obligated to do so by law.

Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. The Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities, Municipal Securities or other types of securities in which the Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes the Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.

Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. Mortgage-backed securities can be backed by either fixed rate mortgage loans or adjustable rate mortgage loans, and may be issued by either a governmental or non-governmental entity. The value of some mortgage-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. The value of these securities may also fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. Early repayment of principal on mortgage- or asset-backed securities may expose the Fund to the risk of earning a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal.

The Fund may invest in privately-issued mortgage pass-through securities that represent interests in pools of mortgage loans that are issued by trusts formed by originators of and institutional investors in mortgage loans (or represent interests in custodial arrangements administered by such institutions). These originators and institutions include commercial banks, savings and loans associations, credit unions, savings banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, investment banks or special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The pools underlying privately-issued mortgage pass-through securities consist of mortgage loans secured by mortgages or deeds of trust creating a first lien on commercial, residential, residential multi-family and mixed residential/commercial properties. These mortgage-backed securities typically do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Privately-issued mortgage pass-through securities generally offer a higher yield than similar securities issued by a government entity because of the absence of any direct or indirect government or agency payment guarantees. However, timely payment of interest and principal on mortgage loans in these pools may be supported by various other forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, pool and hazard insurance, subordination and letters of credit. Such insurance and guarantees may be issued by private insurers, banks and mortgage poolers. There is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers, if any, will meet their obligations. Mortgage-backed securities without insurance or guarantees may also be purchased by the Fund if they have the required rating from an NRSRO. Some mortgage-backed securities issued by private organizations may not be readily marketable, may be more difficult to value accurately and may be more volatile than similar securities issued by a government entity.

Mortgage-backed securities may include multiple class securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments. CMOs provide an

 

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investor with a specified interest in the cash flow from a pool of underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued in multiple classes each with a specified fixed or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution date. In many cases, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in the order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are paid in full.

Sometimes, however, CMO classes are “parallel pay,” i.e., payments of principal are made to two or more classes concurrently. In some cases, CMOs may have the characteristics of a stripped mortgage-backed security whose price can be highly volatile. CMOs may exhibit more or less price volatility and interest rate risk than other types of mortgage-backed securities, and under certain interest rate and payment scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in certain of these securities regardless of their credit quality.

To the extent the Fund concentrates its investments in pools of mortgage-backed securities sponsored by the same sponsor or serviced by the same servicer, it may be subject to additional risks. Servicers of mortgage-related pools collect payments on the underlying mortgage assets for pass-through to the pool on a periodic basis. Upon insolvency of the servicer, the pool may be at risk with respect to collections received by the servicer but not yet delivered to the pool.

Mortgaged-backed securities also include stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiple class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all of the interest payments and the other that receives substantially all of the principal payments from a pool of mortgage loans. The market value of SMBS consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on SMBS that receive all or most of the interest from mortgage loans are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped. Throughout 2008, the market for mortgage-backed securities began experiencing substantially, often dramatically, lower valuations and greatly reduced liquidity. Markets for other asset-backed securities have also been affected. These instruments are increasingly subject to liquidity constraints, price volatility, credit downgrades and unexpected increases in default rates and, therefore, may be more difficult to value and more difficult to dispose of than previously These events may have an adverse effect on the Fund to the extent it invests in mortgage-backed or other fixed income securities or instruments affected by the volatility in the fixed income markets.

Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities may also include home equity line of credit loans and other second-lien mortgages. Asset-backed securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, the Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. Some asset-backed securities have only a subordinated claim or security interest in collateral. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed. The value of some asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in the prevailing interest rates. There is no guarantee that private guarantors, or insurers of an asset-backed security, if any, will meet their obligations. Asset-backed securities may also be subject to increased

 

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volatility and may become illiquid and more difficult to value even when there is no default or threat of default due to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers and market conditions impacting asset-backed securities more generally.

Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in securities and instruments issued by state and local government issuers. Municipal Securities in which the Fund may invest consist of bonds, notes, commercial paper and other instruments (including participation interests in such securities) issued by or on behalf of the states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities.

Municipal Securities include both “general” obligation and “revenue” bonds and may be issued to obtain funds for various purposes. General obligations are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power. Revenue obligations are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities.

Municipal Securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other purposes for which Municipal Securities may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses, and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal Securities in which the Fund may invest include private activity bonds, pre-refunded municipal securities and auction rate securities. Dividends paid by the Fund based on investments in Municipal Securities will be taxable.

The obligations of the issuer to pay the principal of and interest on a Municipal Security are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and laws, if any, that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest or imposing other constraints upon the enforcement of such obligations. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of the issuer to pay when due the principal of or interest on a Municipal Security may be materially affected.

In addition, Municipal Securities include municipal leases, certificates of participation and “moral obligation” bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. Certificates of participation represent interests in municipal leases or other instruments, such as installment purchase agreements. Moral obligation bonds are supported by a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of a state or local government. Municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds frequently involve special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. In particular, these instruments permit governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. If, however, the governmental issuer does not periodically appropriate money to enable it to meet its payment obligations under these instruments, it cannot be legally compelled to do so. If a default occurs, it is likely that the Fund would be unable to obtain another acceptable source of payment. Some municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds may be illiquid.

Municipal Securities may also be in the form of a tender option bond, which is a Municipal Security (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, which grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution. After payment of a fee to the financial institution that provides this option, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. An institution may not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. The tender option will be taken into account in determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and the Fund’s duration. Certain tender option bonds may be illiquid.

 

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Municipal Securities may be backed by letters of credit or other forms of credit enhancement issued by domestic or foreign banks or by other financial institutions. The deterioration of the credit quality of these banks and financial institutions could, therefore, cause a loss to the Fund that invests in such Municipal Securities. Letters of credit and other obligations of foreign banks and financial institutions may involve risks in addition to those of domestic obligations because of less publicly available financial and other information, less securities regulation, potential imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes, war, expropriation or other adverse governmental actions. Foreign banks and their foreign branches are not regulated by U.S. banking authorities, and are generally not bound by the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards applicable to U.S. banks.

The Fund may invest in Municipal Securities issued by municipalities, including U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions, that may be, or may become, subject to significant financial difficulties. Factors contributing to such difficulties may include: lower property tax collections as a result of lower home values, lower sales tax revenue as a result of reduced consumer spending, lower income tax revenue as a result of higher unemployment rates, and budgetary constraints of local, state and federal governments upon which issuers of municipal securities may be relying for funding. Such securities may be considered below investment grade or may be subject to future credit downgrades due to concerns over potential default, insolvency or bankruptcy on the part of their issuers or any credit support provider. During the recent economic downturn, several municipalities have, in fact, filed for bankruptcy protection or have indicated that they may seek bankruptcy protection in the future. A credit downgrade or other adverse news about an issuer or any credit support provider could impact the market value and liquidity of the securities and consequently could negatively affect the performance of the Fund that holds such securities.

Brady Bonds and Similar Instruments. The Fund may invest in debt obligations commonly referred to as “Brady Bonds.” Brady Bonds are created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to foreign borrowers for new obligations in connection with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the “Brady Plan”).

Brady Bonds involve various risk factors including the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds. There can be no assurance that Brady Bonds in which the Fund may invest will not be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause the Fund to suffer a loss of interest or principal on its holdings.

In addition, the Fund may invest in other interests issued by entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of instruments issued by emerging country issuers. These types of restructuring involve the deposit with or purchase by an entity of specific instruments and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. Certain issuers of such structured securities may be deemed to be “investment companies” as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, the Fund’s investment in such securities may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act.

Corporate Debt Obligations, Trust Preferred Securities and Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations, trust preferred securities and convertible securities. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. A trust preferred security is a long dated bond (for example, 30 years) with preferred features. The preferred features are that payment of interest can be deferred for a specified period without initiating a default event. The securities are generally senior in claim to standard preferred stock but junior to other bondholders. The Fund may also invest in other short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities.

Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar

 

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quality. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed income risk characteristics. Like all fixed income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.

Bank Obligations. The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.

Structured Securities and Inverse Floaters. The Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, securities, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References. Investments in structured securities may provide exposure to certain securities or markets in situations where regulatory or other restrictions prevent direct investments in such issuers or markets.

The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference, effectively leveraging the Fund’s investments so that small changes in the value of the reference may result in disproportionate gains or losses to the Fund. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities. Structured securities are also subject to the risk that the issuer of the structured securities may fail to perform its contractual obligations. Certain issuers of structured products may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, the Fund’s investments in structured securities may be subject to the limits applicable to investments in other investment companies.

Structured securities may also include credit linked notes. Credit linked notes are securities with embedded credit default swaps. An investor holding a credit linked note generally receives a fixed or floating coupon and the note’s par value upon maturity, unless the referred credit defaults or declares bankruptcy, in which case the investor receives the amount recovered. In effect, investors holding credit linked notes receive a higher yield in exchange for assuming the risk of a specified credit event.

Structured securities may also include inverse floating rate debt securities (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on inverse floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the degree of leverage of an inverse floater, the greater the volatility of its market value.

Floating and Variable Rate Obligations. The Fund may purchase floating and variable rate obligations. The value of these obligations is generally more stable than that of a fixed rate obligation in response to changes in

 

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interest rate levels. The issuers or financial intermediaries providing demand features may support their ability to purchase the obligations by obtaining credit with liquidity supports. These may include lines of credit, which are conditional commitments to lend, and letters of credit, which will ordinarily be irrevocable both of which may be issued by domestic banks or foreign banks. The Fund may purchase variable or floating rate obligations from the issuers or may purchase certificates of participation, a type of floating or variable rate obligation, which are interests in a pool of debt obligations held by a bank or other financial institutions.

Floating and variable rate obligations may be transferable among financial institutions, but may not have the liquidity of conventional debt securities and are often subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Floating and variable rate obligations are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system. As a result, no active market may exist for some floating and variable rate obligations. To the extent a secondary market exists for other floating and variable rate obligations, such market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads, and extended trade settlement periods. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market for floating and variable rate obligations may have an adverse effect on the value of such obligations and may make it more difficult to value the obligations for purposes of calculating their respective net asset value.

For floating and variable rate obligations, there may be a lag between an actual change in the underlying interest rate benchmark and the reset time for an interest payment of such an obligation, which could harm or benefit the Fund, depending on the interest rate environment or other circumstances. In a rising interest rate environment, for example, a floating or variable rate obligation that does not reset immediately would prevent the Fund from taking full advantage of the rising interest rates in a timely manner. However, in a declining interest rate environment, the Fund may benefit from a lag due to an obligation’s interest rate payment not being immediately impacted by a decline in interest rates.

Certain floating and variable rate obligations have an interest rate floor feature, which prevents the interest rate payable by the security from dropping below a specified level as compared to a reference interest rate (the “reference rate”), such as LIBOR. Such a floor protects the Fund from losses resulting from a decrease in the reference rate below the specified level. However, if the reference rate is below the floor, there will be a lag between a rise in the reference rate and a rise in the interest rate payable by the obligation, and the Fund may not benefit from increasing interest rates for a significant amount of time.

Zero Coupon, Deferred Interest, Pay-In-Kind and Capital Appreciation Bonds. The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds, deferred interest, pay-in-kind and capital appreciation bonds. These bonds are issued at a discount from their face value because interest payments are typically postponed until maturity. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by the delivery of additional securities. The market prices of these securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest-bearing securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls. The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls. A mortgage dollar roll involves the sale by the Fund of securities for delivery in the current month. The Fund simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund benefits to the extent of any difference between (a) the price received for the securities sold and (b) the lower forward price for the future purchase and/or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold. Unless the benefits of a mortgage dollar roll exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the roll, the use of this technique will diminish the Fund’s performance.

Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls depends upon the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and mortgage prepayments. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its prediction, the Fund may

 

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experience a loss. The Fund does not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls for financing and do not treat them as borrowings

Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. The Fund may write (sell) call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities and other instruments in which the Fund may invest or any index consisting of securities or other instruments in which it may invest. The Fund may also, to the extent consistent with their investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.

The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which presents additional risk). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to anticipate future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will present greater possibility of loss because of their greater illiquidity and credit risks.

Yield Curve Options. The Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

Futures Contracts and Options and Swaps on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A swap on a futures contract provides an investor with the ability to gain economic exposure to a particular futures market. A futures contract may be based on particular securities, foreign currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on U.S. and foreign exchanges.

The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell futures contracts, purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, and enter into swaps on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, or currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options.

 

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Futures contracts and related options and swaps present the following risks:

 

   

While the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options and swaps on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts, options transactions or swaps.

 

   

Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.

 

   

The loss incurred by the Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options and entering into swaps on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.

 

   

Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV.

 

   

As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund.

 

   

Futures contracts and options and swaps on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

 

   

Foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.

The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate. When purchasing a security on a when-issued basis or entering into a forward commitment, the Fund must identify on its books liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures, to “cover” its obligations.

