Registration Nos. 002-11101
811-00242
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ¨ | |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ¨ | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 | x |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ¨ | |
Amendment No. 119 | x |
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
399 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code (617) 449-2810
Coleen Downs Dinneen, Esq.
NGAM Distribution, L.P.
399 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
John M. Loder, Esq.
Ropes & Gray
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Approximate Date of Public Offering
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
¨ | Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
x | On July 10, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Prospectus | |
|
|
Class A |
Class C |
Class Y | |
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund |
SAFAX |
SAFCX |
SAFYX |
The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved the Fund's shares or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Fund shares are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed, endorsed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested.
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Fund Summary |
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund
Investment Goal
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in a range of securities and asset classes across global markets.
Fund Fees & Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Natixis Fund Complex. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section "How Sales Charges Are Calculated" on page 14 of the Prospectus and on page 75 in the section "Reduced Sales Charges" of the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI").
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Class A |
Class C |
Class Y | |||
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
5.75 |
% |
None |
None | ||
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) |
None* |
1.00 |
% |
None | ||
Redemption fees |
None |
None |
None |
* |
A 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") may apply to certain purchases of Class A shares of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed within eighteen months of the date of purchase. |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Class A |
Class C |
Class Y | |||
Management fees |
0.85 |
% |
0.85 |
% |
0.85 |
% |
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees |
0.25 |
% |
1.00 |
% |
0.00 |
% |
Other expenses (estimated for the current fiscal year) |
0.52 |
% |
0.52 |
% |
0.52 |
% |
Acquired fund fees and expenses |
0.09 |
% |
0.09 |
% |
0.09 |
% |
Total annual fund operating expenses |
1.71 |
% |
2.46 |
% |
1.46 |
% |
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement1 |
0.32 |
% |
0.32 |
% |
0.32 |
% |
Total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement |
1.39 |
% |
2.14 |
% |
1.14 |
% |
1 |
Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC ("Natixis AM US" or the "Adviser") has given a binding contractual undertaking to the Fund to limit the amount of the Fund's total annual fund operating expenses to 1.30%, 2.05% and 1.05% of the Fund's average daily net assets for Class A, C and Y shares, respectively, exclusive of brokerage expenses, interest expense, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, organizational and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation and indemnification expenses. This undertaking is in effect through April 30, 2016 and may be terminated before then only with the consent of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, management fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed to the extent that expenses in later periods fall below 1.30%, 2.05% and 1.05% of the Fund's average daily net assets for Class A, C and Y shares, respectively. The Fund will not be obligated to repay any such waived/reimbursed fees and expenses more than one year after the end of the fiscal year in which the fees or expenses were waived/reimbursed. |
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods (except where indicated). The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except that the example is based on the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement for the first 22 months and on the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for the remaining periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
If shares are redeemed: |
1 year |
3 years | ||||
Class A |
$ |
708 |
$ |
1,028 |
||
Class C |
$ |
317 |
$ |
710 |
||
Class Y |
$ |
116 |
$ |
404 |
If shares are not redeemed: |
1 year |
3 years | ||||
Class C |
$ |
217 |
$ |
710 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes for you if your Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance.
Investments, Risks and Performance
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will typically seek exposure to a combination of four asset classes: equity, fixed income, currency and volatility. In seeking exposure to these asset classes, the Fund expects that it will use, among other instruments, a variety of listed and other liquid derivative instruments. The Fund's equity exposure typically will be obtained through investments in broad, equity index listed futures and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). The Fund's fixed income exposure may consist of, but is not limited to, U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds, listed bond futures and fixed income ETFs. The Fund's currency exposure typically will be obtained through investments in non-dollar denominated investments, futures and forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund's exposure to volatility assets will result from both "long" and "short" positions in index futures and options, such as futures contracts based on the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (the "VIX"), listed equity index options and equity index futures. The Fund may take both long and short exposures to these asset classes. A "short" exposure will benefit when the underlying asset class decreases in price. A "long" exposure will benefit when the underlying asset class increases in price. For cash management purposes, the Fund may also invest in short-term money market instruments including, but not limited to, U.S. and non-U.S. treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper. These markets include, but are not limited to, Europe, the U.S., Asia and emerging markets.
The Adviser believes that a diversified asset allocation strategy can benefit from an explicit allocation to volatility as an asset class. This approach can offer several benefits over a traditional asset allocation portfolio, as volatility tends to have its own unique return and risk characteristics. The Adviser's research suggests that implied volatility exposure can be a complement to equity and fixed income investments because it has the potential either to provide a diversified source of return or to mitigate risk. Implied volatility refers to the estimated volatility of a security's price derived from option pricing. In particular, increasing equity market volatility has typically been associated with periods of market and macroeconomic uncertainty. As such, long exposure to equity volatility during those periods can offer an attractive risk-reward profile compared to other asset classes. For example, the Adviser may buy VIX futures contracts or purchase index put options when volatility is low or expected to rise, thus offering a potential hedge against an equity market downturn. Conversely, when equity market volatility is high or expected to decline, "selling" volatility may provide a diversified source of return, which can be uncorrelated with fixed income investments. For example, the Adviser may sell VIX futures contracts or sell index put options when volatility is high or expected to decline in an effort to earn a premium.
The Adviser's investment process relies on various proprietary indicators in addition to the experience and judgment of the portfolio management team when determining asset allocation. The strategy's fundamental indicators integrate macroeconomic characteristics (such as growth and inflation) and microeconomic characteristics (such as earnings and valuations), along with momentum indicators, which rely on, for example, moving averages to identify structural market trends with a view towards replicating the behavior of a rational investor. In addition, the portfolio management team takes into account independent research and analysis (on topics such as news flow, central bank policy, and market flows) to identify short-term opportunities, to identify scenarios that might not yet be reflected within the quantitative indicators and to adapt the portfolio to unexpected events. The strategy seeks to identify and to exploit market trends over time, thereby generating value through asset allocation, rather than through individual security selection. The Adviser utilizes quantitative indicators that assess the movement, level and cost of investing in volatility, in addition to the qualitative judgment and experience of the portfolio management team.
The Fund's portfolio construction begins with the goal of allocating risk efficiently. The Fund's exposures are defined individually, by each market, with a view towards constructing positions independently from one another. The Adviser uses risk budgeting techniques, involving an assessment of risk for each individual market, in order to gauge the overall portfolio risk and manage position sizes versus a blended benchmark of 60% global stocks and 40% global bonds. The Adviser will maintain flexibility in allocating capital across different asset classes and will rely heavily on derivatives to implement its strategies. The gross notional value of the Fund's derivative investments may significantly exceed the total value of the Fund's assets.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer and may invest in fewer issuers than a diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in the securities of a limited number of issuers, an investment in the Fund may involve a higher degree of risk than would be present in a diversified fund.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of securities and other instruments. Effects of frequent trading may include high transaction costs, which may lower the Fund's return, and realization of greater short-term capital gains, distributions of which are taxable as ordinary income to taxable shareholders. Trading costs and tax effects associated with frequent trading may adversely affect the Fund's performance. The Fund's trading in derivatives is active and frequent, which, like active and frequent trading of securities, will result in transaction costs that reduce Fund returns.
Principal Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. The Fund does not represent a complete investment program. You may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Agency Securities Risk: Agency securities are subject to fixed-income securities risk. Certain debt securities issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the relevant entity but have not been backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Instead, they have been supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's obligations. An event affecting the guaranteeing entity could adversely affect the payment of principal or interest or both on the security and, therefore, these types of securities should be considered to be riskier than U.S. government securities.
Allocation and Correlation Risk: This is the risk that the Adviser's judgments about, and allocations between, asset classes and market exposures may adversely affect the Fund's performance. This risk can be increased by the use of derivatives to increase allocations to various market exposures. This is because derivatives can create investment leverage, which will magnify the impact to the Fund of its investment in any underperforming market exposure.
Below Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities Risk: The Fund's investments in below investment grade fixed-income securities, also known as "junk bonds," may be subject to greater risks than other fixed-income securities, including being subject to greater levels of interest rate risk, credit risk (including a greater risk of default) and liquidity risk. The ability of the issuer to make principal and interest payments is predominantly speculative for below investment grade fixed-income securities.
Credit/Counterparty Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or the guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other transaction, will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal or to otherwise honor its obligations. The Fund will be subject to credit risks with respect to the counterparties of its derivative transactions. Many of the protections afforded to participants on organized exchanges, such as the performance guarantee of an exchange clearinghouse, are not available in connection with over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives transactions, such as foreign currency transactions. As a result, when the Fund enters into OTC derivative transactions, such as foreign currency transactions, the Fund will be subject to the risk that its direct counterparties will not perform their obligations under the transactions and that the Fund will sustain losses or be unable to realize gains. Additionally, when the Fund enters into cleared derivatives transactions, the Fund will be subject to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivatives transaction.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in the exchange rates between different currencies may negatively affect an investment. The Fund may be subject to currency risk because it may invest a significant portion of its assets in currency-related instruments and may invest in securities or other instruments denominated in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies. The Fund may elect not to hedge currency risk, or may hedge such risk imperfectly, which may cause the Fund to incur losses that would not have been incurred had the risk been hedged.
Derivatives Risk: Derivative instruments (such as those in which the Fund may invest, including futures, forward contracts, foreign currency transactions and options) can be used to acquire or to transfer the risk and returns of a security or other asset without buying or selling the security or asset. Derivatives are subject to changes in the value of the underlying assets or indices on which such transactions are based. There is no guarantee that the use of derivatives will be effective or that suitable transactions will be available. Even a small investment in derivatives may give rise to leverage risk and can have a significant impact on the Fund's exposure to securities markets values, interest rates or currency exchange rates. It is possible that the Fund's liquid assets may be insufficient to support its obligations under its derivatives positions. The use of derivatives for other than hedging purposes may be considered a speculative activity, and involves greater risks than are involved in hedging. The use of derivatives may cause the Fund to incur losses greater than those that would have occurred had derivatives not been used. The Fund's use of derivatives, such as futures, forward contracts, foreign currency transactions and options, involves other risks, such as the risk of difficulties in pricing and valuation, the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate as expected with changes in the value of relevant assets, rates or indices, liquidity risk, allocation risk, credit risk and the risk of losing more than the initial margin required to initiate derivatives positions. There is also the risk that the Fund may be unable to terminate or sell a derivatives position at an advantageous time or price. The Fund's derivative counterparties may experience financial difficulties or otherwise be unwilling or unable to honor their obligations, possibly resulting in losses to the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk: In addition to the risks of investing in foreign investments generally, emerging markets investments are subject to greater risks arising from political or economic instability, nationalization or confiscatory taxation, currency exchange restrictions, sanctions by the U.S. government and an issuer's unwillingness or inability to make principal or interest payments on its obligations. Emerging markets companies may be smaller and have shorter operating histories than companies in developed markets.
Equity Securities Risk: The value of the Fund's investments in equity securities could be subject to unpredictable declines in the value of individual securities and periods of below-average performance in individual securities or in the equity market as a whole. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of the issuer's bonds generally take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred stock or common stock.
Fixed-Income Securities Risk: Fixed-income securities are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. You may lose money on your investment due to unpredictable drops in a security's value or periods of below-average performance in a given security or in the securities market as a whole. Zero-coupon bonds may be subject to these risks to a greater extent than other fixed-income securities. Rule 144A securities may be more illiquid than other fixed-income securities. In addition, an economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market of these securities and reduce the Fund's ability to sell them.
Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in foreign securities may be subject to greater political, economic, environmental, credit and information risks. The Fund's investments in foreign securities also are subject to foreign currency fluctuations and other foreign currency-related risks. Foreign securities may be subject to higher volatility than U.S. securities, varying degrees of regulation and limited liquidity.
Inflation/Deflation Risk: Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the present value of future payments. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund's portfolio. Because the Fund seeks positive returns that exceed the rate of inflation over time, if the portfolio managers' inflation forecasts are incorrect, the Fund may be more severely impacted than other funds.
Interest Rate Risk: Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will fall if interest rates rise. Generally, the value of fixed-income securities rises when prevailing interest rates fall and falls when interest rates rise. Interest rate risk generally is greater for funds that invest in fixed-income securities with relatively longer durations than for funds that invest in fixed-income securities with shorter durations. The value of zero-coupon and pay-in-kind ("PIK") bonds may be more sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates than other fixed-income securities. In addition, an economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market of these securities and reduce the Fund's ability to sell them. A period of rising interest rates could negatively impact the performance of the Fund.
Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk: The Fund will indirectly bear the management, service and other fees of any other investment companies in which it invests in addition to its own expenses. In addition, investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs.
Issuer Risk: The value of the Fund's investments may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods and services.
Large Investor Risk: Ownership of shares of the Fund may be concentrated in one or a few large investors. Such investors may redeem shares in large quantities or on a frequent basis. Redemptions by a large investor can affect the performance of the Fund, may increase realized capital gains, may accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders and may increase transaction costs. These transactions potentially limit the use of any capital loss carryforwards and certain other losses to offset future realized capital gains (if any). Such transactions may also increase the Fund's expenses.
Leverage Risk: Use of derivative instruments may involve leverage. Taking short positions in stocks also results in a form of leverage. Leverage is the risk associated with securities or practices that multiply small index, market or asset-price movements into larger changes in value. The use of leverage increases the impact of gains and losses on a fund's returns, and may lead to significant losses if investments are not successful.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from transacting in these illiquid investments at an advantageous price or time. A lack of liquidity also may cause the value of investments to decline. Illiquid investments also may be difficult to value.
Management Risk: A strategy used by the Fund's portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended result.
Market Risk: The market value of a security or derivative will move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based upon a change in an issuer's financial condition, as well as overall market and economic conditions. The Fund's Adviser will attempt to reduce this risk by implementing various volatility management strategies and techniques. However, there is no guarantee that such strategies and techniques will produce the intended result.
Non-Diversification Risk: Compared with other mutual funds, the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer and may invest in fewer issuers. Therefore, the Fund may have more risk because changes in the value of a single security or the impact of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence may have a greater adverse impact on the Fund's NAV.
Short Exposure Risk: A short exposure through a derivative may present various risks, including credit/counterparty risk and leverage risk. If the value of the asset, asset class or index on which the Fund has obtained a short investment exposure increases, the Fund will incur a loss. Unlike a direct cash investment such as a stock, bond or exchange-traded fund, where the potential loss is limited to the purchase price, the potential risk of loss from a short exposure is theoretically unlimited. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to cover its short positions.
Tax Risk: The Fund expects to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the source of its income, the diversification of its assets, and the distribution of its income. The tax treatment of certain derivative instruments for purposes of the qualification tests applicable to regulated investment companies is unclear and could be subject to an interpretation by the Internal Revenue Service bearing adversely on the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company, or an adverse court decision. Therefore, the use of such derivative instruments could be limited or could impair the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company.
U.S. Government Securities Risk: Investments in certain U.S. government securities may not be supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, and it is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future. In such a case, the Fund would have to look principally to the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and the Fund may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. government itself in the event the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise does not meet its commitment. Concerns about the capacity of the U.S. government to meet its obligations may raise the interest rates payable on its securities, negatively impacting the price of such securities already held by the Fund.
Valuation Risk: This is the risk that the Fund has valued certain instruments at a higher price than the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, that may be illiquid or may become illiquid.
Volatility Risk: The success of the Fund's volatility management strategy is subject to the Adviser's ability to forecast volatility in an accurate and timely manner. The Adviser's volatility forecasts may be incorrect, and the allocation changes made by the Adviser in response to volatility forecasts may not achieve the intended effect. Volatility management techniques may result in periods of underperformance, may limit the Fund's ability to participate in rising markets and may increase transaction costs. The Fund's performance may be lower than similar funds that do not use a volatility management strategy.
Risk/Return Bar Chart and Table
Because the Fund is new and has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, information related to Fund performance, including a bar chart showing annual returns, has not been included in this Prospectus. The performance information provided by the Fund in the future will give some indication of the risks of an investment in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual returns compare against those of a broad measure of market performance.
Management
Investment Adviser
Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC ("Natixis AM US")
Portfolio Managers
Simon Aninat has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
Frédéric Babu has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
Stéphanie Bigou has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
Didier Jauneaux has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
Frank Trividic has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
Yufeng Xie has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
Ms. Bigou and Messrs. Aninat, Jauneaux, Trividic and Xie are part of Seeyond, an investment division of Natixis Asset Management ("NAM") and, as such, are employees of NAM.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Class
A and C Shares
The following chart shows the investment minimums for various types of accounts:
Type of Account |
Minimum Initial Purchase |
Minimum Subsequent Purchase | ||||
Any account other than those listed below |
$ |
2,500 |
$ |
100 |
||
For shareholders participating in Natixis Funds' Investment Builder Program |
$ |
1,000 |
$ |
50 |
||
For Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SEP-IRA and Keogh plans using the Natixis Funds' prototype document (direct accounts, not held through intermediary) |
$ |
1,000 |
$ |
100 |
||
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts |
$ |
500 |
$ |
100 |
Class Y Shares
Class Y shares of the Fund may be purchased by the following entities at the following investment minimums.
A minimum initial investment of $100,000 and the minimum
subsequent investment of $100 for:
Other
mutual funds, endowments, foundations, bank trust departments or trust companies.
There is no initial or subsequent investment minimum for:
Wrap Fee Programs of certain broker-dealers, the advisers or NGAM Distribution, L.P. (the "Distributor"). Please consult your financial representative to determine if your wrap fee program is
subject to additional or different conditions or fees. Retirement Plans such as 401(a), 401(k) or 457 plans. Certain
Individual Retirement Accounts if the amounts invested represent rollover distributions from investments by any of the retirement plans invested in the Fund. Registered Investment Advisers investing on behalf of clients in exchange for an advisory, management or consulting fee. Fund
Trustees, former Fund trustees, employees of affiliates of the Natixis Funds and other individuals who are affiliated with any Natixis Fund (this also applies to any spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and in-laws of
those mentioned) and Natixis affiliate employee benefit plans.
Due to operational limitations at your financial intermediary, certain wrap fee programs, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and accounts of registered investment advisers may be subject to the investment minimums described above.
The Fund's shares are available for purchase and are redeemable on any business day through your investment dealer, directly from
the Fund by writing to the Fund at Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579, by exchange, by wire, by internet at ngam.natixis.com, through the Automated Clearing House system, or, in the case of redemptions, by telephone at
800-225-5478 or by the Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, except for distributions to retirement plans and other investors that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under U.S. federal income tax law generally. Investments in such tax-advantaged plans will generally be taxed only upon withdrawal of monies from the tax-exempt arrangement.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
Investment Goal, Strategies and Risks |
More Information About the Fund
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund
Investment Goal
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in a range of securities and asset classes across global markets. The investment goal is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide 60 days' prior notice to shareholders before changing the investment goal.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will typically seek exposure to a combination of four asset classes: equity, fixed income, currency and volatility. In seeking exposure to these asset classes, the Fund expects that it will use, among other instruments, a variety of listed and other liquid derivative instruments. The Fund's equity exposure typically will be obtained through investments in broad, equity index listed futures and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). The Fund's fixed income exposure may consist of, but is not limited to, U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds, listed bond futures and fixed income ETFs. The Fund's currency exposure typically will be obtained through investments in non-dollar denominated investments, futures and forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund's exposure to volatility assets will result from both "long" and "short" positions in index futures and options, such as futures contracts based on the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (the "VIX"), listed equity index options and equity index futures. The Fund may take both long and short exposures to these asset classes. A "short" exposure will benefit when the underlying asset class decreases in price. A "long" exposure will benefit when the underlying asset class increases in price. For cash management purposes, the Fund may also invest in short-term money market instruments including, but not limited to, U.S. and non-U.S. treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper. These markets include, but are not limited to, Europe, the U.S., Asia and emerging markets.
The Adviser believes that a diversified asset allocation strategy can benefit from an explicit allocation to volatility as an asset class. This approach can offer several benefits over a traditional asset allocation portfolio, as volatility tends to have its own unique return and risk characteristics. The Adviser's research suggests that implied volatility exposure can be a complement to equity and fixed income investments because it has the potential either to provide a diversified source of return or to mitigate risk. Implied volatility refers to the estimated volatility of a security's price derived from option pricing. In particular, increasing equity market volatility has typically been associated with periods of market and macroeconomic uncertainty. As such, long exposure to equity volatility during those periods can offer an attractive risk-reward profile compared to other asset classes. For example, the Adviser may buy VIX futures contracts or purchase index put options when volatility is low or expected to rise, thus offering a potential hedge against an equity market downturn. Conversely, when equity market volatility is high or expected to decline, "selling" volatility may provide a diversified source of return, which can be uncorrelated with fixed income investments. For example, the Adviser may sell VIX futures contracts or sell index put options when volatility is high or expected to decline in an effort to earn a premium.
The Adviser's investment process relies on various proprietary indicators in addition to the experience and judgment of the portfolio management team when determining asset allocation. The strategy's fundamental indicators integrate macroeconomic characteristics (such as growth and inflation) and microeconomic characteristics (such as earnings and valuations), along with momentum indicators, which rely on, for example, moving averages to identify structural market trends with a view towards replicating the behavior of a rational investor. In addition, the portfolio management team takes into account independent research and analysis (on topics such as news flow, central bank policy, and market flows) to identify short-term opportunities, to identify scenarios that might not yet be reflected within the quantitative indicators and to adapt the portfolio to unexpected events. The strategy seeks to identify and to exploit market trends over time, thereby generating value through asset allocation, rather than through individual security selection. The Adviser utilizes quantitative indicators that assess the movement, level and cost of investing in volatility, in addition to the qualitative judgment and experience of the portfolio management team.
The Fund's portfolio construction begins with the goal of allocating risk efficiently. The Fund's exposures are defined individually, by each market, with a view towards constructing positions independently from one another. The Adviser uses risk budgeting techniques, involving an assessment of risk for each individual market, in order to gauge the overall portfolio risk and manage position sizes versus a blended benchmark of 60% global stocks and 40% global bonds. The Adviser will maintain flexibility in allocating capital across different asset classes and will rely heavily on derivatives to implement its strategies. The gross notional value of the Fund's derivative investments may significantly exceed the total value of the Fund's assets.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer and may invest in fewer issuers than a diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in the securities of a limited number of issuers, an investment in the Fund may involve a higher degree of risk than would be present in a diversified fund.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of securities and other instruments. Effects of frequent trading may include high transaction costs, which may lower the Fund's return, and realization of greater short-term capital gains, distributions of which are taxable as ordinary income to taxable shareholders. Trading costs and tax effects associated with frequent trading may adversely affect the Fund's performance. The Fund's trading in derivatives is active and frequent, which, like active and frequent trading of securities, will result in transaction costs that reduce Fund returns.
Principal Investment Risks
The Fund has principal investment strategies that come with inherent risks. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized in the Fund Summary under "Principal Investment Risks." The Fund does not represent a complete investment program. The following provides more information about some of the risks to which the Fund may be subject because of its investments in various types of securities and other instruments or engagement in various practices.
Agency Securities Risk
Agency securities are subject to fixed-income securities risk, as described herein. Certain debt securities issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the relevant entity but have not been backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Instead, they have been supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's obligations. An event affecting the guaranteeing entity could adversely affect the payment of principal or interest or both on the security and, therefore, these types of securities should be considered to be riskier than U.S. government securities. In addition, in 2008 the U.S. Treasury Department placed certain government-sponsored companies into conservatorship. The companies remain in conservatorship, and the effect that this conservatorship will have on the companies' debt and equity securities is unclear.
Allocation and Correlation Risk
This is the risk that the Adviser's judgments about, and allocations between, asset classes and market exposures may adversely affect the Fund's performance. This risk can be increased by the use of derivatives to increase allocations to various market exposures. This is because derivatives can create investment leverage, which will magnify the impact to the Fund of its investment in any underperforming market exposure. In addition, the Adviser's judgment about the correlation of various market exposures to the returns of major equity indices (and to each other) may be incorrect, adversely affecting performance. This risk may be particularly acute during periods of market turmoil, when previously uncorrelated asset classes and market exposures often become more correlated. There is no guarantee that the Adviser will be successful in managing correlation with major equity indices, and, as a result, the Fund's returns may be correlated with major equity indices to a greater extent than desired during any period and over time. Furthermore, because the Fund intends to maintain a low to negative correlation to the returns of major equity indices, during periods when returns in such markets increase, the Fund's returns will not necessarily reflect the increase.
Below Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities Risk
Below investment grade fixed-income securities, also known as "junk bonds," are rated below investment grade quality and may be considered speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. To be considered rated below investment grade quality, none of the three major rating agencies (Moody's, Fitch or S&P) must have rated the security in one of their respective top four rating categories at the time the Fund acquires the security or, if the security is unrated, the portfolio managers have determined it to be of comparable quality. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of below investment grade fixed-income securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-quality debt securities, and the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives may, to the extent the Fund invests in below investment grade fixed-income securities, be more dependent upon the portfolio managers' credit analysis than would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher-quality securities. The issuers of these securities may be in default or have a currently identifiable vulnerability to default on their payments of principal and interest, or may otherwise present elements of danger with respect to payments of principal or interest. Below investment grade fixed-income securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher-grade securities. Yields on below investment grade fixed-income securities will fluctuate. If the issuer of below investment grade fixed-income securities defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.
Credit/Counterparty Risk
Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or the guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other transaction, will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal or to otherwise honor its obligations. The Fund will be subject to credit risks with respect to the counterparties of its derivative transactions. Many of the protections afforded to participants on organized exchanges, such as the performance guarantee of an exchange clearinghouse, are not available in connection with over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives transactions, such as foreign currency transactions. As a result, when the Fund enters into OTC derivative transactions, such as foreign currency transactions, the Fund will be subject to the risk that its direct counterparties will not perform their obligations under the transactions and that the Fund will sustain losses or be unable to realize gains. Additionally, when the Fund enters into cleared derivatives transactions, the Fund will be subject to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivatives transaction.
Currency Risk
Fluctuations in the exchange rates between different currencies may negatively affect an investment. The market for some or all currencies may from time to time have low trading volume and become illiquid, which may prevent a Fund from effecting a position or from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions in such markets, thus subjecting a Fund to substantial losses. The Fund may be subject to currency risk because it may invest a significant portion of its assets in currency-related instruments and may invest in securities or other instruments denominated in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies. The Fund may elect not to hedge currency risk, or may hedge such risk imperfectly, which may cause the Fund to incur losses that would not have been incurred had the risk been hedged.
Derivatives Risk
As described herein and in the SAI, the use of derivatives involves special risks. Derivatives are subject to changes in the value of the underlying assets or indices on which such transactions are based. There is no guarantee that the use of derivatives will be effective or that suitable transactions will be available. Even a small investment in derivatives may give rise to leverage risk and can have a significant impact on the Fund's exposure to asset values, interest rates or currency exchange rates. Derivatives also are subject to credit risk and liquidity risk. Investments in derivatives also are subject to the risk of difficulties in pricing and valuation, the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate as expected with relevant assets, rates or indices and the risk that the Fund's liquid assets may be insufficient to support its obligations under its derivatives positions. Recently, several broker-dealers and other financial institutions have experienced extreme financial difficulty, sometimes resulting in bankruptcy of the institution. There can be no assurance that the Fund's derivative counterparties will not experience similar difficulties, possibly resulting in losses to the Fund. Losses resulting from the use of derivatives will reduce the Fund's net asset value ("NAV"), and possibly income, and the losses may be significantly greater than if derivatives had not been used. When a derivative is used as a hedge against an offsetting position that the Fund also holds, any gains generated by the derivative should be substantially offset by losses on the hedged instrument, and vice versa. To the extent that the Fund uses a derivative for purposes other than as a hedge, or if the Fund hedges imperfectly, the Fund is directly exposed to the risks of that derivative and any loss generated by the derivative will not be offset by a gain. When used, derivatives may increase the amount and affect the timing and character of taxes payable by shareholders.
Emerging Markets Risk
This is the risk associated with investing in companies traded in emerging securities markets, which may be smaller and have shorter operating histories than companies in developed markets. In addition to the risks of investing in foreign investments generally, emerging markets investments are subject to greater risks arising from political or economic instability, nationalization or confiscatory taxation, currency exchange restrictions, sanctions by the U.S. government and an issuer's unwillingness or inability to make principal or interest payments on its obligations. Emerging markets companies may be smaller and have shorter operating histories than companies in developed markets.
Equity Securities Risk
The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market value (or price) of the securities the Fund holds. You may lose money on your investment due to unpredictable declines in the value of individual securities and periods of below-average performance in individual securities, industries or in the equity market as a whole. This may impact the Fund's performance and may result in higher portfolio turnover, which may increase the tax liability to taxable shareholders and the expenses incurred by the Fund. The market value of a security can change daily due to political, economic and other events that affect the securities markets generally, as well as those that affect particular companies or governments. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, will vary depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response to such trends and developments. Rule 144A securities may be less liquid than other equity securities. Common stocks represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of the issuer's bonds generally take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred stock or common stock.
Fixed-Income Securities Risk
Fixed-income securities are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. Generally, the value of fixed-income securities rises when prevailing interest rates fall and falls when prevailing interest rates rise. This means that you may lose money on your investment due to unpredictable drops in a security's value or periods of below-average performance in a given security or in the securities market as a whole. In addition, an economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market of these securities and reduce the Fund's ability to sell them. Below investment grade fixed-income securities may be subject to these risks (including the risk of default) to a greater extent than other fixed-income securities. These securities are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. Rule 144A fixed-income securities may be more illiquid than other fixed-income securities. Zero-coupon bonds may be subject to these risks to a greater extent than other fixed-income securities.
Foreign Securities Risk
This is the risk associated with investments in issuers located in foreign countries. The Fund's investments in foreign securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. issuers. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of issuers and a small number of securities. In addition, foreign companies often are not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. companies. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Many countries, including developed nations and emerging markets, are faced with concerns about high government debt levels, credit rating downgrades, the future of the euro as a common currency, possible government debt restructuring and related issues, all of which may cause the value of the Fund's non-U.S. investments to decline. Nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes or diplomatic developments may also cause the value of the Fund's non-U.S. investments to decline. When imposed, foreign withholding or other taxes reduce the Fund's return on foreign securities. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire foreign investment. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to these risks to a greater extent than those in more developed markets and securities of developed market companies that conduct substantial business in emerging markets may also be subject to greater risk. These risks also apply to securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States or through depositary
receipt programs such as ADRs. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region, the Fund may have more exposure to regional political, economic, environmental, credit and information risks. In addition, foreign securities may be subject to increased credit risk because of the potential difficulties of requiring foreign entities to honor their contractual commitments.
Inflation/Deflation Risk
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the present value of future payments. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund's portfolio. Because the Fund seeks positive returns that exceed the rate of inflation over time, if the portfolio managers' inflation forecasts are incorrect, the Fund may be more severely impacted than other funds.
Interest Rate Risk
This is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Fund's investments in fixed-income securities, such as bonds, notes, asset-backed securities and other income-producing securities and derivatives. Fixed-income securities are obligations of the issuer to make payments of principal and/or interest on future dates. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund's investments to decline. A prolonged period of low interest rates may cause the Fund to have a low or negative yield, potentially reducing the value of your investment. Generally, the value of fixed-income securities, including short-term fixed-income securities, rises when prevailing interest rates fall and falls when interest rates rise. Interest rate risk generally is greater for funds that invest in fixed-income securities with relatively longer durations than for funds that invest in fixed-income securities with shorter durations. A significant change in interest rates could cause the Fund's share price (and the value of your investment) to change. The value of zero-coupon and PIK bonds may be more sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates than other fixed-income securities. In addition, an economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market of these securities and reduce the Fund's ability to sell them. A period of rising interest rates could negatively impact the performance of the Fund.
Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk
The Fund will indirectly bear the management, service and other fees of any other investment companies in which it invests in addition to its own expenses.
Issuer Risk
The value of the Fund's investments may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods and services.
Large Investor Risk
Ownership of shares of the Fund may be concentrated in one or a few large investors such as a fund-of-funds or a large group of similarly managed accounts. Such investors may redeem shares in large quantities or on a frequent basis. If a large investor redeems a portion or all of its investment in the Fund or redeems frequently, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable times or prices, which can affect the performance of the Fund and may increase realized capital gains. In addition, such transactions may accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if the Fund's sales of investments result in gains, and also may increase transaction costs. These transactions potentially limit the use of any capital loss carryforwards and certain other losses to offset future realized capital gains (if any). Such transactions may also increase the Fund's expenses or could result in the Fund's current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund's expense ratios.
Leverage Risk
Use of derivative instruments may involve leverage. Taking short positions also results in a form of leverage. Leverage is the risk associated with securitiesor practices that multiply small index, market or asset-price movements into larger changes in value. Leverage magnifies the potential for the risk of loss. As a result, a relatively small decline in the value of the underlying investments could result in a relatively large loss. Although the portfolio managers will seek to manage the Fund's risk from the leverage associated with derivative investments by closely monitoring the volatility of such investments, the portfolio managers may not be successful in this respect. The use of leverage will increase the impact of losses on the Fund's returns, and may lead to significant losses if investments are not successful.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling these illiquid investments at an advantageous price or time. A lack of liquidity also may cause the value of investments to decline. Derivatives and securities that involve substantial interest rate or credit risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk. In addition, liquidity risk tends to increase to the extent the Fund invests in securities whose sale may be restricted by law or by contract, such as Rule 144A securities. Investments in foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities. Investment in derivatives may be especially illiquid when compared to other investments, especially during periods of market stress. Changing regulatory and market conditions, including increases in interest rates or credit spreads, may adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments. Similarly, the market for money market and similar instruments may become illiquid at certain times. At these times, it may be difficult to sell securities. Illiquid investments also may be difficult to value.
Management Risk
Management risk is the risk that the portfolio managers' investment techniques could fail to achieve the Fund's objective and could cause your investment in the Fund to lose value. The Fund is subject to management risk because the Fund is actively managed. The portfolio managers will apply their investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that such decisions will produce the desired results. For example, securities that the portfolio managers expect to appreciate in value may, in fact, decline. Similarly, in some cases, derivative and other investment techniques may be unavailable or the portfolio managers may determine not to use them, even under market conditions where their use could have benefitted the Fund.
Market Risk
This is the risk that the market value of a security or derivative will move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based upon a change in an issuer's financial condition, as well as overall market and economic conditions. The Fund's Adviser will attempt to reduce this risk by implementing various volatility management strategies and techniques. However, there is no guarantee that such strategies and techniques will produce the intended result.
Non-Diversification Risk
Compared with other mutual funds, the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer and may invest in fewer issuers. Therefore, the Fund may have more risk because changes in the value of a single security or the impact of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence may have a greater adverse impact on the Fund's NAV.
Short Exposure Risk
A short exposure through a derivative may present various risks, including credit/counterparty risk and leverage risk. If the value of the asset, asset class or index on which the Fund has obtained a short investment exposure increases, the Fund will incur a loss. Unlike a direct cash investment like a stock, bond or exchange-traded fund, where the potential loss is limited to the purchase price, the potential risk of loss from a short exposure is theoretically unlimited. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to cover its short positions.
Tax Risk
The Fund expects to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the source of its income, the diversification of its assets, and the distribution of its income. The tax treatment of certain derivative instruments for purposes of the qualification tests applicable to regulated investment companies is unclear and could be subject to an interpretation by the Internal Revenue Service bearing adversely on the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company, or an adverse court decision. Therefore, the use of such derivative instruments could be limited or could impair the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company.
U.S. Government Securities Risk
Investments in certain U.S. government securities may not be supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, and it is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future. In such a case, the Fund would have to look principally to the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and the Fund may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. government itself in the event the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise does not meet its commitment. Concerns about the capacity of the U.S. government to meet its obligations may raise the interest rates payable on its securities, negatively impacting the price of such securities already held by the Fund.
Valuation Risk
This is the risk that the Fund has valued certain instruments at a higher price than the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid.
Volatility Risk
The success of the Fund's volatility management strategy is subject to the Adviser's ability to forecast volatility in an accurate and timely manner. The Adviser's volatility forecasts may be incorrect, and the allocation changes made by the Adviser in response to volatility forecasts may not achieve the intended effect. Volatility management techniques may result in periods of underperformance, may limit the Fund's ability to participate in rising markets and may increase transaction costs. The Fund's performance may be lower than similar funds that do not use a volatility management strategy.
More Information About the Fund's Strategies
Temporary Defensive Measures
As a temporary defensive measure, the Fund may hold any portion of its assets in cash (U.S. dollars, foreign currencies or multinational currency units) and/or invest in money market instruments or high quality debt securities as its Adviser deems appropriate. The Fund may miss certain investment opportunities if it uses defensive strategies and thus may not achieve its investment goal.