Inflation Protected Securities. The Fund may invest only in IPS issued by the U.S. Treasury. IPS are fixed income securities whose interest and principal payments are adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The interest rate on IPS is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal value that has been adjusted for inflation. Although repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed, the market value of IPS is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. Any increase or decrease in the principal amount of IPS will result in an adjustment of interest income which is distributed to shareholders periodically.

The values of IPS generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of IPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of IPS. If inflation is lower than expected during the period the Fund holds IPS, the Fund may earn less on the IPS than on a conventional bond. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in the currency exchange rates), investors in IPS may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bonds’ inflation measure. There can be no assurance that the inflation index for IPS will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.

 

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The U.S. Treasury utilizes the CPIU as the measurement of inflation, while other issuers of IPS may use different indices as the measure of inflation. Any increase in principal value of IPS caused by an increase in the CPIU is taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though the Fund holding IPS will not receive cash representing the increase at that time. As a result, the Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements as a regulated investment company.

The Fund will be required to treat as original issue discount any increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable year. If the Fund purchases such inflation protected securities that are issued in stripped form either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt instrument having original issue discount.

Because the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income (including accrued original issue discount), the Fund’s investment in either zero coupon bonds or IPS may require the Fund to distribute to shareholders an amount greater than the total cash income it actually receives. Accordingly, in order to make the required distributions, the Fund may be required to borrow or liquidate securities.

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract.

The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between the Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of the Fund’s performance benchmark. The Fund may also enter into such transactions to seek to increase total return, which presents additional risk.

The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. The Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date (e.g., the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).

The Fund may, from time to time, engage in non-deliverable forward transactions to manage currency risk or to gain exposure to a currency without purchasing securities denominated in that currency. A non-deliverable forward is a transaction that represents an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty (usually a commercial bank) to pay the other party the amount that it would cost based on current market rates as of the termination date to buy or sell a specified (notional) amount of a particular currency at an agreed upon foreign exchange rate on an agreed upon future date. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreement related to the transaction, but the Fund may be delayed or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it pursuant to non-deliverable forward transactions. Such non-deliverable forward transactions will be settled in cash.

Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.

Certain forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other currency transactions are not exchange traded or cleared. The market in such forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such

 

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instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.

The Fund is not required to post cash collateral with its counterparties in certain foreign currency transactions. Accordingly, the Fund may remain more fully invested (and more of the Fund’s assets may be subject to investment and market risk) than if it were required to post cash collateral with its counterparties (which is the case with certain transactions). Where the Fund’s counterparties are not required to post cash collateral with the Fund, the Fund will be subject to additional counterparty risk.

Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with counterparties approved by the Investment Adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees that furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. The collateral may consist of any type of security in which the Fund is eligible to invest or, if the Fund is subject to minimum credit quality requirements, any type of security, including non-investment grade securities, provided the repurchase agreement counterparty satisfies these minimum credit quality requirements. Repurchase agreements involving obligations other than U.S. Government Securities may be subject to additional risks.

If the other party or “seller” defaults, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, the Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.

The Fund, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Borrowings and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions, and may enter into reverse repurchase agreements in amounts not exceeding one-third of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed or received). Borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements involve the use of leverage and subject the Fund to the risks associated with leverage, including exposure to potential gains and losses in excess of the amount invested.

Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Options on Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars. The Fund may enter into some or all of the following swap transactions and option agreements, including interest rate swaps, mortgage swaps, credit swaps, currency swaps, total return swaps, options on swaps and interest rate caps, floors and collars. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps (also referred to as credit default swaps) involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses on an underlying security or pool of securities. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction (the buyer of the credit swap) the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets or exposure to the performance of an index), or the right to receive a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties’ respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Total return swaps give a party the right to receive the appreciation in the value of a specified security, index or other instrument in

 

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return for a fee paid to the counterparty, which will typically be based on an agreed upon interest rate. If the underlying asset in a total return swap declines in value over the term of the swap, the party may also be required to pay the dollar value of that decline to the counterparty.

The Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap or to modify the terms of an existing swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into or modify an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms, which generally entails a greater risk of loss than the Fund incurs in buying a swaption. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.

The Fund may enter into the transactions described above for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. As an example, when the Fund is the buyer of a credit default swap (commonly known as buying protection), it may make periodic payments to the seller of the credit default swap to obtain protection against a credit default on a specified underlying asset (or group of assets). If a default occurs, the seller of a credit default swap may be required to pay the Fund the notional amount of the credit default swap on a specified security (or group of securities). On the other hand, when the Fund is a seller of a credit default swap (commonly known as selling protection), in addition to the credit exposure the Fund has on the other assets held in its portfolio, the Fund is also subject to the credit exposure on the notional amount of the swap since, in the event of a credit default, the Fund may be required to pay the notional amount of the credit default swap on a specified security (or group of securities) to the buyer of the credit default swap. The Fund will be the seller of a credit default swap only when the credit of the underlying asset is deemed by the Investment Adviser to meet the Fund’s minimum credit criteria at the time the swap is first entered into.

When the Fund writes (sells) credit swaps on individual securities or instruments, the Fund must identify on its books liquid assets equal to the full notional amount of the swaps while the positions are open.

The use of interest rate, mortgage, credit, currency and total return swaps, options on swaps, and interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and currency exchange rates, or in its evaluation of the creditworthiness of swap counterparties and the issuers of the underlying assets, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.

Currently, certain standardized swap transactions are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading. Although central clearing and exchange trading is expected to decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity compared to bilaterally negotiated swaps, central clearing and exchange trading does not eliminate counterparty risk or illiquidity risk entirely. Depending on the size of the Fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Fund to support its obligations under a similar bilateral, uncleared swap. However, certain applicable regulators have adopted rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps which may result in the Fund and its counterparties posting higher amounts for uncleared swaps.

Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including ETFs and money market funds, subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act, or exemptive relief or regulations thereunder. These statutory limitations include in certain circumstances a

 

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prohibition on any Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of total assets in securities of all investment companies.

The use of ETFs is generally intended to help the Fund match the total return of the particular market segments or indices represented by those ETFs, although that may not be the result. Most ETFs are passively managed investment companies whose shares are purchased and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF generally represents a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies. In addition, an ETF may fail to accurately track the market segment or index that underlies its investment objective. The price of an ETF can fluctuate, and the Fund could lose money investing in an ETF. Moreover, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (i) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or a discount to their NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; and (iii) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of an ETF will continue to be met or remain unchanged.

Subject to applicable law and/or pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, the Fund may invest in certain other investment companies, including ETFs and money market funds, beyond the statutory limits described above or otherwise provided that certain conditions are met. Some of those investment companies may be funds for which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.

The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund. Although the Fund does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, the Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund.

Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities. Non-investment grade fixed income securities and unrated securities of comparable credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are considered speculative. In some cases, these obligations may be highly speculative and have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing. Non-investment grade fixed income securities are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest obligations. These securities, also referred to as high yield securities, may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific issuer developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less liquidity.

Non-investment grade fixed income securities are often issued in connection with a corporate reorganization or restructuring or as part of a merger, acquisition, takeover or similar event. They are also issued by less established companies seeking to expand. Such issuers are often highly leveraged and generally less able than more established or less leveraged entities to make scheduled payments of principal and interest in the event of adverse developments or business conditions. Non-investment grade fixed income securities are also issued by governmental bodies that may have difficulty in making all scheduled interest and principal payments.

The market value of non-investment grade fixed income securities tends to reflect individual corporate or municipal developments to a greater extent than that of higher rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. As a result, the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives may depend to a greater extent on the Investment Adviser’s judgment concerning the creditworthiness of issuers than funds which invest in higher-rated securities. Issuers of non-investment grade fixed income securities may not be able to make use of other methods of financing and their ability to service debt obligations may be affected more adversely than issuers of higher-rated securities by economic downturns, specific corporate or financial developments or the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. Negative

 

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publicity about the junk bond market and investor perceptions regarding lower rated securities, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may depress the prices for such securities.

A holder’s risk of loss from default is significantly greater for non-investment grade fixed income securities than is the case for holders of other debt securities because such non-investment grade fixed income securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to the rights of other creditors of the issuers of such securities. Investment by the Fund in defaulted securities poses additional risk of loss should nonpayment of principal and interest continue in respect of such securities. Even if such securities are held to maturity, recovery by the Fund of its initial investment and any anticipated income or appreciation is uncertain.

The secondary market for non-investment grade fixed income securities is concentrated in relatively few market makers and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as, and is more volatile than, the secondary market for higher-rated securities. In addition, market trading volume for high yield fixed income securities is generally lower and the secondary market for such securities could shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. The lack of sufficient market liquidity may cause the Fund to incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and then only at a substantial drop in price. These factors may have an adverse effect on the market price and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in its portfolio.

Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of non-investment grade fixed income securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality.

Downgraded Securities. After its purchase, a portfolio security may be assigned a lower rating or cease to be rated which may affect the market value and liquidity of the security. If this occurs, the Fund may continue to hold the security if the Investment Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

Collateralized Loan Obligations. The Fund may invest in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. CLOs may charge management and other administrative fees. The cashflows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Because it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CLO trust typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class.

The risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the CLO in which the Fund invests. Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid investments. However, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs that qualify under the Rule 144A “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers, and such CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as liquid securities.

 

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Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and stock purchase rights (“rights”). Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.

Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund may make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box means that at all times when a short position is open the Fund will own an equal amount of securities sold short, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.

Equity Investments. After its purchase, a portfolio investment (such as a convertible debt obligation) may convert to an equity security. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire equity securities in connection with a restructuring or other similar event related to one or more of its investments. If this occurs, the Fund may continue to hold the investment (or make additional purchases of that equity investment) if the Investment Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

Asset Segregation. As investment companies registered with the SEC, the Fund must identify on its books (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or SEC staff-approved or other appropriate measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments. In the case of swaps, futures contracts, options, forward contracts and other derivative instruments that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must identify on t books liquid assets equal to the full notional amount of the instrument while the positions are open, to the extent there is not a permissible offsetting position or a contractual “netting” agreement with respect to swaps (other than credit default swaps where the Fund is the protection seller). However, with respect to certain swaps, futures contracts, options, forward contracts and other derivative instruments that are required to cash settle, the Fund may identify liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability) under the instrument, if any, rather than its full notional amount. Forwards and futures contracts that do not cash settle may be treated as cash settled for asset segregation purposes when the Fund has entered into a contractual arrangement with a third party FCM or other counterparty to off-set the Fund’s exposure under the contract and, failing that, to assign their delivery obligation under the contract to the counterparty. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future in their discretion, consistent with the Investment Company Act and SEC- or SEC staff guidance. By identifying assets equal to only their net obligations under certain instruments, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund was required to identify assets equal to the full notional amount of the instrument.

In October 2020, the SEC adopted a final rule related to the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by registered investment companies. In connection with the final rule, the SEC and its staff will rescind and withdraw applicable guidance and relief regarding asset segregation and coverage transactions reflected in the Fund’s asset segregation and cover practices discussed above. Subject to certain exceptions, and after an eighteen-month transition period, the final rule requires the Fund to trade derivatives (and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations) subject to a value-at-risk leverage limit and certain derivatives risk management program and reporting requirements. These requirements may limit the ability of the Fund to use derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of its investment strategies and may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors.

 

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Exhibit C

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s Class A, Investor, Service, Institutional, Administration and Class R6 Shares. This information is provided with respect to the Fund’s Class P Shares in the section below entitled “Shareholder Guide (Class P Shares).”

HOW TO BUY SHARES

Shares Offering

Shares of the Fund are continuously offered through the Distributor. The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase shares and reserve the right to reject any purchase order in whole or in part.

How Can I Purchase Shares Of The Fund?

You may purchase shares of the Fund through certain intermediaries that have a relationship with Goldman Sachs, including banks, trust companies, brokers, registered investment advisers and other financial institutions (“Intermediaries”). Certain Intermediaries have been authorized by Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) to accept purchase, redemption or exchange orders on behalf of the Fund for its customers (“Authorized Institutions”), and if approved by the Fund, may designate other financial intermediaries to accept such orders. You should contact your Intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders on behalf of the Fund (i.e., an Authorized Institution). In order to make an initial investment in the Fund you must furnish to your Intermediary the information in the account application.

The decision as to which class to purchase depends on the amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and your personal situation. You should contact your Intermediary to discuss which share class option is right for you.

Note: Intermediaries may receive different compensation for selling different share classes.

To open an account, contact your Intermediary. Customers of an Intermediary will normally give their order instructions to the Intermediary, and the Intermediary will, in turn, place the order with the Transfer Agent. Intermediaries are responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Transfer Agent within the time period agreed upon by them and will set times by which orders and payments must be received by them from their customers. The Trust, Transfer Agent, Investment Adviser and their affiliates will not be responsible for any loss in connection with orders that are not transmitted to the Transfer Agent by an Intermediary on a timely basis.

The Fund will be deemed to have received an order for purchase, redemption or exchange of Fund shares when the order is accepted in “proper form” by the Transfer Agent (or, if applicable, by an Authorized Institution) on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s current NAV per share next determined after acceptance by the Transfer Agent (or, if applicable, by an Authorized Institution). For shareholders that place trades directly with the Fund’s Transfer Agent, proper form generally means that specific trade details and customer identifying information must be received by the Transfer Agent at the time an order is submitted. Intermediaries of the Fund may have different requirements regarding what constitutes proper form for trade instructions. Please contact your Intermediary for more information.

For purchases by check, the Fund will not accept checks drawn on foreign banks, third party checks, temporary checks, cash or cash equivalents; e.g., cashier’s checks, official bank checks, money orders, traveler’s cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer of retirement assets, the Fund may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.

 

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Investor Shares are not sold directly to the public. Instead, Investor Shares generally are available only to Section 401(k), 403(b), 457, profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and non-qualified pension plans or other employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) or SIMPLE plans that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations (“Employee Benefit Plans”). Investor Shares may also be sold to accounts established under a fee-based program that is sponsored and maintained by an Intermediary that has entered into a contractual relationship with Goldman Sachs to offer such shares through such programs (“Eligible Fee-Based Program”). Investor Shares are not available to traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”), SEPs and SARSEPs; except that Investor Shares are available to such accounts or plans to the extent they are purchased through an Eligible Fee-Based Program. Employee Benefit Plans and Eligible Fee-Based Programs must purchase Investor Shares through an Intermediary using a plan level or omnibus account.

Employee Benefit Plans generally may open an account and purchase Investor Shares through Intermediaries, financial planners, Employee Benefit Plan administrators and other financial intermediaries. Investor Shares may not be available through certain Intermediaries. Additional shares may be purchased through an Employee Benefit Plan’s administrator or record-keeper.

Class R6 Shares are generally available to the following investors who purchase shares of the Fund through certain Intermediaries that have a contractual relationship with Goldman Sachs, including banks, trust companies, brokers, registered investment advisers and other financial institutions, using a plan level or omnibus account, unless otherwise noted below.

 

   

Investors who purchase Class R6 Shares through an Eligible Fee-Based Program;

 

   

Employee Benefit Plans;

 

   

Registered investment companies or bank collective trusts investing directly with the Transfer Agent;

 

   

Institutional investors, including companies, foundations, endowments, municipalities, trusts and other entities, investing at least $5,000,000 directly with the Transfer Agent; and

 

   

Other investors at the discretion of the Trust’s officers.

Class R6 Shares may not be available through certain Intermediaries. For the purposes of Class R6 Shares eligibility, the term “Intermediary” does not include Goldman Sachs or its affiliates and Class R6 Shares will not be available to clients of Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management, The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A., The Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware or The Ayco Company, L.P.

What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?

For each of your accounts investing in Class A Shares, the following investment minimums must be met:

 

     Initial    Additional*

Regular Accounts

   $1,000    $50
  

 

  

 

Employee Benefit Plans

   No Minimum    No Minimum
  

 

  

 

Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minors Accounts (UGMA/UTMA)

   $250    $50
  

 

  

 

Individual Retirement Accounts and Coverdell ESAs

   $250    $50
  

 

  

 

Automatic Investment Plan Accounts

   $250    $50
  

 

  

 

 

*

No minimum additional investment requirements are imposed with respect to investors trading through Intermediaries who aggregate shares in omnibus or similar accounts (e.g., employee benefit plan accounts, wrap program accounts or traditional brokerage house accounts).

 

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For Institutional Shares, the minimum initial investment is $1,000,000 for individual or Institutional Investors, alone or in combination with other assets under the management of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, except that no initial minimum will be imposed on (i) Employee Benefit Plans that hold their Institutional Shares through plan-level or omnibus accounts; or (ii) investment advisers investing for accounts for which they receive asset-based fees where the investment adviser or its Intermediary purchases Institutional Shares through an omnibus account. For this purpose, “Institutional Investors” shall include “wrap” account sponsors (provided they have an agreement covering the arrangement with the Distributor); corporations; qualified non-profit organizations, charitable trusts, foundations and endowments; any state, county or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof; and banks, trust companies or other depository institutions investing for their own account or on behalf of their clients.

No minimum amount is required for initial purchases in Investor and Class R6 (except as provided below) Shares or additional investments in Institutional, Investor, or Class R6 Shares.

For Class R6 Shares, the minimum initial investment is $5,000,000 for institutional investors, including companies, foundations, endowments, municipalities, trusts and other entities who purchase Class R6 Shares directly with the Transfer Agent.

There are no minimum purchase or account (minimum) requirements with respect to Service and Administration Shares. An Intermediary may, however, impose a minimum amount for initial and additional investments in Service and Administration Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. An Intermediary may redeem Service Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any special services.

The minimum investment requirement for Class A and Institutional Shares may be waived for: (i) Goldman Sachs, its affiliates (including the Trust) or their respective Trustees, officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), as well as certain individuals related to such investors, including spouses or domestic partners, minor children including those of their domestic partners, other family members residing in the same household, and/or financial dependents, provided that all of the above are designated as such with an Intermediary or the Fund’s Transfer Agent; (ii) advisory clients of Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management and accounts for which The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A. acts in a fiduciary capacity (i.e., as agent or trustee); (iii) certain mutual fund “wrap” programs at the discretion of the Trust’s officers; and (iv) other investors at the discretion of the Trust’s officers. No minimum amount is required for additional investments in such accounts.

What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Intermediary?

If shares of the Fund are held in an account maintained and serviced by your Intermediary, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to your account will be performed by your Intermediary, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will have no record of your transactions, you should contact your Intermediary to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning your account or to obtain information about your account. The transfer of shares from an account with one Intermediary to an account with another Intermediary involves special procedures and may require you to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from your Intermediary. If your Intermediary’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to another Intermediary, the Trust reserves the right to redeem your shares. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from a redemption.

Certain Intermediaries may provide the following services in connection with their customers’ investments in Service Shares:

 

   

Personal and account maintenance services

 

   

Provide facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence

 

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Act as liaison between the Intermediary’s customers and the Trust

 

   

Assist customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and similar services

 

   

Shareholder administration services

 

   

Act, directly or through an agent, as the sole shareholder of record

 

   

Maintain account records for customers

 

   

Process orders to purchase, redeem and exchange shares for customers

 

   

Process payments for customers

Intermediaries that invest in shares on behalf of their customers may charge brokerage commissions or other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your Intermediary for information regarding such charges, as these fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.

The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments or provide services to Intermediaries to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, except that the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates do not make such payments on behalf of Class R6 Shares. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Fund. The payments are in addition to the distribution and service fees, service fees and shareholder administration fees described in the Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to the Fund’s inclusion on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; the provision of analytical or other data to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates relating to sales of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds; the support or purchase of technology platforms/software; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, including provision of consultative services to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates relating to marketing and/or sale of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, sponsor various trainings and educational programs. The payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates, which are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Fund, may also compensate Intermediaries for sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, administrative and/or shareholder processing services. These additional payments may exceed amounts earned on these assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates for the performance of these or similar services. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have access to certain services from the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates, including research reports, economic analysis, and portfolio analysis, portfolio construction and similar tools and software. In certain cases, the Intermediaries may not pay for these products or services or may only pay for a portion of the total cost of these products or services. Please refer to the “Payments to Others (Including Intermediaries)” section of the SAI for more information about these payments and services.

The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates and the services provided by an Intermediary may differ for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Fund based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.

 

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You may be required to pay a commission directly to a broker or financial intermediary for effecting transactions in Institutional Shares. In addition to Institutional Shares, each Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance) and are entitled to different services than Institutional Shares. Information regarding these other share classes is included in the Prospectus for the applicable share class and may also be obtained from your Intermediary or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of the Prospectus.

What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?

The Trust reserves the right to:

 

   

Refuse to open an account or require an Intermediary to refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a taxpayer identification number, a Social Security Number or other government-issued identification (e.g., for an individual, a driver’s license or passport); or (ii) certify that such number or other information is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).

 

   

Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of shares of the Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of the Fund.

 

   

Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser.

 

   

Provide for, modify or waive the minimum investment requirements.

 

   

Modify the manner in which shares are offered.

 

   

Modify the sales charge rate applicable to future purchases of shares.

Shares of the Fund are only registered for sale in the United States and certain of its territories. Generally, shares of the Fund will only be offered or sold to “U.S. persons” and all offerings or other solicitation activities will be conducted within the United States, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”).

The Fund may allow you to purchase shares through an Intermediary with securities instead of cash if consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and operations and approved by the Investment Adviser.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders.

Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states (to which your account may be subject) require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including shares of the Fund) to the appropriate state if no activity occurs in an account for a period of time specified by state law. For IRA accounts escheated to a state under these abandoned property laws, the escheatment will generally be treated as a taxable distribution to you; federal and any applicable state income tax will be withheld. This may apply to your Roth IRA as well.

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying information for certain investors, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other information, for each investor who opens an account directly with the

 

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Fund. Applications without the required information may not be accepted by the Fund. Throughout the life of your account, the Fund may request updated identifying information in accordance with their Customer Identification Program. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their Customer Identification Program, the Fund reserves the right to: (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Fund; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Fund is unable to verify an investor’s identity or are unable to obtain all required information. The Fund and their agents will not be responsible for any loss or tax liability in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to their Customer Identification Program.

How Are Shares Priced?

The price you pay when you buy shares is the Fund’s next-determined NAV per share after the Transfer Agent (or, if applicable, an Authorized Institution) has received and accepted your order in proper form. The price you receive when you sell shares is the Fund’s next-determined NAV per share after the Transfer Agent (or, if applicable, an Authorized Institution) has received and accepted your order in proper form, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charges. Each class generally calculates its NAV as follows:

 

NAV   =
  

(Value of Assets of the Class)

— (Liabilities of the Class)

     Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

The Fund’s investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value on the basis of quotations provided by pricing services or securities dealers. If accurate quotations are not readily available, if the Fund’s fund accounting agent is unable for other reasons to facilitate pricing of individual securities or calculate the Fund’s NAV, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under valuation procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Thus, such pricing may be based on subjective judgments and it is possible that the prices resulting from such valuation procedures may differ materially from the value realized on a sale. Cases where there is no clear indication of the value of the Fund’s investments include, among others, situations where a security or other asset or liability does not have a price source or a price is unavailable.

Equity securities listed on an exchange are generally valued at the last available sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices will be provided by an independent third-party pricing (fair value) service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV.

Fixed income securities are generally valued on the basis of prices (including evaluated prices) and quotations provided by pricing services or securities dealers. Pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models, which utilize certain inputs and assumptions, including, but not limited to, yield or price with respect to comparable fixed income securities, to determine current value. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but the Fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots.

Investments in other open-end registered investment companies (if any), excluding investments in ETFs, are valued based on the NAV of those open-end registered investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). Investments in ETFs will generally be valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange on which they are principally traded.

 

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In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may (but need not) determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or unscheduled market closings; equipment failures; natural or man made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; ratings downgrades; bankruptcies; and trading limits or suspensions.

One effect of using an independent third-party pricing (fair value) service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Please note the following with respect to the price at which your transactions are processed:

 

   

NAV per share of each share class is generally calculated by the Fund’s fund accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) or such other times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed, although Fund shares may be priced on such days if the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day.

 

   

On any business day when the SIFMA recommends that the bond markets close early, each Fund reserves the right to close at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing time. If the Fund does so, it will cease granting same business day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the Fund’s closing time and credit will be given on the next business day.

 

   

The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at a NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.

 

   

The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into the Fund’s NAV on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a NAV that differs materially from the NAV that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.

Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets are stopped at a time other than their regularly scheduled closing times. In the event the New York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets do not open for business, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether the Fund is open for business during this situation, please call the appropriate phone number located on the back cover of the Prospectus.

Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days the Fund is closed. As a result, if the Fund holds foreign securities, its NAV may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

 

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The Fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. The ability of the Fund’s fund accounting agent to calculate the NAV per share of each share class of the Fund is subject to operational risks associated with processing or human errors, systems or technology failures, cyber attacks and errors caused by third party service providers, data sources, or trading counterparties. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the Fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The Fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures. In addition, if the third party service providers and/or data sources upon which the Fund directly or indirectly relies to calculate its NAV or price individual securities are unavailable or otherwise unable to calculate the NAV correctly, it may be necessary for alternative procedures to be utilized to price the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV.

When Will Shares Be Issued And Dividends Begin To Be Accrued?

Net investment income dividends that are declared daily and paid monthly will begin to be accrued as follows:

 

   

Shares Purchased by Federal Funds Wire or ACH Transfer:

 

   

If a purchase order is received in proper form before the Fund closes, shares will generally be issued and dividends will generally begin to accrue on the purchased shares on the later of (i) the business day after payment is received, or (ii) the day that the federal funds wire is received by The Northern Trust Company. Failure to provide payment on settlement date may result in a delay in accrual.