Transactions with Other Investment Companies
Pursuant to SEC exemptive relief, the Fund may be permitted to invest its daily cash balances in shares of money market and short-term bond funds advised by NGAM Advisors, L.P. ("NGAM Advisors") (an affiliate of Natixis AM US) or its affiliates ("Central Funds"). The Central Funds currently include one money market fund: the Daily Income Fund. The Daily Income Fund is advised by Reich & Tang Asset Management, LLC ("Reich & Tang"). Because Natixis AM US, NGAM Advisors and Reich & Tang are subsidiaries or affiliates of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. ("Natixis US"), the Fund and the Central Funds may be considered to be related companies comprising a "group of investment companies" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
Pursuant to such exemptive relief, the Fund may also borrow and lend money for temporary or emergency purposes directly to and from other funds through an interfund credit facility. In addition to the Fund and the Central Funds, series of the following mutual fund groups may also be able to participate in the facility: Natixis Funds Trust I (except the CGM Advisor Targeted Equity Fund series), Natixis Funds Trust II (except the Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund), Natixis Funds Trust IV, Harris Associates Investment Trust, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and Gateway Trust. The advisers and subadvisers to these mutual funds currently include AEW Capital Management, L.P., AlphaSimplex Group, LLC, Gateway Investment Advisers, LLC, Harris Associates, L.P., Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., McDonnell Investment Management, LLC, NGAM Advisors, Reich & Tang and Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. Each of these advisers and subadvisers are subsidiaries of Natixis US and are thus "affiliated persons" under the 1940 Act by reason of being under common control by Natixis US. In addition, because the Fund, and other funds, are advised by firms that are affiliated with one another, they may be considered to be related companies comprising a "group of investment companies" under the 1940 Act. The Central Funds will participate in the credit facility only as lenders. Participation in such an interfund lending program would be voluntary for both borrowing and lending funds, and the Fund would participate in an interfund lending program only if the Board of Trustees determined that doing so would benefit the Fund. Should the Fund participate in such an interfund lending program, the Board of Trustees would establish procedures for the operation of the program by the advisers or an affiliate. The Fund may engage in the transactions described above without further notice to shareholders. The Fund also may make investments in related investment companies to the extent permitted by SEC regulation.
Percentage Investment Limitations
Except as set forth in the SAI, the percentage limitations set forth in this Prospectus and the SAI apply at the time an investment is made and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio securities is available in the section "Portfolio Holdings Information" in the SAI.
A "snapshot" of the Fund's investments may be found in its annual and semiannual reports. In addition, a list of the Fund's full portfolio holdings, which is updated monthly after an aging period of at least 30 days, is available on the Fund's website at ngam.natixis.com (select the name of the Fund in the "Find a fund" box). These holdings will remain accessible on the website until the Fund files its Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC for the period that includes the date of the information.
Management Team |
Management Team
Meet the Fund's Investment Adviser
The Natixis Funds family currently includes 30 mutual funds. The Natixis Funds family had combined assets of $54 billion as of May 31, 2014. Natixis Funds are distributed through NGAM Distribution, L.P. (the "Distributor").
Adviser
Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC ("Natixis AM US"), located at 399 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 serves as adviser to the Fund. Natixis AM US, formed in 2014, is a subsidiary of Natixis Asset Management ("NAM"). NAM is owned by Natixis Global Asset Management, an international asset management group based in Paris, France, that is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is principally owned by BPCE, France's second largest banking group. BPCE is owned by banks comprising two autonomous and complementary retail banking networks consisting of the Caisse d'Epargne regional savings banks and the Banque Populaire regional cooperative banks.
Natixis AM US has entered into a personnel-sharing arrangement with its Paris-based affiliate, NAM, which, like Natixis AM US, is part of Natixis Global Asset Management. With assets under management of 298 billion as of March 31, 2014, NAM ranks among the leading European asset managers. Pursuant to this arrangement, certain employees of NAM serve as "associated persons" of Natixis AM US and, in this capacity, are subject to the oversight of Natixis AM US and its Chief Compliance Officer. These associated persons may, on behalf of Natixis AM US, provide discretionary investment management services (including acting as portfolio managers), research and related services to the Fund in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Fund's prospectus and SAI.
The advisory fee to be paid by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets is 0.85%.
A discussion of the factors considered by the Board of Trustees in approving the Fund's investment advisory contract will be included in the Fund's initial shareholder report covering the period in which the approval occurred.
Portfolio Trades
In placing portfolio trades, Natixis AM US may use brokerage firms that market the Fund's shares or are affiliated with Natixis AM US. In placing trades, Natixis AM US will seek to obtain the best combination of price and execution, which involves a number of subjective factors. Such portfolio trades are subject to applicable regulatory restrictions and related procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.
Meet the Fund's Portfolio Managers
The following persons have had primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio since the dates stated below.
Simon Aninat—Mr. Aninat has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2014. Mr. Aninat began his investment career in 2005 and joined NAM in 2011. Prior to joining NAM, Mr. Aninat worked at Murex, based in Paris, first as a quantitative analyst and then as an interest rates derivatives consultant. In 2007, Mr. Aninat joined the exotic credit trading desk as trader assistant at Societé Génerale. He then spent 4 years in the equity derivatives group at J.P. Morgan, first in London and then in Tokyo, as a volatility trader on the Nikkei and the Topix. Mr. Aninat is a graduate of the French engineering school Ensimag and has over 9 years of investment experience.
Frédéric Babu—Mr. Babu has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2014. Mr. Babu began his investment career in 1995 and joined NAM in 2002 and Natixis AM US in 2014. Prior to joining NAM, Mr. Babu worked at Paresco Inc. in New York as a Risk Controller. From 1997 to 2001, he was responsible for Quantitative Research at Banque CPR's proprietary equity trading department. In 2001, he became deputy manager of LibertyView European Merger Arbitrage Fund at CPRA2M. Mr. Babu is a graduate of the French engineering school Ecole des Mines and has over 19 years of investment experience.
Stéphanie Bigou—Ms. Bigou has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2014. Ms. Bigou began her investment career in 1998 and joined NAM in 2006. Prior to joining NAM, Ms. Bigou worked at BNP Paribas Asset Management as a U.S. equity quantitative analyst. In 2004 Ms. Bigou became an EM economist within BNP's research department. Ms. Bigou then became global strategist and portfolio manager within the asset allocation team at NAM in 2008. Ms. Bigou holds a Master's degree in economics, econometrics & statistics from the Toulouse School of Economics and a Master's degree in applied mathematics and has over 16 years of investment experience.
Didier Jauneaux—Mr. Jauneaux has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2014. Mr. Jauneaux began his investment career in 1983 in the financial reporting department of the Banque Populaire group. In 1995, Mr. Jauneaux became a money market and fixed income portfolio manager. From 1998, Mr. Jauneaux extended his role to asset allocation. In 2005, Mr. Jauneaux became a dynamic money market fund manager within the same group. Mr. Jauneaux holds a financial markets certificate and graduated from the CNAM (Conservatoire national des arts et metiers) and has over 30 years of investment experience.
Frank Trividic—Mr. Trividic has served as senior portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2014. Mr. Trividic began his investment career in 1993 and joined NAM in 1999. Prior to joining NAM, Mr. Trividic worked as a financial engineer for BNP Paribas. In 1995 he joined Banque de Gestion Privée as a fixed-income and balanced funds manager. Mr. Trividic was then appointed head of quantitative fixed-income analysis team at NAM in 2003. Mr. Trividic then became head of total return management at NAM in 2007. Mr. Trividic holds a Master's degree in applied mathematics from the French business school Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) and has over 21 years of investment experience.
Yufeng Xie—Mr. Xie has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2014. Mr. Xie began his career in 2007 and joined NAM the same year. Mr. Xie worked as a quantitative analyst on the structured product desk. Mr. Xie contributed towards the development of complex option pricing systems and published research on CPPI and option based investment solutions for clients. In 2011, Mr. Xie became a portfolio manager working on the development and management of volatility based strategies. Mr Xie graduated from Pantheon-Sorbonne University and holds a post graduate degree in financial engineering from Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Administration Economique (ENSAE) and has over 7 years of investment experience.
Ms. Bigou and Messrs. Aninat, Jauneaux, Trividic and Xie are part of Seeyond, an investment division of NAM and, as such, are employees of NAM. Seeyond was created by NAM in 2012 and had 15.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2014.
Please see the Fund's SAI for information on portfolio manager compensation, other accounts under management by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers' ownership of securities in the Fund.
Fund Services |
Fund Services
Investing in the Fund
Choosing a Share Class
Each class has different costs associated with buying, selling and holding Fund shares, which allows you to choose the class that best meets your needs. Which class is best for you depends upon a number of factors, including the size of your investment and how long you intend to hold your shares. Certain share classes and certain shareholder features may not be available to you if you hold your shares in a street name account. Your financial representative can help you decide which class of shares is most appropriate for you.
Class A Shares
You pay a
sales charge when you buy Class A shares. There are several ways to reduce this charge. See the section "How Sales Charges Are Calculated." You pay
lower annual expenses than Class C shares, giving you the potential for higher returns per share. However, where front-end sales charges are applicable, returns are earned on a smaller amount of your investment. You pay
higher expenses than Class Y shares. You do not pay a sales charge on orders of $1 million or more, but you may pay a charge on redemptions if you redeem these shares within 18 months of purchase.
Class C Shares
You do not pay a sales charge when you buy Class C shares. All of your money goes to work for you right away. You pay
higher annual expenses than Class A and Class Y shares. You may pay a sales charge on redemptions if you sell your Class C shares within one year of purchase. Investors
will not be permitted to purchase $1 million or more of Class C shares as a single investment per account. There may be certain exceptions to this restriction for omnibus and other nominee accounts. Investors may want to consider the lower operating
expense of Class A shares in such instances. You may pay a charge on redemptions if you redeem Class A shares within 18 months of purchase.
Class Y Shares
The
shares are available to a limited type of investor. See the section "Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares." You have
a minimum initial investment of $100,000. There are several ways to waive this minimum. See the section "Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares." You do
not pay a sales charge when you buy Class Y shares. All of your money goes to work for you right away. You do
not pay a sales charge on redemptions. You pay lower annual expenses than Class A and Class C shares, giving you the potential for higher returns per share.
For information about the Fund's expenses, see the section "Fund Fees & Expenses" in the Fund Summary.
Certificates
Certificates will not be issued or honored for any class of shares.
How Sales Charges Are Calculated
Class A Shares
The price that you pay when you buy Class A shares (the "offering price") is their net asset value ("NAV") plus a sales charge (sometimes called a "front-end sales charge"), which varies depending upon the size of your purchase:
Class A Sales Charges* |
||||||
Your Investment |
As a % of |
As a % of |
| |||
Less than $50,000 |
5.75 |
% |
6.10 |
% |
||
$50,000-$99,999 |
4.50 |
% |
4.71 |
% |
||
$100,000-$249,999 |
3.50 |
% |
3.63 |
% |
||
$250,000-$499,999 |
2.50 |
% |
2.56 |
% |
||
$500,000-$999,999 |
2.00 |
% |
2.04 |
% |
||
$1,000,000 or more** |
0.00 |
% |
0.00 |
% |
|
Due to rounding, the actual sales charge for a particular transaction may be higher or lower than the rates listed above. |
* |
Not imposed on shares that are purchased with reinvested dividends or other distributions. |
** |
For purchases of Class A shares of the Fund of $1 million or more, there is no front-end sales charge, but a CDSC of 1.00% may apply to redemptions of your shares within 18 months of the date of purchase. See the section "How the CDSC is Applied to Your Shares." |
If you invest in Class A shares through a financial intermediary, it is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure that you obtain the proper "breakpoint" discount. It will be necessary at the time of purchase to inform the Distributor and the financial intermediary of the existence of other accounts in which there are holdings eligible to be aggregated to meet sales load breakpoints of the Fund. You may be required to provide certain records and information, such as account statements, with respect to all of your accounts that hold shares, including accounts with other financial intermediaries and your family members' and other related party accounts, in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge. If the Distributor is not notified that you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, the Distributor will be unable to ensure that the reduction is applied to your account. Additional information concerning sales load breakpoints is available from your financial intermediary, by visiting the Fund's website at ngam.natixis.com (click on "Sales Charges" at the bottom of the home page) or in the SAI.
Reducing Front-End Sales Charges
There are several ways you can lower your sales charge for Class A shares, including:
Letter of Intent — By signing a Letter of Intent, you may purchase Class A shares of any Natixis Fund over a 13-month period but pay sales charges as if you
had purchased all shares at once. This program can save you money if you plan to invest $100,000 or more within 13 months. Cumulative Purchase Discount — You may be entitled to a reduced sales charge if your "total investment" reaches a breakpoint for a reduced sales charge. The
total investment is determined by adding the amount of your current purchase in the Fund, including the applicable sales charge, to the current public offering price of all series and classes of shares of the Natixis Funds held by you in one or
more accounts. If your total investment exceeds a sales charge breakpoint in the table above, the lower sales charge applies to the entire amount of your current purchase in the Fund. Combining Accounts — This allows you to combine shares of multiple Natixis Funds and classes for purposes of calculating your sales charge.
Individual Accounts: You
may elect to combine your purchase(s) and your total investment, as defined above, with the purchases and total investment of your spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws (of those previously mentioned), individual
fiduciary accounts, sole proprietorships, single trust estates and any other individuals acceptable to the Distributor.
Certain Retirement Plan Accounts: The Distributor may, at its discretion, combine the purchase(s) and total investment of all qualified
participants in the same retirement plan for purposes of determining the availability of a reduced sales charge.
In most instances, individual accounts may not be linked with certain retirement plan accounts for the purposes of calculating sales charges. Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees ("SIMPLE IRA") contributions will automatically be linked with those of other participants in the same SIMPLE IRA Plan (Class A shares only). SIMPLE IRA accounts may not be linked with any other Natixis Fund account for rights of accumulation. Please refer to the SAI for more detailed information on combining accounts.
Eliminating Front-End Sales Charges and CDSCs
Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales charges or a CDSC to the following individuals and institutions:
Clients of a financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor and has been approved by the Distributor to offer Fund shares to
self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee; Any
government entity that is prohibited from paying a sales charge or commission to purchase mutual fund shares; Selling
brokers, sales representatives, registered investment advisers, financial planners or other intermediaries under arrangements with the Distributor (this also applies to spouses and children under the age of 21 of those mentioned); Fund
trustees, former trustees, employees of affiliates of the Natixis Funds and other individuals who are affiliated with any Natixis Fund (this also applies to any spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and in-laws of those
mentioned); Participants in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. The availability of this pricing may depend upon the policies and procedures of your specific financial intermediary; consult your financial
adviser; Non-discretionary and non-retirement accounts of bank trust departments or trust companies, but only if they principally engage in banking or trust activities; Clients
of an adviser or subadviser to any Natixis Fund with investments of $25,000 or more in the Natixis Funds; and Clients
of NGAM Advisors that invest in a Natixis Fund that does not offer Class Y shares.
In order to receive Class A shares without a front-end sales charge or a CDSC, you must notify the Fund of your eligibility at the time of purchase. Due to operational limitations at your financial intermediary, a sales charge or a CDSC may be assessed; please consult your financial representative.
Repurchasing Fund Shares
You may apply proceeds from redeeming Class A shares of the Fund to repurchase Class A shares of any Natixis Fund without paying a front-end sales charge. To qualify, you must reinvest some or all of the proceeds within 120 days after your redemption and notify Natixis Funds in writing (directly or through your financial representative) at the time of reinvestment that you are taking advantage of this privilege. You may reinvest your proceeds by sending a new check for some or all of the redemption amount. Please note: for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a redemption generally is treated as a sale that involves tax consequences, even if the proceeds are later reinvested. Please consult your tax adviser to discuss how a redemption would affect you.
Eliminating the CDSC
As long as the Distributor is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for Class A shares will generally be eliminated in the following cases: (1) to make distributions from a retirement plan (a plan termination or total plan redemption may incur a CDSC); (2) to make payments through a systematic withdrawal plan; (3) due to shareholder death or disability; (4) to return excess IRA contributions; or (5) to make required minimum distributions at age 70 ½ (applies only to the amount necessary to meet the required minimum distributions).
Please see the SAI for more information on eliminating or reducing front-end sales charges and CDSC.
Class C Shares
The offering price of Class C shares is their NAV without a front-end sales charge. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC of 1.00% on redemptions made within one year of the date of their acquisition. The holding period for determining the CDSC will continue to run after an exchange to Class C shares of another Natixis Fund.
Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
Year Since Purchase |
CDSC on Shares Being Sold |
1st |
1.00% |
Thereafter |
0.00% |
Eliminating the CDSC
As long as the Distributor is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for Class C shares will generally be eliminated in the following cases: (1) to make distributions from a retirement plan (a plan termination or total plan redemption may incur a CDSC); (2) to make payments through a systematic withdrawal plan; (3) due to shareholder death or disability; (4) to return excess IRA contributions; or (5) to make required minimum distributions at age 70 ½ (applies only to the amount necessary to meet the required minimum distributions).
Please see the SAI for more information on eliminating or reducing front-end sales charges and the CDSC.
How the CDSC is Applied to Your Shares
The CDSC is a sales charge you pay when you redeem certain Fund shares. The CDSC:
Is calculated based on the number of shares you are selling; Calculation is based on either your original purchase price or the current NAV of the shares being sold, whichever is lower in order to minimize your CDSC; Is
deducted from the proceeds of the redemption unless you request, at the time of the redemption, that it be deducted from the amount remaining in your account; and Applies
to redemptions made within the time frame shown above for each class.
A CDSC will not be charged on:
Increases
in NAV above the purchase price; Shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends or capital gains distributions; or Exchanges. However, the original purchase date of the shares from which the exchange is made determines if the newly acquired shares are subject to the CDSC when they
are sold.
To minimize the amount of the CDSC you may pay when you redeem shares, the Fund will first redeem shares acquired through reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions. Shares will be sold in the order in which they were purchased (earliest to latest).
Because distribution and service (12b-1) 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 sales charges and service fees.
Class Y Shares
The offering price of Class Y shares is their NAV without a front-end load sales charge. No CDSC applies when you redeem your shares. You must meet eligibility criteria in order to invest in Class Y shares.
Compensation to Securities Dealers
Compensation to Securities Dealers As part of its business strategy, the Fund pays securities dealers and other financial institutions (collectively, "dealers") that sell its shares. This compensation originates from two sources: sales charges (front-end or deferred) and 12b-1 fees (comprising the annual service and/or distribution fees paid under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act). The sales charges, some or all of which may be paid to dealers, are discussed in the section "How Sales Charges Are Calculated" and dealer commissions are disclosed in the SAI. Class A and Class C shares pay an annual service fee each of 0.25% of their respective average daily net assets. Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution fee of 0.75% of their average daily net assets. Generally, the 12b-1 fees are paid to securities dealers on a quarterly basis, but may be paid on other schedules. The SAI includes additional information about the payment of some or all of such fees to dealers. Because these distribution fees and service (12b-1) fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time
these fees for Class C shares will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying the front-end sales charge and service fees on Class A shares. Similarly, over time the fees for Class A and Class C shares will increase the cost of your investment.
In addition, the Fund may make payments to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder services to shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group accounts (for example, 401(k) plans) or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents to compensate those intermediaries for services they provide to such shareholders, including, but not limited to, sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, similar shareholder or participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, or shareholder or participant transaction processing ("recordkeeping and processing-related services"). The actual payments, and the services provided, vary from firm to firm. These fees are paid by the Fund in light of the fact that other costs may be avoided by the Fund where the intermediary, not the Fund's service provider, provides services to Fund shareholders.
The Distributor, the Fund's Adviser and each of their respective affiliates may, out of their own resources, which generally come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the Fund, make payments to certain dealers and other financial intermediaries that satisfy certain criteria established from time to time by the Distributor. Payments may vary based on sales, the amount of assets a dealer's or intermediary's clients have invested in the Fund, and other factors. These payments may also take the form of sponsorship of seminars or informational meetings or payments for attendance by persons associated with a dealer or intermediary at informational meetings. The Distributor and its affiliates may also make payments for recordkeeping and processing-related services to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares. These payments may be in addition to payments made by the Fund for similar services.
The payments described in this section, which may be significant to the dealers and the financial intermediaries, may create an incentive for a dealer or financial intermediary or their representatives to recommend or sell shares of the Fund or a particular share class over other mutual funds or share classes. Additionally, these payments may result in the Fund receiving certain marketing or servicing advantages that are not generally available to mutual funds that do not make such payments, including placement on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or in other sales programs. These payments, which are in addition to any amounts you may pay your dealer or other financial intermediary, may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and a dealer or other financial intermediary who is recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. Before investing, you should consult with your financial representative and review carefully any disclosure by the dealer or other financial intermediary as to what monies it receives from mutual funds and their advisers and distributors, as well as how your financial representative is compensated. Please see the SAI for additional information about payments made by the Distributor and its affiliates to dealers and intermediaries.
It's Easy to Open an Account
To Open an Account with Natixis Funds:
Read this Prospectus carefully. The Fund is generally available for purchase in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Except to the extent otherwise permitted by the
Distributor, the Funds will only accept accounts from U.S. citizens with a U.S. address (including an APO or FPO address) or resident aliens with a U.S. address (including an APO or FPO address) and a U.S. taxpayer identification number. Determine how much you wish to invest. See the information regarding investment minimums for accounts in the section "Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares."
For Class
A and Class C Shares, the Distributor, at its sole discretion, may lower investment minimums for accounts associated with wrap fee programs sponsored by certain broker-dealers and investment advisers and for accounts associated with certain other
defined contribution plans not using the Natixis Funds' prototype document. For Class Y, minimums are waived for such accounts. The
Distributor, at its sole discretion, may waive the investment minimums for new accounts being established into existing Corporate Retirement Plans and existing SEP-IRA, SARSEP and Keogh Plans using the Natixis Funds' prototype document.
The
Fund is not available to new SIMPLE IRAs. Class A and Class Y shares of the Fund are available to Fund trustees, former Fund trustees, employees of affiliates of the Natixis Funds and other individuals who are affiliated with any Natixis Fund
(this also applies to any spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and in-laws of those mentioned) with no initial or subsequent investment minimum. At the
discretion of NGAM Advisors, clients of NGAM Advisors and its affiliates may purchase Class Y shares of the Fund below the stated minimums.
Complete the appropriate parts of the applicable account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, please call your financial representative or Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478. For more information on Natixis Funds' investment programs, refer to the section "Additional Investor Services" in this Prospectus.
Use the sections of this Prospectus that follow as your guide for purchasing shares.
Minimum Balance Policy
In order to address the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller fund positions, on an annual basis the Fund may close an account and send the account holder the proceeds if the account falls below $50 for direct accounts and $500 for networked accounts. The valuation of account balances for this purpose and liquidation itself generally occur during October of each calendar year, although they may occur at another date in the year.
Certain accounts, such as accounts using the Natixis Funds' prototype document (including IRAs, Keogh Plans, 403(b)(7) plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts) and accounts associated with wrap fee programs or defined contribution plans, are excepted from the liquidation. However, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate any account with a balance of one share or less regardless of the account type.
Self-Servicing Your Account
Buying or selling shares is easy with the services described below (certain restrictions may apply):
Natixis Funds Personal Access Line®
800-225-5478, press 1
Natixis Funds Website:
ngam.natixis.com
You have access to your account 24 hours a day by calling the Personal Access Line® from a touch-tone telephone or by visiting us online. Using these customer service options, you may:
purchase,
exchange or redeem shares in your existing accounts; review your account balance, recent transactions, current net asset value per share and recent performance; order
duplicate account statements; and obtain tax information.
Please see the following pages for other ways to buy, exchange or sell your shares.
Buying Shares
Except to the extent otherwise permitted by the Distributor, the Fund will only accept investments from U.S. citizens with a U.S. address (including an APO or FPO address) or resident aliens with a U.S. address (including an APO or FPO address) and a U.S. taxpayer identification number.
Opening an Account |
Adding to an Account | |
Through Your Investment Dealer |
Call your
investment dealer for information about opening or adding to an account. Dealers may also charge you a processing or servicing fee in connection with the purchase of Fund shares. | |
By Mail |
Make out
a check in U.S. dollars for the investment amount, payable to "Natixis Funds." Third party checks, "starter" checks and credit card convenience checks will not be accepted. Mail the
check with your completed application to Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579, or the overnight address, 330 West 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1514. Investments made by check are redeemable although the Fund may withhold payment until the purchase check has cleared. See the section "Selling Restrictions." |
Make out
a check in U.S. dollars for the investment amount, payable to "Natixis Funds." Third party checks, "starter" checks and credit card convenience checks will not be accepted. Complete
the investment slip from an account statement or include a letter specifying the Fund name, your class of shares, your account number and the registered account name(s). Investments made by check are redeemable although the Fund may withhold payment until the purchase check has cleared. See the section "Selling
Restrictions." |
By Exchange (See the section "Exchanging Shares" for more details.) |
Call your
investment dealer or Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com to 1) obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging and 2) request an exchange. In
writing: Mail request to Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579, or the overnight address, 330 West 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1514. |
Call your
investment dealer or Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com to request an exchange. In
writing: Mail request to Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579, or the overnight address, 330 West 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1514. |
By Wire |
For Class
Y shares only, mail your completed application to Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579. Call Natixis Funds to obtain an account number and wire transfer instructions. Your bank may charge you for such a transfer. |
Visit
ngam.natixis.com or instruct your bank to transfer funds to State Street Bank & Trust Company, ABA #011000028, and DDA #99011538. Specify the Fund name, your class of shares, your account number and the registered account name(s). Your bank may
charge you for such a transfer. |
Through Automated Clearing House ("ACH") |
Although
you cannot open an account through ACH, you may add this feature by selecting it on your account application. Ask your
bank or credit union whether it is a member of the ACH system. |
Call
Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com to add shares to your account through ACH. If you
have not signed up for the ACH system, please call Natixis Funds or visit ngam.natixis.com for a Service Options Form. A medallion signature guarantee may be required to add this privilege. Redemption proceeds may not be available immediately upon redemption for shares purchased through ACH. See the section "Selling Restrictions." |
Automatic Investing Through Investment Builder |
Although
you cannot open an account through Investment Builder, you may add this feature by selecting it on your account application. The Fund minimum must be met in order to establish an account. Ask your
bank or credit union whether it is a member of the ACH system. |
If you
have not signed up for Investment Builder, please call Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com for a Service Options Form. A medallion signature guarantee may be required to add this privilege. See the
section "Additional Investor Services." Redemption proceeds may not be available immediately upon redemption for shares purchased through ACH. See the section "Selling Restrictions." |
Selling Shares
To Sell Some or All of Your Shares
Certain restrictions may apply. Redemption proceeds may not be available immediately upon redemption for shares purchased by check, through ACH or Investment Builder. See the section "Restrictions on Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares." Generally, a transaction fee will be charged for expedited payment of redemption proceeds of $5.50 for wire transfers, $50 for international wire transfers or $20.50 for overnight delivery. These fees are subject to change.
Redemptions of more than $100,000 cannot be processed on the same day unless the proceeds of the redemption are sent via pre-established banking information on the account. Please see the "Selling Shares in Writing" section for more information.
Through Your Investment Dealer |
Call your
investment dealer for information. Dealers may also charge you a processing or service fee in connection with the redemption of Fund shares. |
By Mail |
Write a
letter to request a redemption. Specify the name of your Fund, class of shares, account number, the exact registered account name(s), the number of shares or the dollar amount to be redeemed and the method by which you wish to receive your proceeds.
Additional materials may be required. See the section "Selling Shares in Writing." The
request must be signed by all of the owners of the shares and must include the capacity in which they are signing, if appropriate. Mail your
request by regular mail to Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579 or by registered, express or certified mail to Natixis Funds, 330 West 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1514. Proceeds
(less any applicable CDSC) will be delivered by the method chosen in your letter. Proceeds delivered by mail will generally be mailed to you within three business days after the request is received in good order, although it may take longer. See the
sections "Selling Shares in Writing" and "Selling Restrictions." |
By Exchange |
Obtain a
current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by calling your investment dealer or Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com. Call
Natixis Funds or visit ngam.natixis.com to request an exchange. |
By Wire |
Complete
the "Bank Information" section on your account application. Call Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478, visit ngam.natixis.com or indicate in your redemption request letter (see above) that you wish to have your proceeds wired to your
bank. Proceeds (less any applicable CDSC) will generally be wired on the next business day, although it may take longer. See the sections "Selling Shares in Writing" and "Selling Restrictions." A wire fee will
be deducted from the proceeds. Your bank may charge you a fee to receive the wire. If you have not signed up for banking information on your application, please call Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com for a Service Options Form.
A medallion signature guarantee may be required to add this privilege. |
Through ACH |
Ask your
bank or credit union whether it is a member of the ACH system. Complete the "Bank Information" section on your account application. If you
have not signed up for the ACH system on your application, please call Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or visit ngam.natixis.com for a Service Options Form. A medallion signature guarantee may be required to add this privilege. Call
Natixis Funds or visit ngam.natixis.com to request an ACH redemption or indicate in your redemption letter that you wish to have your proceeds sent to your bank through ACH. Proceeds
(less any applicable CDSC) will generally arrive at your bank within three business days, although it may take longer. See the sections "Selling Shares in Writing" and "Selling Restrictions." |
By Telephone |
Call
Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 to choose the method you wish to use to redeem your shares. You may receive your proceeds (less any applicable CDSC) by mail, by wire or through ACH (see above), subject to certain restrictions. See the sections
"Selling Shares in Writing" and "Selling Restrictions." Redemptions by check in the amount greater than $100,000 must be done in writing. |
By Systematic Withdrawal Plan |
Call
Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or your financial representative for more information. Because
withdrawal payments may have tax consequences, you should consult your tax adviser before establishing such a plan. See the sections "Selling Shares in Writing" and "Selling Restrictions." |
Selling Shares in Writing
If you wish to redeem your shares in writing, all owners of the shares must sign the redemption request in the exact names in which the shares are registered and indicate any special capacity in which they are signing. In certain situations, you will be required to make your request to sell shares in writing. In these instances, a letter of instruction signed by the authorized owner is necessary. In certain situations, we also may require a medallion signature guarantee or additional documentation.
A medallion signature guarantee protects you against fraudulent orders and is necessary if:
your address of record or bank account information has been changed within the past 30 days; you are
selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and you are requesting the proceeds by check (this does not apply to IRA transfer of assets to a new custodian); a
proceeds check for any amount is either mailed to an address other than the address of record or not payable to the registered owner(s); or the
proceeds are sent by check, wire or in some circumstances ACH to a bank account whose owner(s) do not match the owner(s) of the fund account.
A notary public cannot provide a medallion signature guarantee. The Fund will only accept medallion signature guarantees bearing the STAMP2000 Medallion imprint. A medallion signature guarantee can be obtained from one of the following sources:
a
financial representative or securities dealer; a federal savings bank, cooperative or other type of bank; a savings
and loan or other thrift institution; a credit union; or a securities exchange or clearing agency.
In some situations additional documentation may be necessary. Please contact your financial representative or Natixis Funds regarding documentation requirements.
Exchanging Shares
Exchanging Shares In general, you may exchange Class A, Class C or Class Y of the Fund for shares of the same class of another Natixis Fund or Loomis Sayles Fund that offers such class of shares, without paying a sales charge or a CDSC, if applicable (see the sections "Buying Shares" and "Selling Shares") subject to restrictions noted below. The exchange must be for at least the minimum to open an account (or the total NAV of your account, whichever is less), or, once the fund minimum is met, exchanges under the Automatic Exchange Plan must be made for at least $100 (see the section "Additional Investor Services"). You may exchange Class Y shares of the Fund, subject to minimum investment requirements, for Institutional Class shares of any series of Loomis Sayles Funds that offers Institutional Class shares subject to certain restrictions noted below. The exchange must be for at least the minimum to open an account (or the total NAV of your account, whichever is less). All exchanges are subject to the eligibility requirements of the fund into which you are exchanging and any other limits on sales of or exchanges into that fund. The exchange privilege may be exercised only in those states where shares of such funds may be legally sold. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, an exchange of Fund shares for shares of another fund is generally treated as a sale on which gain or loss may be recognized. Subject to the applicable rules of the SEC, the Board of Trustees reserves the right to modify the exchange privilege at any time. Before requesting an exchange into any other fund, please read its prospectus carefully. You may be unable to hold your shares through the same financial
intermediary if you engage in certain share exchanges. You should contact your financial intermediary for further details. Please refer to the SAI for more detailed information on exchanging Fund shares.
In certain limited circumstances, accounts participating in wrap fee programs or held through a registered investment adviser may exchange Class Y shares of the Fund for Class A shares of the Fund. Class Y shares may be converted to Class A shares of the Fund if the Class Y shares are held in an investment option or program that no longer permits the use of Class Y shares in that option or program or if the shareholder otherwise becomes ineligible to participate in Class Y shares. Exchanges from Class Y shares to Class A shares will not be subject to an initial sales charge; however, future purchases may be subject to a sales charge, if applicable. In order to exchange shares, a representative of the wrap fee program or a registered investment adviser must follow the procedures set forth by the Distributor.
Accounts participating in or moving into wrap-fee programs or held through a registered investment adviser may exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Class Y shares of the Fund and may also exchange Class C shares of the Fund for Class A shares or Class Y shares of the Fund. Any account with an outstanding CDSC liability will be assessed the CDSC before converting to either Class A or Class Y shares. Accounts converting from Class C shares to Class A shares will not be subject to any Class A sales charges as a result of the initial conversion or any subsequent purchases of Class A shares. In order to exchange shares, a representative of the wrap-fee program or registered investment adviser must follow the procedures set forth by the Distributor. An exchange of shares for shares of a different class in the same fund generally should not be a taxable event for the exchanging shareholder.
Class A shares of the Fund acquired by Fund trustees, former Fund trustees, employees of affiliates of the Natixis Funds, individuals who are affiliated with any Natixis Fund (including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and in-laws of those mentioned), Natixis and Natixis affiliate benefit plans (collectively, "Natixis affiliated shareholders") may be exchanged for Class Y shares of the Fund without payment of a CDSC.
In order to exchange shares, a representative of the employer-sponsored retirement plan must follow the procedures set forth by the Distributor.
Due to operational limitations at your financial intermediary, your ability to exchange between share classes of the same fund may be limited. Please consult your financial representative for more information.
Cost Basis Reporting. Upon the redemption or exchange of your shares in the Fund, or, if you purchased your shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, your financial intermediary will be required to provide you and the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. Please contact the Fund at 800-225-5478, visit ngam.natixis.com or consult your financial intermediary, as appropriate, for more information regarding available methods for cost basis reporting and how to select a particular method. Please also consult your tax adviser to determine which available cost basis method is best for you.
Restrictions on Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares
The Fund discourages excessive short-term trading that may be detrimental to the Fund and its shareholders. Frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by shareholders may present certain risks for other shareholders in the Fund. This includes the risk of diluting the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders, interfering with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio and increasing brokerage and administrative costs. Funds investing in securities that require special valuation processes (such as foreign securities, below investment grade securities or small-cap securities), also may have increased exposure to these risks. The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies to address and discourage such trading.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend or change the terms of purchasing or exchanging shares. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason, including if the transaction is deemed not to be in the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders or possibly disruptive to the management of the Fund. A shareholder whose exchange order has been rejected may still redeem its shares by submitting a redemption request as described under "Selling Shares."
Limits on Frequent Trading. Excessive trading activity in the Fund is measured by the number of round trip transactions in a shareholder's account. A round trip is defined as (1) a purchase (including a purchase by exchange) into the Fund followed by a redemption (including a redemption by exchange) of any amount out of the Fund; or (2) a redemption (including a redemption by exchange) out of the Fund followed by a purchase (including a purchase by exchange) of any amount into the Fund. Two round trip transactions in the Fund within a rolling 90-day period is considered to be excessive and will constitute a violation of the Fund's trading limitations. After the detection of a first violation, the Fund or the Distributor will issue the shareholder and his or her financial intermediary, if any, a written warning. After the detection of a second violation (i.e., two more round trip transactions in the Fund within a rolling 90-day period), the Fund or the Distributor will restrict the account from making subsequent purchases (including purchases by exchange) for 90 days. After the detection of a third violation, the Fund or the Distributor will permanently restrict the account and any other accounts under the shareholder's control in any Natixis Fund from making subsequent purchases (including purchases by exchange). The above limits are applicable whether a shareholder holds shares directly with the Fund or indirectly through a financial intermediary, such as a broker, bank, investment adviser, recordkeeper for retirement plan participants, or other third party. The preceding is not an exclusive description of activities that the Fund and the Distributor may consider to be excessive and, at its discretion, the Fund and the Distributor may restrict or prohibit transactions by such identified shareholders or intermediaries.
Notwithstanding the above, certain financial intermediaries, such as retirement plan administrators, may monitor and restrict the frequency of purchase and redemption transactions in a manner different from that described above. The policies of these intermediaries may be more or less restrictive than the generally applicable policies described above. The Fund may choose to rely on a financial intermediary's restrictions on frequent trading in place of the Fund's own restrictions if the Fund determines, at its discretion, that the financial intermediary's restrictions provide reasonable protection for the Fund from
excessive short-term trading activity. Please contact your financial representative for additional information regarding their policies for limiting the frequent trading of Fund shares.
This policy also does not apply with respect to shares purchased by certain funds-of-funds or similar asset allocation programs that rebalance their investments only infrequently. To be eligible for this exemption, the fund-of-funds or asset allocation program must identify itself to and receive prior written approval from the Fund or the Distributor. The Fund and the Distributor may request additional information to enable them to determine that the fund-of-funds or asset allocation program is not designed to and/or is not serving as a vehicle for disruptive short-term trading, which may include requests for (i) written assurances from the sponsor or investment manager of the fund-of-funds or asset allocation program that it enforces the Fund's frequent trading policy on investors or another policy reasonably designed to deter disruptive short-term trading in Fund shares, and/or (ii) data regarding transactions by investors in the fund-of-funds or asset allocation program, for periods and on a frequency determined by the Fund and the Distributor, so that the Fund can monitor compliance by such investors with the trading limitations of the Fund or of the fund-of-funds or asset allocation program. Under certain circumstances, waivers to these conditions (including waivers to permit more frequent rebalancing) may be approved for programs that in the Fund's opinion are not vehicles for market timing and are not likely to engage in abusive trading.
Trade Activity Monitoring. Trading activity is monitored selectively on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If the Fund or the Distributor believes that a shareholder or financial intermediary has engaged in excessive, short-term trading activity, it may, at its discretion, request that the shareholder or financial intermediary stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the accounts. At its discretion, the Fund and the Distributor, as well as an adviser to the Fund may ban trading in an account if, in their judgment, a shareholder or financial intermediary has engaged in short-term transactions that, while not necessarily in violation of the Fund's stated policies on frequent trading, are harmful to the Fund or its shareholders. The Fund and the Distributor also reserve the right to notify financial intermediaries of the shareholder's trading activity.
Accounts Held by Financial Intermediaries. The ability of the Fund and the Distributor to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary maintains the record of the Fund's underlying beneficial owners. In general, the Fund and the Distributor will review trading activity at the omnibus account level. If the Fund and the Distributor detect suspicious activity, they may request and receive personal identifying information and transaction histories for some or all underlying shareholders (including plan participants) to determine whether such shareholders have engaged in excessive short-term trading activity. If the Fund believes that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading activity in violation of the Fund's policies through an omnibus account, the Fund will attempt to limit transactions by the underlying shareholder that engaged in such trading, although it may be unable to do so. The Fund may also limit or prohibit additional purchases of Fund shares by an intermediary. Investors should not assume the Fund will be able to detect or prevent all trading practices that may disadvantage the Fund.
Purchase Restrictions
The Fund is required by federal regulations to obtain certain personal information from you and to use that information to verify your identity. The Fund may not be able to open your account if the requested information is not provided. The Fund reserves the right to refuse to open an account, close an account and redeem your shares at the then-current price or take other such steps that the Fund deems necessary to comply with federal regulations if your identity cannot be verified.
Selling Restrictions
The table below describes restrictions placed on selling shares of the Fund. Please see the SAI for additional information regarding redemption payment policies.
Restriction |
Situation |
Each Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone payment for more than 7 days: |
When the
New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is closed (other than a weekend/holiday) as permitted by the SEC. During an
emergency as permitted by the SEC. During any other period permitted by the SEC. |
Each Fund reserves the right to suspend account services or refuse transaction requests: |
With a
notice of a dispute between registered owners or death of a registered owner. With suspicion/evidence of a fraudulent act. |
Each Fund may pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities in lieu of cash or may take up to 7 days to pay a redemption request in order to raise capital: |
When it
is detrimental for a Fund to make cash payments as determined in the sole discretion of the Adviser or Subadviser. |
Each Fund may withhold redemption proceeds for 10 days from the purchase date: |
When
redemptions are made within 10 calendar days of purchase by check or ACH to allow the check or ACH transaction to clear. |
Although most redemptions are made in cash, as described in the SAI, the Fund reserves the right to redeem shares in kind. If a shareholder receives a distribution in kind, the shareholder will bear the market risk associated with the distributed securities and may incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
How Fund Shares Are Priced
NAV is the price of one share of the Fund without a sales charge, and is calculated each business day using this formula:
The NAV of Fund shares is determined pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, as summarized below:
A share's
NAV is determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the days the NYSE is open for trading. This is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. The Fund's shares will not be priced on the days on which the NYSE is
closed for trading. In addition, the Fund's shares will not be priced on the holidays listed in the SAI. See the section "Net Asset Value" in the SAI for more details. The price
you pay for purchasing, redeeming or exchanging a share will be based upon the NAV next calculated (plus or minus applicable sales charges as described earlier in the Fund Summary) after your order is received by the transfer agent, Boston
Financial Data Services, Inc., "in good order" (meaning that the order is complete and contains all necessary information).1 Requests
received by the Fund after the NYSE closes will be processed based upon the NAV determined at the close of regular trading on the next day that the NYSE is open. If the transfer agent receives the order in good order prior to market close (normally
4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the shareholder will receive that day's NAV. Under limited circumstances, the Distributor may enter into contractual agreements pursuant to which orders received by your investment dealer before the Fund determines its
NAV and transmitted to the transfer agent prior to market open on the next business day are processed at the NAV determined on the day the order was received by your investment dealer. Please contact your investment dealer to determine whether it
has entered into such a contractual agreement. If your investment dealer has not entered into such a contractual agreement, your order will be processed at the NAV next determined after your investment dealer submits the order to the
Fund. If the Fund invests in foreign securities, it may have NAV changes on days when you cannot buy or sell its shares.
1 |
Please see the section "Buying Shares," which provides additional information regarding who can receive a purchase order. |
Generally, during times of substantial economic or market change, it may be difficult to place your order by phone. During these times, you may send your order by mail as described in the sections "Buying Shares" and "Selling Shares."
Fund securities and other investments for which market quotations are readily available, as outlined in the Fund's policies and procedures, are valued at market value. The Fund may use independent pricing services recommended by the Adviser and approved by the Board of Trustees to obtain market quotations. Generally, Fund securities and other investments are valued as follows:
Equity
securities (including closed-end investment companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), exchange traded notes, rights, and warrants — last sale price quoted on the exchange or market where traded most extensively or, if there is no
reported sale during the day, the closing bid quotation as reported by an independent pricing service. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global Market and NASDAQ Capital Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing
Price ("NOCP"), or if lacking an NOCP, at the most recent bid quotations on the applicable NASDAQ Market. In some foreign markets, an official close price and a last sale price may be available from the foreign exchange or market. In those cases,
the official close price is used. Valuations from foreign markets are subject to the Funds' fair value policies described below. If a right is not traded on any exchange, its value is based on the market value of the underlying security, less the
cost to subscribe to the underlying security (e.g., to exercise the right), adjusted for the subscription ratio. If a warrant is not traded on any exchange, a price is obtained from a broker-dealer. Debt
Securities (other than short-term obligations purchased with an original or remaining maturity of sixty days or less) and unlisted equity securities —evaluated bids furnished to the Fund by an independent pricing service using market
information, transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between securities, if available, or bid prices obtained from broker-dealers. Senior
Loans — bid prices supplied by an independent pricing service, if available, or bid prices obtained from broker-dealers. Short-Term Obligations (purchased with an original or remaining maturity of 60 days or less) — amortized cost (which approximates market value). Bilateral Swaps — Bilateral credit default swaps are valued based on mid prices (between the bid price and the ask price) supplied by an independent pricing
service. Bilateral interest rate swaps are valued based on prices supplied by an independent pricing service. If prices from an independent pricing service are not available, prices from a broker-dealer may be used. Centrally Cleared Swaps — settlement prices of the clearinghouse on which the contracts were traded or prices obtained from broker-dealers. Options— domestic exchange-traded single equity option contracts are valued at the mean of the National Best Bid and Offer
quotations. Option contracts on indices shall be priced at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations as of the close of trading on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Options on futures contracts are valued using the current settlement price
on the exchange on which, over time, they are traded most extensively. Other exchange-traded options are valued at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the exchange on which, over time, they are traded most extensively.
Over-the-counter ("OTC") currency options and swaptions are valued at mid prices (between the bid and the ask price) supplied by an independent pricing service, if available. Other OTC option contracts (including currency options and swaptions not
priced through an independent pricing service) are valued based on prices obtained from broker-dealers. Futures
— current settlement price on the exchange on which the Adviser believes that, over time, they are traded most extensively. Forward
Foreign Currency Contracts — interpolated rates determined based on information provided by an independent pricing service.
Foreign denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars based upon foreign exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. Fund securities and other investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund may also value securities and other investments at fair value in other circumstances such as when extraordinary events occur after the close of a foreign market but prior to the close of the NYSE. This may include situations relating to a single issuer (such as a declaration of bankruptcy or a delisting of the issuer's security from the primary market on which it has traded) as well as events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets). When fair valuing its securities or other investments, the Fund may, among other things, use modeling tools or other processes that may take into account factors such as securities or other market activity and/or significant events that occur after the close of the foreign market and before the time the Fund's NAV is calculated. Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security, and fair values used to determine the Fund's NAV may differ from quoted or published prices, or from prices that are used by others, for the same securities. In addition, the use of fair value pricing may not always result in adjustments to the prices of securities held by the Fund.
Trading in some of the portfolio securities or other investments of the Fund takes place in various markets outside the United States on days and at times other than when the NYSE is open for trading. Therefore, the calculation of the Fund's NAV does not take place at the same time as the prices of many of its portfolio securities or other investments are determined, and the value of the Fund's portfolios may change on days when the Fund is not open for business and their shares may not be purchased or redeemed.
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund generally distributes all or substantially all of its net investment income (other than capital gains) in the form of dividends. The Fund declares and pays its dividends annually. The Fund expects to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized long- and short-term capital gains annually, after applying any capital loss carryovers. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Trustees may adopt a different schedule for making distributions as long as payments are made at least annually.
Distributions will automatically be reinvested in shares of the same class of the distributing Fund at NAV unless you select one of the following alternatives:
Participate in the Dividend Diversification Program, which allows you to have all dividends and distributions automatically invested at NAV in shares of the same class
of another Natixis Fund registered in your name. Certain investment minimums and restrictions may apply. For more information about the program, see the section "Additional Investor Services." Receive
distributions from dividends and interest in cash while reinvesting distributions from capital gains in additional shares of the of same class of the Fund, or in the same class of another Natixis Fund; or Receive
all distributions in cash.
If a dividend or capital gain distribution check remains uncashed for six months and your account is still open, the Fund will reinvest the dividend or distribution in additional shares of the Fund promptly after making this determination and the check will be canceled. In addition, future dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless you subsequently contact the Fund and request to receive distributions by check.
For more information or to change your distribution option, contact Natixis Funds in writing or call 800-225-5478.
If you earn more than $10 annually in taxable income from a Natixis Fund held in a non-retirement plan account, you will receive a Form 1099 to help you report the prior calendar year's distributions on your U.S. federal income tax return. This information will also be reported to the IRS. Be sure to keep this Form 1099 as a permanent record. A fee may be charged for any duplicate information requested.
Tax Consequences
Except where noted, the discussion below addresses only certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund and does not address any foreign, state or local tax consequences.
The Fund intends to meet all
requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), necessary to qualify
each year for treatment as a "regulated investment company" and thus does not expect to pay any federal income tax on income and
capital gains that
are timely distributed to shareholders.
Unless otherwise noted, the discussion below, to the extent it describes shareholder-level tax consequences, pertains solely to taxable shareholders. The Fund is not managed with a view toward minimizing taxes imposed on such shareholders.
Taxation of Distributions from the Fund. For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to Fundshareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generatedthem, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. Distributions attributable to the excess of net long-term capital gains from thesale of investments that the Fund owned for more than one year over net short-term capital losses and that are properly reported by the Fund as capitalgain dividends ("Capital Gain Dividends") will generally be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gain includible in net
capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions attributable to the excess of net short-term capital gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less over net long-term capital losses will be taxable as ordinary income.
Distributions of investment income properly reported by the Fund as derived from "qualified dividend income" will be taxed in the hands of individuals atthe reduced rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. Income generated by investments in fixed-income securities and derivatives generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. Dividends received by the Fund from foreign corporations that are not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (other than dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) will not be treated as qualified dividend income, and hence will not increase the amount of a Fund's distributions that may be designated as qualified dividend income.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the net investment income of individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and of certain trusts and estates under similar rules. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends, including any capital gain dividends, paid by the Fund, and net capital gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund.
Fund distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional shares of the Fund. In addition, Fund distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares). Such distributions may occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund's NAV reflects gains that are either unrealized or realized but not distributed.
Dividends and distributions declared by the Fund
in October, November or December of one year and paid in January of the next taxable year generally
are taxable in the year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the year in which the distributions are received.
Dividends derived from interest on securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if any, may be exempt
from state and
local income taxes. The Fund will advise shareholders annually of the proportion of its dividends that are derived from such interest.
Distributions by the Fund to retirement plans and other investors that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws generally will
not be taxable, although distributions by
retirement plans to their participants may be taxable. Special tax rules apply to investments through such retirement plans. If your investment is through such a plan, you should consult your tax adviser to determine the suitability of the Fund as
an investment through your plan and the tax treatment of distributions to you (including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in the Fund) from the plan.
Redemption, Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares. A redemption, sale or exchange of Fund shares (including an exchange of Fund shares for
shares of another Natixis Fund or Loomis Sayles
Fund) is a taxable event and will generally result in recognition of gain or loss. Gain or loss, if any, recognized by a shareholder on a redemption, sale, exchange or other disposition of Fund shares will generally be taxed as long-term capital
gain or loss if the shareholder held the shares for more than one year, and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder held the shares for one year or less, assuming in each case that the shareholder held the shares as capital assets.
Short-term capital gains are generally taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income. Any loss realized upon a disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, capital loss to the extent of
any Capital Gain Dividends received by the shareholder with respect to the shares. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Taxation of Certain Fund Investments. The Fund's investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. Inthat case, the Fund's yield on those securities would be decreased. If the Fund invests more than 50% of its assets in foreign securities, it generally mayelect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund. In addition, the Fund's investments in foreign securities and foreign currency may be subject to special tax rules that have the effect of increasing or accelerating the Fund's recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the Fund's distributions to shareholders.
The Fund's investments in certain debt obligations (such as "OID" securities as defined in the SAI), derivatives, or REITs may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such investments. Thus, the Fund could be required to liquidate investments, including at times when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.
The Fund's use of certain derivative instruments can bear on or be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company. The tax treatment of such derivative instruments is not certain under the qualification tests applicable to regulated investment companies. In the event the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income.
Backup Withholding. The Fund is required in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding to taxable dividends, redemption proceeds and
certain other payments that are paid to any
shareholder if the shareholder does not furnish to the Fund certain information and certifications or the shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is 28%.
Please see the SAI for additional information on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
You should consult your tax adviser for more information on your own situation, including possible federal, state, local, foreign or other applicable taxes.
Additional Investor Services
Retirement Plans
Natixis Funds offer a range of retirement plans, including Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, IRAs, SEPs and other pension and profit sharing plans. Refer to the section "It's Easy to Open an Account" for investment minimums. For more information about our Retirement Plans, call us at 800-225-5478.
Investment Builder Program
This is Natixis Funds' automatic investment plan. Once you meet the Fund minimum, you may authorize automatic monthly transfers of $50 or more per Fund from your bank checking or savings account to purchase shares of one or more Natixis Funds. For instructions on how to join the Investment Builder Program, please refer to the section "Buying Shares."
Dividend Diversification Program
This program allows you to have all dividends and any other distributions automatically invested in shares of the same class of another Natixis Fund subject to the eligibility requirements of that other fund and to state securities law requirements. The fund minimum must be met in the new fund prior to establishing the dividend diversification program. Shares will be purchased at the selected fund's NAV without a front-end sales charge or CDSC on the ex dividend date. Before establishing a Dividend Diversification Program into any other Natixis Fund, please read its prospectus carefully.
Automatic Exchange Plan
Natixis Funds have an automatic exchange plan under which shares of a class of a Natixis Fund are automatically exchanged each month for shares of the same class of another Natixis Fund. The fund minimum must be met prior to establishing an automatic exchange plan. There is no fee for exchanges made under this plan. Please see the section "Exchanging Shares" above and refer to the SAI for more information on the Automatic Exchange Plan.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
This plan allows you to redeem shares and receive payments from the Fund on a regular schedule. Redemptions of shares that are part of the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are not subject to a CDSC, however, the amount or percentage you specify in the plan may not exceed, on an annualized basis, 10% of the value of your Fund account based upon the value of your Fund account on the day you establish your plan. For information on establishing a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please refer to the section "Selling Shares."
Natixis Funds Personal Access Line®
This automated customer service system allows you to have access to your account 24 hours a day by calling 800-225-5478, and pressing 1. With a touch-tone telephone, you can obtain information about your current account balance, recent transactions, Fund prices and recent performance. You may also use Personal Access Line® to purchase, exchange or redeem shares in any of your existing accounts. Certain restrictions may apply.
Natixis Funds Website
Visit us at ngam.natixis.com to review your account balance and recent transactions, to view current net asset value per share and performance information or to order duplicate account statements and tax information. You may also go online to purchase, exchange or redeem shares in your existing accounts. Certain restrictions may apply.
Financial Performance |
Financial Performance
The Fund is new and has not yet issued financial statements.
If you would like more information about the Fund, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual and Semiannual Reports—Provide additional information about the Fund's investments. The report includes a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)—Provides more detailed information about the Fund and its investment limitations and policies. The SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference.
For a free copy of the Fund's annual or semiannual reports or its SAI, to request other information about the Fund, and to make shareholder inquiries generally, contact your financial representative, visit the Fund's website at ngam.natixis.com or call the Fund at 800-225- 5478.
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents:
In our continuing effort to reduce your Fund's expenses and the amount of mail that you receive from us, we will combine mailings of prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports and proxy statements to your household. If more than one family member in your household owns the same fund or funds described in a single prospectus, report or proxy statement, you will receive one mailing unless you request otherwise. Additional copies of our prospectuses, reports or proxy statements may be obtained at any time by calling 800-225-5478. If you are currently receiving multiple mailings to your household and would like to receive only one mailing or if you wish to receive separate mailings for each member of your household in the future, please call us at the telephone number listed above and we will resume separate mailings within 30 days of your request.
Your financial representative or Natixis Funds will also be happy to answer your questions or to provide any additional information that you may require.
Information about the Fund, including its reports and SAI, can be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC in Washington, D.C. Text-only copies of the Fund's reports and SAI are available free from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at: www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090.
Portfolio Holdings—A description of the Fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio securities is available in the SAI.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-00242 |
XSE51-0714 |
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
July 10, 2014
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II
SEEYOND MULTI-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND (the Fund)
Class A (SAFAX), Class C (SAFCX) and Class Y (SAFYX)
This Statement of Additional Information (Statement) contains specific information that may be useful to investors but that is not included in the Statutory Prospectus of the Fund. This Statement is not a prospectus and is authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by the Funds Summary or Statutory Prospectus, each dated July 10, 2014 (the Prospectus), as from time to time revised or supplemented. This Statement should be read together with the Prospectus. Investors may obtain the Prospectus without charge from NGAM Distribution, L.P. (the Distributor), Prospectus Fulfillment Desk, 399 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, by calling Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478 or by visiting the Funds website at ngam.natixis.com.
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A-1 |
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The following is a description of restrictions on the investments to be made by the Fund. The restrictions marked with an asterisk (*) are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act)). The other restrictions set forth below are not fundamental policies and may be changed by the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board). Except in the case of the restriction marked with a dagger () below, the percentages set forth below and the percentage limitations set forth in the Prospectus apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of a purchase of such security. The Fund has elected to be classified as a non-diversified series of an open-end investment company.
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund may not:
*(1) | Purchase any security (other than U.S. government securities) if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in any one industry. For purposes of this restriction, telephone, gas and electric public utilities are each regarded as separate industries and finance companies whose financing activities are related primarily to the activities of their parent companies are classified in the industry of their parents. For purposes of this restriction, asset-backed securities are not considered to be bank obligations. For purposes of this restriction, different commodities are considered to be separate industries (e.g., oil futures would be in the oil industry, and an exchange-traded fund that invests in gold bullion would be in the gold industry), and investments in companies whose returns are related to the returns of one or more commodities (e.g., mining companies) are considered to be in different industries from the underlying commodities (e.g., mining companies are not considered to be in the oil, gas or gold industries). Therefore, for purposes of determining whether the Fund has invested 25% or more of its assets in any one industry, commodity investments would not be aggregated with investments in companies whose returns are related to the returns of one or more commodities (i.e., an oil company would not be aggregated with oil futures). Securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. national, state and local governments are not considered to be in any industry. |
*(2) | Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
*(3) | Make loans, except that the Fund may purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, provided, however, this restriction does not apply to repurchase agreements or loans of portfolio securities. |
*(4) | Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers except that, in the disposition of portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws. |
*(5) | Purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase securities of issuers which deal in real estate, securities which are secured by interests in real estate, and securities which represent interests in real estate, and it may acquire and dispose of real estate or interests in real estate acquired through the exercise of its rights as a holder of debt obligations secured by real estate or interests therein. |
*(6) | Issue senior securities, except for permitted borrowings or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act. |
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund may:
*(7) | Purchase and sell commodities to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. |
Restriction (6) shall be interpreted based upon no-action letters and other pronouncements of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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General Notes on Investment Restrictions
In addition to temporary borrowing, and subject to any stricter restrictions on borrowing applicable to any particular fund, the Fund may borrow from any bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by the Fund and provided further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, the Fund shall, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) thereafter or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowing shall be at least 300%. With respect to restrictions on borrowing, the 1940 Act limits the Funds ability to borrow money on a non-temporary basis if such borrowings constitute senior securities. The Fund may also borrow money or engage in economically similar transactions if those transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act.
Under current pronouncements, certain positions (e.g., reverse repurchase agreements) are excluded from the definition of senior security so long as the Fund maintains adequate cover, segregation of assets or otherwise. Similarly, a short sale will not be considered a senior security if the Fund takes certain steps contemplated by SEC staff pronouncements, such as ensuring the short sale transaction is adequately covered.
The Fund may not purchase any illiquid security if, as a result, more than 15% of the Funds net assets (based on current value) would then be invested in such securities. This policy may be changed without a shareholder vote. The staff of the SEC is presently of the view that repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are subject to this restriction. Until that position is revised, modified or rescinded, the Fund will conduct its operations in a manner consistent with this view. This limitation on investment in illiquid securities does not apply to certain securities which might otherwise be considered illiquid, including securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) and certain commercial paper, which the Funds adviser has determined to be liquid under procedures approved by the Board.
For purposes of the foregoing restrictions, the Fund does not consider a swap or other derivative contract on one or more commodities, securities, indices, currencies or interest rates to be a commodity or a commodity contract.
Advisory Fees
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US or Adviser) has agreed to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of Natixis Funds Trust II. For the services described in the advisory agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay Natixis AM US an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily net assets.
Natixis AM US has given a binding contractual undertaking to all classes of the Fund to waive its advisory fee and, if necessary, to reimburse certain expenses related to operating the Fund in order to limit the Funds expenses, exclusive of acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage expenses, interest expense, taxes, organizational and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation and indemnification expenses, to the annual rates indicated below. The undertaking is in effect until April 30, 2016 for the Fund and may be terminated before then only with the consent of the Board. The undertaking will be reevaluated on an annual basis thereafter, subject to the obligation of the Fund to repay such advisory fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed in later periods to the extent that the classs expenses fall below the expense limit; provided, however, that the Fund is not obligated to repay such waived/reimbursed fees and expenses more than one year after the end of the fiscal year in which the fees or expenses were waived/reimbursed.
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Fund |
Expense Limit |
Date of Undertaking |
||||||
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund |
July 10, 2014 | |||||||
Class A |
1.30 | % | ||||||
Class C |
2.05 | % | ||||||
Class Y |
1.05 | % |
The Fund is newly formed and thus has not incurred any advisory fees as of the date of this Statement.
For more information about the Funds advisory agreement, see Investment Advisory and Other Services.
Brokerage Commissions
The Fund is newly formed and thus has not incurred any brokerage commissions as of the date of this Statement.
For a description of how transactions in portfolio securities are effected and how the Adviser selects brokers, see the section Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.
Regular Broker-Dealers
The Fund is newly formed and thus does not have any holdings of its regular broker-dealers as of the date of this Statement.
Sales Charges and Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
As explained in this Statement, the Class A and Class C shares of the Fund pay the Distributor fees under plans adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Plans). The Fund is newly formed and thus has not paid any Rule 12b-1 fees as of the date of this Statement.
The Fund is newly formed and has not yet publicly offered shares prior to the date of this Statement.
The Fund may experience large redemptions or investments due to transactions in Fund shares by funds of funds, other large shareholders or similarly managed accounts. While it is impossible to predict the overall effect of these transactions over time, there could be an adverse impact on the Funds performance. In the event of such redemptions or investments, the Fund could be required to sell securities or to invest cash at a time when it may not otherwise desire to do so. Such transactions may increase the Funds brokerage and/or other transaction costs. In addition, when funds of funds or other investors own a substantial portion of the Funds shares, a large redemption by a fund of funds could cause actual expenses to increase, or could result in the Funds current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Funds expense ratio. Redemptions of fund shares could also accelerate the realization of taxable capital gains in the Fund if sales of securities result in capital gains. The impact of these transactions is likely to be greater when a fund of funds or other significant investor purchases, redeems, or owns a substantial portion of the Funds shares. When possible, the Funds Adviser will consider how to minimize these potential adverse effects, and may take such actions as it deems appropriate to address potential adverse effects, including redemption of shares in-kind rather than in cash or carrying out the transactions over a period of time, although there can be no assurance that such actions will be successful.
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Natixis Funds Trust II (the Trust) is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company. Natixis Funds Trust II is organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of Massachusetts pursuant to a Declaration of Trust (a Declaration of Trust) dated May 6, 1931, as last amended and restated on June 2, 2005, and consisted of a single Fund (now the Natixis Oakmark Fund) until January 1989, when the Trust was reorganized as a series company as described in Section 18(f)(2) of the 1940 Act. Each series (with the exception of the Fund, Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund, Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund and Vaughan Nelson Select Fund) of Natixis Funds Trust II is diversified. The name of Natixis Funds Trust II has changed several times since its organization as noted below:
Name of Trust |
Date | |
Investment Trust of Boston | May 1931 to November 1988 | |
Investment Trust of Boston Funds | December 1988 to April 1992 | |
TNE Funds Trust | April 1992 to March 1994 | |
New England Funds Trust II | April 1994 to January 2000 | |
Nvest Funds Trust II | January 2000 to April 2001 | |
CDC Nvest Funds Trust II | May 2001 to April 2005 | |
IXIS Advisor Funds Trust II | April 2005 to August 2007 | |
Natixis Funds Trust II | August 2007 to present |
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Investment Strategies
The following is a list of certain investment strategies, including particular types of securities or instruments or specific practices that may be used by the Adviser in managing the Fund.
The Funds principal strategies are described in its Prospectus. This Statement describes some of the non-principal strategies the Fund may use, in addition to providing additional information, including related risks, about its principal strategies.
The list of securities or other instruments under each category below is not intended to be an exclusive list of securities, instruments and practices for investment and unless a strategy, practice or security is specifically prohibited by the investment restrictions listed in the Prospectus, in the section Investment Restrictions in this Statement or under applicable law, the Fund may engage in strategies and invest in securities and instruments in addition to those listed below. The Adviser may invest in a general category listed below and, where applicable, with particular emphasis on a certain type of security, but investment is not limited to the categories listed below or the securities specifically enumerated under each category. The Fund is not required to engage in a particular transaction or invest in any security or instrument, even if to do so might benefit the Fund. The Adviser may invest in some securities under a given category as a primary strategy and in other securities under the same category as a secondary strategy. The Adviser may invest in any security that falls under the specific category, including securities that are not listed below.
TYPES OF SECURITIES
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Securities
The Fund may invest in ARMs. An ARM, like a traditional mortgage security, is an interest in a pool of mortgage loans that provides investors with payments consisting of both principal and interest as mortgage loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. ARMs have interest rates that are reset at periodic intervals, usually by reference to some interest rate index or market interest rate. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these securities are still subject to changes in value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuers creditworthiness.
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Since the interest rates are reset only periodically, changes in the interest rate on ARMs may lag behind changes in prevailing market interest rates. In addition, some ARMs (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors that limit the maximum change in interest rate during a specified period or over the life of the security. As a result, changes in the interest rate on an ARM may not fully reflect changes in prevailing market interest rates during certain periods. Because of the resetting of interest rates, ARMs are less likely than non-adjustable rate securities of comparable quality and maturity to increase significantly in value when market interest rates fall. In addition, the Fund will not benefit from increases in interest rates to the extent that interest rates rise to the point where they cause the current coupon of the underlying ARM to exceed a cap rate for a particular mortgage. See Mortgage-Related Securities for more information on the risks involved in ARMs.
Asset-Backed Securities
The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, which are securities that represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, a stream of payments generated by particular assets, most often a pool or pools of similar assets (e.g., trade receivables). The credit quality of these securities depends primarily upon the quality of the underlying assets and the level of credit support and/or enhancement provided. Mortgage-backed securities are a type of asset-backed security. The securitization techniques used to develop mortgage securities are being applied to a broad range of other assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose vehicles, assets, such as automobile and credit card receivables, are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to mortgage pass-through structures or in a pay-through structure similar to a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) structure (described herein). Generally, the issuers of asset-backed bonds, notes or pass-through certificates are special purpose entities and do not have any significant assets other than the receivables securing such obligations. In general, the collateral supporting asset-backed securities is of shorter maturity than mortgage loans. Instruments backed by pools of receivables are similar to mortgage-backed securities in that they are subject to unscheduled prepayments of principal prior to maturity. When the obligations are prepaid, the Fund will ordinarily reinvest the prepaid amounts in securities, the yields of which reflect interest rates prevailing at the time. Therefore, the Funds ability to maintain a portfolio that includes high-yielding asset-backed securities will be adversely affected to the extent that prepayments of principal must be reinvested in securities that have lower yields than the prepaid obligations. Moreover, prepayments of securities purchased at a premium could result in a realized loss. In addition, the value of some mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. These types of securities may also decline for reasons associated with the underlying collateral. Asset-backed securities involve risks similar to those described in the section Mortgage-Related Securities.
The Fund may also gain exposure to asset-backed securities through entering into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments related to this asset class. For example, the Fund may enter into credit default swaps on ABX, which are indices made up of tranches of asset-backed securities, each with different credit ratings. Utilizing ABX, one can either gain synthetic risk exposure to a portfolio of such securities by selling protection or take a short position by buying protection. The protection buyer pays a monthly premium to the protection seller, and the seller agrees to cover any principal losses and interest shortfalls of the referenced underlying asset-backed securities. Credit default swaps and other derivative instruments related to asset-backed securities are subject to the risks associated with asset-backed securities generally, as well as the risks of derivative transactions. See the section Derivative Instruments below.
Investments in Banks
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (certificates representing the obligation of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period of time), time deposits (non-negotiable deposits maintained in a bank for a specified period of time up to seven days at a stated interest rate), bankers acceptances (credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer) and other securities and instruments issued by domestic banks, foreign branches of domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks and domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks. Banks are also expected to serve as counterparties on some of the Funds derivative contracts.
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The Fund may also purchase U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued by foreign branches of domestic banks or foreign branches of foreign banks (Eurodollar obligations) and domestic branches of foreign banks (Yankee dollar obligations).
Eurodollar and other foreign obligations involve special investment risks, including the possibility that (i) liquidity could be impaired because of future political and economic developments, (ii) the obligations may be less marketable than comparable domestic obligations of domestic issuers, (iii) a foreign jurisdiction might impose withholding taxes on interest income payable on those obligations, (iv) deposits may be seized or nationalized, (v) foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls may be adopted which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on those obligations, (vi) the selection of foreign obligations may be more difficult because there may be less information publicly available concerning foreign issuers, (vii) there may be difficulties in enforcing a judgment against a foreign issuer, or (viii) the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to foreign issuers may differ from those applicable to domestic issuers. In addition, foreign banks are not subject to examination by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities.
These restrictions will not limit which banks may serve as counterparties for a Funds derivative instruments.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs)
The Fund may invest in CMOs. CMOs are securities backed by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage securities held under indentures. CMOs may be issued either by U.S. government instrumentalities or by non-governmental entities. CMOs are not direct obligations of the U.S. government. The issuers obligation to make interest and principal payments is secured by the underlying portfolio of mortgages or mortgage securities. CMOs are issued with a number of classes or series, which have different maturities and which may represent interests in some or all of the interest or principal on the underlying collateral or a combination thereof. CMOs of different classes are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. In the event of sufficient early prepayments on such mortgages, the class or series of CMO first to mature generally will be retired prior to its maturity. Thus, the early retirement of a particular class or series of CMO held by the Fund would have a similar effect to the prepayment of mortgages underlying a mortgage pass-through security. CMOs and other asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities may be considered derivative securities. CMOs involve risks similar to those described under Mortgage-Related Securities below.
Commodities General
Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, metals, livestock or agricultural products. Historically, commodity investments have had a relatively high correlation with changes in inflation and a relatively low correlation to stock and bond returns. Commodity-related securities and other instruments provide exposure, which may include long and/or short exposure, to the investment returns of physical commodities that trade in commodities markets, without investing directly in physical commodities. The Fund may invest in commodity-related securities and other instruments, such as structured notes, swap agreements, options, futures and options on futures that derive value from the price movement of commodities, or some other readily measurable economic variable dependent upon changes in the value of commodities or the commodities markets. However, investments in commodity-linked instruments do not generally provide a claim on the underlying commodity. In addition, the ability of the Fund to invest directly in commodities and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments is subject to significant limitations in order to enable the Fund to maintain its status as a RIC under the Code. See Taxes below for more information.
The value of commodity-related instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, volatility of the underlying benchmark, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as droughts, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The value of commodity-related instruments will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index. Investments in commodity-related instruments may be subject to greater volatility than non-commodity-based investments. A highly liquid secondary market may not exist for certain commodity-related instruments, and there can be no assurance that one will develop. Commodity-related instruments are also subject to credit and interest rate risks that in general affect the values of debt securities. The Fund may lose money on its commodity investments.
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Convertible Securities
The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes or preferred stocks of U.S. or foreign issuers that can be converted into (exchanged for) common stocks or other equity securities. Convertible securities also include other securities, such as warrants, that provide an opportunity for equity participation. Since convertible securities may be converted into equity securities, their values will normally vary in some proportion with those of the underlying equity securities. Convertible securities usually provide a higher yield than the underlying equity, however, so that the price decline of a convertible security may sometimes be less substantial than that of the underlying equity security. Convertible securities are generally subject to the same risks as non-convertible fixed-income securities, but usually provide a lower yield than comparable fixed-income securities. Many convertible securities are relatively illiquid.
Corporate Reorganizations
The Fund may invest in securities for which a tender or exchange offer has been made or announced and in securities of companies for which a merger, consolidation, liquidation or reorganization proposal has been announced if, in the judgment of the Adviser, there is a reasonable prospect of capital appreciation significantly greater than the brokerage and other transaction expenses involved. The primary risk of such investments is that if the contemplated transaction is abandoned, revised, delayed or becomes subject to unanticipated uncertainties, the market price of the securities may decline below the purchase price paid by the Fund.
In general, securities which are the subject of such an offer or proposal sell at a premium to their historic market price immediately prior to the announcement of the offer or proposal. However, the increased market price of such securities may also discount what the stated or appraised value of the security would be if the contemplated transaction were approved or consummated. Such investments may be advantageous when the discount significantly overstates the risk of the contingencies involved; significantly undervalues the securities, assets or cash to be received by shareholders of the prospective company as a result of the contemplated transaction; or fails adequately to recognize the possibility that the offer or proposal may be replaced or superseded by an offer or proposal of greater value. The evaluation of such contingencies requires unusually broad knowledge and experience on the part of the Adviser which must appraise not only the value of the issuer and its component businesses, but also the financial resources and business motivation of the offer or proposal as well as the dynamics of the business climate when the offer or proposal is in process.
Debt-Linked and Equity-Linked Securities
The Fund may invest in debt-linked and equity-linked securities. The investment results of such instruments are intended to correspond generally to the performance of one or more specified equity or debt securities, or of a specific index or analogous basket of equity or debt securities. Therefore, investing in these instruments involves risks similar to the risks of investing in the underlying stocks or bonds directly. In addition, the Fund bears the risk that the issuer of an equity- or debt-linked security may default on its obligations under the instrument. Equity- and debt-linked securities are often used for many of the same purposes as, and share many of the same risks with, other derivative instruments as well as structured notes. See the sections Derivative Instruments and Structured Notes below. Like many derivatives and structured notes, equity- and debt-linked securities may be considered illiquid, potentially limiting the Funds ability to dispose of them.
Debt Securities
The Fund may invest in debt securities. Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest and must repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero-coupon securities, do not pay interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds, government securities and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities. Debt securities include a broad array of short-, medium- and long-term obligations issued by the U.S. or
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foreign governments, government or international agencies and instrumentalities, and corporate issuers of various types. Some debt securities represent uncollateralized obligations of their issuers; in other cases, the securities may be backed by specific assets (such as mortgages or other receivables) that have been set aside as collateral for the issuers obligation. Debt securities generally involve an obligation of the issuer to pay interest or dividends on either a current basis or at the maturity of the securities, as well as the obligation to repay the principal amount of the security at maturity.