 

   

If a purchase order is placed through an Intermediary that settles through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”), the purchase order will begin accruing dividends on the NSCC settlement date.

 

   

Shares Purchased by Check:

 

   

If a purchase order is received in proper form before the Fund closes, shares will generally be issued and dividends will generally begin to accrue on the purchased shares no later than two business days after payment is received.

Other dividends or distributions will be distributed annually as a declared event and paid to shareholders of record on the record date for such events.

COMMON QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES

What Is The Offering Price Of Class A Shares?

The offering price of Class A Shares of the Fund is the next determined NAV per share paid to Goldman Sachs at the time of purchase of shares. Class A Shares of the Fund are sold at NAV with no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).

HOW TO SELL SHARES

How Can I Sell Shares Of The Fund?

Generally, Shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Intermediaries. Customers of an Intermediary will normally give their redemption instructions to the Intermediary, and the Intermediary will, in turn, place the order with the Transfer Agent. On any business day the Fund is open, the Fund will generally redeem its Shares upon request at their next-determined NAV per share after the Transfer Agent (or, if applicable, the Authorized Institution) has received and accepted a redemption order in proper form, as described under “How To Buy Shares—How Can I Purchase Shares Of The Fund?” above. Redemptions may be requested by electronic trading platform (through your Intermediary), in writing or by telephone (unless the Intermediary opts out of the telephone redemption privilege on the account application). You should contact your Intermediary to discuss redemptions and redemption proceeds. The Fund may transfer redemption proceeds to an account with your

 

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Intermediary. In the alternative, your Intermediary may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or wire (if the wire instructions are designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent).

When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?

Generally, a redemption request must be in writing and signed by an authorized person with a Medallion signature guarantee if:

 

   

A request is made in writing to redeem Class A or Investor Shares in an amount over $50,000 via check;

 

   

You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or

 

   

You would like the redemption proceeds sent to a domestic bank account that is not designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent.

A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated Intermediary to verify instructions. Additional documentation may be required.

What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?

The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss or tax liability you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The Trust may accept telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying himself or herself as the owner of an account or the owner’s registered representative where the owner has not declined in writing to use this service. Thus, you risk possible losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized by you.

In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs and DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (“DST”) each employ reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. The following general policies are currently in effect:

 

   

Telephone requests are recorded.

 

   

Proceeds of telephone redemption requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent (unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion signature guarantee indicating another address or account).

 

   

For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will only be filled by a wire transfer to the authorized account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see immediately preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by check during this time period, the redemption request must be in the form of a written, Medallion signature guaranteed letter.

 

   

The telephone redemption option does not apply to Shares held in an account maintained and serviced by your Intermediary. If your Shares are held in an account with an Intermediary, you should contact your registered representative of record, who may make telephone redemptions on your behalf.

 

   

The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.

 

   

The Fund may allow redemptions via check up to $50,000 in Class A or Investor Shares requested via telephone.

Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of unusual economic or market conditions.

 

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How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?

By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be paid as federal funds to an account with your Intermediary or to a domestic bank account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent. In addition, redemption proceeds may be transmitted through an electronic trading platform to an account with your Intermediary. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:

 

   

Redemption proceeds will normally be paid in federal funds, between one and two business days (or such other times in accordance with the requirements of your Intermediary) following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request. In certain circumstances, however (such as unusual market conditions or in cases of very large redemptions or excessive trading), it may take up to seven days to pay redemption proceeds.

 

   

Redemption requests may only be postponed or suspended for longer than seven days as permitted under Section 22I of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC, by order or regulation, permits the suspension of the right of redemption.

 

   

If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check or purchased by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”), the Fund will pay you when your check or ACH has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

 

   

If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until the Federal Reserve Bank reopens.

 

   

To change the bank wiring instructions designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent. A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if you are requesting a redemption in conjunction with the change.

 

   

None of the Trust, the Investment Adviser or Goldman Sachs assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or Intermediary in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or Intermediary.

By Check: You may elect to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within two business days (or such other times in accordance with the requirements of your Intermediary) following receipt of a properly executed redemption request, except in certain circumstances (such as those set forth above with respect to wire transfer redemption requests). If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check or ACH, the Fund will pay you when your check or ACH has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?

The following generally applies to redemption requests:

 

   

Shares of each Fund continue to earn dividends up to, but not including, the date of settlement.

 

   

Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.

 

   

Intermediaries are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, Intermediaries may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Intermediaries may also require additional documentation from you.

 

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The Trust reserves the right to:

 

   

Redeem your shares in the event your Intermediary’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to another Intermediary or in the event that the Fund is no longer an option in your Employee Benefit Plan or no longer available through your Eligible Fee-Based Program.

 

   

Redeem your shares if your account balance is below the required Fund minimum. The Fund will not redeem your shares on this basis if the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Fund will give you 60 days’ prior written notice to allow you to purchase sufficient additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such redemption. Different rules may apply to investors who have established brokerage accounts with Goldman Sachs in accordance with the terms and conditions of their account agreements.

 

   

Redeem your shares in the case of actual or suspected threatening conduct or actual or suspected fraudulent, suspicious or illegal activity by you or any other individual associated with your account.

 

   

Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.

 

   

Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities. In addition, if you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you will be subject to market gains or losses upon the disposition of those securities.

 

   

Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check remain uncashed for more than 180 days. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed checks. Your check will be reinvested in your account at the NAV on the day of the reinvestment. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to the risk of loss like any Fund investment. If you elect to receive distributions in cash and a check remains uncashed for more than 180 days, your cash election may be changed automatically to reinvest and your future dividend and capital gains distributions will be reinvested in the Fund at the NAV as of the date of payment of the distribution. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts, accounts with a non-U.S. address or closed accounts. Your participation in a systematic withdrawal program may be terminated if a check remains uncashed.

 

   

Charge an additional fee in the event a redemption is made via wire transfer.

The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents and/or proceeds from the sale of portfolio holdings. In addition, under stressed market conditions, as well as for other temporary or emergency purposes, the Fund may distribute redemption proceeds in-kind (instead of cash), access a line of credit or overdraft facility, or borrow through other sources to meet redemption requests.

None of the Trust, the Investment Adviser or Goldman Sachs will be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from an involuntary redemption.

Can I Reinvest Redemption Proceeds In The Same Or Another Goldman Sachs Fund?

You may redeem shares of the Fund and reinvest a portion or all of the redemption proceeds in the same share class of another Goldman Sachs Fund at NAV, except as provided below. To be eligible for this privilege, you must have held the shares you want to redeem for at least 30 days and you must reinvest the share proceeds within 90 days after you redeem. You should obtain and read the applicable prospectus before investing in any other Goldman Sachs Fund.

You may reinvest redemption proceeds as follows:

 

   

If you redeem Class A Shares and then reinvest in Class A Shares as described above, your investment will be made into the relevant Goldman Sachs Fund at the public offering price, which may include a

 

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sales charge, unless a sales charge has previously been paid on the investment represented by the redeemed shares (i.e., the shares to be redeemed were originally issued in exchange or through the reinvestment privilege for shares on which a sales charge was paid), in which case the reinvestment will be made at NAV.

 

   

The reinvestment privilege may be exercised at any time in connection with transactions in which the proceeds are reinvested at NAV in a tax-sheltered employee benefit plan. In other cases, the reinvestment privilege may be exercised once per year upon receipt of a written request.

 

   

You may be subject to tax as a result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.

Can I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another Goldman Sachs Fund?

You may exchange shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund at NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC, if applicable, at the time of exchange for certain shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days written notice. You should contact your Intermediary to arrange for exchanges of shares of the Fund for shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund.

You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:

 

   

You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange. You should be aware that not all Goldman Sachs Funds may offer all share classes.

 

   

Currently, the Fund does not impose any charge for exchanges, although the Fund may impose a charge in the future.

 

   

Eligible investors may exchange certain classes of shares for another class of shares of the same Fund. For further information, contact your Intermediary.

 

   

All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Goldman Sachs Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust. Exchanges into a Goldman Sachs Fund need not meet the traditional minimum investment requirement for that Fund if the entire balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.

 

   

Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.

 

   

It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market conditions.

 

   

Goldman Sachs and DST may use reasonable procedures described above in “How To Sell Shares—What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.

 

   

Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.

 

   

Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds or certain share classes of Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.

For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. Exchanges within Employee Benefit Plan accounts will not result in capital gains or loss for federal or state income tax purposes. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.

 

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SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Investments Made On A Regular Basis?

You may be able to make automatic investments in Class A Shares through your bank via ACH transfer or via bank draft or through your Intermediary each month. The minimum dollar amount for this service is $250 for the initial investment and $50 per month for additional investments. Forms for this option are available online at www.gsamfunds.com and from your Intermediary, or you may check the appropriate box on the account application.

Can My Distributions From The Fund Be Invested In Other Goldman Sachs Funds?

You may elect to cross-reinvest distributions paid by a Goldman Sachs Fund in shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.

 

   

Shares will be purchased at NAV.

 

   

You may elect cross-reinvestment into an identically registered account or a similarly registered account provided that at least one name on the account is registered identically.

 

   

You cannot make cross-reinvestments into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Fund’s minimum initial investment requirement is met.

 

   

You should obtain and read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which distributions are invested.

Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Exchanges Made On A Regular Basis?

You may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of Class A Shares of the Fund for shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.

 

   

Shares will be purchased at NAV if a sales charge had been imposed on the initial purchase.

 

   

You may elect to exchange into an identically registered account or a similarly registered account provided that at least one name on the account is registered identically.

 

   

Shares subject to a CDSC acquired under this program may be subject to a CDSC at the time of redemption from the Goldman Sachs Fund into which the exchange is made depending upon the date and value of your original purchase.

 

   

Automatic exchanges are made monthly on the 15th day of each month or the first business day thereafter.

 

   

Minimum dollar amount: $50 per month.

 

   

You cannot make automatic exchanges into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Fund’s minimum initial investment requirement is met.

 

   

You should obtain and read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which automatic exchanges are made.

 

   

An exchange is considered a redemption and a purchase and therefore may be a taxable transaction.

Can I Have Systematic Withdrawals Made On A Regular Basis?

You may redeem from your Class A Share account systematically via check or ACH transfer or through your Intermediary in any amount of $50 or more.

 

   

Checks are normally mailed within two business days after your selected systematic withdrawal date of either the 15th or 25th of the month. ACH payments may take up to three business days to post to your account after your selected systematic withdrawal date between, and including, the 3rd and 26th of the month.

 

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Each systematic withdrawal is a redemption and therefore may be a taxable transaction.

 

   

The Fund reserves the right to limit redemptions under the systematic withdrawal plan, on an annual basis, to 10% of the value of your Class A Shares.

What Types Of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding My Investment?

Intermediaries are responsible for providing any communication from the Fund to shareholders, including but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the source of dividend payments under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act. They may charge additional fees not described in the Prospectus to their customers for such services.

You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and a quarterly account statement if you invest in Class A or Investor Shares and a monthly account statement if you invest in Institutional, Service or Class R6 Shares. If your account is held through your Intermediary, you will receive this information from your Intermediary.

You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting your Intermediary or Goldman Sachs Funds at the appropriate phone number or address found on the back cover of the Prospectus. The Fund will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation. If your account is held through an Intermediary, please contact the Intermediary to revoke your consent.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES

What Are The Different Distribution And/Or Service Fees Paid By The Fund’s Shares?

The Trust has adopted distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”) under which Class A Shares bear distribution and/or service fees paid to Goldman Sachs, some of which Goldman Sachs may pay to Intermediaries. Intermediaries seek distribution and/or servicing fee revenues to, among other things, offset the cost of servicing small and medium sized plan investors and providing information about the Fund. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs generally receives and pays the distribution and service fees on a quarterly basis.

Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee for distribution services from the Fund of up to 0.15%, on an annual basis, of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class A Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of such charges.

The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other things) for:

 

   

Compensation paid to and expenses incurred by Intermediaries, Goldman Sachs and their respective officers, employees and sales representatives;

 

   

Commissions paid to Intermediaries;

 

   

Allocable overhead;

 

   

Telephone and travel expenses;

 

   

Interest and other costs associated with the financing of such compensation and expenses;

 

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Printing of prospectuses for prospective shareholders;

 

   

Preparation and distribution of sales literature or advertising of any type; and

 

   

All other expenses incurred in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A Shares.

Goldman Sachs normally begins accruing the annual 0.15% distribution fee for the Class A Shares, as ongoing commissions to Intermediaries, immediately. Goldman Sachs generally pays the distribution fee on a quarterly basis.

SERVICE SHARES SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted a Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan for Service Shares, pursuant to which Goldman Sachs and certain Intermediaries are entitled to receive payments for their services from the Trust. These payments are equal to 0.25% (annualized) for personal and account maintenance services, plus an additional 0.25% (annualized) for shareholder administration services of the average daily net assets of Service Shares of the Fund that are attributable to or held in the name of Goldman Sachs or an Intermediary for its customers. Fees for personal and account maintenance services are paid pursuant to the Service Shares’ Service Plan and are subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of such charges.