Risks. Debt securities are subject to market risk and credit risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to make payments of principal and interest and includes the risk of default. Sometimes, an issuer may make these payments from money raised through a variety of sources, including, with respect to issuers of municipal securities, (i) the issuers general taxing power, (ii) a specific type of tax, such as a property tax or (iii) a particular facility or project such as a highway. The ability of an issuer to make these payments could be affected by general economic conditions, issues specific to the issuer, litigation, legislation or other political events, the bankruptcy of the issuer, war, natural disasters, terrorism or other major events. U.S. government securities are not generally perceived to involve credit risks to the same extent as investments in other types of fixed-income securities; as a result, the yields available from U.S. government securities are generally lower than the yields available from corporate and municipal debt securities. Market risk is the risk that the value of the security will fall because of changes in market rates of interest. Generally, the value of debt securities falls when market rates of interest are rising. Some debt securities also involve prepayment or call risk. This is the risk that the issuer will repay the Fund the principal on the security before it is due, thus depriving the Fund of a favorable stream of future interest payments.
Because interest rates vary, it is impossible to predict the income of the Fund that invests in debt securities for any particular period. Fluctuations in the value of the Funds investments in debt securities will cause the Funds net asset value (NAV) to increase or decrease.
Depositary Receipts
The Fund may invest in foreign equity securities by purchasing depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are instruments issued by banks that represent an interest in equity securities held by arrangement with the bank. Depositary receipts can be either sponsored or unsponsored. Sponsored depositary receipts are issued by banks in cooperation with the issuer of the underlying equity securities. Unsponsored depositary receipts are arranged without involvement by the issuer of the underlying equity securities and, therefore, less information about the issuer of the underlying equity securities may be available and the price may be more volatile than in the case of sponsored depositary receipts. American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are depositary receipts that are bought and sold in the United States and are typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities by a foreign corporation.
All depositary receipts, including those denominated in U.S. dollars, will be subject to foreign currency risk. European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) are depositary receipts that are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or U.S. corporation. All depositary receipts, including those denominated in U.S. dollars, will be subject to foreign currency risk. The effect of changes in the dollar value of a foreign currency on the dollar value of the Funds assets and on the net investment income available for distribution may be favorable or unfavorable. The Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. In addition, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio assets, or may incur increased currency conversion costs, to compensate for a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency occurring between the time when the Fund declares and pays a dividend, or between the time when the Fund accrues and pays an operating expense in U.S. dollars.
Because the Fund may invest in depositary receipts, changes in foreign economies and political climates are more likely to affect the Fund than a mutual fund that invests exclusively in U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision of foreign markets, resulting in non-uniform accounting practices and less publicly available information. If the Funds portfolio is over-weighted in a certain geographic region, any negative development affecting that region will have a greater impact on the Fund than a fund that is not over-weighted in that region.
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Derivative Instruments
The Fund expects to use a number of derivative instruments for risk management purposes or as part of its investment strategies. Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities and related indices and other assets. For additional information about the use of derivatives in connection with foreign currency transactions, see the section Foreign Currency Transactions. The Adviser may decide not to employ any of these strategies and there is no assurance that any derivatives strategy used by the Fund will succeed. In addition, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial. Examples of derivative instruments that the Fund may use include (but are not limited to) futures contracts, warrants, structured notes, credit default swaps, options contracts, swap transactions and forward currency contracts.
Transactions in certain derivatives are subject to clearance on a U.S. national clearinghouse and to regulatory oversight, while other derivatives are subject to risks of trading in the over-the-counter markets or on non-U.S. exchanges. In addition, the U.S. government has enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act), which includes provisions for new regulation of the derivatives market, including new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rulemaking, various agencies are in the process of promulgating rules under the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation, and the ultimate impact of this legislation on the market remains unclear. The regulatory changes could, among other things, restrict the Funds ability to engage in derivatives transactions (including because certain types of derivatives transactions may no longer be available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (including through increased margin requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute portions of its investment strategy as a result. Additionally, the new requirements may result in increased uncertainty about counterparty credit risk. The regulation of derivatives transactions and funds that engage in such transactions is an evolving area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.
Derivatives involve special risks, including counterparty risk, illiquidity, difficulties in valuation, leverage risk and, to the extent the Advisers view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of derivatives could result in significantly greater losses or lower income or gains than if they had not been used. The Funds derivative counterparties may experience financial difficulties or otherwise be unwilling or unable to honor their obligations, possibly resulting in losses to the Fund. Losses resulting from the use of derivatives will reduce the Funds NAV, and possibly income, and the losses may be significantly greater than if derivatives had not been used. The degree of the Funds use of derivatives may be limited by certain provisions of the Code. When used, derivatives may increase the amount and affect the timing and character of taxable distributions paid to shareholders. See the section Additional Risks of Derivative Instruments below for additional information about the risks relating to derivatives instruments.
Several types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest are described in more detail below. However, the Fund is not limited to investments in these instruments.
Futures Contracts
The Fund may transact in futures. Futures transactions involve the Funds buying or selling futures contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a particular security, commodity, currency or other asset, or group or index of securities, commodities, currencies or other assets for a specified price on a specified future date. A futures contract creates an obligation by the seller to deliver and the buyer to take delivery of the type of instrument or cash (depending on whether the contract calls for physical delivery or cash settlement) at the time and in the amount specified in the contract. When a trader, such as the Fund, enters into a futures contract, it is required to deposit with (or for the benefit of) its broker as initial margin an amount of cash or short-term, high-quality/liquid securities (such as U.S. Treasury bills or high-quality tax-exempt bonds acceptable to the broker) equal to approximately 2% to 5% of the delivery or settlement price of the contract (depending on applicable exchange rules). Initial margin is held to secure the performance of the holder of the futures contract. Should the value of the equity in the margin account drop below the minimum amount required to be maintained, or maintenance margin, the Fund will be required to deposit additional equity to restore the value in the margin account to its initial level.
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As the value of the futures contract changes, the value of futures contract positions increases or declines. At the end of each trading day, the amount of such increase and decline is received and paid respectively by and to the holders of these positions. The amount received or paid is known as variation margin. The gain or loss on a futures position is equal to the net variation margin received or paid over the time the position is held, plus or minus the amount received or paid when the position is closed, minus brokerage commissions and other transaction costs.
Although many futures contracts call for the delivery (or acceptance) of the specified instrument, futures are usually closed out before the settlement date through the purchase (or sale) of a comparable contract. If the price of the sale of the futures contract by the Fund is less than the price of the offsetting purchase, the Fund will realize a loss. A futures sale is closed by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or commodity and with the same delivery date. Similarly, a futures purchase is closed by the purchaser selling an offsetting futures contract.
Futures contract prices, and the prices of the related contracts in which the Fund may trade, are highly volatile. Such prices are influenced by, among other things: changing supply and demand relationships; government trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies; national and international political and economic events; and changes in interest rates. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in these markets, with the specific intention of influencing such prices. The effect of such intervention is often heightened by a group of governments acting in concert.
Furthermore, the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading permit an extremely high degree of leverage. Accordingly, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract can result in immediate and substantial losses to the investor. As an added risk in these volatile and highly leveraged markets, it is not always possible to liquidate futures positions to prevent further losses or recognize unrealized gains. Illiquidity can arise due to daily price limits taking effect or to market disruptions. Futures positions may be illiquid because certain commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as daily price fluctuation limits or daily limits. Under such daily limits, during a single trading day no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limits. Once the price of a particular futures contract has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in that contract can neither be taken nor liquidated unless traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures prices have occasionally moved beyond the daily limits for several consecutive days with little or no trading. The inability to liquidate futures positions creates the possibility of the Fund being unable to control its losses. If the Fund were to borrow money to use for trading purposes, the effects of such leverage would be magnified. The rights of any lenders to the Fund to receive payments of interest or repayments of principal will be senior to those of the investors and the terms of any loan agreements may contain provisions that limit certain activities of the Fund. The Fund may also be unable to utilize all cash available to it if certain margin requirements cannot be netted across exchanges, or alternatively if financing is unavailable. Physical delivery of commodities can result in temporary illiquidity and the Fund may incur additional charges associated with the holding and safekeeping of any such commodities.
Commodity Futures Contracts
The Fund may invest in commodity futures contracts. There are additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts including, but not limited to the following:
Storage. Unlike the financial futures markets, in the commodity futures markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may also change.
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Reinvestment. In the commodity futures markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling futures contracts today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the futures contract at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the futures market are purchasing futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the futures contract at a higher futures price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing positions and views of the participants in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Fund. If the positions and views of the participants in futures markets have shifted when it is time for the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new futures contract, the Fund might reinvest at higher or lower futures prices, or choose to pursue other investments.
Speculative Position Limits. The CFTC and domestic exchanges have established speculative position limits (position limits) on the maximum speculative position which any person, or group of persons acting in concert, may hold or control in particular contracts and certain related swaps. The Adviser expects to be the manager for other accounts. Under current regulations, such other accounts are combined with the positions held by the Fund under the Advisers management for position limit purposes. This trading could prelude additional trading in such contracts by the Advisor for the account of the Fund.
Index Futures Contracts
In the case of futures on an index, the seller and buyer agree to settle in cash, at a future date, based on the difference in value of the contract between the date it is opened and the settlement date. The value of each contract is equal to the value of the index from time to time multiplied by a specified dollar amount. For example, S&P 500® Index futures may trade in contracts with a value equal to $250 multiplied by the S&P 500® Index. The price of index futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the relevant index due to certain market distortions. One such distortion stems from the fact that all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort the normal relationship between the index and futures markets. Another market distortion results from the deposit requirements in the futures market being less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a result the futures market may attract more speculators than does the securities market. A third distortion is caused by the fact that trading hours for foreign stock index futures may not correspond perfectly to hours of trading on the foreign exchange to which a particular foreign stock index futures contract relates. This may result in a disparity between the price of index futures and the value of the relevant index due to the lack of continuous arbitrage between the index futures price and the value of the underlying index. Finally, hedging transactions using stock indices involve the risk that movements in the price of the index may not correlate with price movements of the particular portfolio securities being hedged.
Asset Segregation and Coverage
The Fund will segregate with its custodian or otherwise designate on its records liquid assets in an amount the Fund believes to be adequate to ensure that it has sufficient liquid assets to meet its obligations under its derivatives contracts, or the Fund may engage in other measures to cover its obligations with respect to such transactions. The amounts that are segregated or designated may be based on the notional value of the derivative or on the daily mark-to-market obligation under the derivatives contract and may be reduced by amounts on deposit with the applicable broker or counterparty to the derivatives transaction. The Fund may segregate amounts in addition to the amounts described above. In certain circumstances, the Fund may enter into an offsetting position rather than segregating or designating liquid assets (e.g., the Fund may cover a written put option with a purchased put option with the same or higher exercise price). Although the Funds Adviser will attempt to ensure that the Fund has sufficient liquid assets to cover its obligations under its derivative contracts, it is possible that the Funds liquid assets may be insufficient to support such obligations under its derivatives positions. The Fund may modify its asset segregation policies from time to time.
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Options and Warrants
Options transactions may involve the Funds buying or writing (selling) options on securities, futures contracts, securities indices (including futures on securities indices) or currencies. The Fund may engage in these transactions either to enhance investment return or to hedge against changes in the value of other assets that it owns or intends to acquire.
Options can generally be classified as either call or put options. There are two parties to a typical options transaction: the writer (seller) and the buyer. A call option gives the buyer the right to buy a security or other asset (such as an amount of currency or a futures contract) from, and a put option gives the buyer the right to sell a security or other asset to, the option writer at a specified price, on or before a specified date. The buyer of an option pays a premium when purchasing the option, which reduces the return on the underlying security or other asset if the option is exercised, and results in a loss if the option expires unexercised. The writer of an option receives a premium from writing an option, which may increase its return if the option expires or is closed out at a profit. An American-style option allows exercise of the option at any time during the term of the option. A European-style option allows an option to be exercised only at a specific time or times, such as the end of its term. Options may be traded on or off an established securities or options exchange.
If the holder (writer) of an option wishes to terminate its position, it may seek to effect a closing sale transaction by selling (buying) an option identical to the option previously purchased. The effect of the purchase is that the previous option position will be canceled. The Fund will realize a profit from closing out an option if the price received for selling the offsetting position is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from closing out an option transaction if the price received for selling the offsetting option is less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since premiums on options having an exercise price close to the value of the underlying securities or futures contracts usually have a time value component (i.e., a value that diminishes as the time within which the option can be exercised grows shorter), the value of an options contract may change as a result of the lapse of time even though the value of the futures contract or security underlying the option (and of the security or other asset deliverable under the futures contract) has not changed.
As an alternative to purchasing or selling call and put options on index futures, the Fund may purchase or sell call or put options on the underlying indices themselves. Such options would be used in a manner similar to the use of options on index futures.
Income earned by the Fund from its options activities will be treated as capital gain and, if not offset by net recognized capital losses incurred by the Fund, will be distributed to shareholders in taxable distributions. Although gain from options transactions may hedge against a decline in the value of the Funds portfolio securities, that gain, to the extent not offset by losses, will be distributed in light of certain tax considerations and will constitute a distribution of that portion of the value preserved against decline.
Warrants and Rights
The Fund may invest in warrants and rights. A warrant is an instrument that gives the holder a right to purchase a given number of shares of a particular security at a specified price until a stated expiration date. Buying a warrant generally can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an investment of equivalent amounts in the underlying common stock. The market value of a warrant does not necessarily move with the value of the underlying securities. If a holder does not sell the warrant, it risks the loss of its entire investment if the market price of the underlying security does not, before the expiration date, exceed the exercise price of the warrant. Investment in warrants is a speculative activity. Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights (other than the right to purchase the underlying securities) with respect to the assets of the issuer. A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe for shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued. Rights normally have a short life, usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the public offering price.
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Options on Foreign Currencies
The Fund may buy and write options on foreign currencies in a manner similar to that in which futures or forward contracts on foreign currencies will be utilized, as described in the Prospectus. In addition, options on foreign currencies may be used to hedge against adverse changes in foreign currency conversion rates. For example, a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the U.S. dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In order to protect against such diminutions in the value of the portfolio securities, the Fund may buy put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency declines, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount in U.S. dollars, thereby offsetting, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio.
Conversely, when a rise in the U.S. dollar value of a currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the Fund may buy call options on the foreign currency. The purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to the Fund from purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent desired, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options that would require the Fund to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in those rates.
The Fund may also write options on foreign currencies. For example, to hedge against a potential decline in the U.S. dollar due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates, the Fund could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the decline expected by the Fund occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised and the diminution in value of portfolio securities will be offset at least in part by the amount of the premium received. Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against a potential increase in the U.S. dollar cost of securities to be acquired, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move in the manner projected by the Fund, will expire unexercised and allow the Fund to hedge the increased cost up to the amount of the premium. If exchange rates do not move in the expected direction, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required to buy or sell the underlying currency at a loss, which may not be fully offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund also may lose all or a portion of the benefits that might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates.
Options on Indices
The Fund may transact in options on indices (index options). Put and call index options are similar to puts and calls on securities or futures contracts except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss at expiration depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities or futures contracts. When the Fund writes an index call option, it receives a premium and undertakes the obligation that, prior to the expiration date (or, upon the expiration date for European-style options), the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the exercise settlement value of the relevant index is greater than the exercise price of the call. The manner of determining exercise settlement value for a particular option series is fixed by the options market on which the series is traded. S&P 500® Index options, for example, have a settlement value that is calculated using the opening sales price in the primary market of each component security on the last business day (usually a Friday) before the expiration date. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the exercise settlement value of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (multiplier). When the Fund buys an index call option, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When the Fund buys an index put option, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date (or, upon the expiration date for European-style options), to collect, upon the Funds exercise of the put, an amount of cash equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the exercise settlement value of the index, times a multiplier, similar to that described above for calls, if the exercise settlement value is less than the exercise price. When the Fund writes an index put option, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the exercise settlement value of the index and exercise price times the multiplier, if the closing level is less than the exercise price.
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Options on Futures
An option on a futures contract is the right, purchased for a certain price, to either buy or sell the underlying futures contract during a certain period of time for a fixed price. Options trading requires many of the same skills as does successful futures contract trading. However, since specific market movements of the underlying futures contract must be predicted accurately, the risks involved are somewhat different. For example, if the Fund buys an option (either to sell or buy a futures contract), the Fund will pay a premium representing the market value of the option. Unless the price of the futures contract underlying the option changes and it becomes profitable to exercise or offset the option before it expires, the Fund may lose the entire amount of the premium. Conversely, if the Fund sells an option (either to sell or buy a futures contract), the Fund will be credited with the premium but will have to deposit margin due to the Funds contingent liability to take or make delivery of the underlying futures contract in the event the option is exercised. The writing of an option involves the risk of losing the entire investment or substantially more than the entire investment, thereby causing significant losses to the client in a relatively short period of time. The ability to trade in or exercise options may be restricted in the event that trading in the underlying futures contract becomes restricted.
Exchange-Traded and Over-the-Counter Options
The Fund may purchase or write both exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in that they are two-party contracts, with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options.
An exchange-traded option may be closed out only on an exchange that generally provides a liquid secondary market for an option of the same series. If a liquid secondary market for an exchange-traded option does not exist, it might not be possible to effect a closing transaction with respect to a particular option, with the result that the Fund would have to exercise the option in order to consummate the transaction. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation or other clearing organization may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
An OTC option (an option not traded on an established exchange) may be closed out only by agreement with the other party to the original option transaction. With OTC options, the Fund is at risk that the other party to the transaction will default on its obligations or will not permit the Fund to terminate the transaction before its scheduled maturity. While the Fund will seek to enter into OTC options only with dealers who agree to or are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate an OTC option at a favorable price at any time prior to its expiration. OTC options are not subject to the protections afforded purchasers of listed options by the Options Clearing Corporation or other clearing organizations.
Index Warrants
The Fund may purchase put warrants and call warrants whose values vary depending on the change in the value of one or more specified securities indices (index warrants). Index warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of
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exercise. In general, if the value of the underlying index rises above the exercise price of the index warrant, the holder of a call warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the value of the index and the exercise price of the warrant; if the value of the underlying index falls, the holder of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the exercise price of the warrant and the value of the index. The holder of a warrant would not be entitled to any payments from the issuer at a time when, in the case of a call warrant, the exercise price is more than the value of the underlying index, or in the case of a put warrant, the exercise price is less than the value of the underlying index. If the Fund were not to exercise an index warrant prior to its expiration, then the Fund would lose the amount of the purchase price paid by it for the warrant. The Fund will normally use index warrants in a manner similar to its use of options on securities indices.
The risks of the Funds use of index warrants are generally similar to those relating to its use of index options. Unlike most index options, however, index warrants are issued in limited amounts and are not obligations of a regulated clearing agency, but are backed only by the credit of the bank or other institution which issues the warrant. Also, index warrants generally have longer terms than index options. Although the Fund will normally invest only in exchange-listed warrants, index warrants are not likely to be as liquid as certain index options backed by a recognized clearing agency. In addition, the terms of index warrants may limit the Funds ability to exercise the warrants at such time, or in such quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish to do.
Forward Contracts
As described in the section Foreign Currency Transactions below, the Fund may invest in forward contracts. Forward contracts are transactions involving the Funds obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency or other asset at a future date at a specified price. For example, forward contracts may be used when the Adviser anticipates that particular foreign currencies will appreciate or depreciate in value or to take advantage of the expected relationships between various currencies, regardless of whether securities denominated in such currencies are held in the Funds investment portfolio. Forward contracts may also be used by the Fund for hedging purposes to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates, such as when the Fund anticipates purchasing or selling a foreign security. This technique would allow the Fund to lock in the U.S. dollar price of the investment. Forward contracts also may be used to attempt to protect the value of the Funds existing holdings of foreign securities. There may be, however, imperfect correlation between the Funds foreign securities holdings and the forward contracts entered into with respect to such holdings. The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing.
Forward contracts are not traded on exchanges and are not standardized; rather, banks and dealers act as principals in these markets negotiating each transaction on an individual basis. Neither the CFTC nor any banking authority regulates trading in forward contracts. In addition, there is no limitation on the daily price movements of forward contracts. Principals in the forward markets have no obligation to continue to make markets in the forward contracts traded. There have been periods during which certain banks or dealers have refused to quote prices for forward contracts or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and that at which they are prepared to sell. Disruptions can occur in the forward markets because of unusually high trading volume, political intervention or other factors. For example, the imposition of credit controls by governmental authorities might limit forward trading, to the possible detriment of the Fund.
Forward contracts are subject to many of the same risks as options, warrants and futures contracts described above. As described in the section Foreign Currency Transactions below, forward contracts may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. In addition, the effect of changes in the dollar value of a foreign currency on the dollar value of the Funds assets and on the net investment income available for distribution may be favorable or unfavorable. The Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies, and the Fund will be subject to increased illiquidity and counterparty risk because forward contracts are not traded on an exchange and often are not standardized. The Fund may also be required to liquidate portfolio assets, or may incur increased currency conversion costs, to compensate for a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency occurring between the time when the Fund declares and pays a dividend, or between the time when the Fund accrues and pays an operating expense in U.S. dollars.
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Additionally, in its forward trading, the Fund is subject to the risk of the bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to its forward contracts by, the principals with which the Fund trades. Funds on deposit with such principals are generally not protected by the same segregation requirements imposed on CFTC regulated commodity brokers in respect of customer funds on deposit with them. However, the Fund intends to engage in forward trading only with large, well-capitalized banks and dealers. The Fund may place forward trades through agents, so that the insolvency or bankruptcy of such agents could also subject the Fund to the risk of loss.
Swap Transactions
The Fund may enter into a variety of swap agreements, including, but not limited to, interest rate, index, commodity, equity-linked, credit default, credit-linked and currency exchange swaps. Depending on the structure of the swap agreement, the Fund may enter into swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to gain exposure to one or more securities, currencies, commodities, or interest rates, to protect against or attempt to take advantage of currency fluctuations, to manage duration, to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, to efficiently gain exposure to certain markets to add economic leverage to the Funds portfolio or to shift the Funds investment exposure from one type of investment to another.
Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to a number of years. Many swap agreements are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of types of investments or market factors. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties generally are calculated with respect to a notional amount, such as the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. In a typical interest rate swap, for example, one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate times a notional principal amount, in return for payments equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for the term of the swap agreement. The notional principal amount of a swap transaction is the agreed-upon basis for calculating the payments that the parties agree to exchange, i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or commodity or in a basket of securities. Under most swap agreements, payments by the parties will be exchanged on a net basis, and a party will receive or pay, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.
The Fund may also enter into options on swaps. The Fund may engage in swap options for hedging purposes or to manage and mitigate credit and interest rate risk. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. The use of swap options involves risks, including, among others, (i) imperfect correlation between movements of the price of the swap options and the price of the securities, indices or other assets serving as reference instruments for the swap option, reducing the effectiveness of the instrument for hedging or investment purposes, (ii) there may not be a liquid market to sell a swap option, which could result in difficulty closing a position, (iii) swap options can magnify the extent of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities to which they relate, and (iv) counterparty risk.
Swap agreements are sophisticated financial instruments that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. Swaps can be highly volatile and may have a considerable impact on the Funds performance, as the potential gain or loss on any swap transaction is not subject to any fixed limit. The Funds successful use of swap agreements will depend on the Advisers ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because swaps are two-party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. The Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate (or terminate at the time and price desired) outstanding swap agreements (either by assignment or other disposition) or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.
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Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act established a framework for the regulation of OTC swap markets; the framework outlined the joint responsibility of the CFTC and the SEC in regulating swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of swaps, the SEC is responsible for the regulation of security-based swaps and jointly they are both responsible for the regulation of mixed swaps.
Credit Default Swaps
The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements, which may have as reference obligations one or more debt securities or an index of such securities. In a credit default swap, one party (the protection buyer) is obligated to pay the other party (the protection seller) a stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event, such as a default or a downgrade in credit rating, occurs on the reference obligation. If a credit event occurs, the protection seller must generally pay the protection buyer the par value (the agreed-upon notional value) of the referenced debt obligation in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable reference obligations or a specified amount of cash, depending upon the terms of the swap.
The Fund may be either the protection buyer or protection seller in a credit default swap. If the Fund is a protection buyer, such Fund would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and would not recover any of those payments if no credit event were to occur. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund that is a protection buyer has the right to deliver the referenced debt obligations or a specified amount of cash, depending upon the terms of the swap, and receive the par value of such debt obligations from the counterparty protection seller. As a protection seller, the Fund would receive fixed payments throughout the term of the contract if no credit event occurs. If a credit event occurs, however, the value of the obligation received by the Fund (e.g., bonds which defaulted), plus the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the par value of the obligation, or cash received, resulting in a loss to the protection seller. Furthermore, the Fund that is a protection seller would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because such Fund will have investment exposure to the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements are subject to greater risk than a direct investment in the reference obligation. Like all swap agreements, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity, credit and counterparty risks. In addition, collateral posting requirements are individually negotiated and there is no regulatory requirement that a counterparty post collateral to secure its obligations or a specified amount of cash, depending upon the terms of the swap, under a credit default swap. Furthermore, a party to a credit default swap may not be required to inform the counterparty in advance when a credit default swap agreement is sold. Accordingly, the Fund may have difficulty identifying the party responsible for payment of its claims. The notional value of credit default swaps with respect to a particular investment is often larger than the total par value of such investment outstanding and, in event of a default, there may be difficulties in making the required deliveries of the reference investments, possibly delaying payments.
If a counterpartys credit becomes significantly impaired, multiple requests for collateral posting in a short period of time could increase the risk that the Fund may not receive adequate collateral. There is no readily available market for trading credit default swaps. The Fund generally may exit its obligations under a credit default swap only by terminating the contract and paying applicable breakage fees, or by entering into an offsetting credit default swap position, which may cause the Fund to incur more losses.
Swap Execution Facilities
Certain derivatives contracts are required to be executed through swap execution facilities (SEFs). A SEF is a trading platform where multiple market participants can execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. Such requirements may make it more difficult and costly for investment funds, such as the Fund, to enter into highly tailored or customized transactions. Trading swaps on a SEF may offer certain advantages over traditional bilateral over-the-counter trading, such as ease of execution, price transparency, increased liquidity and/or favorable pricing. Execution through a SEF is not, however, without additional costs and risks, as parties are required to comply with SEF and CFTC rules and regulations, including disclosure and recordkeeping obligations, and SEF rights of inspection, among others. SEFs typically charge fees, and if the Fund
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executes derivatives on a swap execution facility through a broker intermediary, the intermediary may impose fees as well. The Fund also may be required to indemnify a SEF, or a broker intermediary who executes swaps on a SEF on the Funds behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Funds transactions on the SEF. In addition, the Fund may be subject to execution risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared, and no clearing member is willing to clear the transaction on the Funds behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of any increase in the value of the transaction after the time of the trade.
Counterparty Risk
The Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of the counterparties with which, or the brokers, dealers and exchanges through which, it deals, whether it engages in exchange traded or off-exchange transactions. If a Funds futures commission merchant, (FCM) becomes bankrupt or insolvent, or otherwise defaults on its obligations to the Fund, the Fund may not receive all amounts owed to it in respect of its trading, even if the clearinghouse fully discharges all of its obligations. The Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA) requires an FCM to segregate all funds received from its customers with respect to regulated futures transactions from such FCMs proprietary funds. If an FCM were not to do so to the full extent required by law, the assets of an account might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of an FCM. Furthermore, in the event of an FCMs bankruptcy, the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of an FCMs combined customer accounts, even if certain property held by an FCM is specifically traceable to the Fund (for example, U.S. Treasury bills deposited by the Fund). FCM bankruptcies have occurred in which customers were unable to recover from the FCMs estate the full amount of their funds on deposit with such FCM and owing to them. Such situations could arise due to various factors, or a combination of factors, including inadequate FCM capitalization, inadequate controls on customer trading and inadequate customer capital. In addition, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a clearinghouse, the Fund might experience a loss of funds deposited through its FCM as margin with the clearinghouse, a loss of unrealized profits on its open positions and the loss of funds owed to it as realized profits on closed positions. Such a bankruptcy or insolvency might also cause a substantial delay before the Fund could obtain the return of funds owed to it by an FCM who is a member of such clearinghouse.
Because bilateral derivative transactions are traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts. Although the Fund intends to enter into transactions only with counterparties which the Advisor believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and that the Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result. In situations where the Fund is required to post margin or other collateral with a counterparty, the counterparty may fail to segregate the collateral or may commingle the collateral with the counterpartys own assets. As a result, in the event of the counterpartys bankruptcy or insolvency, the Funds collateral may be subject to conflicting claims of the counterpartys creditors, and the Fund may be exposed to the risk of a court treating the Fund as a general unsecured creditor of the counterparty, rather than as the owner of the collateral.
The Fund is subject to the risk that issuers of the instruments in which it invests and trades may default on their obligations under those instruments, and that certain events may occur that have an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of those instruments. There can be no assurance that an issuer of an instrument in which the Fund invests will not default, or that an event that has an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of an instrument will not occur, and that the Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result. Transactions entered into by the Fund may be executed on various U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges, and may be cleared and settled through various clearinghouses, custodians, depositories and prime brokers throughout the world. Although the Fund attempts to execute, clear and settle the transactions through entities the Advisor believes to be sound, there can be no assurance that a failure by any such entity will not lead to a loss to the Fund.
Loan Based Derivatives
The Fund may invest in derivative instruments that provide exposure to one or more credit default swaps. For example, the Fund may invest in a derivative instrument known as the Loan-Only Credit Default Swap Index (LCDX), a tradable index with 100 equally-weighted underlying single-name loan-only credit default swaps (LCDS). Each underlying LCDS references an issuer whose loans trade in the secondary leveraged loan market. The Fund can either buy the index (take on credit exposure) or sell the index (pass credit exposure to a
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counterparty). While investing in these types of derivatives will increase the universe of debt securities to which the Fund is exposed, such investments entail additional risks, such as those discussed below, that are not typically associated with investments in other debt securities. Credit default swaps and other derivative instruments related to loans are subject to the risks associated with loans generally, as well as the risks of derivative transactions.
Investment Pools of Swap Contracts
In addition, the Fund may invest in publicly or privately issued interests in investment pools whose underlying assets are credit default, credit-linked, interest rate, currency exchange, equity-linked or other types of swap contracts and related underlying securities or securities loan agreements. The pools investment results may be designed to correspond generally to the performance of a specified securities index or basket of securities, or sometimes a single security. These types of pools are often used to gain exposure to multiple securities with less of an investment than would be required to invest directly in the individual securities. They may also be used to gain exposure to foreign securities markets without investing in the foreign securities themselves and/or the relevant foreign market. To the extent that the Fund invests in pools of swap contracts and related underlying securities or securities loan agreements whose performance corresponds to the performance of a foreign securities index or one or more foreign securities, investing in such pools will involve risks similar to the risks of investing in foreign securities. See Foreign Securities below. In addition to the risks associated with investing in swaps generally, an investing Fund bears the risks and costs generally associated with investing in pooled investment vehicles, such as paying the fees and expenses of the pool and the risk that the pool or the operator of the pool may default on its obligations to the holder of interests in the pool, such as the Fund. Interests in privately offered investment pools of swap contracts may be considered illiquid and, except to the extent that such interests are deemed liquid under the Funds policies, subject to the Funds restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.
Contracts for Differences
The Fund may enter into contracts for differences. Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which the Fund may agree with a counterparty that its return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of securities. For example, as to one of the baskets, the Funds return is based on theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising that basket, and as to the other basket, the Funds return is based on theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising that other basket. The notional sizes of the baskets will not necessarily be the same, which can give rise to investment leverage. The Fund may also use actual long and short futures positions to achieve the market exposure(s) as contracts for differences. The Fund may enter into swaps and contracts for differences for investment return, hedging, risk management and for investment leverage.
Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars
The Fund may use interest rate caps, floors and collars for the same purposes or similar purposes as for which it uses interest rate futures contracts and related options. Interest rate caps, floors and collars are similar to interest rate swap contracts because the payment obligations are measured by changes in interest rates as applied to a notional amount and because they are generally individually negotiated with a specific counterparty. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specific index exceeds a specified interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below specified interest rates, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate collar entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds or falls below a specified interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate collar.
Hybrid Instruments
The Fund may invest in hybrid instruments. A hybrid instrument is a type of derivative that combines a traditional stock or bond with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a hybrid is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each a benchmark). The interest rate or (unlike most
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fixed-income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example of a hybrid could be a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid instrument would be economically similar to a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.
Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the NAV of the Fund.
Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets. These are derivative securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to commodity futures contracts, commodity options or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid instruments may be either equity or debt securities, leveraged or unleveraged, and are considered hybrid instruments because they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A portion of the value of these instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable and therefore are subject to many of the same risks as investments in those underlying securities, instruments or commodities. For more information, see the sections Commodities and Structured Notes.
Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Funds investments in these products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.
Hedging
The Funds investment strategy may involve hedging certain risks, such as market risk, interest rate risk, and currency risk through the use of various derivative instruments. It is generally not possible to eliminate all risk of adverse market movement. Suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to risks when that would be beneficial. The use of hedging instruments may enable the Fund to increase its profits from favorable market price movements and diminish its exposure to market volatility. However, any reduction or increase in the hedge from the theoretical neutral hedge also increases the exposure of the Fund to adverse market price movements, and at times could present material risk to the capital of the Fund.
Short Exposure Risk
A short exposure through a derivative may present various risks, including credit/counterparty risk and leverage risk. If the value of the asset, asset class or index on which the Fund has obtained a short investment exposure increases, the Fund will incur a loss. Unlike a direct cash investment such as a stock, bond or exchange-traded fund, where the potential loss is limited to the purchase price, the potential risk of loss from a short exposure is theoretically unlimited. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to cover its short positions. For example, an uncovered call writers loss is potentially unlimited.
Additional Risks of Derivative Instruments
As described in the Prospectus, the Fund intends to use derivative instruments, including several of the instruments described above, as part of its investment practices as well as for risk management purposes. Although the Adviser may seek to use these transactions to achieve the Funds investment goals, no assurance can be given that the use of these transactions will achieve this result. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time. The ability of the Fund to utilize these derivative instruments successfully will depend on the Advisers ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. Furthermore, the Funds use of certain derivatives may in some cases involve forms of financial leverage, which involves risk and may increase the volatility of the Funds NAV. Leveraging 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. To the extent that the Fund is not able to close out a leveraged position because of market illiquidity, its liquidity may be impaired to the extent that it has a substantial portion of liquid assets segregated or earmarked to cover obligations. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Use of derivatives for other than hedging purposes may be considered a speculative activity, involving greater risks than are involved in hedging. A short exposure through a derivative may present additional risks. If the value of the asset, asset class or index on which the Fund has obtained a short exposure increases, the Fund will incur a loss. Moreover, the potential loss from a short exposure is theoretically unlimited.
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The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates or other economic factors and the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the Adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. If the Adviser incorrectly forecasts interest rates, market values or other economic factors in using a derivatives strategy for the Fund, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The use of these strategies involves certain special risks, including a possible imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instruments and price movements of related investments. While some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related investments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time because the Fund is required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with transactions in derivative instruments, and the possible inability of the Fund to close out or to liquidate its derivatives positions. In addition, the Funds use of such instruments may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if it had not used such instruments. To the extent that the Fund gains exposure to an asset class using derivative instruments backed by a collateral portfolio of other securities, changes in the value of those other securities may result in greater or lesser exposure to that asset class than would have resulted from a direct investment in securities comprising that asset class. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments linked to the returns of one or more hedge funds or groups of hedge funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in such instruments, in addition to the risks associated with investments in derivative instruments generally, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in hedge funds.
The correlation between the price movement of the derivatives contract and the hedged security may be distorted due to differences in the nature of the relevant markets. For example, if the price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the hedged security, the Fund would experience either a loss or a gain on the derivative that is not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. For example, in an attempt to compensate for imperfect price movement correlations, the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities if the price movement volatility of the hedged securities is historically greater than the volatility of the futures contract. Conversely, the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a smaller dollar amount than the hedged securities if the volatility of the price of hedged securities is historically less than that of the futures contracts.
Price movement correlation in derivative transactions also may be distorted by the illiquidity of the derivatives markets and the participation of speculators in such markets. If an insufficient number of contracts are traded, commercial users may not deal in derivatives because they do not want to assume the risk that they may not be able to close out their positions within a reasonable amount of time. In such instances, derivatives market prices may be driven by different forces than those driving the market in the underlying securities, and price spreads between these markets may widen. The participation of speculators in the market enhances its liquidity. Nonetheless, speculators trading spreads between futures markets may create temporary price distortions unrelated to the market in the underlying securities.
Positions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be established or closed out only on an exchange or board of trade. There is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. The liquidity of markets in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be adversely affected by daily price fluctuation limits established by commodity exchanges that limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures or options price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, which may prevent the liquidation of open futures or options positions. Prices have in the past exceeded the daily limit on a number of consecutive trading
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days. If there is not a liquid market at a particular time, it may not be possible to close a futures or options position at such time, and, in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. However, if futures or options are used to hedge portfolio securities, an increase in the price of the securities, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract.
The value of the Funds derivative instruments may fluctuate based on a variety of market and economic factors. In some cases, the fluctuations may offset (or be offset by) changes in the value of securities or derivatives held in the Funds portfolio. All transactions in derivatives involve the possible risk of loss to the Fund of all or a significant part of the value of its investment. In some cases, the risk of loss may exceed the amount of the Funds investment. When the Fund writes a call option or sells a futures contract without holding the underlying securities, currencies or futures contracts, its potential loss is unlimited.
The derivatives markets of foreign countries are small compared to those of the United States and consequently are characterized in most cases by less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, derivatives that are traded on foreign exchanges may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, may be subject to less detailed reporting requirements, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Funds ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading volume. Furthermore, investments in options in foreign markets are subject to many of the same risks as other foreign investments. See the section Foreign Securities.
Risk of Potential Government Regulation of Derivatives
It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment goals. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or completely restrict the ability of the Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using these instruments or affect the pricing or other factors relating to these instruments, or may change the availability of certain investments.
There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act will change the way in which the U.S. financial system is supervised and regulated. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new legislative framework for OTC derivatives, such as swaps, in which the Fund may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and will require clearing of many OTC derivatives transactions. The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. The SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.
Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions
Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default index swaps on North American and European indices) are required to be centrally cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the Funds counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of a clearing house and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at its clearing member. In a cleared derivatives transactions, the Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through accounts at its clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients obligations to the clearing house.
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In many ways, centrally cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to mutual funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, the Fund may be required to provide greater amounts of margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to bilateral derivatives transactions, following a period of notice to the Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions at any time or increases in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions or to terminate transactions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could also expose the Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of clearing house margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, the Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that Natixis AM US expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Funds behalf. While the documentation in place between the Fund and its clearing member generally provides that the clearing members will accept for clearing all transactions submitted for clearing that are within credit limits (specified in advance) for the Fund, the Fund is still subject to the risk that no clearing member will be willing or able to clear a transaction. In those cases, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and/or loss of hedging protection offered by the transaction. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Fund and the clearing member is developed by the clearing member and generally is less favorable to the Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, this documentation generally includes a one-way indemnity by the Fund in favor of the clearing member, indemnifying the clearing member against losses it incurs in connection with acting as the Funds clearing member, and the documentation typically does not give the Fund any rights to exercise remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent.
These and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, further restrict the Funds ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. These regulations are new and evolving, so their potential impact on the Fund and the financial system are not yet known. While the new regulations and the central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk (i.e., the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause a number of those dealers to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that the new clearing mechanisms will achieve that result, and in the meantime, as noted above, central clearing will expose the Fund to new kinds of risks and costs.
Other Derivatives; Future Developments
The above discussion relates to the Funds proposed use of certain types of derivatives currently available. However, the Fund is not limited to the transactions described above. In addition, the relevant markets and related regulations are constantly changing and, in the future, the Fund may use derivatives not currently available or widely in use.
The Fund is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Adviser is registered as a commodity pool operator (CPO) under the CEA with respect to the Fund. The Adviser and the Fund are subject to dual regulation by the SEC and CFTC. Compliance with the CFTCs new regulatory requirements could increase the Funds expenses, adversely affecting the Funds total return. The Adviser and the Fund continue to analyze the effect that these new rules, including the CFTCs recent harmonization of overlapping disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping requirements may have on the Fund.
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Emerging Markets
Investments in foreign securities may include investments in emerging or developing countries whose economies or securities markets are not yet highly developed. The same or similar risks are seen in investments in companies that are located in developed markets but derive substantial revenues from emerging markets. As noted in the section Foreign Securities herein, the risks associated with investing in foreign securities are often heightened for investments in emerging market countries. These heightened risks include (i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, and less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the small size of the markets for securities of emerging market issuers and the oftentimes low or nonexistent volume of trading, resulting in lack of liquidity and in price volatility; (iii) certain national policies that may restrict the Funds investment opportunities, including restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests or currency transfer restrictions; (iv) an economys dependence on revenues from particular commodities or on international aid or development assistance; (v) the absence of developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment and private property and/or less developed custodial and deposit systems and delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures; and (vi) risks associated with the imposition of sanctions by the U.S. government. The Funds purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging market countries may be constrained by limitations as to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. In certain cases, such limitations may be computed based upon the aggregate trading by or holdings of the Fund, its Adviser and 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. These limitations may have a negative impact on the Funds performance and may adversely affect the liquidity of the Funds investment to the extent that it invests in certain emerging market countries. In addition, some emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Further, certain emerging market countries currencies may not be internationally traded. Certain of these currencies have experienced a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. If the Fund does not hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities it owns denominated in currencies that are devalued, the Funds NAV will be adversely affected. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have adverse effects on the economies and securities markets of certain of these countries.
In determining whether to invest in securities of foreign issuers, the Adviser may consider the likely effects of foreign taxes on the net yield available to the Fund and its shareholders. Compliance with foreign tax laws may reduce the Funds net income available for distribution to shareholders.
Equity Securities
The Fund may invest in equity securities. Common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks and similar securities, together called equity securities, are generally volatile and more risky than some other forms of investment. Equity securities of companies with relatively small market capitalizations may be more volatile than the securities of larger, more established companies and than the broad equity market indices generally. Common stock and other equity securities may take the form of stock in corporations, partnership interests, interests in limited liability companies and other direct or indirect interests in business organizations.
Equity securities are securities that represent an ownership interest (or the right to acquire such an interest) in a company and may include common and preferred stocks, securities exercisable for, or convertible into, common or preferred stocks, such as warrants, convertible debt securities and convertible preferred stock, and other equity-like interests in an entity. Equity securities may take the form of stock in a corporation, limited partnership interests, interests in limited liability companies, depositary receipts, real estate investment trusts (REITs) or other trusts and other similar securities. Common stocks represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. Preferred stocks represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event that an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and other debt securities take precedence over holders of preferred stock, whose claims take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
While offering greater potential for long-term growth, equity securities generally are more volatile and more risky than some other forms of investment, particularly debt securities. The value of your investment in a fund that invests in equity securities may decrease, potentially by a significant amount. The Fund may invest in equity securities of companies with relatively small market capitalizations. Securities of such companies may be more volatile than the securities of larger, more established companies and the broad equity market indices. See the section Market Capitalizations. The Funds investments may include securities traded OTC as well as those traded on a securities exchange. Some securities, particularly OTC securities, may be more difficult to sell under some market conditions.
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Stocks of companies that the Adviser believes have earnings that will grow faster than the economy as a whole are known as growth stocks. Growth stocks typically trade at higher multiples of current earnings than other stocks. As a result, the values of growth stocks may be more sensitive to changes in current or expected earnings than the values of other stocks. If the Advisers assessment of the prospects for a companys earnings growth is wrong, or if its judgment of how other investors will value the companys earnings growth is wrong, then the price of that companys stock may fall or may not approach the value that the Adviser has placed on it.
Stocks of companies that are not expected to experience significant earnings growth, but whose stocks the Adviser believes are undervalued compared to their true worth, are known as value stocks. These companies may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused their stocks to be out of favor. If the Advisers assessment of a companys prospects is wrong, or if other investors do not eventually recognize the value of the company, then the price of the companys stock may fall or may not approach the value that the Adviser has placed on it.
Many stocks may have both growth and value characteristics, and for some stocks it may be unclear which category, if any, it fits into.
Fixed-Income Securities
The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities. Fixed-income securities pay a specified rate of interest or dividends, or a rate that is adjusted periodically by reference to some specified index or market rate. Fixed-income securities include securities issued by federal, state, local and foreign governments and related agencies, and by a wide range of private or corporate issuers. Fixed-income securities include, among others, bonds, debentures, notes, bills and commercial paper. Because interest rates vary, it is impossible to predict the income of the Fund for any particular period. In addition, the prices of fixed-income securities generally vary inversely with changes in interest rates. Prices of fixed-income securities may also be affected by items related to a particular issue or to the debt markets generally. The NAV of the Funds shares will vary as a result of changes in the value of the securities in the Funds portfolio.
Investment-Grade Fixed-Income Securities. To be considered investment-grade quality, at least one of the three major rating agencies (Fitch Investor Services, Inc. (Fitch), Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or Standard & Poors Ratings Group (S&P)) must have rated the security in one of its respective top four rating categories at the time the Fund acquires the security or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser must have determined it to be of comparable quality.
Below Investment-Grade Fixed-Income Securities. Below investment-grade fixed-income securities (commonly referred to as junk bonds) are rated below investment-grade quality. To be considered below investment-grade quality, none of the three major rating agencies (Fitch, Moodys and S&P) must have rated the security in one of its respective top four rating categories at the time the Fund acquires the security or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser must have determined it to be of comparable quality.
Below investment-grade fixed-income securities are subject to greater credit risk and market risk than higher-quality fixed-income securities. Below investment-grade fixed-income securities are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the ability of the issuer to make timely principal and interest payments. If the Fund invests in below investment-grade fixed-income securities, the Funds achievement of its objective may be more dependent on the Advisers own credit analysis than is the case with funds that invest in higher-quality fixed-income securities. The market for below investment-grade fixed-income securities may be more severely affected than some other financial markets by economic recession or substantial interest rate increases, by changing public perceptions of this market, or by legislation that limits the ability of certain categories of financial institutions to invest in these securities. In addition, the secondary market may be less liquid for below investment-grade fixed-income securities. This lack of liquidity at certain times may affect the values of these securities and may make the evaluation and sale of these securities more difficult. Below investment-grade fixed-income securities may be in poor standing or in default and typically have speculative characteristics.
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For more information about the ratings services descriptions of the various ratings categories, see Appendix A. The Fund may continue to hold fixed-income securities that are downgraded in quality subsequent to their purchase if the Adviser believes it would be advantageous to do so.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for both hedging and investment purposes. Many foreign securities in the Funds portfolio will be denominated in foreign currencies or traded in securities markets in which settlements are made in foreign currencies. Any income on such investments is generally paid to the Fund in foreign currencies. The value of these foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar varies continually, causing changes in the dollar value of the Funds portfolio investments (even if the local market price of the investments is unchanged) and changes in the dollar value of the Funds income available for distribution to its shareholders. The effect of changes in the dollar value of a foreign currency on the dollar value of the Funds assets and on the net investment income available for distribution may be favorable or unfavorable.
To protect against a change in the foreign currency exchange rate between the date on which the Fund contracts to purchase or sell a security and the settlement date for the purchase or sale, to gain exposure to one or more foreign currencies or to lock in the equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in another currency, the Fund might purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate or may enter into futures contracts on an exchange.
If conditions warrant, the Fund may also enter into contracts with banks or broker-dealers to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date (forward contracts), as described above in the section Derivative Instruments.
Forward contracts are subject to many of the same risks as derivatives described in the section Derivative Instruments. Forward contracts may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. In addition, the effect of changes in the dollar value of a foreign currency on the dollar value of the Funds assets and on the net investment income available for distribution may be favorable or unfavorable. The Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies, and the Fund will be subject to increased illiquidity and counterparty risk because forward contracts are not traded on an exchange and often are not standardized. The Fund may also be required to liquidate portfolio assets, or may incur increased currency conversion costs, to compensate for a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency occurring between the time when the Fund declares and pays a dividend, or between the time when the Fund accrues and pays an operating expense in U.S. dollars.
The Adviser may decide not to engage in currency transactions, and there is no assurance that any currency strategy used by the Fund will succeed. In addition, suitable currency transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions when they would be beneficial. The foreign currency transactions in which the Fund may engage involve risks similar to those described in the section Derivative Instruments.
The Funds use of currency transactions may be limited by tax considerations. Transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated debt and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned and may affect the timing or amount of distributions to shareholders.
Transactions in non-U.S. currencies are also subject to many of the risks of investing in non-U.S. securities described in the section Foreign Securities. Because the Fund may invest in foreign securities and foreign currencies, changes in foreign economies and political climates are more likely to affect the Fund than a mutual fund that invests exclusively in U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision of foreign markets, resulting in non-uniform accounting practices and less publicly available information. If the Funds portfolio is over-weighted in a certain geographic region, any negative development affecting that region will have a greater impact on the Fund than a fund that is not over-weighted in that region.
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Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities may include, among other things, securities of issuers organized or headquartered outside the U.S. as well as obligations of supranational entities. In addition to the risks associated with investing in securities generally, such investments present additional risks not typically associated with investments in comparable securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to these risks to a greater extent than those in more developed markets, as described more fully in the section Emerging Markets. The non-U.S. securities in which the Fund may invest, all or a portion of which may be non-U.S. dollar-denominated, may include, among other investments: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by non-U.S. national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments or by their agencies or instrumentalities, including Brady Bonds; (b) debt obligations of supranational entities; (c) debt obligations of the U.S. government issued in non-dollar securities; (d) debt obligations and other fixed-income securities of foreign corporate issuers; (e) non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of U.S. corporate issuers; and (f) equity securities issued by foreign corporations or other business organizations.
There may be less information publicly available about a foreign corporate or government issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and foreign corporate issuers are not generally subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the United States. The securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and at times more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign brokerage commissions and securities custody costs are often higher than those in the United States, and judgments against foreign entities may be more difficult to obtain and enforce. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of governmental expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and diplomatic developments that could affect the value of investments in those countries. If the Funds portfolio is over-weighted in a certain geographic region, any negative development affecting that region will have a greater impact on the Fund than a fund that is not over-weighted in that region. The receipt of interest on foreign government securities may depend on the availability of tax or other revenues to satisfy the issuers obligations.
Since most foreign securities are denominated in foreign currencies or traded primarily in securities markets in which settlements are made in foreign currencies, the value of these investments and the net investment income available for distribution to shareholders of the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations. To the extent the Fund may purchase securities denominated in foreign currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in the U.S. dollar value of the Funds assets and the Funds income available for distribution. A portion of the Fund may be invested in certain securities which are denominated and traded in the euro, the official currency of the eurozone. The recent global economic crisis has caused many European countries to experience serious fiscal difficulties, including bankruptcy, public budget deficits, recession, sovereign default, restructuring of government debt, credit rating downgrades and an overall weakening of the banking and financial sectors. In addition, some European economies may depend on others for assistance, and the inability of such economies to achieve the reforms or objectives upon which that assistance is conditioned may result in a deeper and/or longer global financial downturn. These recent events in the eurozone have called into question the long-term viability of the euro as a shared currency among the eurozone nations. Moreover, the strict fiscal and monetary controls of the European Economic and Monetary Union as well as any new requirements it may impose on member countries may significantly impact such countries and limit them from implementing their own economic policies to some degree. As the result of economic, political, regulatory or other actions taken in response to this crisis, including any discontinuation of the euro as the shared currency among the eurozone nations or the implementation of capital controls or the restructuring of financial institutions, the Funds euro-denominated investments may become difficult to value, the Fund may be unable to dispose of investments or repatriate investment proceeds, the Funds ability to operate its strategy in connection with euro-denominated securities may be significantly impaired and the value of the Funds euro-denominated investments may decline significantly and unpredictably.
Although the Funds income may be received or realized in foreign currencies, the Fund will be required to compute and distribute its income in U.S. dollars. Therefore, if the value of a currency relative to the U.S. dollar declines after the Funds income has been earned in that currency, translated into U.S. dollars and declared as a dividend, but before payment of such dividend, the Fund could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to pay such dividend. Similarly, if the value of a currency relative to the U.S. dollar declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses or other obligations in U.S. dollars and the time such expenses or obligations are paid, the amount of such currency required to be converted into U.S. dollars in order to pay such expenses in U.S. dollars will be greater than the equivalent amount in such currency of such expenses at the time they were incurred.
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In addition, because the Fund may invest in foreign securities traded primarily on markets that close prior to the time the Fund determines its NAV, the risks posed by frequent trading may have a greater potential to dilute the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders than a fund investing in U.S. securities. In instances where a significant event that affects the value of one or more foreign securities held by the Fund takes place after the close of the primary foreign market, but before the time that the Fund determines its NAV, certain investors may seek to take advantage of the fact that there will be a delay in the adjustment of the market price for a security caused by this event until the foreign market reopens (sometimes referred to as price or time zone arbitrage). Shareholders who attempt this type of arbitrage may dilute the value of the Funds shares by virtue of their transaction, if those prices reflect the fair value of the foreign securities. Although the Fund has procedures designed to determine the fair value of foreign securities for purposes of calculating its NAV when such an event has occurred, fair value pricing, because it involves judgments which are inherently subjective, may not always eliminate the risk of price arbitrage. The Funds securities may change in price on days on which the U.S. markets are closed and the Fund does not calculate its NAV or sell or redeem its shares. For more information on how the Fund uses fair value pricing, see the section Net Asset Value.
Foreign withholding or other taxes imposed on the Funds investments in foreign securities will reduce the Funds return on those securities. In certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund. See the section Taxes.
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may purchase illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are those that are not readily resalable. Securities whose disposition is restricted by federal securities laws may be considered illiquid. Securities will generally be considered illiquid if such securities cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the securities. Investment in illiquid securities involves the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell such a security at the desired time or at the price at which the Fund values the security. Also, the Fund may incur expenses, losses or delays in the process of registering restricted securities prior to resale. Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper are treated as illiquid, unless the Adviser has determined, under guidelines established by the Board, that the particular issue is liquid. See the section Rule 144A Securities and Section 4(2) Commercial Paper for additional information on these instruments.
Inflation-Linked and Inflation-Indexed Securities
The Fund may invest in inflation-linked securities. Inflation-linked securities are fixed-income securities the principal values of which are adjusted periodically according to the rate of inflation. The principal amount of these securities increases with increases in the price index used as a reference value for the securities. In addition, the amounts payable as coupon interest payments increase when the price index increases because the interest amount is calculated by multiplying the principal amount (as adjusted) by a fixed coupon rate.
Although inflation-linked securities protect their holders from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may result in a decline in value. The values of inflation-linked securities generally fluctuate in response to changes to 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 rate faster than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of the inflation-linked securities. 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 inflation-linked securities. If inflation is lower than expected during a period in which the Fund holds inflation-linked securities, the Fund may earn less on such securities than on a conventional security. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in inflation-linked securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the price index used as a reference for the securities. There can be no assurance that the price index used for an inflation-linked security will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Inflation-linked and inflation-indexed securities include Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. government (see the section U.S. Government Securities for additional information), but also may include securities issued by state, local and non-U.S. governments and corporations and supranational entities.
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The Funds investments in inflation-indexed securities can cause the Fund to accrue income for U.S. federal income tax purposes without a corresponding receipt of cash; the Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio securities (including when not otherwise advantageous to do so) in order to obtain sufficient cash to meet its distribution requirements for qualification as a RIC under the Code.
Initial Public Offerings
The Fund may purchase securities of companies that are offered pursuant to an initial public offering (IPO). An IPO is a companys first offering of stock to the public in the primary market, typically to raise additional capital. The Fund may purchase a hot IPO (also known as a hot issue), which is an IPO that is oversubscribed and, as a result, is an investment opportunity of limited availability. As a consequence, the price at which these IPO shares open in the secondary market may be significantly higher than the original IPO price. IPO securities tend to involve greater risk due, in part, to public perception and the lack of publicly available information and trading history. There is the possibility of losses resulting from the difference between the issue price and potential diminished value of the stock once traded in the secondary market. The Funds investment in IPO securities may have a significant impact on the Funds performance and may result in significant capital gains.
Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in other investment companies. Investment companies, including exchange-traded funds such as iShares, SPDRs and VIPERs, are essentially pools of securities. Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying securities, but may involve additional expenses at the investment company level, such as investment advisory fees and operating expenses. In some cases, investing in an investment company may involve the payment of a premium over the value of the assets held in that investment companys portfolio. In other circumstances, the market value of an investment companys shares may be less than the NAV per share of the investment company. As an investor in another investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of the investment companys expenses, including advisory fees, and the Funds shareholders will bear such expenses indirectly, in addition to similar fees and expenses of the Fund.
Despite the possibility of greater fees and expenses, investment in other investment companies may be attractive nonetheless for several reasons, especially in connection with foreign investments. Because of restrictions on direct investment by U.S. entities in certain countries, investing indirectly in such countries (by purchasing shares of another fund that is permitted to invest in such countries) may be the most practical and efficient way for the Fund to invest in such countries. In other cases, when the Funds Adviser desires to make only a relatively small investment in a particular country, investing through another fund that holds a diversified portfolio in that country may be more effective than investing directly in issuers in that country. In addition, it may be efficient for the Fund to gain exposure to particular market segments by investing in shares of one or more investment companies.
Exchange-Traded Funds. The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). An ETF is an investment company that is generally registered under the 1940 Act that holds a portfolio of securities designed to track the performance of a particular index. The index may be actively managed. ETFs sell and redeem their shares at NAV in large blocks (typically 50,000 of its shares or more) called creation units. Shares representing fractional interests in these creation units are listed for trading on national securities exchanges and can be purchased and sold in the secondary market in lots of any size at any time during the trading day. ETFs sometimes also refer to entities that are not registered under the 1940 Act that invest directly in commodities or other assets (e.g., gold bullion). Investments in ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly-based portfolio of securities, including risks that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other instrument. In addition, an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or number of stocks held.
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Market Capitalizations
The Fund may invest in companies with small, medium or large market capitalizations. Large capitalization companies are generally large companies that have been in existence for a number of years and are well established in their market. Middle market capitalization companies are generally medium-sized companies that are not as established as large capitalization companies, may be more volatile and are subject to many of the same risks as smaller capitalization companies. The Fund may invest in companies with relatively small market capitalizations. Such investments may involve greater risk than is usually associated with more established companies. These companies often have sales and earnings growth rates that exceed those of companies with larger market capitalization. Such growth rates may in turn be reflected in more rapid share price appreciation. However, companies with smaller market capitalization often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent upon a relatively small management group. These securities may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic movements in price than securities of companies with larger market capitalization or market averages in general. To the extent that the Fund invests in companies with relatively small market capitalizations, the value of its stock portfolio may fluctuate more widely than broad market averages.
Mortgage Dollar Rolls
The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls. A dollar roll involves the sale of a security by the Fund and its agreement to repurchase the instrument at a specified time and price, and may be considered a form of borrowing for some purposes. The Fund will designate on its records or segregate with its custodian bank assets determined to be liquid in an amount sufficient to meet its obligations under the transactions. A dollar roll involves potential risks of loss that are different from those related to the securities underlying the transactions. The Fund may be required to purchase securities at a higher price than may otherwise be available on the open market. Since the counterparty in the transaction is required to deliver a similar, but not identical, security to the Fund, the security that the Fund is required to buy under the dollar roll may be worth less than an identical security. There is no assurance that the Funds use of the cash that it receives from a dollar roll will provide a return that exceeds borrowing costs.
Mortgage-Related Securities
The Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities, such as Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) or Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) certificates, which differ from traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage loans generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if the Fund purchases these assets at a premium, a faster-than-expected prepayment rate will tend to reduce yield to maturity, and a slower-than-expected prepayment rate may have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. If the Fund purchases mortgage-related securities at a discount, faster-than-expected prepayments will tend to increase, and slower-than-expected prepayments will tend to reduce, yield to maturity. Prepayments, and resulting amounts available for reinvestment by the Fund, are likely to be greater during a period of declining interest rates and, as a result, are likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates. Accelerated prepayments on securities purchased at a premium may result in a loss of principal if the premium has not been fully amortized at the time of prepayment. Although these securities will decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates generally, they are likely to appreciate less than other fixed-income securities when interest rates decline because of the risk of prepayments. In addition, an increase in interest rates would increase the inherent volatility of the Fund by increasing the average life of the Funds portfolio securities.
The value of some mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. These types of securities may also decline for reasons associated with the underlying collateral. The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by mortgage pools that contain subprime or Alt-A loans (loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories, less documentation or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans), but a level of risk exists for all loans. Market factors adversely affecting mortgage loan repayments may include a general economic downturn, high unemployment, a general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop in the market prices of real estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in higher mortgage payments by holders of adjustable-rate mortgages. Securities issued by the GNMA and the FNMA and similar issuers also may be exposed to risks described under U.S. Government Securities.
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The Fund also may gain exposure to mortgage-related securities through entering into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments related to this asset class. For example, the Fund may enter into credit default swaps on CMBX, which are indices made up of tranches of commercial mortgage-backed securities, each with different credit ratings. Utilizing CMBX, one can either gain synthetic risk exposure to a portfolio of such securities by selling protection or take a short position by buying protection. The protection buyer pays a monthly premium to the protection seller, and the seller agrees to cover any principal losses and interest shortfalls of the referenced underlying mortgage-backed securities. Credit default swaps and other derivative instruments related to mortgage-related securities are subject to the risks associated with mortgage-related securities generally, as well as the risks of derivative transactions. See the section Derivative Instruments.
Municipal Obligations
The Fund may purchase municipal obligations. The term municipal obligations generally is understood to include debt obligations issued by municipalities to obtain funds for various public purposes, the income from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the proceeds from private activity bonds are used for the construction, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, the interest paid on such bonds may be excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, although current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of these issues. The Funds distributions of any interest it earns on municipal obligations will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are general obligation and revenue bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuers pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Private activity bonds are revenue bonds that are issued by municipalities and other public authorities to finance development of industrial or other facilities for use by private enterprise. The private enterprise (and/or any guarantor) pays the principal and interest on the bond; the user does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. The credit and quality of private activity bonds are usually tied to the credit of the corporate user of the facilities. Sizable investments in these obligations could involve an increased risk to the Fund should any of the related facilities experience financial difficulties. Private activity bonds are in most cases revenue bonds and do not generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality. There are, of course, variations in the security of municipal obligations, both within a particular classification and between classifications.
Municipal securities can be significantly affected by political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes, or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. In addition, changes in the financial condition of an individual municipal issuer can affect the overall municipal market.
Pay-in-Kind Securities
The Fund may invest in pay-in-kind securities. Pay-in-kind securities pay dividends or interest in the form of additional securities of the issuer, rather than in cash. These securities are usually issued and traded at a discount from their face amounts. The amount of the discount varies depending on various factors, such as the time remaining until maturity of the securities, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of pay-in-kind securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than are other types of securities having similar maturities and credit quality. The Fund would be required to distribute the income on these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its shareholders. The Fund would be required to distribute income on these instruments as they accrue, even though the Fund will not receive the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its shareholders.
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Preferred Stock
The Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock pays dividends at a specified rate and generally has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuers assets, but is junior to the debt securities of the issuer in those same respects. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuers board of directors. Shareholders may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in the issuers creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Under normal circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting rights.
Private Placements
The Fund may invest in securities that are purchased in private placements. While private placements may offer opportunities for investment that are not otherwise available on the open market, these securities may be subject to restrictions on resale as a matter of contract or under federal securities laws. Because there may be relatively few potential purchasers for these securities, especially under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell the securities when the Adviser believes that it is advisable to do so, or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if the securities were more widely held. At times, it also may be more difficult to determine the fair value of the securities for purposes of computing the Funds NAV.
The absence of a trading market can make it difficult to ascertain a market value for illiquid investments such as private placements. Disposing of illiquid investments may involve time-consuming negotiation and legal expenses, and it may be difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell the illiquid securities promptly at an acceptable price. The Fund may have to bear the extra expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delay in effecting the registration. In addition, market quotations are typically less readily available for these securities. The judgment of the Adviser may at times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case of unrestricted securities.
The Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act when reselling privately-issued securities to the public. As such, the Fund may be liable to purchasers of the securities if the registration statement prepared by the issuer, or the prospectus forming a part of the registration statement, is materially inaccurate or misleading.
Privatizations
The Fund may participate in privatizations. In a number of countries around the world, governments have undertaken to sell to investors interests in enterprises that the government has historically owned or controlled. These transactions are known as privatizations and may in some cases represent opportunities for significant capital appreciation. In some cases, the ability of U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, and the terms of participation for U.S. investors may be less advantageous than those for local investors. In addition, there is no assurance that privatized enterprises will be successful, or that an investment in such an enterprise will retain its value or appreciate in value.
REITs
The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate-related loans. REITs involve certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general (such as possible declines in the value of real estate, lack of availability of mortgage funds, or extended vacancies of property). Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended and changes in interest rates. REITs whose underlying assets are concentrated in properties used by a particular industry, such as health care, are also subject to risks associated with such industry. REITs are dependent
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upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, risks of default by borrowers, and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks, including prepayment risk. When interest rates decline, the value of a REITs investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REITs investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. If the REIT invests in adjustable rate mortgage loans the interest rates on which are reset periodically, yields on a REITs investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates. This causes the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than more widely held securities.
The Funds investment in a REIT may result in the Fund making distributions that constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes, or may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. In addition, distributions by the Fund from REITs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction, or, generally, for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Real Estate Securities
The Fund may invest in securities of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, and are, therefore, subject to the special risks associated with the real estate market and the real estate industry in general. Companies in the real estate industry are considered to be those that (i) have principal activity involving the development, ownership, construction, management or sale of real estate; (ii) have significant real estate holdings, such as hospitality companies, supermarkets and mining, lumber and paper companies; and/or (iii) provide products or services related to the real estate industry, such as financial institutions that make and/or service mortgage loans and manufacturers or distributors of building supplies. Securities of companies in the real estate industry are sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use and rents, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, by which the Fund purchases a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller (a bank or, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, a recognized securities dealer) to repurchase the security at an agreed-upon price and date (usually seven days or less from the date of original purchase). The resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market interest rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. Repurchase agreements are economically similar to collateralized loans by the Fund. Such transactions afford the Fund the opportunity to earn a return on temporarily available cash at relatively low market risk. The Fund does not have percentage limitations on how much of its total assets may be invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also use repurchase agreements for cash management and temporary defensive purposes. The Fund may invest in a repurchase agreement that does not produce a positive return to the Fund if the Adviser believes it is appropriate to do so under the circumstances (for example, to help protect the Funds uninvested cash against the risk of loss during periods of market turmoil). While the underlying security may be a bill, certificate of indebtedness, note or bond issued by an agency, authority or instrumentality of the U.S. government, the obligation of the seller is not guaranteed by the U.S. government and there is a risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the underlying security. In such event, the Fund would attempt to exercise rights with respect to the underlying security, including possible disposition in the market. However, the Fund may be subject to various delays and risks of loss, including (i) possible declines in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (ii) possible reduced levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (iii) inability to enforce rights and the expenses involved in the attempted enforcement, for example, against a counterparty undergoing financial distress.
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Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Other Borrowings
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement the Fund transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial institution, broker or dealer, in return for cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original consideration plus interest at an agreed-upon rate. The ability to use reverse repurchase agreements may enable, but does not ensure the ability of, the Fund to avoid selling portfolio instruments at a time when a sale may be deemed to be disadvantageous. When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, assets of the Fund in a dollar amount sufficient to make payment of the obligations to be purchased are segregated on the Funds records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled. Reverse repurchase agreements are economically similar to secured borrowings by the Fund.
Rule 144A Securities and Section 4(2) Commercial Paper
The Fund may invest in Rule 144A Securities and Section 4(2) Commercial Paper. Rule 144A securities are privately offered securities that can be resold only to certain qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Fund may also purchase commercial paper issued under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or similar debt obligations. Commercial paper is generally considered to be short-term unsecured debt of corporations. Investing in Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the level of the Funds illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities. As noted above, Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper are treated as illiquid unless the Adviser has determined, under guidelines established by the Board, that the particular issue is liquid. Under the guidelines, the Adviser considers such factors as: (1) the frequency of the trades and quotes for a security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades in the security.
Securities Lending
The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers or other financial institutions under contracts calling for the deposit by the borrower with the Funds custodian of collateral equal to at least the market value of the securities loaned, marked to market on a daily basis. The Fund will continue to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned (although the payment characteristics may change) and may also earn a return from the collateral, which may include shares of a money market fund subject to any investment restrictions listed in this Statement. Under some securities lending arrangements, the Fund may receive a set fee for keeping its securities available for lending. Any voting rights, or rights to consent, relating to securities loaned, pass to the borrower. However, if a material event (as determined by the adviser) affecting the investment occurs, the Fund may seek to recall the securities so that the securities may be voted by the Fund, although the adviser may not know of such event in time to recall the securities or may be unable to recall the securities in time to vote them. The Fund pays various fees in connection with such loans, including fees to the party arranging the loans, shipping fees and custodian and placement fees approved by the Board or persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Board.
Securities loans must be fully collateralized at all times, but involve some credit risk to the Fund if the borrower or the party (if any) guaranteeing the loan should default on its obligation and the Fund is delayed in or prevented from recovering the collateral. In addition, any investment of cash collateral is generally at the sole risk of the Fund. Any income or gains and losses from investing and reinvesting any cash collateral delivered by a borrower pursuant to a loan are generally at the Funds risk, and to the extent any such losses reduce the amount of cash below the amount required to be returned to the borrower upon the termination of any loan, the Fund may be required by the securities lending agent to pay or cause to be paid to such borrower an amount equal to such shortfall in cash.
Senior Loans, Loan Participations and Assignments
The Fund may invest in senior loans, which include both secured and unsecured loans made by banks and other financial institutions to corporate customers. Senior loans typically hold the most senior position in a borrowers capital structure, may be secured by the borrowers assets and have interest rates that reset frequently. Senior loans
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can include term loans, revolving credit facility loans and second lien loans. The proceeds of senior loans primarily are used to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends, and, to a lesser extent, to finance internal growth and for other corporate purposes. These loans may not be rated investment-grade by the rating agencies. Although secured loans are secured by collateral of the borrower, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the borrowers obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Economic downturns generally lead to higher non-payment and default rates and a senior loan could lose a substantial part of its value prior to a default. Some senior loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate such senior loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to the holders of senior loans including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such senior loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower.
The Funds investments in loans are subject to credit risk and liquidity risk. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks, and may be highly speculative. The interest rates on many senior loans reset frequently, and thus senior loans are subject to interest rate risk. Most senior loans are not traded on any national securities exchange. Senior loans generally have less liquidity than investment-grade bonds and there may be less public information available about them.
Large loans to corporations or governments may be shared or syndicated among several lenders, usually including (but often not limited to) banks. The Fund may participate in the primary syndicate for a loan or it may also purchase loans from other lenders (sometimes referred to as loan assignments), in either case becoming a direct lender. The Fund also may acquire a participation interest in another lenders portion of the loan. Participation interests involve special types of risk, including liquidity risk and the risks of being a lender. Loans and loan participations may be transferable among financial institutions; however, they may not have the liquidity of conventional debt securities and because they may be subject to restrictions on resale, they are potentially illiquid. The purchase or sale of loans may require the consent of a third party or of the borrower, and although such consent is rarely withheld in practice, the consent requirement could delay a purchase or affect the Funds ability to dispose of its investments in loans in a timely fashion. Although the market for loans and loan participations has become increasingly liquid over time, this market is still developing, and there can be no assurance that adverse developments with respect to this market or particular borrowers will not prevent the Fund from selling these loans at their market values at a desirable time or price. To the extent a senior loan has been deemed illiquid, it will be subject to the Funds restrictions on investment in illiquid securities. When investing in a loan participation, the Fund typically will have the right to receive payments only from the lender to the extent the lender receives payments from the borrower, and not from the borrower itself. Likewise, the Fund typically will be able to enforce its rights only through the lender, and not directly against the borrower. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institutions interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks to the Fund. For example, if the loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as a co-lender. Loans and other debt instruments that are not in the form of securities may offer less legal protection to the Fund in the event of fraud or misrepresentation.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to rely on the agent to pursue appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. In addition, holders of the loans, such as the Fund, may be required to indemnify the agent bank in certain circumstances.
In addition to investing in senior secured loans, the Fund may invest in other loans, such as second lien loans and other secured loans, as well as unsecured loans. Second lien loans and other secured loans are subject to the same risks associated with investment in senior loans and below investment-grade bonds. However, such loans may rank lower in right of payment than senior secured loans, and are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and any property securing the loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the higher ranking secured obligations of the borrower. Second lien loans and other secured loans are expected to
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have greater price volatility than more senior loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in lower ranking loans, which would create greater credit risk exposure. Each of these risks may be increased in the case of unsecured loans, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral.
The Fund may also gain exposure to loan investments through the use of derivatives. See the section Derivative Instruments.
Short Sales
The Fund may enter into short sales of securities. To sell a security short, the Fund must borrow that security from a lender, such as a prime broker, and deliver it to the short sale counterparty. If the Fund is unable to borrow the security it wishes to sell short at an advantageous time or price, the Funds ability to pursue its short sale strategy may be adversely affected. When closing out a short position, the Fund will have to purchase the security it originally sold short. The Fund will realize a profit from closing out a short position if the price of the security sold short has declined since the short position was opened; the Fund will realize a loss from closing out a short position if the value of the shorted security has risen since the short position was opened. Because there is no upper limit on the price to which a security can rise, short selling exposes the Fund to potentially unlimited losses if it does not hold the security sold short.
While short sales can be used to further the Funds investment objective, under certain market conditions, they can increase the volatility of the Fund and decrease the liquidity of the Fund. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund may have difficulty purchasing the securities required to meet its short sale delivery obligations, and may have to sell portfolio securities at a disadvantageous time or price to raise the funds necessary to meet its short sale obligations. If a request to return the borrowed securities occurs at a time when other short sellers of those same securities are receiving similar requests, a short squeeze can occur, and the Fund may be forced to replace the borrowed securities with purchases on the open market at a disadvantageous time, potentially at a cost that significantly exceeds the original short sale proceeds originally received in selling the securities short. It is possible that the value of the Funds long positions will decrease at the same time that the value of its short positions increases, which could increase losses to the Fund.