ADMINISTRATION SHARES ADMINISTRATION PLAN

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted an Administration Plan for Administration Shares, pursuant to which Goldman Sachs and certain Intermediaries are entitled to receive payments for their services from the Trust.

These payments are equal to 0.25% (annualized) for shareholder administration services of the average daily net assets of the Administration Shares of the Fund that are attributable to or held in the name of Goldman Sachs or an Intermediary for its customers.

RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES

Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the respective Fund. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.

 

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As a deterrent to excessive trading, many foreign equity securities held by the Goldman Sachs Funds are priced by an independent pricing service using fair valuation. For more information on fair valuation, please see “How To Buy Shares—How Are Shares Priced?”

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Excessive trading activity in the Fund is measured by the number of “round trip” transactions in a shareholder’s account. A “round trip” includes a purchase or exchange into the Fund followed or preceded by a redemption or exchange out of the same Fund. If the Fund detects that a shareholder has completed two or more round trip transactions in a single Fund within a rolling 90-day period, the Fund may reject or restrict subsequent purchase or exchange orders by that shareholder permanently. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permanently reject or restrict purchase or exchange orders by a shareholder if the Fund detects other trading activity that is deemed to be disruptive to the management of the Fund or otherwise harmful to the Fund. For purposes of these transaction surveillance procedures, the Fund may consider trading activity in multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence. A shareholder that has been restricted from participation in the Fund pursuant to this policy will be allowed to apply for re-entry after one year. A shareholder applying for re-entry must provide assurances acceptable to the Fund that the shareholder will not engage in excessive trading activities in the future.

Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.

Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by Intermediaries, such as broker-dealers, investment advisers and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus Employee Benefit Plans, Eligible Fee-Based Programs and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are ordinarily not tracked by the Fund on a regular basis. A number of these Intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Fund’s market timing policies. While Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, the Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders in these omnibus accounts may be limited in certain circumstances, and certain of these Intermediaries may charge the Fund a fee for providing certain shareholder financial information requested as part of the Fund’s surveillance process. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Fund and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance. If necessary, the Trust may prohibit additional purchases of Fund shares by an Intermediary or by certain customers of the Intermediary. Intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Fund. The criteria used by Intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Fund. If an Intermediary fails to cooperate in the implementation or enforcement of the Trust’s excessive trading policies, the Trust may take certain actions including terminating the relationship.

 

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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE (CLASS P SHARES)

The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s Class P Shares.

 

Important Notice:

Class P Shares generally are available to the following investors:

 

   

Clients of the Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management business unit (“GS PWM”) that custody their positions at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”);

 

 

   

Clients of The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A. or The Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware (collectively, the “Trust Companies”) that custody their positions at Goldman Sachs;

 

 

   

Clients of The Ayco Company, L.P. (“Ayco”) that either custody their positions at Goldman Sachs or with certain intermediaries that are authorized to offer Class P Shares (“Authorized Institutions”) (such clients of GS PWM, the Trust Companies, and Ayco are collectively referred to herein as “GS Clients”); or

 

 

   

Other investors at the discretion of Goldman Sachs Trust’s (the “Trust”) officers.

 

You may only purchase Class P Shares in accordance with the eligibility criteria described above. If you are a GS Client and propose to transfer your shares to another institution for any reason, or if you are no longer a GS Client, you may be required to redeem your shares of the Fund, or at the discretion of the Trust’s officers, you may be able hold Class P Shares through another institution, which must be an Authorized Institution and the basis on which you hold such Class P Shares may be limited to hold and redeem only. If available in such circumstances, in the alternative you may be able to choose to exchange your shares of the Fund for a different share class offered by the Fund or another Goldman Sachs Fund, which may be offered in another Prospectus. There is no guarantee that a different share class offered by the Fund will be available to clients of the institution to which you intend to transfer your shares or that an option to exchange will be made available. Moreover, the shares you receive in any exchange are subject to different (and possibly higher) fees and expenses (which affect performance). Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from the institution to which you intend to transfer your shares or from the Transfer Agent by calling the number on the back cover of the Prospectus.

A redemption is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the potential tax consequences of investing in Class P Shares. None of the Trust, the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution will be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from a redemption or exchange of Class P Shares. For more information about exchanges, please see “How to Sell Shares—Can I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another Goldman Sachs Fund.”

HOW TO BUY SHARES

Shares Offering

Shares of the Fund are continuously offered through Goldman Sachs, acting in its capacity as the Fund’s distributor (the “Distributor”). The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase shares and reserve the right to reject any purchase order in whole or in part.

How Can I Purchase Shares Of The Fund?

If you are a GS Client, you may purchase shares of the Fund through Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or an Authorized Institution. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, and Authorized Institutions

 

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have been authorized by the Trust to accept purchase, redemption or exchange orders on behalf of the Fund for GS Clients. In order to make an initial investment in the Fund you must furnish to Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution the information in the account application.

To open an account, contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, and Authorized Institutions will normally give order instructions on behalf of GS Clients to Goldman Sachs, acting in its capacity as the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”). Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution, as applicable, is responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Transfer Agent within the time period agreed upon by them and will set times by which orders and payments must be received by them from GS Clients. The Trust, Transfer Agent, Investment Adviser and their affiliates will not be responsible for any loss in connection with orders that are not transmitted to the Transfer Agent on a timely basis.

The Fund will be deemed to have received an order for purchase, redemption or exchange of Fund shares when the order is accepted in “proper form” by any of the Transfer Agent, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution, as applicable, on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s current NAV per share next determined after acceptance by any of the Transfer Agent, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution, as applicable. Proper form generally means that specific trade details and customer identifying information must be received by the Transfer Agent at the time an order is submitted. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco and Authorized Institutions may have different requirements regarding what constitutes proper form for trade instructions. Please contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution for more information.

What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?

No minimum amount is required for initial purchases or additional investments in Class P Shares.

What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares?

All recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to your account will be performed by Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution, as applicable, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will have no record of your transactions, you should contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution, as applicable, to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning your account or to obtain information about your account. If you transfer your shares, the Trust reserves the right to redeem your shares. The Trust, the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco and an Authorized Institution will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from a redemption.

Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, and Authorized Institutions that invest in shares on behalf of GS Clients may charge fees directly to the GS Clients’ accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution for information regarding such charges, as these fees, if any, may affect the return that GS Clients realize with respect to their investments.

The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments or provide services to Authorized Institutions to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Fund. Such payments are intended to compensate Authorized Institutions for, among other things: marketing shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to the Fund’s inclusion on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs sponsored by Authorized Institutions; access to Authorized Institutions’ registered representatives, advisors or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and

 

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education of personnel; marketing support; the provision of analytical or other data to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates relating to sales of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds; the support or purchase of technology platforms/software; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, including provision of consultative services to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates relating to marketing and/or sale of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, sponsor various trainings and educational programs. The payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates, which are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Fund, may also compensate Authorized Institutions for subaccounting, sub-transfer agency, administrative and/or shareholder processing services. These additional payments may exceed amounts earned on these assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates for the performance of these or similar services. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through Authorized Institutions. In addition, certain Authorized Institutions may have access to certain services from the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates, including research reports, economic analysis, and portfolio analysis, portfolio construction and similar tools and software. In certain cases, Authorized Institutions may not pay for these products or services or may only pay for a portion of the total cost of these products or services. Please refer to the “Payments to Others (Including Intermediaries)” section of the SAI for more information about these payments and services.

The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates and the services provided by each of Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or an Authorized Institution may differ. The presence of these payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or an Authorized Institution compensates its registered representatives, advisors or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular registered representative, advisor or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend the Fund based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.

What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?

The Trust reserves the right to:

 

   

Require Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or an Authorized Institution to refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a taxpayer identification number, a Social Security Number or other government-issued identification (e.g., for an individual, a driver’s license or passport) or (ii) certify that such number or other information is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).

 

   

Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of shares of the Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of the Fund.

 

   

Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser.

 

   

Provide for, modify or waive the minimum investment requirements.

 

   

Modify the manner in which shares are offered.

 

   

Modify the sales charge rate applicable to future purchases of shares.

Shares of the Fund are only registered for sale in the United States and certain of its territories. Generally, shares of the Fund will only be offered or sold to “U.S. persons” and all offerings or other solicitation activities

 

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will be conducted within the United States, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”).

The Fund may allow you to purchase shares through Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution with securities instead of cash if consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and operations and approved by the Investment Adviser.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco and any Authorized Institution reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies and Ayco will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders.

Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states (to which your account may be subject) require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including shares of the Fund) to the appropriate state if no activity occurs in an account for a period of time specified by state law. For IRA accounts escheated to a state under these abandoned property laws, the escheatment will generally be treated as a taxable distribution to you; federal and any applicable state income tax will be withheld. This may apply to your Roth IRA as well.

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying information for certain investors, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other information, for each investor who opens an account directly with the Fund. Applications without the required information may not be accepted by the Fund. Throughout the life of your account, the Fund may request updated identifying information in accordance with their Customer Identification Program. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their Customer Identification Program, the Fund reserves the right to: (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Fund; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Fund is unable to verify an investor’s identity or are unable to obtain all required information. The Fund and its agents will not be responsible for any loss or tax liability in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to their Customer Identification Program.

How Are Shares Priced?

The price you pay when you buy shares is the Fund’s next-determined NAV per share after any of the Transfer Agent, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution, as applicable, has received and accepted your order in proper form. The price you receive when you sell shares is the Fund’s next-determined NAV per share after any of the Transfer Agent, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution, as applicable, has received and accepted your order in proper form. Each class generally calculates its NAV as follows:

 

NAV   =   

(Value of Assets of the Class)

— (Liabilities of the Class)

     Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

The Fund’s investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value on the basis of quotations provided by pricing services or securities dealers. If accurate quotations are not readily available, if the Fund’s fund accounting agent is unable for other reasons to facilitate pricing of individual securities or calculate the Fund’s NAV, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under valuation procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Thus, such pricing may be based on subjective

 

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judgments and it is possible that the prices resulting from such valuation procedures may differ materially from the value realized on a sale. Cases where there is no clear indication of the value of the Fund’s investments include, among others, situations where a security or other asset or liability does not have a price source or a price is unavailable.

Equity securities listed on an exchange are generally valued at the last available sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices will be provided by an independent third-party pricing (fair value) service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV.

Fixed income securities are generally valued on the basis of prices (including evaluated prices) and quotations provided by pricing services or securities dealers. Pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models, which utilize certain inputs and assumptions, including, but not limited to, yield or price with respect to comparable fixed income securities, to determine current value. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but the Fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots.

Investments in other open-end registered investment companies (if any), excluding investments in ETFs, are valued based on the NAV of those open-end registered investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). Investments in ETFs will generally be valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange on which they are principally traded.

In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may (but need not) determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or unscheduled market closings; equipment failures; natural or man made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; ratings downgrades; bankruptcies; and trading limits or suspensions.

One effect of using an independent third-party pricing (fair value) service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Please note the following with respect to the price at which your transactions are processed:

 

   

NAV per share of each share class is generally calculated by the Fund’s fund accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) or such other times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed, although Fund shares may be priced on such days if the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day.

 

   

On any business day when the SIFMA recommends that the bond markets close early, the Fund reserves the right to close at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing time. If the Fund does so, it

 

C-21


 

will cease granting same business day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the Fund’s closing time and credit will be given on the next business day.

 

   

The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at a NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.

 

   

The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into the Fund’s NAV on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a NAV that differs materially from the NAV that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.

Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets are stopped at a time other than their regularly scheduled closing times. In the event the New York Stock Exchange and/or the bond markets do not open for business, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or more Fund for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether the Fund is open for business during this situation, please call the appropriate phone number located on the back cover of the Prospectus.

Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days the Fund is closed. As a result, if the Fund holds foreign securities, its NAV may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

The Fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. The ability of the Fund’s fund accounting agent to calculate the NAV per share of each share class of the Fund is subject to operational risks associated with processing or human errors, systems or technology failures, cyber attacks and errors caused by third party service providers, data sources, or trading counterparties. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the Fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The Fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures. In addition, if the third party service providers and/or data sources upon which the Fund directly or indirectly relies to calculate its NAV or price individual securities are unavailable or otherwise unable to calculate the NAV correctly, it may be necessary for alternative procedures to be utilized to price the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV.

When Will Shares Be Issued And Dividends Begin To Be Accrued?

Net investment income dividends that are declared daily and paid monthly will begin to be accrued as follows:

 

   

Shares Purchased by Federal Funds Wire:

 

   

If a purchase order is received in proper form before the Fund closes, shares will generally be issued and dividends will generally begin to accrue on the purchased shares on the later of (i) the business day after payment is received, or (ii) the day that the federal funds wire is received by The Northern Trust Company. Failure to provide payment on settlement date may result in a delay in accrual.