The Fund intends to cover its short sale transactions either by segregating or earmarking liquid assets, such that the segregated/earmarked amount, combined with any amount deposited with a broker as margin, equals the current market value of the securities underlying the short sale or by purchasing the securities underlying the short sale transaction or call options on those securities with a strike price no higher than the price at which the security was sold. Ordinarily, the Fund will incur a fee or pay a premium to borrow securities, may also be required to pay interest and other charges, and will have to repay the lender any dividends or interest that accrue on the security while the loan is outstanding. The amount of the premium, dividends, interest and other expenses the Fund pays in connection with the short sale will decrease the amount of any gain from a short sale and increase the amount of any loss.
Short sales may protect the Fund against the risk of losses in the value of its portfolio securities because any unrealized losses with respect to such portfolio securities should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding gain in the short position. However, any potential gains in such portfolio securities should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are offset will depend on the amount of securities sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the conversion premium.
Short sale transactions involve certain risks. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss, and if the price declines during this period, the Fund will realize a short-term capital gain. Any realized short-term capital gain will be decreased, and any incurred loss increased, by the amount of transaction costs and any premium, dividend or interest which the Fund may have to pay in connection with such short sale. Certain provisions of the Code may limit the degree to which the Fund is able to enter into short sales. There is no limitation on the amount of the Funds assets that, in the aggregate, may be deposited as collateral for the obligation to replace securities borrowed to effect short sales and allocated to segregated accounts in connection with short sales.
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Short-Term Trading
The Fund may, consistent with its investment objective, engage in portfolio trading in anticipation of, or in response to, changing economic or market conditions and trends. These policies may result in higher turnover rates in the Funds portfolio, which may produce higher transaction costs and a higher level of taxable capital gains. Portfolio turnover considerations will not limit an Advisers investment discretion in managing the Funds assets. The Fund anticipates that its portfolio turnover rates will vary significantly from time to time depending on the volatility of economic and market conditions.
Step-Coupon Securities
The Fund may invest in step-coupon securities. Step-coupon securities trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon interest. The coupon rate is low for an initial period and then increases to a higher coupon rate thereafter. Market values of these types of securities generally fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than conventional interest-paying securities of comparable term and quality. Under many market conditions, investments in such securities may be illiquid, making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them or determine their current value.
Stripped Securities
The Fund may invest in stripped securities, which are usually structured with two or more classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution on a pool of U.S. government or foreign government securities or mortgage assets. In some cases, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or IO class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or PO class). Stripped securities commonly have greater market volatility than other types of fixed-income securities. In the case of stripped mortgage securities, if the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investments in IOs. Stripped securities may be illiquid. Stripped mortgage securities may be considered derivative securities. See the section Derivative Instruments.
Structured Notes
The Fund may invest in a broad category of instruments known as structured notes. These instruments are debt obligations issued by industrial corporations, financial institutions or governmental or international agencies. Traditional debt obligations typically obligate the issuer to repay the principal plus a specified rate of interest. Structured notes, by contrast, obligate the issuer to pay amounts of principal or interest that are determined by reference to changes in some external factor or factors, or the principal and interest rate may vary from the stated rate because of changes in these factors. For example, the issuers obligations could be determined by reference to changes in the value of a commodity (such as gold or oil) or commodity index, a foreign currency, an index of securities (such as the S&P 500® Index) or an interest rate (such as the U.S. Treasury bill rate). In some cases, the issuers obligations are determined by reference to changes over time in the difference (or spread) between two or more external factors (such as the U.S. prime lending rate and the total return of the stock market in a particular country, as measured by a stock index). In some cases, the issuers obligations may fluctuate inversely with changes in an external factor or factors (for example, if the U.S. prime lending rate goes up, the issuers interest payment obligations are reduced). In some cases, the issuers obligations may be determined by some multiple of the change in an external factor or factors (for example, three times the change in the U.S. Treasury bill rate). In some cases, the issuers obligations remain fixed (as with a traditional debt instrument) so long as an external factor or factors do not change by more than the specified amount (for example, if the value of a stock index does not exceed some specified maximum), but if the external factor or factors change by more than the specified amount, the issuers obligations may be sharply reduced.
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Structured notes can serve many different purposes in the management of the Fund. For example, they can be used to increase the Funds exposure to changes in the value of assets that the Fund would not ordinarily purchase directly (such as commodities or stocks traded in a market that is not open to U.S. investors). They can also be used to hedge the risks associated with other investments the Fund holds. For example, if a structured note has an interest rate that fluctuates inversely with general changes in a countrys stock market index, the value of the structured note would generally move in the opposite direction to the value of holdings of stocks in that market, thus moderating the effect of stock market movements on the value of the Funds portfolio as a whole.
Risks. Structured notes involve special risks. As with any debt obligation, structured notes involve the risk that the issuer will become insolvent or otherwise default on its payment obligations. This risk is in addition to the risk that the issuers obligations (and thus the value of the Funds investment) will be reduced because of adverse changes in the external factor or factors to which the obligations are linked. The value of structured notes will in many cases be more volatile (that is, will change more rapidly or severely) than the value of traditional debt instruments. Volatility will be especially high if the issuers obligations are determined by reference to some multiple of the change in the external factor or factors. Many structured notes have limited or no liquidity, so that the Fund would be unable to dispose of the investment prior to maturity. As with all investments, successful use of structured notes depends in significant part on the accuracy of the Advisers analysis of the issuers creditworthiness and financial prospects, and of the Advisers forecast as to changes in relevant economic and financial market conditions and factors. In instances where the issuer of a structured note is a foreign entity, the usual risks associated with investments in foreign securities (described above) apply. Structured notes may be considered derivative securities.
Supranational Entities
The Fund may invest in securities issued by supranational entities, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly called the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. The governmental members of these supranational entities are stockholders that typically make capital contributions to support or promote such entities economic reconstruction or development activities and may be committed to make additional capital contributions if the entity is unable to repay its borrowings. A supranational entitys lending activities may be limited to a percentage of its total capital, reserves and net income. There can be no assurance that the constituent governments will be able or willing to honor their commitments to those entities, with the result that the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments. Obligations of a supranational entity that are denominated in foreign currencies will also be subject to the risks associated with investments in foreign currencies, as described above in the section Foreign Currency Transactions.
U.S. Government Securities
The Fund may invest in some or all of the following U.S. government securities:
U.S. Treasury Bills Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury that are issued in maturities of one year or less. No interest is paid on Treasury bills; instead, they are issued at a discount and repaid at full face value when they mature. They are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
U.S. Treasury Notes and Bonds Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury issued in maturities that vary between one and thirty years, with interest normally payable every six months. These obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The interest rate on TIPS 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 TIPS is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate.
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Ginnie Maes Debt securities issued by a mortgage banker or other mortgagee that represent an interest in a pool of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the Rural Housing Service or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. The GNMA guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest when such payments are due, whether or not these amounts are collected by the issuer of these certificates on the underlying mortgages. It is generally understood that a guarantee by GNMA is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Mortgages included in single family or multi-family residential mortgage pools backing an issue of Ginnie Maes have a maximum maturity of 30 years. Scheduled payments of principal and interest are made to the registered holders of Ginnie Maes (such as the Fund) each month. Unscheduled prepayments may be made by homeowners, or as a result of a default. Prepayments are passed through to the registered holder (such as the Fund, which reinvest any prepayments) of Ginnie Maes along with regular monthly payments of principal and interest.
Fannie Maes The FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders that purchases residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers, including state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual funds savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage banks. Fannie Maes are pass-through securities issued by FNMA that are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA, but these obligations are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Freddie Macs The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) is a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. government. Freddie Macs are participation certificates issued by FHLMC that represent an interest in residential mortgages from FHLMCs National Portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but these obligations are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Risks. U.S. government securities generally do not involve the credit risks associated with investments in other types of fixed-income securities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. government securities are generally lower than the yields available from corporate fixed-income securities. Like other debt securities, however, the values of U.S. government securities change as interest rates fluctuate. Fluctuations in the value of portfolio securities will not affect interest income on existing portfolio securities but will be reflected in the Funds NAV. Because the magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater at times when the Funds average maturity is longer, under certain market conditions the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, accept lower current income from short-term investments rather than investing in higher yielding long-term securities. Securities such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the relevant entity (e.g., FNMA or FHLMC) but have not been backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Instead, they have been supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agencys obligations. An event affecting the guaranteeing entity could adversely affect the payment of principal or interest or both on the security, and therefore, these types of securities should be considered to be riskier than U.S. government securities.
S&P downgraded its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States from AAA to AA+ on August 5, 2011. The downgrade by S&P and other possible downgrades in the future may result in increased volatility or liquidity risk, higher interest rates and lower prices for U.S. government securities and increased costs for all kinds of debt. The value of the Funds shares may be adversely affected by S&Ps downgrade or any future downgrades of the U.S. governments credit rating given that the Fund may invest in U.S. government securities.
In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship. The companies remain in conservatorship, and the effect that this conservatorship will have on the companies debt and equity securities is unclear. Although the U.S. government has recently provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future. In addition, any such government support may benefit the holders of only certain classes of an issuers securities.
The values of TIPS 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 value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of TIPS. If inflation is lower than expected during the period the Fund holds TIPS, the Fund may earn less on the TIPS than on a conventional bond. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in TIPS 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 TIPS will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.
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See the section Mortgage-Related Securities for additional information on these securities.
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments
The Fund may purchase variable and floating rate instruments. These instruments may include variable amount master demand notes, which are unsecured demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary in addition to providing for periodic adjustments in the interest rate. These instruments may also include leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments, or inverse floaters. The interest rate of an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest on a security or interest to which it is related. 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, and is subject to many of the same risks as derivatives. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Certain of these investments may be illiquid. The absence of an active secondary market with respect to these investments could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of a variable or floating rate note if the issuer defaulted on its payment obligation or during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise its demand rights, and the Fund could, for these or other reasons, suffer a loss with respect to such instruments.
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Securities
To reduce the risk of changes in interest rates and securities prices, the Fund may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued or delayed delivery basis, which means delivery and payment take place a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate receivable with respect to such purchases are fixed when the Fund enters into the commitment, but the Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the counterparty. The Adviser will commit to purchase such securities only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Adviser may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued or delayed delivery basis are subject to changes in value, generally changing in the same way, i.e., appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise, based upon the publics perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities so purchased may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve the additional risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or when-issued or delayed delivery basis when the Adviser is fully or almost fully invested may result in greater potential fluctuation in the value of the Funds net assets. In addition, there is a risk that securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may not be delivered and that the purchaser of securities sold by the Fund on a forward commitment basis will not honor its purchase obligation. In such cases, the Fund may incur a loss.
Zero-Coupon Securities
The Fund may invest in zero-coupon securities. Zero-coupon securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligations; the holder generally is entitled to receive the par value of the security at maturity. These securities are issued and traded at a discount from their face amounts. The amount of the discount varies depending on such factors as the time remaining until maturity of the securities, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of zero-coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than are other types of securities having similar maturities and credit quality. The Funds investment in zero-coupon securities will require the Fund to accrue income without a corresponding receipt of cash; the Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio securities (including when not otherwise advantageous to do so) in order to obtain sufficient cash to meet its distribution requirement for treatment as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Code.
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The Fund has the flexibility to respond promptly to changes in market and economic conditions. In the interest of preserving shareholders capital, the Adviser may employ a temporary defensive strategy if it determines such a strategy to be warranted. Pursuant to such a defensive strategy, the Fund temporarily may hold cash (U.S. dollars, foreign currencies, or multinational currency units) and/or invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, high-quality debt securities or money market instruments of U.S. or foreign issuers. It is impossible to predict whether, when or for how long the Fund will employ temporary defensive strategies. The use of temporary defensive strategies may prevent the Fund from achieving its goal.
In addition, pending investment of proceeds from new sales of Fund shares or to meet ordinary daily cash needs, the Fund may temporarily hold cash and may invest any portion of its assets in money market or other short-term high-quality instruments.
The Funds portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal year is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year, in each case excluding securities having maturity dates at acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund, thereby decreasing the Funds total return. High portfolio turnover also may give rise to additional taxable income for the Funds shareholders, including through the realization of short term capital gains that are typically taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates, and therefore can result in higher taxes for shareholders that hold their shares in taxable accounts. It is impossible to predict with certainty whether future portfolio turnover rates will be higher or lower than those experienced during past periods.
Generally, the Fund intends to invest for long-term purposes. However, the rate of portfolio turnover will depend upon market and other conditions, and it will not be a limiting factor when the Funds Adviser believes that portfolio changes are appropriate.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
The Board has adopted policies to limit the disclosure of confidential portfolio holdings information and to ensure equal access to such information, except in certain circumstances as approved by the Board. These policies are summarized below. Generally, portfolio holdings information will not be disclosed until it is first posted on the Funds website at ngam.natixis.com. Generally, full portfolio holdings information will not be posted until it is aged for at least 30 days for the Fund. Any holdings information that is released must clearly indicate the date of the information, and must state that due to active management, the Fund may or may not still invest in the securities listed. Portfolio characteristics, such as industry/sector breakdown, current yield, quality breakdown, duration, average price-earnings ratio and other similar information may be provided on a current basis. However, portfolio characteristics do not include references to specific portfolio holdings.
The Board has approved exceptions to the general policy on the sharing of portfolio holdings information as in the best interests of the Fund:
(1) | Disclosure of portfolio holdings posted on the Funds website, provided that information is shared no sooner than the next day following the day on which the information is posted; |
(2) | Disclosure to firms offering industry-wide services, provided that the firm has agreed in writing to maintain the confidentiality of the Funds portfolio holdings. Entities that receive information pursuant to this exception include Lipper (monthly disclosure of full portfolio holdings, provided 6 days after month-end) and FactSet (daily disclosure of full portfolio holdings, provided the next business day); |
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(3) | Disclosure (subject to a written confidentiality provision) to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. as part of the proxy voting recordkeeping services provided to the Fund; |
(4) | Disclosure to employees of the Adviser, employees of the participating affiliate of the Adviser, principal underwriter, administrator, custodian, financial printer, Fund accounting agent, independent registered public accountants, Fund counsel and Independent Trustees counsel, as well as to broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions for the Fund, provided that such disclosure is made for bona fide business purposes; |
(5) | Disclosure to Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM), in its capacity as the seed capital investor for the Fund, in order to satisfy certain reporting obligations to its parent company and for its own risk management purposes; provided that NGAM agrees to maintain its seed capital in the Fund for a set period and does not effect a redemption of Fund shares while in possession of information that is not publicly available to other investors in the Fund. NGAM and its parent utilize a third-party service provider, Aptimum Formation Développement (Aptimum), to assist with their analysis of risk. Any sharing of holdings information with Aptimum is subject to a confidentiality agreement; and |
(6) | Other disclosures made for non-investment purposes, but only if approved in writing in advance by an officer of the Fund. Such exceptions will be reported to the Board. |
With respect to items (2) through (5) above, disclosure is made pursuant to procedures that have been approved by the Board, and may be made by employees of the Funds Adviser, administrator or custodian. With respect to (6) above, approval will be granted only when the officer determines that the Fund has a legitimate business reason for sharing the portfolio holdings information and the recipients are subject to a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the information. As of the date of this Statement, the only entities that receive information pursuant to this exception are RR Donnelley (quarterly, or more frequently as needed, disclosure of full portfolio holdings) for the purposes of performing certain functions related to the production of the Funds semiannual financial statements, quarterly Form N-Q filings and other related items; and Ernst & Young LLP (annually, or more frequently as needed, disclosure of foreign equity securities) for the purpose of performing certain functions related to the production of the Funds federal income and excise tax returns. Although the Trust may enter into written confidentiality agreements, in other circumstances, such as those described in (4) above, the obligation to keep information confidential may be based on common law, professional or statutory duties of confidentiality. Common law, professional or statutory duties of confidentiality, including the duty not to trade on the information, may not be as clearly delineated and may be more difficult to enforce than contractual duties. The Funds officers determine on a case-by-case basis whether it is appropriate for the Fund to rely on such common law, professional or statutory duties. The Board exercises oversight of the disclosure of portfolio holdings by, among other things, receiving and reviewing reports from the Funds Chief Compliance Officer regarding any material issues concerning the Funds disclosure of portfolio holdings or from officers of the Fund in connection with proposed new exceptions or new disclosures pursuant to item (6) above. Notwithstanding the above, there is no assurance that the Funds policies on the sharing of portfolio holdings information will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings by individuals or firms in possession of that information.
Other registered investment companies that are advised or subadvised by the Funds Adviser may be subject to different portfolio holdings disclosure policies, and neither the Adviser nor the Board exercises control over such policies or disclosure. In addition, separate account clients of the Adviser have access to their portfolio holdings and are not subject to the Funds portfolio holdings disclosure policies. Some of the funds that are advised by the Adviser and some of the separate accounts managed by the Adviser have investment objectives and strategies that are substantially similar or identical to the Funds, and therefore potentially substantially similar, and in certain cases nearly identical, portfolio holdings as the Fund.
In addition, any disclosures of portfolio holdings information by the Fund or its Adviser must be consistent with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws, the Funds and the Advisers fiduciary duty to shareholders, and the Funds code of ethics. The Funds policies expressly prohibit the sharing of portfolio holdings information if the Fund, its Adviser, or any other affiliated party receives compensation or other consideration in connection with such arrangement. The term consideration includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other funds or accounts managed by the Funds Adviser or by any affiliated person of the Adviser.
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The Trust is governed by the Board, which is responsible for generally overseeing the conduct of Fund business and for protecting the interests of the shareholders. The Trustees meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Funds activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Fund and review the Funds performance.
Trustees and Officers
The table below provides certain information regarding the Trustees and officers of the Trust. For the purposes of this table and for purposes of this Statement, the term Independent Trustee means those Trustees who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Trust. In certain circumstances, trustees are also required to have no direct or indirect financial interest in the approval of a matter being voted on in order to be considered independent for the purposes of the requisite approval. For purposes of this Statement, the term Interested Trustee means those Trustees who are interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Trust. The following table provides information about the members of the Board, including information about their principal occupations during the past five years, information about other directorships held at public companies, and a summary of the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion that the Trustee should serve as such. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all persons below is 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Trust, Length of Time Served and Term of Office1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen2 and Other Directorships Held Years |
Experience,
Qualifications, for Board Membership | ||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | ||||||||
Kenneth A. Drucker (1945) |
Trustee
Since 2008
Chairman of the Audit Committee; Governance Committee Member |
Retired | 42
None |
Significant experience on the Board and on the board of other business organizations (including at investment companies); executive experience (including as treasurer of an aerospace, automotive, and metal manufacturing corporation) |
45
Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Trust, Length of Time Served and Term of Office1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen2 and Other Directorships Held Years |
Experience,
Qualifications, for Board Membership | ||||
Edmond J. English (1953) |
Trustee
Since 2013
Contract Review Committee Member |
Chief Executive Officer of Bobs Discount Furniture (retail) |
42
Formerly, Director, BJs Wholesale Club (retail); formerly, Director, Citizens Financial Group (bank) |
Significant experience on the board of other business organizations (including at a retail company and a bank); executive experience (including at a retail company) | ||||
Wendell J. Knox (1948) |
Trustee
Since 2009
Audit Committee Member; Governance Committee Member |
Director (formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer) of Abt Associates Inc. (research and consulting) |
42
Director, Eastern Bank (commercial bank); Director, The Hanover Insurance Group (property and casualty insurance) |
Significant experience on the Board and on the board of other business organizations (including at a commercial bank and at a property and casualty insurance firm); executive experience (including roles as president and chief executive officer of a consulting company) | ||||
Martin T. Meehan (1956) |
Trustee
Since 2012
Contract Review Committee Member |
Chancellor and faculty member, University of Massachusetts Lowell |
42
None |
Experience as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell; experience on the board of other business organizations; government experience (including as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives); academic experience |
46
Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Trust, Length of Time Served and Term of Office1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen2 and Other Directorships Held Years |
Experience,
Qualifications, for Board Membership | ||||
Sandra O. Moose (1942) |
Chairperson of the Board since November 2005
Trustee
Since 1993
Ex officio member of the Audit Committee, Contract Review Committee and Governance Committee |
President, Strategic Advisory Services (management consulting) |
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Director, Verizon Communications (telecommunications company); Director, AES Corporation (international power company); formerly, Director, Rohm and Haas Company (specialty chemicals) |
Significant experience on the Board and on the board of other business organizations (including at a telecommunications company, an international power company and a specialty chemicals corporation); executive experience (including at a management consulting company) | ||||
Erik R. Sirri (1958) |
Trustee
Since 2009
Audit Committee Member |
Professor of Finance at Babson College; formerly, Director of the Division of Trading and Markets at the Securities and Exchange Commission |
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None |
Significant experience on the Board; experience as Director of the Division of Trading and Markets at the Securities and Exchange Commission; academic experience; training as an economist | ||||
Peter J. Smail (1952) |
Trustee
Since 2009
Chairman of the Contract Review Committee; Governance Committee Member |
Retired | 42
None |
Significant experience on the Board; mutual fund industry and executive experience (including roles as president and chief executive officer for an investment adviser) |
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Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Trust, Length of Time Served and Term of Office1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen2 and Other Directorships Held Years |
Experience,
Qualifications, for Board Membership | ||||
Cynthia L. Walker (1956) |
Trustee
Since 2005
Contract Review Committee Member; Governance Committee Member |
Deputy Dean for Finance and Administration, Yale University School of Medicine |
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None |
Significant experience on the Board; executive experience in a variety of academic organizations (including roles as dean for finance and administration) | ||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEES | ||||||||
Robert J. Blanding3 (1947) 555 California Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
Trustee
Since 2003 |
Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer (formerly President), Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. |
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None |
Significant experience on the Board; continuing service as Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. | ||||
David L. Giunta4 (1965) |
Trustee
Since 2011
President and Chief Executive Officer
Since 2008 |
President and Chief Executive Officer, NGAM Distribution Corporation, NGAM Advisors, L.P. and NGAM Distribution, L.P. |
42
None |
Experience on the Board; continuing experience as President and Chief Executive Officer of NGAM Advisors, L.P. and NGAM Distribution, L.P. | ||||
John T. Hailer5 (1960) |
Trustee
Since 2000 |
President and Chief Executive Officer U.S. and Asia, Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. |
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None |
Significant experience on the Board; continuing experience as President and Chief Executive Officer U.S. and Asia, Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. |
1 | Each trustee serves until retirement, resignation or removal from the Board. The current retirement age is 75. The position of Chairperson of the Board is appointed for a three-year term. Ms. Moose was appointed to serve an additional three-year term as the Chairperson of the Board on December 13, 2013. |
2 | The trustees of the Trust serve as trustees of a fund complex that includes all series of the Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust II, Natixis Funds Trust IV and Gateway Trust (collectively, the Natixis Funds Trusts), Loomis Sayles Funds I and Loomis Sayles Funds II (collectively, the Loomis Sayles Funds Trusts), and Hansberger International Series (collectively, the Fund Complex). |
3 | Mr. Blanding is deemed an interested person of the Trust because he holds the following positions with an affiliated person of the Trust: Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. and Director of Loomis Sayles Investment Asia Pte., Ltd. |
4 | Mr. Giunta is deemed an interested person of the Trust because he holds the following positions with an affiliated person of the Trust: President and Chief Executive Officer of NGAM Distribution Corporation, NGAM Advisors, L.P. and NGAM Distribution, L.P. |
5 | Mr. Hailer is deemed an interested person of the Trust because he holds the following positions with an affiliated person of the Trust: President and Chief Executive Officer U.S. and Asia, Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. |
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Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office1 and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years2 | |||
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST | ||||||
Coleen Downs Dinneen (1960) |
Secretary, Clerk and Chief Legal Officer |
Since September 2004 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Clerk, NGAM Distribution Corporation, NGAM Advisors, L.P. and NGAM Distribution, L.P. | |||
Russell L. Kane (1969) |
Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant Secretary and Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
Chief Compliance Officer since May 2006; Assistant Secretary since June 2004; and Anti-Money Laundering Officer since April 2007 |
Chief Compliance Officer for Mutual Funds, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk, NGAM Distribution Corporation, NGAM Advisors, L.P. and NGAM Distribution, L.P. | |||
Michael C. Kardok (1959) |
Treasurer, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer |
Since October 2004 | Senior Vice President, NGAM Advisors, L.P. and NGAM Distribution, L.P. |
1 | Each officer of the Trust serves for an indefinite term in accordance with the Trusts current by-laws until the date his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, retires, is removed or becomes disqualified. |
2 | Each person listed above holds the same position(s) with the Fund Complex. Previous positions during the past five years with NGAM Distribution, L.P., NGAM Advisors, L.P. or Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. are omitted, if not materially different from a trustees or officers current position with such entity. |
Qualifications of Trustees
The preceding tables provide an overview of the considerations that led the Board to conclude that each individual serving as a Trustee of the Trust should so serve. The current members of the Board have joined the Board at different points in time. Generally, no one factor was determinative in the original selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considered when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board were the following: (i) the individuals knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the individual as a director or senior officer of other public companies; (iii) the individuals educational background; (iv) the individuals reputation for high ethical standards and personal and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the individual, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Boards existing mix of skills and qualifications; (vi) the individuals perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the individuals ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the individuals ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee for purposes of applicable regulations; and (viii) such other factors as the Board determined to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies or other transitions. Each Trustees professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Boards conclusion that an individual should serve on the Board are summarized in the tables above.
Leadership and Structure of the Board
The Board is led by the Chairperson of the Board, who is an Independent Trustee. The Board of Trustees of each Trust currently consists of twelve trustees, nine of whom are Independent Trustees. The trustees have delegated significant oversight authority to the three standing committees of the Trust, the Audit Committee, the Contract Review Committee and the Governance Committee, all of which consist solely of Independent Trustees. These committees meet separately and at times jointly, with the joint meetings intended to educate and involve all Independent Trustees in significant committee-level topics. As well as handling matters directly, the committees raise matters to the Board for consideration. In addition to the oversight performed by the committees and the
49
Board, the Chairperson of the Board and the chairpersons of each committee interact frequently with management regarding topics to be considered at Board and committee meetings as well as items arising between meetings. At least once a year the Governance Committee reviews the Boards governance practices and procedures and recommends appropriate changes to the full Board. The Board believes its leadership structure is appropriate and effective in that it allows for oversight at the committee or board level, as the case may be, while facilitating communications among the trustees and between the Board and Fund management.
The Contract Review Committee of the Trust consists solely of Trustees who are not employees, officers or directors of NGAM Advisors, the Distributor or their affiliates and considers matters relating to advisory and distribution arrangements and potential conflicts of interest between the Funds Adviser and the Trust. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, this committee held five meetings.
The Governance Committee of the Trust consists solely of Trustees who are not employees, officers or directors of NGAM Advisors, the Distributor or their affiliates and considers matters relating to candidates for membership on the Board and Trustee compensation. The Governance Committee makes nominations for Independent Trustee membership on the Board when necessary and considers recommendations from shareholders of the Fund that are submitted in accordance with the procedures by which shareholders may communicate with the Board. Pursuant to those procedures, shareholders must submit a recommendation for nomination in a signed writing addressed to the attention of the Board, c/o Secretary of the Funds, NGAM Advisors, L.P., 399 Boylston Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. This written communication must (i) be signed by the shareholder, (ii) include the name and address of the shareholder, (iii) identify the name of the Fund, and (iv) identify the account number, class and number of shares held by the shareholder as of a recent date or the intermediary through which the shares are held. The recommendation must be received in a timely manner (and in any event no later than the date specified for receipt of shareholder proposals in any applicable proxy statement with respect to the Fund). A recommendation for trustee nomination shall be kept on file and considered by the Board for six (6) months from the date of receipt, after which the recommendation shall be considered stale and discarded. The recommendation must contain sufficient background information concerning the trustee candidate to enable a proper judgment to be made as to the candidates qualifications.
The Governance Committee has not established specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by an individual to be recommended for nomination as an Independent Trustee. When identifying an individual to potentially fill a vacancy on the Trusts Board, the Governance Committee may seek referrals from a variety of sources, including current trustees, management of the Trust, Fund counsel, and counsel to the trustees, as well as shareholders of the Fund in accordance with the procedures described above. In evaluating candidates for a position on the Board, the Governance Committee may consider a variety of factors, including (i) the nominees knowledge of the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the nominee as a director or senior officer of a financial services company or a public company; (iii) the nominees educational background; (iv) the nominees reputation for high ethical standards and personal and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the nominee, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Boards existing mix of skills and qualifications; (vi) the nominees perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the nominees ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the nominees ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee for purposes of applicable regulations; and (viii) such other factors as the Committee may request in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies or other transitions.
The Audit Committee of the Trust consists solely of Independent Trustees and considers matters relating to the scope and results of the Trusts audits and serves as a forum in which the independent registered public accounting firm can raise any issues or problems identified in an audit with the Board. The Audit Committee also reviews and monitors compliance with stated investment objectives and policies, SEC regulations as well as operational issues relating to the transfer agent, administrator, sub-administrator and custodian. In addition, the Audit Committee implements procedures for receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Fund regarding its accounting, internal accounting controls and the confidential, anonymous submission by officers of the Fund or employees of certain service providers of concerns related to such matters. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, this Committee held four meetings.
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The current membership of each committee is as follows:
Audit Committee | Contract Review Committee | Governance Committee | ||
Kenneth A. Drucker Chairman | Peter J. Smail Chairman | Kenneth A. Drucker | ||
Wendell J. Knox | Edmond J. English | Wendell J. Knox | ||
Erik R. Sirri | Martin T. Meehan | Peter J. Smail | ||
Cynthia L. Walker | Cynthia L. Walker |
As chairperson of the Board, Ms. Moose is an ex officio member of all three Committees.
The Boards Role in Risk Oversight of the Fund
The Boards role is one of oversight of the practices and processes of the Fund and its service providers, rather than active management of the Trust, including in matters relating to risk management. The Board seeks to understand the key risks facing the Fund, including those involving conflicts of interest; how Fund management identifies and monitors these risks on an ongoing basis; how Fund management develops and implements controls to mitigate these risks; and how Fund management tests the effectiveness of those controls. The Board cannot foresee, know, or guard against all risks, nor are the Trustees guarantors against risk.
Periodically, Fund officers provide the full Board with an overview of the enterprise risk assessment program in place at NGAM Advisors and the Distributor, which serve as the administrator of and principal underwriter to the Fund, respectively. Fund officers on a quarterly and annual basis also provide the Board (or one of its standing committees) with written and oral reports on regulatory and compliance matters, operational and service provider matters, organizational developments, product proposals, Fund and internal audit results, and insurance and fidelity bond coverage, along with a discussion of the risks and controls associated with these matters, and periodically make presentations to management on risk issues and industry best practices. Fund service providers, including the Adviser, transfer agents and the custodian, periodically provide Fund management and/or the Board with information about their risk assessment programs and/or the risks arising out of their activities. The scope and frequency of these reports vary. Fund officers also communicate with the Trustees between meetings regarding material exceptions and other items germane to the Boards risk oversight function.
Pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, the Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) who is responsible for administering the Funds compliance program, including monitoring and enforcing compliance by the Fund and its service providers with the federal securities laws. The CCO has an active role in daily Fund operations and maintains a working relationship with all relevant advisory, compliance, operations and administration personnel for the Funds service providers. On at least a quarterly basis, the CCO reports to the Independent Trustees on significant compliance program developments, including material compliance matters, and on an annual basis, the CCO provides the full Board with a written report that summarizes his review and assessment of the adequacy of the compliance programs of the Fund and its service providers. The CCO also periodically communicates with the Audit Committee members between its scheduled meetings.
51
Fund Securities Owned by the Trustees
As of the date of this Statement, the Fund had not yet publicly offered its shares and therefore the Trustees did not own shares of the Fund.
As of December 31, 2013, the trustees had the following ownership in the funds in the Fund Complex:
Independent Trustees
Dollar Range of Fund Shares1 |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Fund Shares in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
|||||
Kenneth A. Drucker |
E | |||||
Edmond J. English2 |
E | |||||
Wendell J. Knox2 |
E | |||||
Martin T. Meehan2 |
E | |||||
Sandra O. Moose |
E | |||||
Erik R. Sirri2 |
E | |||||
Peter J. Smail |
E | |||||
Cynthia L. Walker2 |
E |
1 | A. None |
B. $1 - 10,000
C. $10,001 - $50,000
D. $50,001 - $100,000
E. over $100,000
2 | Amounts include economic value of notional investments held through the deferred compensation plan. |
Interested Trustees
Dollar Range of Fund Shares1 |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Fund Shares in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
|||
Robert J. Blanding |
E | |||
John T. Hailer |
E | |||
David L. Giunta |
E |
1 | A. None |
B. $1 - 10,000
C. $10,001 - $50,000
D. $50,001 - $100,000
E. over $100,000
Trustee Fees
The Trust pays no compensation to its officers or to Trustees who are employees, officers or directors of NGAM Advisors, the Distributor, or their affiliates.
The Chairperson of the Board receives a retainer fee at the annual rate of $300,000. The Chairperson does not receive any meeting attendance fees for Board of Trustees meetings or committee meetings that she attends. Each Trustee who is not an employee, officer or director of NGAM Advisors, the Distributor or their affiliates (other than the Chairperson) receives, in the aggregate, a retainer fee at the annual rate of $130,000. Each Trustee who is not an employee, officer or director of NGAM Advisors, the Distributor or their affiliates also receives a meeting attendance fee of $10,000 for each meeting of the Board that he or she attends in person and $5,000 for each meeting of the Board that he or she attends telephonically. In addition, each committee chairman (except for the chairman of the Governance Committee) receives an additional retainer fee at the annual rate of $17,500. Each Contract Review Committee and Audit Committee member is compensated $6,000 for each Committee meeting that
52
he or she attends in person and $3,000 for each committee meeting that he or she attends telephonically. These fees are allocated among the mutual fund portfolios in the Natixis Funds Trusts, Loomis Sayles Funds Trusts, Hansberger International Series and Gateway Trust based on a formula that takes into account, among other factors, the relative net assets of each mutual fund portfolio.
The table below shows the amounts received by the Trustees for serving as a Trustee of the Trust, and also for serving as Trustees of the Natixis Funds Trusts, Loomis Sayles Funds Trusts and Hansberger International Series during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. The table also sets forth, as applicable, pension or retirement benefits accrued as part of fund expenses, as well as estimated annual retirement benefits:
Compensation Table
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013
Aggregate Compensation from Natixis Funds Trust II1 |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total Compensation from the Fund Complex2 |
|||||||||||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
| |||||||||||||||
Charles D. Baker3 |
$ | 26,019 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 185,000 | ||||||||
Daniel M. Cain4 |
$ | 27,584 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 199,500 | ||||||||
Kenneth A. Drucker |
$ | 28,948 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 204,500 | ||||||||
Edmond J. English |
$ | 27,382 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 190,000 | ||||||||
Wendell J. Knox |
$ | 27,382 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 190,000 | ||||||||
Martin T. Meehan |
$ | 27,382 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 190,000 | ||||||||
Sandra O. Moose |
$ | 18,462 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 285,000 | ||||||||
Erik R. Sirri |
$ | 27,382 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 190,000 | ||||||||
Peter J. Smail |
$ | 27,382 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 190,000 | ||||||||
Cynthia L. Walker |
$ | 27,382 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 190,000 | ||||||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
||||||||||||||||
Robert J. Blanding |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
David L. Giunta |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
John T. Hailer |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
1 | Amounts include payments deferred by Trustees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, with respect to the Trust. The total amount of deferred compensation accrued for Natixis Funds Trust II as of December 31, 2013 for the Trustees is as follows: Cain ($95,098), English ($28,675), Knox ($116,812), Meehan ($21,349), Sirri ($93,126) and Walker ($128,429). |
2 | Total Compensation represents amounts paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 to a Trustee for serving on the Board of seven (7) trusts with a total of forty-one (41) funds as of December 31, 2013. |
3 | Mr. Baker resigned from the Board of Trustees effective December 31, 2013. |
4 | Mr. Cain resigned from the Board of Trustees effective June 19, 2014. |
The Natixis Funds Trusts and Loomis Sayles Funds Trusts do not provide pension or retirement benefits to Trustees, but have adopted a deferred payment arrangement under which each Trustee may elect not to receive fees from the funds on a current basis but to receive in a subsequent period an amount equal to the value that such fees would have had if they had been invested in a fund or funds selected by the Trustee on the normal payment date for such fees.
Management Ownership
As of the date of this Statement, the Fund had not yet publicly offered its shares and, therefore, the officers and Trustees of the Trust collectively owned less than 1% of the then outstanding shares of the Fund.
53
Code of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor each have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit the personnel of these entities to invest in securities, including securities that the Fund may purchase or hold. The codes of ethics are on public file with, and are available from the SECs EDGAR database which can be accessed through www.sec.gov.
Proxy Voting Policies
The Board of the Fund has adopted Proxy Voting Policy and Guidelines (the Guidelines) for the voting of proxies for securities held by the Fund. Under the Guidelines, decisions regarding the voting of proxies are to be made solely in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
Natixis AM US. Natixis AM US may have discretion at times to vote proxies for clients. Natixis AM US understands that proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and that reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. However, Natixis AM US provides advice to clients primarily on derivative instruments such as futures, options and forwards, which generally do not have voting rights, and therefore, Natixis AM US does not expect to vote the proxies of its clients with respect to these instruments. If Natixis AM US does vote proxies for its clients, it will vote in a manner that is consistent with what it believes to be in the best interests of such clients and in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures that it has adopted.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2015 will be available without charge (i) by calling toll-free at 800-225-5478, (ii) through the Funds website, ngam.natixis.com and (iii) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Information About the Organization and Ownership of the Adviser
Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US), located at 399 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 serves as Adviser to the Fund. Natixis AM US, formed in 2014, is a subsidiary of Natixis Asset Management (NAM). NAM is owned by Natixis Global Asset Management, an international asset management group based in Paris, France, that is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is principally owned by BPCE, Frances second largest banking group. BPCE is owned by banks comprising two autonomous and complementary retail banking networks consisting of the Caisse dEpargne regional savings banks and the Banque Populaire regional cooperative banks. The registered address of Natixis is 30, avenue Pierre Mendès France, 75013 Paris, France. The registered address of BPCE is 50, avenue Pierre Mendès France, 75013 Paris, France.
Natixis AM US has entered into a personnel-sharing arrangement with its Paris-based affiliate, NAM, which, like Natixis AM US, is part of Natixis Global Asset Management. With assets under management of 298 billion as of March 31, 2014, NAM ranks among the leading European asset managers. Pursuant to this arrangement, certain employees of NAM serve as associated persons of Natixis AM US and, in this capacity, are subject to the oversight of Natixis AM US and its Chief Compliance Officer. These associated persons may, on behalf of Natixis AM US, provide discretionary investment management services (including acting as portfolio managers), research and related services to the Fund in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Funds prospectus and SAI.
Unlike Natixis AM US, NAM is not registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The personnel-sharing arrangement is based on no-action letters of the staff of the SEC that permit SEC-registered investment advisers to rely on and use the resources of advisory affiliates, subject to the supervision of the SEC-registered investment adviser. NAM is a participating affiliate of Natixis AM US and certain employees of NAM are associated persons of Natixis AM US.
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Advisory Agreement
The Funds advisory agreement with its Adviser provides that the Adviser will furnish or pay the expenses of the Fund for office space, facilities and equipment, services of executive and other personnel of the Trust and certain administrative services. The Adviser may delegate certain administrative services to its affiliates. The Adviser is responsible for obtaining and evaluating such economic, statistical and financial data and information and performing such additional research as is necessary to manage the Funds assets in accordance with its investment objectives and policies.
The Fund pays all expenses not borne by the Adviser including, but not limited to, the charges and expenses of custodian and transfer agents, independent registered public accountants and legal counsel for the Fund and the Trusts Independent Trustees, 12b-1 fees, all brokerage commissions and transfer taxes in connection with portfolio transactions, all taxes and filing fees, the fees and expenses for registration or qualification of its shares under federal and state securities laws, all expenses of shareholders and trustees meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports to shareholders and the compensation of trustees who are not directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, other than affiliated registered investment companies. Certain expenses may be allocated differently among the Funds Class A and Class C shares, on the one hand, and Class Y shares, on the other hand. See the section Description of the Trust below.
The advisory agreement of the Fund provides that it will continue in effect for two years from the date of execution and thereafter from year to year if its respective continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The advisory agreement of the Fund may be terminated without penalty by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, upon 60 days written notice, or by the Adviser upon 90 days written notice, and each terminates automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The advisory agreement of the Fund provide that the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability in connection with the performance of its respective services thereunder in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their obligations and duties.
Distribution Agreements and Rule 12b-1 Plans
Under a separate agreement with the Fund, the Distributor serves as the principal distributor of each class of shares of the Fund. The Distributors principal business address is 399 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Under these agreements (the Distribution Agreements), the Distributor conducts a continuous offering and is not obligated to sell a specific number of shares. The Distributor bears the cost of making information about the Fund available through advertising and other means and the cost of printing and mailing the Prospectus to persons other than shareholders. The Fund pays the cost of registering and qualifying its shares under state and federal securities laws and distributing the Prospectus to existing shareholders.
The Distributor is paid by the Fund the service and distribution fees described in the Prospectus. The Distributor may, at its discretion, reallow the entire sales charge imposed on the sale of Class A and Class C shares of the Fund to investment dealers from time to time. The SEC is of the view that dealers receiving all or substantially all of the sales charge may be deemed underwriters of the Funds shares.
The Fund has adopted Rule 12b-1 plans (the Plans) for its Class A and Class C shares which, among other things, permit it to pay the Distributor monthly fees out of its net assets. Class Y shares have no such plan. These fees consist of a service fee and a distribution fee. Any such fees that are paid by a distributor to securities dealers are known as trail commissions. Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Fund, and (together with the related Distribution Agreement) by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust.
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Under the Plans, the Fund pays the Distributor a monthly service fee at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to the Class A and Class C shares. In the case of Class C shares, the Distributor retains the first years service fee of 0.25% assessed against such shares. For Class A and, after the first year, for Class C shares, the Distributor may pay up to the entire amount of this fee to securities dealers who are dealers of record with respect to the Funds shares, on a quarterly basis, unless other arrangements are made between the Distributor and the securities dealer, for providing personal services to investors in shares of the Fund and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. This service fee will accrue to securities dealers of record immediately with respect to reinvested income dividends and capital gain distributions of the Funds Class A shares.
The service fee on Class A shares may be paid only to reimburse the Distributor for expenses of providing personal services to investors, including, but not limited to, (i) expenses (including overhead expenses) of the Distributor for providing personal services to investors in connection with the maintenance of shareholder accounts and (ii) payments made by the Distributor to any securities dealer or other organization (including, but not limited to, any affiliate of the Distributor) with which the Distributor has entered into a written agreement for this purpose, for providing personal services to investors and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, which payments to any such organization may be in amounts in excess of the cost incurred by such organization in connection therewith.
The Funds Class C shares also pay the Distributor a monthly distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average net assets of the Funds Class C shares. The Distributor retains the 0.75% distribution fee assessed against Class C shares during the first year of investment. After the first year for Class C shares, the Distributor may pay up to the entire amount of this fee to securities dealers who are dealers of record with respect to the Funds shares, as distribution fees in connection with the sale of the Funds shares on a quarterly basis, unless other arrangements are made between the Distributor and the securities dealer. As stated in the Prospectus, investors will not be permitted to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class C shares as a single investment per account.
Each Plan may be terminated by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of shares of the Fund. Each Plan may be amended by vote of the relevant Trustees, including a majority of the relevant Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Any change in any Plan that would materially increase the fees payable thereunder by the relevant class of shares of the Fund requires approval by a vote of the holders of a majority of such shares outstanding. The Trusts Trustees review quarterly a written report of such costs and the purposes for which such costs have been incurred. For so long as a Plan is in effect, selection and nomination of those Trustees who are Independent Trustees of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of such Trustees.
Fees paid by Class A or Class C shares of the Fund may indirectly support sales and servicing efforts relating to shares of the other series of the Natixis Funds Trusts or the Loomis Sayles Funds Trusts. In reporting its expenses to the Trustees, the Distributor itemizes expenses that relate to the distribution and/or servicing of a single funds shares, and allocates other expenses among the relevant funds based on their relative net assets or relative sales. Expenses allocated to the Fund are further allocated among its classes of shares annually based on the relative sales of each class, except for any expenses that relate only to the sale or servicing of a single class.
The Distributor has entered into selling agreements with investment dealers, including affiliates of the Distributor, for the sale of the Funds shares. As described in more detail below, the Distributor, the Adviser and their affiliates may, at their expense, pay additional amounts to dealers who have selling agreements with the Distributor. Class Y shares of the Fund may be offered by registered representatives of certain affiliates who are also employees of Natixis US and may receive compensation from the Adviser with respect to sales of Class Y shares.
The Distribution Agreements may be terminated at any time on 60 days notice to the Distributor without payment of any penalty, by either vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities or by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreements may be terminated at any time on 90 days, written notice to the Trust, without payment of any penalty.
The Distribution Agreements and the Plans will continue in effect for successive one-year periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved (i) by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose and (ii) by the vote of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the Fund (or the relevant class, in the case of the Plans).
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With the exception of the Distributor, its affiliated companies and those Trustees that are not Independent Trustees, no interested person of the Trust or any Trustee of the Trust had any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or any related agreement. Benefits to the Fund and its shareholders resulting from the Plans are believed to include (1) enhanced shareholder service, (2) asset retention, and (3) enhanced portfolio management opportunities and bargaining position with third-party service providers and economies of scale arising from having asset levels higher than they would be if the Plans were not in place.
The Distributor also acts as principal distributor for Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Gateway Trust and Hansberger International Series. The address of the Distributor is 399 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
The portion of the various fees and expenses for Class A and Class C shares that are paid (reallowed) to securities dealers are shown below:
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund
Class A
Cumulative Investment | Maximum Sales Charge Paid by Investors (% of offering price) |
Maximum Reallowance or Commission (% of offering price) |
Maximum First Year Service Fee (% of net investment) |
Maximum First Year Compensation (% of offering price) |
||||||||||||
Less than $50,000 |
5.75 | % | 5.00 | % | 0.25 | % | 5.25 | % | ||||||||
$50,000 $99,999 |
4.50 | % | 4.00 | % | 0.25 | % | 4.25 | % | ||||||||
$100,000 $249,999 |
3.50 | % | 3.00 | % | 0.25 | % | 3.25 | % | ||||||||
$250,000 $499,999 |
2.50 | % | 2.15 | % | 0.25 | % | 2.40 | % | ||||||||
$500,000 $999,999 |
2.00 | % | 1.70 | % | 0.25 | % | 1.95 | % | ||||||||
Investments of $1 Million or |
||||||||||||||||
First $3 million |
None | 1.00 | % | 0.25 | % | 1.25 | % | |||||||||
Excess over $3 million |
None | 0.50 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.75 | % | |||||||||
Investments with No Sales |
None | 0.00 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.25 | % |
(1) | Commissions are based on cumulative investments over the life of the account with no adjustment for redemptions, transfers or market declines. For example, if a shareholder has accumulated investments in excess of $3 million and subsequently redeems all or a portion of the account(s), purchases following the redemption will generate a dealer commission of 0.50%. |
(2) | Refers to any investments made by investors not subject to a sales charge as described in each Funds prospectus in the section How Sales Charges Are Calculated. |
Class C
Class C service fees are payable regardless of the amount of the Distributors related expenses. The portion of the various fees and expenses for Class C shares of the Fund that are paid to securities dealers are shown below:
Investment | Maximum Front End Sales Charge Paid by Investors (% of offering price) |
Maximum Reallowance or Commission (% of offering price) |
Maximum First Year Service Fee (% of net investment) |
Maximum First Year Compensation (% of offering price) |
||||||||||||
All amounts for Class C |
None | 1.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 1.00 | % |
As described in the Prospectus, each purchase or sale of shares is effected at the NAV next determined after an order is received, less any applicable sales charge. The sales charge is allocated between the investment dealer and the Distributor, as indicated in the tables above. The Distributor receives the contingent deferred sales charge (the CDSC). Proceeds from the CDSC on Class A and C shares are paid to the Distributor and are used by the Distributor to defray the expenses for services the Distributor provides the Trust. The Distributor may, at its discretion, pay (reallow) the entire sales charge imposed on the sale of Class A shares to investment dealers from time to time.
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For new amounts invested at NAV by an eligible governmental authority, the Distributor may, at its expense, pay investment dealers a commission of 0.025% of the average daily net assets of an account at the end of each calendar quarter for up to one year. These commissions are not payable if the purchase represents the reinvestment of redemption proceeds from any other Natixis Fund or if the account is registered in street name.
The Fund may pay fees to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other services, including, but not limited to, recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting or shareholder or participant recordkeeping (recordkeeping and processing-related services) associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group accounts (for example, 401(k) plans) or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents. These fees are paid directly or indirectly by the Fund in light of the fact that other costs may be avoided by the Fund where the intermediary, not the Funds service providers, provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The intermediary may impose other account or service charges directly on account holders or participants. In addition, depending on the arrangements, the Funds Adviser and/or Distributor or their affiliates may, out of their own resources, compensate such financial intermediaries or their agents directly or indirectly for such recordkeeping and processing-related services. The services provided and related payments vary from firm to firm. Under these programs, the Distributor may enter into administrative services agreements with intermediaries pursuant to which intermediaries will provide sub-transfer agency services, sub-administrative services and other services with respect to the Fund. These services may include, but are not limited to, shareholder record set-up and maintenance, account statement preparation and mailing, transaction processing and settlement and account level tax reporting. The Distributor is reimbursed by the Fund for all or a portion of any fees paid to intermediaries by the Distributor on behalf of the Fund.
The Distributor, the Adviser and their affiliates may, out of their own resources, make additional payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Such payments and compensation are in addition to any fees paid or reimbursed by the Fund. These payments may include: (i) full reallowance of the sales charge of Class A shares, (ii) additional compensation with respect to the sale and/or servicing of Class A, C and Y shares, (iii) payments based upon various factors, as described below, and (iv) financial assistance programs to firms who sell or arrange for the sale of Fund shares including, but not limited to, marketing and sales fees, expenses related to advertising or promotional activity and events, and shareholder record keeping, sub-transfer agency or miscellaneous administrative services. From its own profits and resources, the Distributor may, from time to time, make payments to qualified wholesalers, registered financial institutions and third-party marketers for marketing support services and/or retention of assets. Among others, the Distributor has agreed to make such payments for marketing support services to AXA Advisors, LLC. In addition to marketing and/or financial support payments described above, payment for travel, lodging and related expenses may be provided for attendance at Fund seminars and conferences, e.g., due diligence meetings held for training and educational purposes. The Distributor intends that the payment of these concessions and any other compensation offered will conform with state and federal laws and the rules of any self-regulatory organization, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The participation of such firms in financial assistance programs is at the discretion of the firm and the Distributor. The payments described in (iii) above may be based on sales (generally ranging from 0.05% to 0.25% of gross sales) and/or the amount of assets a financial intermediarys clients have invested in the Fund (at annual rates generally ranging from 0.05% to 0.35% of the value of the clients shares). The actual payment rates to a financial intermediary will depend upon how the particular arrangement is structured (e.g., solely asset-based fees, solely sales-based fees or a combination of both) and other factors such as the length of time assets have remained invested in the Fund, redemption rates and the willingness of the financial intermediary to provide access to its representatives for educational and marketing purposes. The payments to financial intermediaries described in this section and elsewhere in this Statement, which may be significant to the financial intermediaries, may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its representatives to recommend or sell shares of the Fund or particular share class over other mutual funds or share classes. Additionally, these payments may result in the Funds inclusion on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or in other sales programs. Investors should contact their financial representative for details about the payment the financial intermediaries may receive.
From time to time, the Funds service providers, or any of their affiliates, may also pay non-cash compensation to the sales representatives of financial intermediaries in the form of (i) occasional gifts; (ii) occasional meals, tickets or other entertainment; and/or (iii) sponsorship support of regional events of intermediaries.
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Dealers may charge their customers a processing fee or service fee in connection with the purchase or redemption of fund shares. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and disclosed by each individual dealer to its customers. Processing or service fees typically are fixed, nominal dollar amounts and are in addition to the sales and other charges described in the Funds Prospectus and this Statement. Customers will be provided with specific information about any processing or service fees charged by their dealer.
The Fund is newly formed and thus has not allocated any commissions and sales charges as of the date of this Statement.
Administrative Services NGAM Advisors performs certain accounting and administrative services for the Fund, pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement dated January 1, 2005, as amended from time to time (the Administrative Agreement). Under the Administrative Agreement, NGAM Advisors provides the following services to the Fund: (i) personnel that perform bookkeeping, accounting, internal auditing and financial reporting functions and clerical functions relating to the Fund, (ii) services required in connection with the preparation of registration statements and prospectuses, registration of shares in various states, shareholder reports and notices, proxy solicitation material furnished to shareholders of the Fund or regulatory authorities and reports and questionnaires for SEC compliance, (iii) the various registrations and filings required by various regulatory authorities, and (iv) consultation and legal advice on Fund-related matters.
Custodial Arrangements State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street Bank), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as the custodian for the Trust. As such, State Street Bank holds in safekeeping certificated securities and cash belonging to the Fund and, in such capacity, is the registered owner of securities in book-entry form belonging to the Fund. Upon instruction, State Street Bank receives and delivers cash and securities of the Fund in connection with Fund transactions and collects all dividends and other distributions made with respect to Fund portfolio securities. State Street Bank also maintains certain accounts and records of the Trust and calculates the total NAV, total net income and NAV per share of the Fund on a daily basis.
Transfer Agency Services Pursuant to a contract between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (Boston Financial or the Transfer Agent), whose principal business address is 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169, Boston Financial acts as shareholder servicing and transfer agent for the Fund and is responsible for services in connection with the establishment, maintenance and recording of shareholder accounts, including all related tax and other reporting requirements and the implementation of investment and redemption arrangements offered in connection with the sale of the Funds shares.
From time to time, the Fund, directly or indirectly through arrangements with the Adviser or Transfer Agent, may pay amounts to third parties that provide recordkeeping and other administrative services relating to the Fund to persons who beneficially own interests in the Fund, such as shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group accounts (for example, 401(k) plans) or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents. See the section Distribution Agreements and Rule 12b-1 Plans.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Trusts independent registered public accounting firm is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The independent registered public accounting firm assists in the review of federal and state income tax returns, consults with the Trust as to matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation and will conduct an annual audit of the Funds financial statements.
Counsel to the Fund Ropes & Gray LLP, located at Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, serves as counsel to the Fund.
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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
Portfolio Managers Management of Other Accounts
As of March 31, 2014, the portfolio managers of the Fund managed other accounts in addition to managing the Fund. The following table provides information on the other accounts managed by each portfolio manager.
Registered Investment Companies1 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Accounts Managed |
Advisory Fee is Based on Performance |
Other Accounts Managed |
Advisory Fee is Based on Performance |
Other Accounts Managed |
Advisory Fee is Based on Performance |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name of Portfolio Manager |
# of Accts |
Total Assets |
# of Accts |
Total Assets |
# of Accts |
Total Assets |
# of Accts |
Total Assets |
# of Accts |
Total Assets |
# of Accts |
Total Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Simon Aninat |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | $ | 244,503,158 | 1 | $ | 244,503,158 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frédéric Babu2 |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 0 | $ | 0 | NA | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stéphanie Bigou |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 9 | $ | 228,594,629 | 4 | $ | 170,413,353 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Didier Jauneaux |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 7 | $ | 272,884,482 | 2 | $ | 81,636,657 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frank Trividic |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | $ | 1,760,428,844 | 2 | $ | 1,760,428,844 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yufeng Xie |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | $ | 53,127,092 | 1 | $ | 20,173,539 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 |
1 | Prior to March 31, 2014, no portfolio manager managed an investment company registered with the SEC, as each portfolio manager was employed by NAM, a French company, and was not an associated person of a U.S. registered investment adviser through which the portfolio manager could provide investment advice to U.S. clients. |
2 | Frédéric Babu managed other accounts prior to March 31, 2014, but stopped providing investment advice to such accounts in June 2013 as he shifted over to being responsible for the launch of Natixis AM US. |
Ms. Bigou and Messrs. Aninat, Jauneaux, Trividic and Xie are part of Seeyond, an investment division of Natixis Asset Management (NAM) and, as such, are employees of NAM. Seeyond was created by NAM in 2012 and had 15.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2014.
Material Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest may arise in the allocation of investment opportunities and the allocation of aggregated orders among the Fund and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager. A portfolio manager potentially could give favorable treatment to some accounts for a variety of reasons, including favoring larger accounts, accounts that pay higher fees, accounts that pay performance-based fees, accounts of affiliated companies and accounts in which the portfolio manager has an interest. Such favorable treatment could lead to more favorable investment opportunities or allocations for some accounts. The Adviser will adopt policies and procedures to mitigate the effects of these conflicts as it deems necessary. For more information on how the Adviser allocates investment opportunities between the Fund and its other clients, see the section Allocation of Investment Opportunity Among the Fund and Other Investments Managed by the Adviser in this Statement. Conflicts of interest also may arise to the extent a portfolio manager short sells a stock in one client account but holds that stock long in other accounts, including the Fund, or sells a stock for some accounts while buying the stock for others, and through the use of soft dollar arrangements, which are discussed in the section Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.
Portfolio Managers Compensation
The following describes the structure of, and the method used to determine, the compensation of each of the above-listed portfolio managers as of June 30, 2014:
As a subsidiary of NAM, Natixis AM USs company compensation pool is determined by NAMs CEO based on the financial results and the business plan objectives of NAM.
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The process of determining base salaries and incentive compensation, as well as all other aspects of compensation for the portfolio managers, is decided upon by NAMs Compensation Committee, which is composed of NAMs Chairperson of the Board, NAMs CEO and NAMs VP of Human Resources. Compensations are determined using survey data (e.g., McLagan and Towers Watson) and inputs from Committee members related to the economics of Natixis AM US and to the quality of the performances delivered by portfolio managers.
At the end of the process, the allocation of variable remuneration is validated firstly by NAMs Compensation Committee, and then by the NGAM and Natixis Compensation Committees. This process ensures internal equity and consistency with market practices.
NAMs global salary policy is intended to encourage staff loyalty and performance, by rewarding individual and collective performance in an unbiased manner. Investment professionals are compensated through both base salary and variable compensation.
Portfolio Manager compensation is made up primarily of three main components: base salary, variable compensation (bonus) and for some of them a long-term incentive program.
Base salary is re-evaluated annually and applies the firms salary grid as well as industry compensation data. Base salary is a fixed amount based on a combination of factors, including industry experience, firm experience, job performance and market considerations.
Variable compensation is distributed in the form of bonuses awarded to portfolio managers which allocation is based upon quantitative (collective and individual) as well as qualitative criteria.
For Natixis AM US employees, variable compensation will be an incentive-based component and may generally represent a significant multiple of base salary. As in Paris, variable compensation will be based on four factors: investment performance, profit growth of the firm, profit growth of the managers business unit and team commitment. Investment performance is the primary component of total variable compensation and generally represents at least 50% of the total for portfolio managers. The other three factors are used to determine the remainder of variable compensation, subject to the discretion of Natixis AM USs Chief Investment Officer and senior management of Natixis AM US. The Chief Investment Officer and senior management evaluate these other factors annually.
Selected quantitative criteria are the information ratio to measure the risk-adjusted return of a portfolio and the peer group constructed by Morningstar, expressed in decile over 1-year and 3-year periods. These two criteria are evaluated for 50% over a 1-year period, and for 50% over a 3-year period. Qualitative criteria are defined annually. They aim to assess the implication and the transverse contribution of each team to the global performance of the management department. Relative value of quantitative and qualitative criteria is adapted to each investment team to reflect the relative weight of collective management vs. dedicated management, or to take into account some specificities of the investment approach.
Lastly, collective performance criteria serve to allocate individual variable remuneration.
A long term incentive plan (LTIP) is awarded to key people, i.e., those whose yearly performance and contribution to NAMs results are high and is due to the key person over a three year period of time. In addition, agreements on profit sharing and staff participation allow for up to 14% of the global payroll to be distributed.
For Portfolio Managers the range of bonus is 0 50%. The range is 0 75% for experienced investment team leaders (i.e., team leaders with at least ten years of experience) that are managers in charge of a business line. In 2013, at NAM Paris, on average, total variable compensation (bonus and L-TIP) accounted for 30% of the Portfolio Manager compensation.
Alignment of interests is ensured through the firm-wide compensation pool, which is itself dependent upon the firms net profits before taxes. Compensation is allocated on a team-by-team basis and is directly linked to performance. The evaluation of performance is based on both a 1-year and 3-year horizon to best align interests between portfolio managers and shareholders.
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On an annual basis, Human Resources and managers carry out a personnel assessment program with a view to identifying key individuals. Special attention is paid to the compensation of key individuals with the objective of ensuring that annual compensation is aligned to best market practices utilizing the median market salary and relying on both Towers and Mac Lagan data. If justified, there is the possibility of offering employees access to the LTIP. Eligibility to the LTIP strongly increases the likelihood of ensuring effective employee retention over a 3-year horizon.
Portfolio Managers Ownership of Fund Shares
The Fund is newly formed and, as of the date of this Statement, none of the portfolio managers owned any shares of the Fund.
There are various reasons why a portfolio manager may not own shares of the Fund in the future. One reason is that the Funds respective investment objective and strategies may not match those of the portfolio managers personal investment objective. Also, the portfolio manager may invest in other funds or pooled investment vehicles or separate accounts managed by the portfolio manager in a similar style to the Fund.
Allocation of Investment Opportunity Among the Fund and Other Investments Managed by the Adviser; Cross Relationships of Officers and Trustees
Certain of the Funds portfolio managers have responsibility for the management of other client portfolios. The other clients served by these portfolio managers may potentially invest in securities in which the Fund also invests. If the Fund and such other clients desire to buy or sell the same securities at about the same time, purchases and sales will either be sold and purchased through different broker-dealers or allocated to the extent practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired to be purchased or sold by each .
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
In placing orders for the purchase and sale of equity securities, the Adviser selects only brokers that it believes are financially responsible, will provide efficient and effective services in executing, clearing and settling an order and will charge commission rates that, when combined with the quality of the foregoing services, will produce the best price and execution for the transaction. This does not necessarily mean that the lowest available brokerage commission, if any, will be paid. However, the commissions charged are believed to be competitive with generally prevailing rates. The Adviser will use its best efforts to obtain information as to the general level of commission rates being charged by the brokerage community from time to time and will evaluate the overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions, if any, paid on transactions by reference to such data. In making such evaluation, factors affecting liquidity and execution of the order, as well as the amount of the capital commitment by the broker in connection with the order, are taken into account. The Adviser may place orders for the Fund which, combined with orders for the Advisers other clients, may impact the price of the relevant security. This could cause the Fund to obtain a worse price on the transaction than would otherwise be the case if the orders were placed in smaller amounts or spread out over a longer period of time.
Subject to the overriding objective of obtaining the best possible execution of orders, the Adviser may allocate brokerage transactions to affiliated brokers. Any such transactions will comply with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act. In order for the affiliated broker to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by the affiliated broker must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees and other remuneration paid to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period. Furthermore, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, has adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker are consistent with the foregoing standard.
Transactions on stock, option, and futures exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. In the case of securities traded in the OTC market, there is generally no stated commission but the price usually includes an undisclosed commission or mark-up.
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Natixis AM US
Natixis AM US has a Best Execution Committee that meets on a quarterly basis to evaluate systematically the execution performance of brokers used. For products where price is the same between different brokers, the analysis will be mainly qualitative. For products where price is a major determinant (e.g., bonds, FX), a regular audit of whether the best price was actually chosen will be performed on a regular basis.
General
Subject to procedures adopted by the Board, the Funds brokerage transactions may be executed by brokers that are affiliated with Natixis US or the Adviser. Any such transactions will comply with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, or other applicable restrictions as permitted by the SEC pursuant to exemptive relief or otherwise.
Under the 1940 Act, persons affiliated with the Trust are prohibited from dealing with the Trusts funds as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities. Since transactions in the OTC market usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principals for their own accounts, affiliated persons of the Trust may not serve as the Funds dealer in connection with such transactions.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, and in all instances subject to the foregoing policy of best execution, the Adviser may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including affiliates of the Distributor) that have entered into arrangements in which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid by the Fund toward the reduction of the Funds expenses.
It is expected that the portfolio transactions in fixed-income securities will generally be with issuers or dealers on a net basis without a stated commission. Securities firms may receive brokerage commissions on transactions involving options, futures and options on futures and the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon exercise of options. The brokerage commissions associated with buying and selling options may be proportionately higher than those associated with general securities transactions.
The Declaration of Trust of Natixis Funds Trust II permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of each series. Each share of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the Fund with each other share of the Fund and is entitled to a proportionate interest in the dividends and distributions from the Fund. The Declaration of Trust further permits the Board to divide the shares of each series into any number of separate classes, each having such rights and preferences relative to other classes of the same series as the Board may determine. When you invest in the Fund, you acquire freely transferable shares of beneficial interest that entitle you to receive dividends as determined by the Board and to cast a vote for each share you own at shareholder meetings. The shares of the Fund do not have any preemptive rights. Upon termination of the Fund, whether pursuant to liquidation of the Trust or otherwise, shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets attributable to that class of shares of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders. The Declaration of Trust also permits the Board to charge shareholders directly for custodial, transfer agency and servicing expenses.
The shares of the Fund are divided into three classes: Class A, Class C and Class Y. As described in its Prospectus, Class Y shares are available for purchase only by certain eligible investors and have higher minimum purchase requirements than Class A and Class C shares. All expenses of the Fund (including advisory fees) are borne by its Class A, Class C and Class Y shares on a pro rata basis, except for 12b-1 fees, which are borne only by Class A and Class C and may be charged at a separate rate to each such class. Transfer agency fees for Class A, Class C and Class Y shares of the Fund are borne on a pro rata basis. The multiple class structure could be terminated should certain IRS rulings or SEC regulatory positions be rescinded or modified.
The assets received by each class of the Fund for the issue or sale of its shares and all income, earnings, profits, losses and proceeds therefrom, subject only to the rights of the creditors, are allocated to, and constitute the underlying assets of, that class of the Fund. The underlying assets of each class of the Fund are segregated and are charged with the expenses with respect to that class of the Fund and with a share of the general expenses of the Fund
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and Trust. Any general expenses of the Trust that are not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular class of the Fund are allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable. While the expenses of the Trust are allocated to the separate books of account of each series of the Trust, certain expenses may be legally chargeable against the assets of all of the series in the Trust.
The Declaration of Trust also permits the Board, without shareholder approval, to subdivide the Fund or series or class of shares into various sub-series or sub-classes with such dividend preferences and other rights as the Trustees may designate. The Board may also, without shareholder approval, establish one or more additional series or classes or, with shareholder approval, merge two or more existing series or classes. Shareholders investments in such an additional or merged series would be evidenced by a separate series of shares (i.e., a new fund).
The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual existence of the Trust. The Trust or the Fund, however, may be terminated at any time by vote of at least two-thirds of each series of the Trust entitled to vote. In addition, the Fund may be terminated at any time by vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Similarly, any class within the Fund may be terminated by vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of such class. The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Board may also, without shareholder approval, terminate the Trust or Fund upon written notice to its shareholders.
Shareholders of the Fund are entitled to one vote for each full share held (with fractional votes for each fractional share held) and may vote (to the extent provided therein) on the election of Trustees and the termination of the Trust and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders.
Shareholders of Natixis Funds Trust II have identical voting rights to each other. All classes of shares of the Fund have identical voting rights, except that each class of shares has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class, and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class. On any matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, all shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the Trusts by-laws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or class of shares, except (1) when required by the 1940 Act, or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more series or class of shares materially differently, shares shall be voted by individual series or class and (2) when the matter affects only the interest of one or more series or classes, only shareholders of such series or class shall be entitled to vote thereon. Consistent with the current position of the SEC, shareholders of all series and classes vote together, irrespective of series or class, on the election of Trustees and the selection of the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm, but shareholders of each series vote separately on most other matters requiring shareholder approval, such as certain changes in investment policies of that series or the approval of the investment advisory agreement relating to that series, and shareholders of each class within a series vote separately as to the Rule 12b-1 plan (if any) relating to that class.
There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing trustees except that, in accordance with the 1940 Act, (i) the Trust will hold a shareholders meeting for the election of trustees at such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, and (ii) if there is a vacancy on a Board, such vacancy may be filled only by a vote of the shareholders unless, after filling such vacancy by other means, at least two-thirds of the Trustees holding office shall have been elected by the shareholders. In addition, Trustees may be removed from office by a written consent signed by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares and filed with the Trusts custodian or by a vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares at a meeting duly called for that purpose.
Upon written request by a minimum of ten holders of shares having held their shares for a minimum of six months and having an NAV of at least $25,000 or constituting at least 1% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less, stating that such shareholders wish to communicate with the other shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the signatures necessary to demand a meeting to consider removal of a trustee, the Trust has undertaken to provide a list of shareholders or to disseminate appropriate materials (at the expense of the requesting shareholders).
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Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint successor trustees. Shareholder voting rights are not cumulative.
The affirmative vote of a majority of shares of the Trust voted (assuming a quorum is present in person or by proxy) is required to amend a Declaration of Trust if such amendment (1) affects the power of shareholders to vote, (2) amends the section of the Declaration of Trust governing amendments, (3) is one for which a vote is required by law or by the Trusts registration statement, or (4) is submitted to the shareholders by the Trustees. If one or more new series of the Trust is established and designated by the Trustees, the shareholders having beneficial interests in the funds shall not be entitled to vote on matters exclusively affecting such new series, such matters including, without limitation, the adoption of or any change in the investment objectives, policies or restrictions of the new series and the approval of the investment advisory contracts of the new series. Similarly, the shareholders of the new series shall not be entitled to vote on any such matters as they affect the other funds.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Funds property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund by reason of owning shares of such Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered remote since it is limited to circumstances in which the disclaimer is inoperative and the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Board will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a trustee against any liability to which the trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The by-laws of the Trust provide for indemnification by the Trust of Trustees and officers of the Trust, except with respect to any matter as to which any such person did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust. Such persons may not be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or the Trusts shareholders to whom he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The Trust offers only its own funds shares for sale, but it is possible that the Trust might become liable for any misstatements in a prospectus that relate to another Trust.
The procedures for purchasing shares of the Fund are summarized in the Prospectus. All purchases made by check should be in U.S. dollars and made payable to Natixis Funds or the Funds custodian bank.
Shares may also be purchased either in writing, by phone, by wire, by electronic funds transfer using Automated Clearing House (ACH) or by exchange, as described in the Prospectus, or through firms that are members of FINRA and that have selling agreements with the Distributor. For purchase of Fund shares by mail, the trade date is the day of receipt of the check in good order by the transfer agent so long as it is received by the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) on a day when the NYSE is open. For purchases through the ACH system, the shareholders bank or credit union must be a member of the ACH system and the shareholder must have approved banking information on file. With respect to shares purchased by wire or through the ACH system, shareholders should bear in mind that the transactions may take two or more days to complete. Banks may charge a fee for transmitting funds by wire.
Shareholders may use Natixis Funds Personal Access Line® (800-225-5478, press 1) or Natixis Funds website (ngam.natixis.com) to purchase Fund shares. For more information, see the section Shareholder Services in this Statement.
At the discretion of the Distributor, bank trust departments or trust companies may also be eligible for investment in Class Y shares at a reduced minimum, subject to certain conditions including a requirement to meet the minimum investment balance within a specified time period. Please contact the Distributor at 800-225-5478 for more information. At the discretion of the Distributor, clients of NGAM Advisors may purchase, at NAV, Class A shares of Natixis Funds that do not offer Class Y shares.
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Shareholders of the Fund in Class Y may be permitted to open an account without an initial investment and then wire funds into the account once established. These shareholders will still be subject to the investment minimums as detailed in the Prospectus of the Fund.
The procedures for redemption of shares of the Fund are summarized in its Prospectus. As described in the Prospectus, a CDSC may be imposed on certain redemptions of Class A and C shares. For purposes of the CDSC, an exchange of shares from one Fund to another Fund is not considered a redemption or a purchase. For federal income tax purposes, however, such an exchange is considered a sale and a purchase and, therefore, would be considered a taxable event on which you may recognize a gain or loss. In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption of Class A or Class C shares, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest rate being charged. The charge will not be applied to dollar amounts representing an increase in the NAV of shares since the time of purchase or reinvested distributions associated with such shares. Unless you request otherwise at the time of redemption, the CDSC is deducted from the redemption, not the amount remaining in the account.
The Fund will only accept medallion signature guarantees bearing the STAMP2000 Medallion imprint. However, a medallion signature guarantee may not be required if the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $100,000 and the proceeds check is made payable to the registered owner(s) and mailed to the record address, or if the proceeds are going to a bank on file. Please contact the Fund at 800-225-5478 with any questions regarding when a medallion signature guarantee is required.
If you select the telephone redemption service in the manner described in the next paragraph, shares of the Fund may be redeemed by calling toll-free 800-225-5478. A wire fee may be deducted from the proceeds if you elect to receive the funds wired to your bank on record. Telephone redemption requests must be received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Requests made after that time or on a day when the NYSE is closed will receive the next business days closing price. The proceeds of a telephone withdrawal will normally be sent within three business days following receipt of a proper redemption request, although it may take longer.
A shareholder automatically receives access to the ability to redeem shares by telephone following the completion of the Fund application, which is available at ngam.natixis.com or from your investment dealer. When selecting the service, a shareholder may have the withdrawal proceeds sent to his or her bank, in which case the shareholder must designate a bank account on his or her application or Service Options Form to which the redemption proceeds should be sent as well as provide a check marked VOID and/or a deposit slip that includes the routing number of his or her bank. Any change in the bank account so designated may be made by furnishing to Boston Financial or your investment dealer a completed Service Options Form, which may require a medallion signature guarantee or a Signature Validation Program Stamp. Telephone redemptions by ACH or wire may only be made if the designated bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System or has a correspondent bank that is a member of the System. If the account is with a savings bank, it must have only one correspondent bank that is a member of the System. The Fund, the Distributor, Boston Financial (the Funds transfer agent) and State Street Bank (the Funds custodian) are not responsible for the authenticity of withdrawal instructions received by telephone, although they will apply established verification procedures. Boston Financial, as agreed to with the Fund, will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that your telephone instructions are genuine, and if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Such verification procedures include, but are not limited to, requiring a form of personal identification prior to acting on an investors telephone instructions and recording an investors instructions.