 

   

If a purchase order is placed through an intermediary that settles through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”), the purchase order will begin accruing dividends on the NSCC settlement date.

 

C-22


   

Shares Purchased by Check:

 

   

If a purchase order is received in proper form before the Fund closes, shares will generally be issued and dividends will generally begin to accrue on the purchased shares no later than two business days after payment is received.

 

   

Other dividends or distributions will be distributed annually as a declared event and paid to shareholders of record on the record date for such events.

HOW TO SELL SHARES

How Can I Sell Shares Of The Fund?

Generally, shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or an Authorized Institution. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco and Authorized Institutions will normally give redemption instructions on behalf of GS Clients to the Transfer Agent. On any business day the Fund is open, the Fund will generally redeem its shares upon request at their next-determined NAV per share after any of the Transfer Agent, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution, as applicable, has received and accepted a redemption order in proper form, as described under “How To Buy Shares— How Can I Purchase Shares Of The Fund?” above. Redemptions may be requested by electronic trading platform, in writing or by telephone (unless Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or an Authorized Institution opts out of the telephone redemption privilege on the account application). You should contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution, to discuss redemptions and redemption proceeds. The Fund may transfer redemption proceeds to an account with Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution. In the alternative, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or wire (if the wire instructions are designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent).

When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?

Generally, a redemption request must be in writing and signed by an authorized person with a Medallion signature guarantee if:

 

   

You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or

 

   

You would like the redemption proceeds sent to a domestic bank account that is not designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent.

A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated Authorized Institution to verify instructions. Additional documentation may be required.

What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?

The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss or tax liability you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The Trust may accept telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying himself or herself as the owner of an account or the owner’s registered representative where the owner has not declined in writing to use this service. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution may submit redemption requests by telephone on your behalf. Thus, you risk possible losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized by you.

 

C-23


In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, the Transfer Agent and DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (“DST”) each employ reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. The following general policies are currently in effect:

 

   

Telephone requests are recorded.

 

   

Proceeds of telephone redemption requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent (unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion signature guarantee indicating another address or account).

 

   

For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will only be filled by a wire transfer to the authorized account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see immediately preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by check during this time period, the redemption request must be in the form of a written, Medallion signature guaranteed letter.

 

   

The telephone redemption option does not apply to shares held in an account maintained and serviced by your Authorized Institution. If your shares are held in an account with an Authorized Institution, you should contact your registered representative of record, who may make telephone redemptions on your behalf.

 

   

The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.

Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of unusual economic or market conditions. How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?

By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be paid as federal funds to an account with Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution or to a domestic bank account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent. In addition, redemption proceeds may be transmitted through an electronic trading platform to an account with Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:

 

   

Redemption proceeds will normally be paid in federal funds, between one and two business days (or such other times in accordance with the requirements of Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or your Authorized Institution) following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request. In certain circumstances, however (such as unusual market conditions or in cases of very large redemptions or excessive trading), it may take up to seven days to pay redemption proceeds.

 

   

Redemption requests may only be postponed or suspended for longer than seven days as permitted under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC, by order or regulation, permits the suspension of the right of redemption.

 

   

If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

 

   

If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until the Federal Reserve Bank reopens.

 

   

To change the bank wiring instructions designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent. A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if you are requesting a redemption in conjunction with the change.

 

   

None of the Trust, the Investment Adviser or the Transfer Agent assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or Authorized Institution in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco, or Authorized Institution.

 

C-24


By Check: You may elect to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within two business days (or such other times in accordance with the requirements of your Authorized Institution) following receipt of a properly executed redemption request, except in certain circumstances (such as those set forth above with respect to wire transfer redemption requests). If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?

The following generally applies to redemption requests:

 

   

Shares of the Fund continue to earn dividends up to, but not including, the date of settlement.

 

   

Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.

 

   

Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco and Authorized Institutions are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by GS Clients to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco and Authorized Institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or Authorized Institutions may also require additional documentation from you.

 

   

As disclosed above, if you are a GS Client and propose to transfer your shares to another institution for any reason, you may be required to either redeem your shares of the Fund or if available, you may be able to choose to exchange your shares of the Fund for a different share class offered by the Fund, which may be offered in another Prospectus.

The Trust reserves the right to:

 

   

Redeem your shares in the event any of Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution is no longer authorized to offer Class P Shares.

 

   

Redeem your shares in the case of actual or suspected threatening conduct or actual or suspected fraudulent, suspicious or illegal activity by you or any other individual associated with your account.

 

   

Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.

 

   

Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities. In addition, if you receive redemption proceeds in- kind, you will be subject to market gains or losses upon the disposition of those securities.

 

   

Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check remain uncashed for more than 180 days. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed checks. Your check will be reinvested in your account at the NAV on the day of the reinvestment. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to the risk of loss like any Fund investment. If you elect to receive distributions in cash and a check remains uncashed for more than 180 days, your cash election may be changed automatically to reinvest and your future dividend and capital gains distributions will be reinvested in the Fund at the NAV as of the date of payment of the distribution. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts, accounts with a non-U.S. address or closed accounts. Your participation in a systematic withdrawal program may be terminated if a check remains uncashed.

 

   

Charge an additional fee in the event a redemption is made via wire transfer.

 

   

Terminate your account if you are no longer a GS Client, or otherwise no longer eligible to invest in Class P Shares of the Fund.

 

C-25


The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents and/or proceeds from the sale of portfolio holdings. In addition, under stressed market conditions, as well as for other temporary or emergency purposes, the Fund may distribute redemption proceeds in-kind (instead of cash), access a line of credit or overdraft facility, or borrow through other sources to meet redemption requests.

None of the Trust, the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution will be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from an involuntary redemption.

Can I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another Goldman Sachs Fund?

You may exchange your shares at NAV at the time of exchange for Class P Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice. You should contact Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution to arrange for the exchange of your shares for Class P Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. If you propose to transfer your Class P Shares to another institution for any reason, you may be required to either redeem your shares of the Fund or if available, you may be able to choose to exchange your shares of the Fund for a different share class offered by the Fund or another Goldman Sachs Fund, which may be offered in another Prospectus. For more information, please see “How to Sell Shares—What Else Do I Need to Know About Redemptions?” The shares you receive in any exchange are subject to different (and possibly higher) fees and expenses (which affect performance).

You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:

 

   

You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange. You should be aware that not all Goldman Sachs Funds may offer all share classes.

 

   

Currently, the Fund does not impose any charge for exchanges, although the Fund may impose a charge in the future.

 

   

All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Goldman Sachs Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust. Exchanges into a Goldman Sachs Fund need not meet the traditional minimum investment requirements for that Fund if the entire balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.

 

   

Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.

 

   

It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market conditions.

 

   

The Transfer Agent and DST may use reasonable procedures described above in “How To Sell Shares—What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.

 

   

Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.

 

   

Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds or certain share classes of Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.

For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.

 

C-26


SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Can My Distributions From The Fund Be Invested In Other Goldman Sachs Funds?

You may elect to cross-reinvest distributions paid by a Goldman Sachs Fund in shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.

 

   

Shares will be purchased at NAV.

 

   

You may elect cross-reinvestment into an identically registered account or a similarly registered account provided that at least one name on the account is registered identically.

 

   

You cannot make cross-reinvestments into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Fund’s minimum initial investment requirement is met.

 

   

You should obtain and read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which distributions are invested.

What Types Of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding My Investment?

Each of Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution is responsible for providing any communication from the Fund to shareholders, including but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the source of dividend payments under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act. They may charge additional fees not described in the Prospectus to GS Clients for such services.

Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution will provide you with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and a monthly account statement.

You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or your Authorized Institution. The Fund will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.

RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES

Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the respective Fund. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.

 

C-27


As a deterrent to excessive trading, many foreign equity securities held by the Goldman Sachs Funds are priced by an independent pricing service using fair valuation. For more information on fair valuation, please see “How To Buy Shares—How Are Shares Priced?”

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Excessive trading activity in the Fund is measured by the number of “round trip” transactions in a shareholder’s account. A “round trip” includes a purchase or exchange into the Fund followed or preceded by a redemption or exchange out of the same Fund. If the Fund detects that a shareholder has completed two or more round trip transactions in a single Fund within a rolling 90-day period, the Fund may reject or restrict subsequent purchase or exchange orders by that shareholder permanently. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permanently reject or restrict purchase or exchange orders by a shareholder if the Fund detects other trading activity that is deemed to be disruptive to the management of the Fund or otherwise harmful to the Fund. For purposes of these transaction surveillance procedures, the Fund may consider trading activity in multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence. A shareholder that has been restricted from participation in the Fund pursuant to this policy will be allowed to apply for re-entry after one year. A shareholder applying for re-entry must provide assurances acceptable to the Fund that the shareholder will not engage in excessive trading activities in the future.

Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.

Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or Authorized Institutions. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are ordinarily not tracked by the Fund on a regular basis. Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies, Ayco or an Authorized Institution may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Fund’s market timing policies. While Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies and Ayco may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, the Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders in these omnibus accounts may be limited in certain circumstances, and certain Authorized Institutions may charge the Fund a fee for providing certain shareholder financial information requested as part of the Fund’s surveillance process. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Fund and Goldman Sachs, the Trust Companies and Ayco will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance. If necessary, the Trust may prohibit additional purchases of Fund shares by an Authorized Institution or by certain clients of the Authorized Institution. Authorized Institutions may also monitor trading activities by their clients in the Fund. The criteria used by Authorized Institutions to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Fund. If an Authorized Institution fails to cooperate in the implementation or enforcement of the Trust’s excessive trading policies, the Trust may take certain actions including terminating the relationship.

 

C-28


Exhibit D

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS

To the knowledge of the Funds, as of September 30, 2021, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the class identified of the Acquired Fund or Surviving Fund. Shareholders indicated below holding greater than 25% or more of a Fund are “controlling persons” of that Fund under the 1940 Act.

Enhanced Income Fund

 

Class

  

Shareholder Name and Address

   Percentage
of Class
 
Class A    UBS Financial Services Inc., UBS WM USA, Omni Account M/F Special Custody A/C, 1000 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761      5.56
Class A    RBC Capital Markets Corporation, RBC Capital Markets LLC, Mutual Fund Omnibus Processing, Attn Mutual Fund Ops. Manager, 60 S 6th St. Ste. 700 #P08, Minneapolis, MN 55402-4413      12.09  
Class A    National Financial Services LLC, FEBO Customers, Mutual Funds, Attn Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Flr., 499 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995      17.11  
Class A    Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Special Custody Account for the Benefit of Customers, Attn: Mutual Funds, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-1905      38.57  
Class A    Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, For the Sole Benefit of its Customers, Attn: Service Team SEQ #97RJ3, Goldman Sachs Funds, 4800 Deer Lake Drive East 3rd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484      6.62  
Investor    LPL Financial Corporation, Omnibus Customer Account, Attn Mutual Fund Trading, 4707 Executive Dr., San Diego, CA 92121-3091      91.24  
Investor    Raymond James & Associates, 92500015, Omnibus for Mutual Funds, Attn: Courtney Waller, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL. 33716-1102      8.75  
Institutional    National Grid Insurance USA Ltd., 1 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3948      13.02  
Institutional    The Huntington National Bank, The Dispatch Printing Company, 34 S 3rd St Ste 600, Columbus OH 43215-3082      10.63  
Institutional    The Huntington National Bank, OhioHealth Corporation, 3430 Ohio Health Pkwy, Columbus OH 43202-1575      21.64  
Institutional    The Huntington National Bank, Andelyn Biosciences Inc., 575 Childrens XRD, Columbus OH 43215-5594      10.39  
Institutional    The Huntington National Bank, The Reynolds And Reynolds Company, 1 Reynolds Way, Kettering OH 45430-1586      10.87  
Institutional    National Financial Services LLC, FEBO Customers, Mutual Funds, Attn Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Flr., 499 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995      18.06  
Administration    Pershing LLC, PO Box 2052, Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052      99.36  
Class R6    National Financial Services LLC, FEBO Customers, Mutual Funds, Attn Mutual Funds Dept., 499 Washington Blvd. 4th Flr., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995      83.81  
Class R6    Edward D Jones & Co., For the benefit of Customers, 12555 Manchester Rd., Saint Louis, MO 63131-3710      16.13  
Class P    Goldman Sachs & Co., FBO Omnibus 6600, C/O Mutual Fund Ops., 222 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101-2199      99.99

 

D-1


High Quality Floating Rate Fund

 

Class

  

Shareholder Name and Address

   Percentage
of Class
 
Class A    LPL Financial Corporation, Omnibus Customer Account, Attn Mutual Fund Trading, 4707 Executive Dr., San Diego, CA 92121-3091      6.40
Class A    National Financial Services LLC, FEBO Customers, Mutual Funds, Attn Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Flr., 499 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995      3.63  
Class A    Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Special Custody Account for the Benefit of Customers, Attn: Mutual Funds, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-1905      13.22  
Class A    Edward D Jones & Co., For the Benefit of Customers, 12555 Manchester Rd., Saint Louis, MO 63131-3710      21.51  
Investor    LPL Financial Corporation, Omnibus Customer Account, Attn Mutual Fund Trading, 4707 Executive Dr., San Diego, CA 92121-3091      25.23  
Investor    MSCS Financial Services LLC, Matrix Trust Company As Agent For Advisor Trust Inc, St. Mary’s Of Medford School 403(B) Plan, 717 17th St Ste 1300, Denver CO 80202-3304      6.05  
Investor    MSCS Financial Services LLC, Matrix Trust Company As Agent For Advisor Trust Inc, American Licorice Company Lifestyle Savings Plan, 717 17th St Ste 1300, Denver CO 80202-3304      7.19  
Investor    MSCS Financial Services LLC, Matrix Trust Company As Agent For Advisor Trust Inc, Hawaii Biotech Inc 401(K) Plan, 717 17th St Ste 1300, Denver CO 80202-3304      7.57  
Investor    MSCS Financial Services LLC, Matrix Trust Company As Agent For Advisor Trust Inc, Merle Stone Chevrolet Retirement Plan, 717 17th St Ste 1300, Denver CO 80202-3304      5.37  
Investor    Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Special Custody Account for the Benefit of Customers, Attn: Mutual Funds, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-1905      8.20  
Investor    Pershing LLC, PO Box 2052, Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052      27.08  
Institutional    Reliance Trust Company/FIS, Maril & Co. FBO SG, C/O Reliance Trust Company (WI), 4900 W Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53223-2422      60.55  
Institutional    National Financial Services LLC, FEBO Customers, Mutual Funds, Attn Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Flr., 499 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995      17.39  
Institutional    Pershing LLC, PO Box 2052, Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052      6.44  
Service    GWFS Equities Inc., Capital Bank & Trust Co. TTEE FBO, G Pucci & Sons Inc. 401k, 8515 E Orchard Rd. 2T2, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111-5002      43.44  
Service    National Financial Services LLC, FEBO Customers, Mutual Funds, Attn Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Flr., 499 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995      54.87  
Class R6    Edward D Jones & Co., For the benefit of Customers, 12555 Manchester Rd., Saint Louis, MO 63131-3710      98.88  
Class P    Goldman Sachs & Co., FBO Omnibus 6600, C/O Mutual Fund Ops., 222 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101-2199      99.89

 

*

Entity owned more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund’s outstanding shares may be considered a control person and could have a more significant effect on matters presented at a shareholders’ meeting than votes of other shareholders.

As of September 30, 2021, the Trustees and Officers of each Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

The votes of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and Surviving Fund are not being solicited since their approval or consent is not necessary for the Reorganization to take place.

 

D-2


 

 

 

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GSEIHQFRN142021


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PART B

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DATED NOVEMBER [•], 2021

GOLDMAN SACHS ENHANCED INCOME FUND

(a series of Goldman Sachs Trust)

 

Class A

Shares

  

Institutional

Shares

  

Service

Shares

  

Investor

Shares

  

Class R6

Shares

  

Class P

Shares

GEIAX

   GEIIX    GESVX    GHIRX    GEIUX    GAEPX

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the related Information Statement/Prospectus, dated November [●], 2021, which relates to the Class A, Institutional, Service, Investor, Class R6 and Class P Shares of the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund to be issued in exchange for the corresponding shares of the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund. Please retain this SAI for further reference. To obtain a copy of the Information Statement/Prospectus free of charge, please write to the Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at the address set forth above or call the Goldman Sachs Funds at 800-621-2550 (for Institutional, Service, Class P and Class R6 Shareholders) or 800-526-7384 (for Class A and Investor Shareholders).

GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC.

The date of this SAI is November [•], 2021.

 

B-1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

INTRODUCTION

     B-4  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     B-4  

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     B-4  

 

B-2


GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.

Investment Adviser

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

Distributor

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

Transfer Agent

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, II, 60606

Toll-free (in U.S.) 800-621-2550 (for Institutional, Service, Class R6, and Class P) or 800-526-7384 (for Class A and Investor Shareholders).

 

B-3


INTRODUCTION

This SAI is intended to supplement the information provided in an Information Statement/Prospectus dated November [•], 2021 (the “Information Statement/Prospectus”) relating to the proposed Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Agreement and Plan”) between the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) and the Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund (the “Surviving Fund”), each a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, pursuant to which the Acquired Fund will (i) transfer all of its assets attributable to each class of its shares to the Surviving Fund in exchange for shares of the Surviving Fund and the assumption by the Surviving Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; and (ii) distribute to its shareholders a portion of the Surviving Fund shares to which each shareholder is entitled (as discussed below) in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund (the “Reorganization”).

Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan, the Acquired Fund will transfer all of its assets to the Surviving Fund and the Surviving Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund. Subsequently, the Acquired Fund will be liquidated and you will become a shareholder of the Surviving Fund. You will receive shares of the Surviving Fund that are equal in aggregate net asset value to the shares of the Acquired Fund that you held on the Closing Date (as defined below). Shareholders of each class of shares of the Acquired Fund will receive the corresponding class of shares of the Surviving Fund, as follows:

 

Acquired Fund

       

Surviving Fund

Class A    ®    Class A
Institutional    ®    Institutional
Service    ®    Service
Investor    ®    Investor
Class R6    ®    Class R6
Class P    ®    Class P

No sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), commission, redemption fee or other transactional fee will be charged as a result of the Reorganization, which is scheduled to occur on or about January [28], 2022, but may occur on such earlier or later date as the parties agree in writing (the “Closing Date”).

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

This SAI consists of these cover pages and the following documents, each of which was filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

1.

The Acquired Fund and Surviving Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 (File No. 811-05349) as filed with the SEC on June 4, 2021 (Accession No. 0001193125-21-182499).

 

2.

The Acquired Fund and Surviving Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, dated July 29, 2021, as supplemented on October 22, 2021 (with respect to the Acquired Fund), and dated October 22, 2021 (with respect to the Surviving Fund) (File Nos. 33-17619 and 811-05349), as filed with the SEC on October 22, 2021 (Accession No. 0001193125-21-305496).

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A table showing the fees of the Acquired Fund and the Surviving Fund, and the fees and expenses of the Surviving Fund on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Reorganization, is included in the “Summary — The Funds’ Fees and Expenses” section of the Information Statement/Prospectus.

 

B-4


The Reorganization will not result in a material change to the Acquired Fund’s investment portfolio due to the investment restrictions of the Surviving Fund. As a result, schedules of investments of the Acquired Fund modified to show the effects of the Reorganization are not required and are not included. Notwithstanding the foregoing, changes may be made to an Acquired Fund’s portfolio in advance of its Reorganization as described in the Information Statement/Prospectus.

The Surviving Fund will be the accounting survivor of the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund. There are no material differences in accounting policies of the Surviving Fund as compared to those of the Acquired Fund.

 

B-5


PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 15. Indemnification

Article IV of the Declaration of Trust of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, provides for indemnification of the Trustees, officers and agents of the Trust, subject to certain limitations. The Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(a).

The Management Agreement provides that the Investment Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser or from reckless disregard by the Investment Adviser of its obligations or duties under the Management Agreement. The Management Agreement is incorporated by reference as Exhibit (6)(a).

Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Goldman Sachs dated April 30, 1997, as amended, and Section 7 of the Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC dated August 9, 2007 provides that the Registrant will indemnify Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC against certain liabilities. Copies of the Distribution Agreement and the Transfer Agency Agreement are incorporated by reference as Exhibits (7)(a) and (13)(d) respectively, to the Registrant’s Registration Statement.

Mutual fund and trustees and officers liability policies purchased jointly by the Registrant and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust insure such persons and their respective trustees, partners, officers and employees, subject to the policies’ coverage limits and exclusions and varying deductibles, against loss resulting from claims by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 16. Exhibits

 

(1)

   (a)    Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  29 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 14, 1997)
   (b)    Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 1997 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 16, 1997)
   (c)    Amendment No. 2 dated July 21, 1997 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 16, 1997)
   (d)    Amendment No. 3 dated October 21, 1997 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 13, 1998)
   (e)    Amendment No. 4 dated January 28, 1998 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 13, 1998)
   (f)    Amendment No. 5 dated January 28, 1998 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 1, 1998)


   (g)    Amendment No. 6 dated July 22, 1998 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 1, 1998)
   (h)    Amendment No. 7 dated November 3, 1998 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 1998)
   (i)    Amendment No. 8 dated January 22, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 12, 1999)
   (j)    Amendment No. 9 dated April 28, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 16, 1999)
   (k)    Amendment No. 10 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 16, 1999)
   (l)    Amendment No. 11 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 16, 1999)
   (m)    Amendment No. 12 dated October 26, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 22, 1999)
   (n)    Amendment No. 13 dated February 3, 2000 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 23, 2000)
   (o)    Amendment No. 14 dated April 26, 2000 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 3, 2000)
   (p)    Amendment No. 15 dated August 1, 2000 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 22, 2000)
   (q)    Amendment No. 16 dated January 30, 2001 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 13, 2001)
   (r)    Amendment No. 17 dated April 25, 2001 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2001)
   (s)    Amendment No. 18 dated July 1, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 11, 2002)
   (t)    Amendment No. 19 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 11, 2002)
   (u)    Amendment No. 20 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 11, 2002)
   (v)    Amendment No. 21 dated January 29, 2003 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 19, 2003)


   (w)    Amendment No. 22 dated July 31, 2003 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2003)
   (x)    Amendment No. 23 dated October 30, 2003 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2003)
   (y)    Amendment No. 24 dated May 6, 2004 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 relating to the Registrant’s acquisition of the Golden Oak®  Family of Funds, SEC File No. 333-117561, filed July 22, 2004)
   (z)    Amendment No. 25 dated April 21, 2004 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2004)
   (aa)    Amendment No. 26 dated November 4, 2004 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2004)
   (bb)    Amendment No. 27 dated February 10, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 17, 2005)
   (cc)    Amendment No. 28 dated May 12, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 7, 2005)
   (dd)    Amendment No. 29 dated June 16, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 7, 2005)
   (ee)    Amendment No. 30 dated August 4, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1977 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 7, 2005)
   (ff)    Amendment No. 31 dated November 2, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 26, 2006)
   (gg)    Amendment No. 32 dated December 14, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 2005)
   (hh)    Amendment No. 33 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 26, 2006)
   (ii)    Amendment No. 34 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 26, 2006)
   (jj)    Amendment No. 35 dated May 11, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 18, 2006)
   (kk)    Amendment No. 36 dated June 15, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 23, 2006)


   (ll)    Amendment No. 37 dated August 10, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2006)
   (mm)    Amendment No. 38 dated November 9, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2006)
   (nn)    Amendment No. 39 dated December 14, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 12, 2007)
   (oo)    Amendment No. 40 dated December 14, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 12, 2007)
   (pp)    Amendment No. 41 dated February 8, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 12, 2007)
   (qq)    Amendment No. 42 dated March 15, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 12, 2007)
   (rr)    Amendment No. 43 dated May 10, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 12, 2007)
   (ss)    Amendment No. 44 dated June 13, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 14, 2007)
   (tt)    Amendment No. 45 dated June 13, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 27, 2007)
   (uu)    Amendment No. 46 dated November 8, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 27, 2007)
   (vv)    Amendment No. 47 dated November 8, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 27, 2007)
   (ww)    Amendment No. 48 dated December 13, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed January 18, 2008)
   (xx)    Amendment No. 49 dated June 19, 2008 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 205 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2008)
   (yy)    Amendment No. 50 dated August 14, 2008 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 27, 2008)
   (zz)    Amendment No. 51 dated August 25, 2008 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 217 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 27, 2009)


   (aaa)    Amendment No. 52 dated November 13, 2008 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 217 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 27, 2009)
   (bbb)    Amendment No. 53 dated May 21, 2009 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 24, 2009)
   (ccc)    Amendment No. 54 dated November 19, 2009 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 24, 2009)
   (ddd)    Amendment No. 55 dated February 11, 2010 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2010)
   (eee)    Amendment No. 56 dated May 20, 2010 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 30, 2010)
   (fff)    Amendment No. 57 dated June 17, 2010 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 30, 2010)
   (ggg)    Amendment No. 58 dated November 18, 2010 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 261 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 3, 2010)
   (hhh)    Amendment No. 59 dated January 5, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 16, 2011)
   (iii)    Amendment No. 60 dated February 10, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 16, 2011)
   (jjj)    Amendment No. 61 dated February 10, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 16, 2011)
   (kkk)    Amendment No. 62 dated June 16, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2011)
   (lll)    Amendment No. 63 dated August 18, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 290 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2011)
   (mmm)    Amendment No. 64 dated September 27, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 16, 2011)
   (nnn)    Amendment No. 65 dated October 20, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 16, 2011)
   (ooo)    Amendment No. 66 dated December 15, 2011 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 292 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2011)


   (ppp)    Amendment No. 67 dated April 19, 2012 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 321 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 27, 2012)
   (qqq)    Amendment No. 68 dated August 16, 2012 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 333 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 24, 2012)
   (rrr)    Amendment No. 69 dated December 13, 2012 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 346 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed January 28, 2013)
   (sss)    Amendment No. 70 dated February 12, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 348 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 28, 2013)
   (ttt)    Amendment No. 71 dated April 18, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 355 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2013)
   (uuu)    Amendment No. 72 dated June 13, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 363 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2013)
   (vvv)    Amendment No. 73 dated August 15, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 366 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 12, 2013)
   (www)    Amendment No. 74 dated September 19, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 368 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 26, 2013)
   (xxx)    Amendment No. 75 dated October 17, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 369 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 25, 2013)
   (yyy)    Amendment No. 76 dated November 8, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 375 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 13, 2013)
   (zzz)    Amendment No. 77 dated December 19, 2013 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 376 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 26, 2013)
   (aaaa)    Amendment No. 78 dated February 11, 2014 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 393 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 21, 2014)
   (bbbb)    Amendment No. 79 dated April 10, 2014 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 414 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 25, 2014)
   (cccc)    Amendment No. 80 dated August 14, 2014 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 430 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 30, 2014)
   (dddd)    Amendment No. 81 dated October 16, 2014 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 432 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 17, 2014)
   (eeee)    Amendment No. 82 dated December 17, 2014 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 433 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 2014)


   (ffff)    Amendment No. 83 dated February 12, 2015 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 441 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 27, 2015)
   (gggg)    Amendment No. 84 dated April 16, 2015 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 455 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2015)
   (hhhh)    Amendment No. 85 dated June 11, 2015 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 464 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 17, 2015)
   (iiii)    Amendment No. 86 dated August 13, 2015 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14, SEC File No. 333-206459, filed August 18, 2015)
   (jjjj)    Amendment No. 87 dated October 15, 2015 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 504 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 30, 2015)
   (kkkk)    Amendment No. 88 dated December 17, 2015 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 511 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 18, 2015)
   (llll)    Amendment No. 89 dated February 11, 2016 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 526 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 26, 2016)
   (mmmm)    Amendment No. 90 dated April 14, 2016 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 551 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 29, 2016)
   (nnnn)    Amendment No. 91 dated May 23, 2016 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 573 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2016)
   (oooo)    Amendment No. 92 dated June 16, 2016 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 573 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2016)
   (pppp)    Amendment No. 93 dated August 18, 2016 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 577 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 25, 2016)
   (qqqq)    Amendment No. 94 dated December 14, 2016 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 582 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 22, 2016)
   (rrrr)    Amendment No. 95 dated February 16, 2017 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 595 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 28, 2017)
   (ssss)    Amendment No. 96 dated April 19, 2017 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 610 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 27, 2017)
   (tttt)    Amendment No. 97 dated June 15, 2017 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 618 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 16, 2017)


   (uuuu)    Amendment No. 98 dated August 17, 2017 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 624 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 24, 2017)
   (vvvv)    Amendment No. 99 dated October 12, 2017 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 629 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 13, 2017)
   (wwww)    Amendment No. 100 dated December 13, 2017 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 634 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 15, 2017)
   (xxxx)    Amendment No. 101 dated February 15, 2018 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 652 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 16, 2018)
   (yyyy)    Amendment No. 102 dated June 14, 2018 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 700 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 15, 2018)
   (zzzz)    Amendment No. 103 dated October 11, 2018 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 713 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 14, 2018)
   (aaaaa)    Amendment No. 104 dated December 13, 2018 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 713 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 14, 2018)
   (bbbbb)    Amendment No. 105 dated February 13, 2019 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 745 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed March 29, 2019)
   (ccccc)    Amendment No. 106 dated June 12, 2019 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 760 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2019)
   (ddddd)    Amendment No. 107 dated August 14, 2019 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 768 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 6, 2019)
   (eeeee)    Amendment No. 108 dated August 29, 2019 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 768 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 6, 2019)
   (fffff)    Form of Amendment No. 109 dated February 12, 2020 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 792 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 28, 2020)
   (ggggg)    Form of Amendment No. 110 dated April 15, 2020 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 799 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 29, 2020)
   (hhhhh)    Amendment No. 111 dated June 17, 2020 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 808 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 26, 2020)
   (iiiii)    Amendment No. 114 dated December 16, 2020 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 835 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 26, 2021)


   (jjjjj)    Amendment No. 115 dated June 16, 2021 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 845 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2021)
   (kkkkk)    Amendment No. 116 dated August 18, 2021 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January  28, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 846 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 20, 2021)

(2)

   Amended and Restated By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated July  23, 2020 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 820 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 30, 2020)

(3)

   Not applicable.

(4)

   Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization is included in Part A to this Registration Statement.

(5)

   Instruments defining the rights of holders of Registrant’s shares of beneficial interest (Article II, Section  10, Article IV, Section 3, Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article IX, Section 8 and Section  9 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust incorporated by reference as Exhibit (1)(a) and Article III of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws  incorporated by reference as Exhibit (2))

(6)

   (a)    Management Agreement dated April  30, 1997 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Funds Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  48 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 25, 1998)
   (b)    Management Agreement dated April  30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (formerly, Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate Government Fund), and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 13, 1998)
   (c)    Amended Annex A dated June 17, 2020 to the Management Agreement dated April  30, 1997 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Funds Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  820 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 30, 2020)
   (d)    Amended Annex A dated February 10, 2021 to the Management Agreement dated April  30, 1997 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Funds Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  836 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed March 26, 2021)
   (e)    Amended and Restated Fee Reduction Commitment dated June  15, 2017 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (formerly, Goldman Sachs Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund and Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate Government Fund) (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 620 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 28, 2017)

(7)

   (a)    Distribution Agreement dated April 30, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  85 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2003)
   (b)    Amended Exhibit A dated February 10, 2021 to the Distribution Agreement dated April  30, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 836 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed March 26, 2021)


(8)

   Not applicable.

(9)

   (a)    Custodian Contract dated July  15, 1991, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed December 29, 1995)
   (b)    Fee schedule dated April 14, 2000 relating to the Custodian Contract dated July  15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund) (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 3, 2000)
   (c)    Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated July  15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed December 21, 2001)
   (d)    Amendment dated August 1, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated July  15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed April 15, 2002)
   (e)    Global Custody Agreement dated June  30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed January 19, 2007)
   (f)    Letter Amendment dated December 31, 2010 to the Global Custody Agreement dated June  30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Goldman Sachs Imprint Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (formerly, Goldman Sachs N-11 Equity Fund)) (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 16, 2011)

(10)

   (a)    Class A Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of May  5, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2004)
   (b)    Class C Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of February  4, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 24, 2004)
   (c)    Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Class  A Shares and Service Shares of Goldman Sachs Equity and Fixed Income Funds (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed April 28, 2008)
   (d)    Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Class  A Shares and Service Shares of Goldman Sachs Equity and Fixed Income Funds (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed April 28, 2008)
   (e)    Goldman Sachs Trust Administration Class Administration Plan amended and restated as of February  4, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 24, 2004)
   (f)    Goldman Sachs Trust Service Class Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of February  4, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 24, 2004)


   (g)    Form of Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Institutional Class, Select Class, Preferred Class, Capital Class, Administration Class, Premier Class, Service Class, Resource Class and Cash Management Class, as applicable, of Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds, Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs Fund of Funds Portfolios (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2010)
   (h)    Goldman Sachs Trust Service Shares Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of December  16, 2010 (on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds) (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed December 29, 2010)
   (i)    Plan in Accordance with Rule 18f-3, amended and restated as of June  16, 2021 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 842 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 21, 2021)

(11)

   Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (filed herewith)

(12)

   Form of Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Prospectus/Information Statement (filed herewith)

(13)

   (a)    Amended and Restated Wiring Agreement dated January 25, 1994 among Goldman Sachs  & Co. LLC (formerly, Goldman, Sachs & Co.), State Street Bank and Trust Company and The Northern Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  222 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File. No. 33-17619, filed July 28, 2009)
   (b)    First Amendment dated July 18, 1994 to Amended and Restated Wiring Agreement dated January 25, 1994 among Goldman Sachs  & Co. LLC (formerly, Goldman, Sachs & Co.), State Street Bank and Trust Company and The Northern Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  222 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File. No. 33-17619, filed July 28, 2009)
   (c)    Letter Agreement dated June  20, 1987 regarding use of checking account between Registrant and The Northern Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  43 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed March 2, 1998)
   (d)    Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 9, 2007 between Registrant and Goldman Sachs  & Co. LLC (formerly, Goldman, Sachs & Co.) (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed December 10, 2007)
   (e)    Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule dated February 10, 2021 between Registrant and Goldman Sachs  & Co. LLC (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 836 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed March 26, 2021)
   (f)    Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to Class  A Shares of Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  50 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 1998)
   (g)    Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust – TPA Assistance Version relating to the Class  A Shares of Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  198 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 28, 2008)


   (h)    Mutual Funds Service Agreement dated June  30, 2006 between Registrant and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed January 19, 2007)
   (i)    Amendment dated February 4, 2019 to Mutual Funds Service Agreement dated June  30, 2006 between Registrant and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective No. 744 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No.  33-17619, filed March 29, 2019)
   (j)    Amendment dated December 10, 2018 to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated April  5, 2011 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, Goldman Sachs ETF Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No.  202 to the Goldman Sachs ETF Trust’s registration statement, SEC File No. 333-200933, filed May 10, 2019)
   (k)    Code of Ethics — Registrant, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, Goldman Sachs Trust II, Goldman Sachs ETF Trust, Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit, LLC, Goldman Sachs MLP & Energy Renaissance Fund and Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund dated December 11, 2017 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 651 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 13, 2018)
   (l)    Code of Ethics — Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (formerly, Goldman, Sachs  & Co.), Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, Goldman Sachs Hedge Fund Strategies LLC and GS Investment Strategies, LLC dated January 23, 1991, effective August  29, 2019 (incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 778 to the Registrant’s registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 20, 2019)

(14)

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith)

(15)

   Not applicable.

(16)

   Powers of Attorney for James A. McNamara, Joseph F. DiMaria, Jessica Palmer, Dwight L. Bush, Kathryn A. Cassidy, Diana M. Daniels, Joaquin Delgado, Eileen H. Dowling, Roy W. Templin and Gregory G. Weaver (filed herewith)

(17)

   Not applicable.

Item 17. Undertakings

 

  (1)

The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.145c], the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

 

  (2)

The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

 

  (3)

The Registrant hereby undertakes to file, by post-effective amendment, the final opinion of Dechert LLP supporting the tax consequences of the proposed reorganization within a reasonably prompt time after receipt of such opinion.


SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed on behalf of the registrant, in the City and State of New York on the 22nd day of October, 2021.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST

(A Delaware statutory trust)
By:  

/s/ Caroline L. Kraus

  Caroline L. Kraus
  Secretary

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

 

Title

 

Date

1James A. McNamara

  President (Chief Executive Officer) and Trustee   October 22, 2021
James A. McNamara    

1Joseph F. DiMaria

  Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer   October 22, 2021
Joseph F. DiMaria    

1Jessica Palmer

  Chair and Trustee   October 22, 2021
Jessica Palmer    

1Dwight L. Bush

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Dwight L. Bush    

1Kathryn A. Cassidy

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Kathryn A. Cassidy    

1Diana M. Daniels

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Diana M. Daniels    

1Joaquin Delgado

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Joaquin Delgado    

1Eileen H. Dowling

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Eileen H. Dowling    

1Roy W. Templin

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Roy W. Templin    

1Gregory G. Weaver

  Trustee   October 22, 2021
Gregory G. Weaver    

 

By:  

/s/ Caroline L. Kraus

Caroline L. Kraus,
Attorney-In-Fact

 

1 

Pursuant to powers of attorney filed herewith.


CERTIFICATE

The undersigned Secretary for Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) hereby certifies that the Board of Trustees of the Trust duly adopted the following resolution at a meeting of the Board held on October 12-13, 2021.

RESOLVED, that Trustees and officers of the Trust who may be required to sign the Trust’s filings on Form N-14 in connection with the Reorganization and any and all amendments thereto be, and each hereby is, authorized to execute a power of attorney appointing Caroline L. Kraus and James A. McNamara, jointly and severally, as their attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, for said Trustees and officers in any and all capacities to sign such filings on Form N-14 and any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, if any, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC and with other federal, state, foreign and quasi-governmental agencies and such other instruments related to compliance with certain of the federal securities laws and other applicable federal, state, foreign and quasi-governmental filings, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Dated: October 22, 2021

 

/s/ Caroline L. Kraus

Caroline L. Kraus,

Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

(11)

Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP

 

(12)

Form of Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Prospectus/Information Statement

 

(14)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

(16)

Powers of Attorney for James A. McNamara, Joseph F. DiMaria, Jessica Palmer, Dwight L. Bush, Kathryn A. Cassidy, Diana M. Daniels, Joaquin Delgado, Eileen H. Dowling, Roy W. Templin and Gregory G. Weaver