Shares purchased by check or through ACH may not be available immediately for redemption to the extent the check or ACH transaction has not cleared. The Fund may withhold redemption proceeds for ten days when redemptions are made within ten calendar days of purchase by check or through ACH.
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The redemption price will be the NAV per share (less any applicable CDSC) next determined after the redemption request and any necessary special documentation is received by the transfer agent or your investment dealer in proper form. Payment normally will be made by the Fund within seven days thereafter. However, in the event of a request to redeem shares for which the Fund has not yet received good payment, the Fund reserves the right to withhold payments of redemption proceeds if the purchase of shares was made by a check which was deposited within ten calendar days prior to the redemption request (unless the Fund is aware that the check has cleared).
The CDSC may be waived on redemptions made from IRA accounts due to attainment of age 59 1/2 for IRA shareholders who established accounts prior to January 3, 1995. The CDSC may also be waived on redemptions made from IRA accounts due to death, disability, return of excess contribution, required minimum distributions at age 70 1/2 (waivers apply only to amounts necessary to meet the required minimum amount based on assets held within the Fund), certain withdrawals pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan, not to exceed 10% annually of the value of the account, and redemptions made from the account to pay custodial fees. The CDSC may also be waived on redemptions within one year following the death of (i) the sole shareholder of an individual account, (ii) a joint tenant where the surviving joint tenant is the deceaseds spouse or (iii) the beneficiary of a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, Uniform Transfer to Minors Act or other custodial account. If the account is transferred to an account registered in the name of the deceaseds estate, the CDSC will be waived on any redemption occurring within one year of death. If shares are not redeemed within one year of the death, they will remain subject to the applicable CDSC when redeemed from the transferees account. If the account is transferred to a new registration and then a redemption is requested, the applicable CDSC will be charged.
The CDSC may be waived on redemptions made from 403(b)(7) custodial accounts due to attainment of age 59 1/2 for shareholders who established custodial accounts prior to January 3, 1995. The CDSC may also be waived on redemptions made from 403(b)(7) custodial accounts due to death or disability.
The CDSC may also be waived on redemptions necessary to pay plan participants or beneficiaries from qualified retirement plans under Section 401 of the Code, including profit sharing plans, money purchase plans, 401(k) and custodial accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code. Distributions necessary to pay plan participants and beneficiaries include payment made due to death, disability, separation from service, normal or early retirement as defined in the plan document, loans from the plan and hardship withdrawals, return of excess contributions, required minimum distributions at age 70 1/2 (waivers only apply to amounts necessary to meet the required minimum amount), certain withdrawals pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan, not to exceed 10% annually of the value of your account, and redemptions made from qualified retirement accounts or Section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts necessary to pay custodial fees.
A CDSC will apply in the event of plan level transfers, including transfers due to changes in investment where assets are transferred outside of Natixis Funds, including IRA and 403(b)(7) participant-directed transfers of assets to other custodians (except for the reasons given above) or qualified transfers of assets due to trustee-directed movement of plan assets due to merger, acquisition or addition of additional funds to the plan.
In order to redeem shares electronically through the ACH system, a shareholders bank or credit union must be a member of the ACH system and the shareholder must have a completed, approved ACH application on file. In addition, the telephone or online request must be received no later than the close of the NYSE. Upon receipt of the required information, the appropriate number of shares will be redeemed and the monies forwarded to the bank designated on the shareholders application through the ACH system. The redemption will be processed the day the telephone call or online request is made and the monies generally will arrive at the shareholders bank within three business days. The availability of these monies will depend on the individual banks rules.
The Fund will normally redeem shares for cash; however, the Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption price wholly or partly in kind, if NGAM Advisors determines it to be advisable and in the interest of the remaining shareholders of the Fund. The redemptions in kind will be selected by the Adviser in light of the Funds objective and will not generally represent a pro rata distribution of each security held in the Funds portfolio. If portfolio securities are distributed in lieu of cash, the shareholder will normally incur brokerage commissions upon subsequent disposition of any such securities. However, the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash for any shareholder during any 90-day period up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the total NAV of the Fund at the beginning of such period.
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The Fund does not currently impose any redemption charge other than the CDSC imposed by the Funds Distributor, as described in the Prospectus. The Board reserves the right to impose additional charges at any time. A redemption constitutes a sale of shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes on which the investor may realize a long- or short-term capital gain or loss. See also the section Taxes.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend account services or refuse transaction requests if the Fund receives notice of a dispute between registered owners or of the death of a registered owner or the Fund suspects a fraudulent act. If the Fund refuses a transaction request because it receives notice of a dispute, the transaction will be processed at the NAV next determined after the Fund receives notice that the dispute has been settled or a court order has been entered adjudicating the dispute. If the Fund determines that its suspicion of fraud or belief that a dispute existed was mistaken, the transaction will be processed as of the NAV next determined after the transaction request was first received in good order.
Reinstatement Privilege (Class A Shares Only)
The Prospectus describes redeeming shareholders reinstatement privileges for Class A shares. In order to exercise the reinstatement privilege, you must provide a new investment check made payable to Natixis Funds and written notice to Natixis Funds (directly or through your financial representative) within 120 days of your redemption. The reinstatement or exchange will be made at NAV next determined after receipt of the notice and the new investment check in good order and will be limited to the amount of the redemption proceeds.
Even though an account is reinstated, the redemption will constitute a sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investors who reinstate their accounts by purchasing shares of the Fund should consult with their tax advisers with respect to the effect of the wash sale rule if a loss is realized at the time of the redemption.
Open Accounts
A shareholders investment is automatically credited to an open account maintained for the shareholder by Boston Financial. Following each additional investment or redemption from the account initiated by an investor (with the exception of systematic investment plans), a shareholder will receive a confirmation statement disclosing the current balance of shares owned and the details of recent transactions in the account. After the close of each calendar year, the Fund will send each shareholder a statement providing account information which may include federal tax information on dividends and distributions paid to the shareholder during the year. This statement should be retained as a permanent record.
The open account system provides for full and fractional shares expressed to three decimal places and, by making the issuance and delivery of stock certificates unnecessary, eliminates problems of handling and safekeeping, and the cost and inconvenience of replacing lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed certificates. Certificates will not be issued or honored for any class of shares.
The costs of maintaining the open account system are paid by the Fund and no direct charges are made to shareholders. Although the Fund has no present intention of making such direct charges to shareholders, it reserves the right to do so. Shareholders will receive prior notice before any such charges are made.
Minimum Balance Policy
The Funds minimum balance policy is described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Investment Plans
Subject to the Funds investor eligibility requirements, investors may automatically invest in additional shares of the Fund on a monthly basis by authorizing the Distributor to draw checks on an investors bank account. The checks are drawn under the Investment Builder Program, a program designed to facilitate such periodic payments, and are
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forwarded to Boston Financial for investment in the Fund. A plan in Class A and Class C shares may be opened with an initial investment of $1,000 or the fund minimum for Class Y shares or more and thereafter regular monthly checks of $50 or more will be drawn on the investors account. In the case of Class Y shares, there is no investment minimum and no dollar requirement for regular monthly checks. (Shareholders with accounts participating in Natixis Funds Investment Builder Program prior to May 1, 2005 may continue to make subsequent purchases of $25 or more into those accounts). The reduced minimum initial investment pursuant to an automatic investment plan for Class A and Class C shares is referred to in the Prospectus. A Service Options Form must be completed to open an automatic investment plan and may be obtained by calling the Fund at 800-225-5478 or your investment dealer or by visiting the Funds website at ngam.natixis.com.
This program is voluntary and may be terminated at any time by Boston Financial upon notice to existing plan participants. The Investment Builder Program plan may be discontinued at any time by the investor by written notice to Boston Financial, which must be received at least five business days prior to any payment date. The plan may be discontinued by State Street Bank at any time without prior notice if any check is not paid upon presentation or by written notice to the shareholder at least thirty days prior to any payment date. The Fund is under no obligation to notify shareholders as to the nonpayment of any check.
Retirement Plans and Other Plans Offering Tax Benefits
The federal tax laws provide for a variety of retirement plans offering tax benefits. These plans may be funded with shares of the Fund or with certain other investments. The plans include H.R. 10 (Keogh) plans for self-employed individuals and partnerships, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), corporate pension trust and profit sharing plans, including 401(k) plans and retirement plans for public school systems and certain tax-exempt organizations.
The minimum initial investment available to retirement plans and other plans offering tax benefits is referred to in the Prospectus. For these plans, initial investments in the Fund for Class A and Class C shares must be at least $1,000 for IRAs and Keogh plans using the Natixis Funds prototype document and $500 for Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and at least $100 for any subsequent investments. There is no initial or subsequent investment minimum for SIMPLE IRAs using the Natixis Funds prototype documents. Income dividends and capital gain distributions must be reinvested (unless the investor is over age 59 1/2 or disabled). These types of accounts may be subject to fees. Plan documents and further information can be obtained from the Distributor.
Certain retirement plans may also be eligible to purchase Class Y shares. See the Prospectus for details.
Systematic Withdrawal Plans (All Classes)
An investor owning the Funds shares having a value of $10,000 or more at the current public offering price may establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (a Plan) providing for periodic payments of a fixed or variable amount. An investor may terminate the plan at any time. A form for use in establishing such a plan is available from Boston Financial, your investment dealer or by visiting the Funds website at www.ngam.natixis.com. Withdrawals may be paid to a person other than the shareholder if a Medallion signature guarantee is provided. Please consult your investment dealer or the Fund.
A shareholder under a Plan may elect to receive payments monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually for a fixed amount of not less than $50 or a variable amount based on (1) the market value of a stated number of shares, (2) a specified percentage of the accounts market value or (3) for Natixis sponsored IRA accounts only, a specified number of years for liquidating the account (e.g., a 20-year program of 240 monthly payments would be liquidated at a monthly rate of 1/240, 1/239, 1/238, etc.). The initial payment under a variable payment option may be $50 or more.
In the case of shares subject to a CDSC, the amount or percentage you specify may not, on an annualized basis, exceed 10% of the value, as of the time you make the election, of your account with the Fund with respect to which you are electing the Plan. No CDSC applies to redemptions pursuant to the Plan.
Income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested (without a sales charge in the case of Class A shares) based upon the NAV determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the ex-dividend date.
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Since withdrawal payments represent proceeds from the liquidation of shares, withdrawals may reduce and possibly exhaust the value of the account, particularly in the event of a decline in NAV. Accordingly, a shareholder should consider whether a Plan and the specified amounts to be withdrawn are appropriate under the circumstances. The Fund and the Distributor make no recommendations or representations in this regard. It may be appropriate for a shareholder to consult a tax adviser before establishing such a plan. See the sections Redemptions and Taxes for certain information as to U.S. federal income taxes.
It may be disadvantageous for a shareholder to purchase on a regular basis additional Fund shares with a sales charge while redeeming shares under a Plan. Accordingly, the Fund and the Distributor do not recommend additional investments in Class A shares by a shareholder who has a withdrawal plan in effect and who would be subject to a sales load on such additional investments. Natixis Funds may modify or terminate this program at any time.
Because of statutory restrictions this Plan may not be available to pension or profit-sharing plans and IRA plans that have State Street Bank as trustee. Different documentation may be required.
Dividend Diversification Program
You may also establish a Dividend Diversification Program, which allows you to have all dividends and any other distributions automatically invested in shares of the same class of another Natixis Fund, subject to the investor eligibility requirements of that other Fund and to state securities law requirements. Shares will be purchased based upon the selected Funds NAV (without a sales charge or CDSC) determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the ex-dividend date for each dividend or distribution. A dividend diversification account must be registered to the same shareholder as the distributing Fund account and, if a new account in the purchased Fund is being established, the purchased Funds minimum investment requirements must be met. Before establishing a Dividend Diversification Program into any other Natixis Fund, you must obtain and carefully read a copy of that Funds Prospectus.
Exchange Privilege
A shareholder may exchange Class A, Class C and Class Y shares of the Fund for shares of the same class of a Natixis Fund or series of Loomis Sayles Funds I or Loomis Sayles Funds II that offers that class (subject to the investor eligibility requirements, if any, of the fund into which the exchange is being made and any other limits on the sales of or exchanges into that fund) on the basis of relative NAVs at the time of the exchange without any sales charge. An exchange of shares in one fund for shares of another fund is a taxable event on which gain or loss may be recognized. When an exchange is made from the Class A or Class C shares of the Fund to the same class of shares of another fund, the shares received by the shareholder in the exchange will have the same age characteristics as the shares exchanged. The age of the shares determines the expiration of the CDSC. If you own Class Y shares, you may exchange those shares for Class Y shares of other funds, for Institutional Class shares of any series of Loomis Sayles Funds I or Loomis Sayles Funds II that offers Institutional Class shares. Shareholders who hold their shares through certain financial intermediaries may not be eligible to convert their Class A shares to Class Y shares. These options are summarized in the Funds Prospectus. An exchange may be effected, provided that neither the registered name nor address of the accounts is different by (1) a telephone request to the Fund at 800-225-5478, (2) a written exchange request to the Natixis Funds, P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579 or (3) visiting our website at ngam.natixis.com. You must acknowledge receipt of a current Prospectus for the Fund before an exchange for the Fund can be effected. The minimum amount for an exchange is the minimum amount to open an account or the total NAV of your account, whichever is less.
Accounts participating in or moving into wrap-fee programs or held through a registered investment adviser may exchange Class A shares of a fund for Class Y shares of the same fund and may also exchange Class C shares of a fund for Class A shares or Class Y shares of the same fund. Any account with an outstanding CDSC liability will be assessed the CDSC before converting to either Class A or Class Y shares. Accounts converting from Class C shares to Class A shares will not be subject to any Class A sales charges as a result of the initial conversion or any subsequent purchases of Class A shares in such accounts. In order to exchange shares, a representative of the wrap-fee program or registered investment adviser must provide a completed cross-share exchange form and written notice to the Distributor indicating that a Class Y shareholder is eligible for conversion to Class A shares prior to any such exchange.
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Class A shares of a fund acquired by Trustees, former Trustees, employees of affiliates of the Natixis Funds, individuals who are affiliated with any Natixis Fund (including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and in-laws of those mentioned) and Natixis affiliate employee benefit plans (collectively, Natixis affiliated shareholders) may be exchanged for Class Y shares of the same fund without payment of a CDSC. An exchange of shares for shares of a different class in the same fund generally should not be a taxable event for the exchanging shareholder.
In certain limited circumstances, accounts participating in wrap fee programs or held through a registered investment adviser may exchange Class Y shares of the Fund for Class A shares of the same Fund. Class Y shares may be converted to Class A shares of the same Fund if the Class Y shares are held in an investment option or program that no longer permits the use of Class Y shares in that option or program or if the shareholder otherwise becomes ineligible to participate in Class Y shares. Exchanges from Class Y shares to Class A shares will not be subject to an initial sales charge; however, future purchases may be subject to a sales charge, if applicable. A representative of the wrap fee program or a registered investment adviser must provide a completed cross-share exchange form and written notice to the Distributor indicating that a Class Y shareholder is eligible for conversion to Class A shares prior to any such exchange. An exchange of shares for shares of a different class in the same fund generally should not be a taxable event for the exchanging shareholder.
An exchange of shares for shares of a different class in the same fund generally should not be a taxable event for the exchanging shareholder.
Due to operational limitations at your financial intermediary, your ability to exchange between shares classes of the same fund may be limited. Please consult your financial representative for more information.
All exchanges are subject to the eligibility requirements of the Fund into which you are exchanging and any other limits on sales of or exchanges into the Fund. The exchange privilege may be exercised only in those states where shares of such Fund may be legally sold. The Fund reserves the right to suspend or change the terms of exchanging shares. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to refuse or limit any exchange order for any reason, including if the transaction is deemed not to be in the best interests of the Funds other shareholders or possibly disruptive to the management of the Fund.
Before requesting an exchange into any other Natixis Fund or series of Loomis Sayles Funds I or Loomis Sayles Funds II, please read its prospectus carefully. Subject to the applicable rules of the SEC, the Board reserves the right to modify the exchange privilege at any time. Except as otherwise permitted by SEC rule, shareholders will receive at least 60 days advance notice of any material change to the exchange privilege.
Automatic Exchange Plan
As described in the Prospectus, a shareholder may establish an Automatic Exchange Plan under which shares of the Fund are automatically exchanged each month for shares of the same class of one or more of the other funds. Registration on all accounts must be identical. The Fund minimum of the new fund must be met in connection with each investment. Exchanges may be processed on any day of the month (or the first business day thereafter if the exchange date is not a business day) until the account is exhausted or until Boston Financial is notified in writing to terminate the plan. Exchanges may be made in amounts of $100 or more. The Service Options Form may be used to establish an Automatic Exchange Plan and is available from Boston Financial, your financial representative or by visiting our website at ngam.natixis.com.
Restrictions on Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares
As stated in the Funds Prospectus, the Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason. When a purchase or exchange order is rejected, the Fund or the Distributor will send notice to the prospective investor or the investors financial intermediary promptly after receipt of the rejected order.
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Broker Trading Privileges
The Distributor may, from time to time, enter into agreements with one or more brokers or other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares until the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on each day that the NYSE is open for trading); such purchase and redemption orders will be deemed to have been received by the Fund when the authorized broker or intermediary accepts such orders; and such orders will be priced using the Funds NAV next computed after the orders are placed with and accepted by such brokers or intermediaries. Any purchase and redemption orders received by a broker or intermediary under these agreements will be transmitted daily to the Fund no later than the time specified in such agreement; but, in any event, no later than market open, Eastern Time, following the day that such purchase or redemption orders are received by the broker or intermediary.
Transcript Requests
Transcripts of account transactions will be provided, free of charge, at the shareholders request.
Self-Servicing Your Account with Natixis Funds Personal Access Line® and Website (All Classes)
Natixis Funds shareholders may access account information, including share balances and recent account activity online, by visiting our website at ngam.natixis.com. Transactions may also be processed online for certain accounts (restrictions may apply). Such transactions include purchases, redemptions and exchanges, and shareholders are automatically eligible for these features. Natixis Funds has taken measures to ensure the security of shareholder accounts, including the encryption of data and the use of personal identification (PIN) numbers. In addition, you may restrict these privileges from your account by calling Natixis Funds at 800-225-5478, or writing to us at P.O. Box 219579, Kansas City, MO 64121-9579. More information regarding these features may be found on our website at ngam.natixis.com.
Investor activities through these mediums are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the following Natixis Funds Online and Telephonic Customer Agreement. This agreement is also posted on our website. The initiation of any activity through the Natixis Funds Personal Access Line® or website at ngam.natixis.com by an investor shall indicate agreement with the following terms and conditions:
Natixis Funds Online and Telephonic Customer Agreement
NOTE: ACCESSING OR REQUESTING ACCOUNT INFORMATION OR TRANSACTIONS THROUGH THIS SITE CONSTITUTES AND SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
The accuracy, completeness and timeliness of all mutual fund information provided is the sole responsibility of the mutual fund company that provides the information. No party that provides a connection between this website and a mutual fund or its transfer agency system can verify or ensure the receipt of any information transmitted to or from a mutual fund or its transfer agent, or the acceptance by, or completion of any transaction with, a mutual fund.
The online acknowledgments or other messages that appear on your screen for transactions entered do not mean that the transactions have been received, accepted or rejected by the mutual fund. These acknowledgments are only an indication that the transactional information entered by you has either been transmitted to the mutual fund, or that it cannot be transmitted. It is the responsibility of the mutual fund to confirm to you that it has received the information and accepted or rejected a transaction. It is the responsibility of the mutual fund to deliver to you a current prospectus, confirmation statement and any other documents or information required by applicable law.
NO TRANSACTION SHALL BE DEEMED ACCEPTED UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM THE NATIXIS FUNDS.
You are responsible for reviewing all mutual fund account statements received by you in the mail in order to verify the accuracy of all mutual fund account information provided in the statement and transactions entered through this site. You are also responsible for promptly notifying the mutual fund of any errors or inaccuracies relating to information contained in, or omitted from, your mutual fund account statements, including errors or inaccuracies arising from the transactions conducted through this site.
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TRANSACTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ALL REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS AND FEES AS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS OF THE SELECTED FUND.
THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT EXTEND NOT ONLY TO TRANSACTIONS TRANSMITTED VIA THE INTERNET BUT TO TELEPHONIC TRANSACTIONS INITIATED THROUGH THE NATIXIS FUNDS PERSONAL ACCESS LINE®.
You are responsible for the confidentiality and use of your personal identification numbers, account numbers, social security numbers and any other personal information required to access the site or transmit telephonically. Any individual that possesses the information required to pass through all security measures will be presumed to be you. All transactions submitted by an individual presumed to be you will be solely your responsibility.
You agree that Natixis Funds does not have the responsibility to inquire as to the legitimacy or propriety of any instructions received from you or any person believed to be you, and is not responsible or liable for any losses that may occur from acting on such instructions.
Natixis Funds is not responsible for incorrect data received via the internet or telephonically from you or any person believed to be you. Transactions submitted over the internet and telephonically are solely your responsibility and Natixis Funds makes no warranty as to the correctness, completeness or accuracy of any transmission. Similarly, Natixis Funds bears no responsibility for the performance of any computer hardware, software or the performance of any ancillary equipment and services such as telephone lines, modems or internet service providers.
The processing of transactions over this site or telephonically will involve the transmission of personal data including social security numbers, account numbers and personal identification numbers. While Natixis Funds has taken reasonable security precautions including data encryption designed to protect the integrity of data transmitted to and from the areas of our website that relate to the processing of transactions, we disclaim any liability for the interception of such data.
You agree to immediately notify Natixis Funds if any of the following occurs:
1. | You do not receive confirmation of a transaction submitted via the internet or telephonically within five (5) business days. |
2. | You receive confirmation of a transaction of which you have no knowledge and which was not initiated or authorized by you. |
3. | You transmit a transaction for which you do not receive a confirmation number. |
4. | You have reason to believe that others may have gained access to your personal identification number (PIN) or other personal data. |
5. | You notice an unexplained discrepancy in account balances or other changes to your account, including address changes, and banking instructions on any confirmations or statements. |
Any costs incurred in connection with the use of the Natixis Funds Personal Access Line® or the Natixis Funds internet site including telephone line costs and internet service provider costs are solely your responsibility.
Similarly, Natixis Funds makes no warranties concerning the availability of internet services or network availability. Natixis Funds reserves the right to suspend, terminate or modify the internet capabilities offered to shareholders without notice.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO RESTRICT INTERNET AND TELEPHONIC ACCESS TO YOUR ACCOUNTS BY NOTIFYING NATIXIS FUNDS OF YOUR DESIRE TO DO SO.
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Written notifications to Natixis Funds should be sent to:
All account types excluding SIMPLE IRAs:
Natixis Funds
P. O. Box 219579
Kansas City, MO 64121-9579
Notification may also be made by calling 800-225-5478 during normal business hours.
Simple IRA shareholders please use:
Natixis Funds
P. O. Box 8705
Boston, MA 02266-8705
Notification may also be made by calling 800-813-4127 during normal business hours.
The method for determining the public offering price and NAV per share is summarized in the Prospectuses.
The total NAV of each class of shares of a Fund (the excess of the assets of such Fund attributable to such class over the liabilities attributable to such class) is determined at the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for trading. The Fund will not price its shares on the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Fund securities and other investments are valued at market value based on market quotations obtained or determined by independent pricing services recommended by the Adviser and approved by the Board of Trustees. Fund securities and other investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, as described below. Market value is determined as follows:
| Equity securities (including closed-end investment companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), exchange traded notes, rights, and warrants last sale price quoted on the exchange or market where traded most extensively or, if there is no reported sale during the day, the closing bid quotation as reported by an independent pricing service. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global Market and NASDAQ Capital Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP), or if lacking an NOCP, at the most recent bid quotations on the applicable NASDAQ Market. In some foreign markets, an official close price and a last sale price may be available from the foreign exchange or market. In those cases, the official close price is used. Valuations from foreign markets are subject to the Funds fair value policies described below. If a right is not traded on any exchange, its value is based on the market value of the underlying security, less the cost to subscribe to the underlying security (e.g., to exercise the right), adjusted for the subscription ratio. If a warrant is not traded on any exchange, a price is obtained from a broker-dealer. |
| Debt Securities (other than short-term obligations purchased with an original or remaining maturity of sixty days or less) and unlisted equity securities evaluated bids furnished to a Fund by an independent pricing service using market information, transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between securities, if available, or bid prices obtained from broker-dealers. |
| Senior Loans bid prices supplied by an independent pricing service, if available, or bid prices obtained from broker-dealers. |
| Short-Term Obligations (purchased with an original or remaining maturity of 60 days or less) amortized cost (which approximates market value). |
| Bilateral Swaps Bilateral credit default swaps are valued based on mid prices (between the bid price and the ask price) supplied by an independent pricing service. Bilateral interest rate swaps are valued based on prices supplied by an independent pricing service. If prices from an independent pricing service are not available, prices from a broker-dealer may be used. |
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| Centrally Cleared Swaps settlement prices of the clearinghouse on which the contracts were traded or prices obtained from broker-dealers. |
| Options domestic exchange-traded single equity option contracts are valued at the mean of the National Best Bid and Offer quotations. Option contracts on indices shall be priced at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations as of the close of trading on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Options on futures contracts are valued using the current settlement price on the exchange on which, over time, they are traded most extensively. Other exchange-traded options are valued at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the exchange on which, over time, they are traded most extensively. Over-the-counter (OTC) currency options and swaptions are valued at mid prices (between the bid and the ask price) supplied by an independent pricing service, if available. Other OTC option contracts (including currency options and swaptions not priced through an independent pricing service) are valued based on prices obtained from broker-dealers. |
| Futures current settlement price on the exchange on which the Adviser believes that, over time, they are traded most extensively. |
| Forward Foreign Currency Contracts interpolated rates determined based on information provided by an independent pricing service. |
Foreign denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars based upon foreign exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. Fund securities and other investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. A Fund may also value securities and other investments at fair value in other circumstances such as when extraordinary events occur after the close of a foreign market but prior to the close of the NYSE. This may include situations relating to a single issuer (such as a declaration of bankruptcy or a delisting of the issuers security from the primary market on which it has traded) as well as events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets). When fair valuing its securities or other investments, the Fund may, among other things, use modeling tools or other processes that may take into account factors such as securities or other market activity and/or significant events that occur after the close of the foreign market and before the time a Funds NAV is calculated. Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security, and fair values used to determine a Funds NAV may differ from quoted or published prices, or from prices that are used by others, for the same securities. In addition, the use of fair value pricing may not always result in adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund.
Trading in some of the portfolio securities or other investments of the Fund takes place in various markets outside the United States on days and at times other than when the NYSE is open for trading. Therefore, the calculation of this Funds NAV does not take place at the same time as the prices of many of its portfolio securities or other investments are determined, and the value of this Funds portfolio may change on days when this Fund is not open for business and its shares may not be purchased or redeemed.
The per share NAV of a class of the Funds shares is computed by dividing the number of shares outstanding into the total NAV attributable to such class. The public offering price of a Class A share of a Fund is the NAV per share plus a sales charge as set forth in the Funds Prospectus.
The following special purchase plans are summarized in the Prospectus and are described in greater detail below. Investors should note that in many cases, the broker, and not the Fund, is responsible for ensuring that the investor receives current discounts.
If you invest in Class A shares through a financial intermediary, it is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure you obtain the proper breakpoint discount. In order to reduce your sales charge, it will be necessary at the time of purchase to inform the Distributor and your financial intermediary, in writing, of the existence of other accounts in which there are holdings eligible to be aggregated to meet sales load breakpoints. If the Distributor is not notified that you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, the Distributor will be unable to ensure that the reduction is applied to the investors account. You may be required to provide certain records and information, such as account statements, with respect to all of your accounts which hold Fund shares, including accounts with other financial intermediaries, and your family members and other related parties accounts, in order to verify your eligibility for the reduced sales charge.
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Cumulative Purchase Discount
The Fund shareholder may make an initial or an additional purchase of Class A shares and be entitled to a discount on the sales charge payable on that purchase. This discount will be available if the shareholders total investment in the Fund reaches the breakpoint for a reduced sales charge in the table in the section How Sales Charges Are Calculated Class A Shares in the Prospectus. The total investment is determined by adding the amount of the additional purchase, including sales charges, to the current public offering price of all series and classes of shares of the Natixis Funds held by the shareholder in one or more accounts. If the total investment exceeds the breakpoint, the lower sales charge applies to the entire additional investment even though some portion of that additional investment is below the breakpoint to which a reduced sales charge applies.
Letter of Intent
A Letter of Intent (a Letter), which can be effected at any time, is a privilege available to investors that reduces the sales charge on investments in Class A shares. Ordinarily, reduced sales charges are available for single purchases of Class A shares only when they reach certain breakpoints (e.g., $50,000, $100,000, etc.). By signing a Letter, a shareholder indicates an intention to invest enough money in Class A shares within 13 months to reach a breakpoint. If the shareholders intended aggregate purchases of all series and classes of the Trust and other Natixis Funds over a defined 13-month period will be large enough to qualify for a reduced sales charge, the shareholder may invest the smaller individual amounts at the public offering price calculated using the sales load applicable to the 13-month aggregate investment.
A Letter is a non-binding commitment, the amount of which may be increased, decreased or canceled at any time. The effective date of a Letter is the date it is received in good order by the Funds transfer agency.
Purchases made within 90 days of the establishment of the Letter may be used towards meeting the Letter of Intent.
The Funds transfer agent will hold in escrow shares with a value at the current public offering price of 5% of the aggregate amount of the intended investment. The amount in escrow will be released when the commitment stated in the Letter is completed. If the shareholder does not purchase shares in the amount indicated in the Letter, the shareholder agrees to remit to the Funds transfer agent the difference between the sales charge actually paid and that which would have been paid had the Letter not been in effect, and authorizes the Funds transfer agent to redeem escrowed shares in the amount necessary to make up the difference in sales charges. Reinvested dividends and distributions are not included in determining whether the Letter has been completed.
Combining Accounts
For purposes of determining the sales charge applicable to a given purchase, a shareholder may elect to combine the purchase and the shareholders total investment (calculated at the current public offering price) in all series and classes of the Natixis Funds with the purchases and total investment of the shareholders spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and in-laws of those previously mentioned, single trust estates, individual fiduciary accounts and sole proprietorships or any other group of individuals acceptable to the Distributor. If the combined value of the purchases and total investments exceeds a sales charge breakpoint as disclosed in the Prospectus, the lower sales charge applies to the entire amount of the purchase, even though some portion of that investment is below the breakpoint to which a reduced sales charge applies.
For certain retirement plans, the Distributor may, in its discretion, combine the purchases and total investment of all qualified participants in the same retirement plan for purposes of determining the availability of a reduced sales charge.
Purchases and total investments of individuals may not be combined with purchases and total investments of the retirement plan accounts described in the preceding paragraph for the purpose of determining the availability of a reduced sales charge. Only the purchases and total investments in tax-qualified retirement plans or other employee benefit plans in which the shareholder is the sole participant may be combined with individual accounts for purposes of determining the availability of a reduced sales charge.
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Clients of the Adviser
Investment advisory clients of NGAM Advisors and the Adviser may invest in Class Y shares of the Fund below the minimums stated in the Class Y Prospectus. No front-end sales charge or CDSC applies to investments of $25,000 or more in Class A shares of the Fund by (1) clients of the Adviser to any series of the Trust or another Natixis Fund; any director, officer or partner of a client of the Adviser to any series of the Trust or another Natixis Fund; or the spouse, parents, children, siblings, in-laws, grandparents or grandchildren of the foregoing; (2) any individual who is a participant in a Keogh or IRA Plan under a prototype of the Adviser to any series of the Trust or another Natixis Fund if at least one participant in the plan qualifies under category (1) above; and (3) an individual who invests through an IRA and is a participant in an employee benefit plan that is a client of the Adviser to any series of the Trust or another Natixis Fund. Any investor eligible for this arrangement should so indicate in writing at the time of the purchase. In addition, the front-end sales charge or CDSC may be waived for investments in Class A shares, for Funds that do not offer Class Y shares, by clients of the Adviser to any series of the Trust or another Natixis Fund.
Eligible Governmental Authorities
There is no sales charge or CDSC related to investments in Class A shares by any state, county or city or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof that has determined that the Fund is a legally permissible investment and that is prohibited by applicable investment laws from paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of shares of any registered investment company.
Investment Advisory Accounts
Class A shares of the Fund may be purchased at NAV by investment advisers, financial planners or other intermediaries who place trades for their own accounts or the accounts of their clients and who charge a management, consulting or other fee for their services; clients of such investment advisers, financial planners or other intermediaries who place trades for their own accounts if the accounts are linked to the master account of such investment adviser, financial planner or other intermediary on the books and records of the broker or agent; and retirement and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans, including, but not limited to, those defined in Sections 401(a), 403(b), 401(k) and 457 of the Code and rabbi trusts. Investors may be charged a fee if they effect transactions through a broker or agent.
Certain Broker-Dealers and Financial Services Organizations
Class A shares of the Fund also may be purchased at NAV through certain broker-dealers or financial services organizations without any transaction fee. Such organizations may also receive compensation paid by NGAM Advisors, or its affiliates out of their own assets (as described in the section Distribution Agreements and Rule 12b-1 Plans), or be paid indirectly by the Fund in the form of servicing, distribution or transfer agent fees.
Certain Clients of Financial Intermediaries
Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales charges or a CDSC to clients of a financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor and has been approved by the Distributor to offer Fund shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee.
Certain Retirement Plans
Class A shares of the Fund are available at NAV for investments by participants in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. The availability of this pricing may depend upon the policies and procedures of your specific intermediary; consult your financial adviser.
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Bank Trust Departments or Trust Companies
Class A shares of the Fund are available at NAV for investments by non-discretionary and non-retirement accounts of bank trust departments or trust companies, but are unavailable if the trust department or institution is part of an organization not principally engaged in banking or trust activities.
The reduction or elimination of the sales charges in connection with special purchase plans described above reflects the absence or reduction of expenses associated with such sales.
As described in the Prospectus, it is the policy of the Fund to pay shareholders at least annually according to the schedule specified in the Funds Prospectus, as dividends, all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains, if any, after offsetting any capital loss carryovers.
Ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested based upon the NAV determined as of the close of the NYSE on the ex-dividend date for each dividend or distribution. Shareholders, however, may elect to receive their ordinary income dividends or capital gain distributions, or both, in cash. The election may be made at any time by submitting a written request directly to Natixis Funds, contacting Natixis Funds at 1-800-225-5478 or visiting ngam.natixis.com to change your distribution option. In order for a change to be in effect for any dividend or distribution, it must be received by the Fund on or before the record date for such dividend or distribution.
If a dividend or capital gain distribution check remains uncashed for six months and your account is still open, the Fund will reinvest the dividend or distribution in additional shares of the Fund promptly after making this determination and the check will be canceled. In addition, future dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless you subsequently contact the Fund and request to receive distributions by check.
As required by federal law, federal tax information regarding Fund distributions will be furnished to each shareholder for each calendar year early in the succeeding year.
The following discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authorities, all as of the date of this Statement. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding their particular situations and the possible application of foreign, state and local tax laws.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund intends to elect and to qualify each year for the special tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies (RICs) under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to so qualify, the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (b) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (QPTPs); (ii) diversify its holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the Funds taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Funds total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited generally, with respect to any one issuer, to no more than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is invested (1) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and
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that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (2) in the securities of one or more QPTPs; and (iii) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, if any, for such year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% of gross income requirement described in (i) above, income derived by the Fund from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a QPTP (a partnership (a) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (b) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (i)(a) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). MLPs in which the Fund invests may qualify as QPTPs. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP.
The 90% of gross income requirement significantly limits the manner and extent to which the Fund invests directly in commodities and certain commodity-related instruments and may affect the Funds ability to pursue its investment strategies.
The tax treatment of certain derivative instruments in which the Fund might invest, including derivatives on the VIX, is not clear and may bear on the Funds ability to qualify as a RIC under the Code. In particular, it is unclear how such instruments, and the income or gains therefrom are treated under the gross income or diversification tests applicable to RICs. In the event the Fund were not to qualify as a RIC, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income, as further described below.
For purposes of the diversification requirements set forth in (ii) above, the term outstanding voting securities of an issuer includes the equity securities of a QPTP. Also for purposes of the diversification requirements in (ii) above, identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of the Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to identification of the issuer for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Funds ability to satisfy the diversification requirements.
Assuming that it qualifies for treatment as a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income that is distributed to its shareholders in a timely manner in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, defined below). If the Fund were to fail to satisfy the income, diversification or distribution requirements described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a fund-level tax or interest, disposing of certain assets or making additional distributions. If the Fund were ineligible to or did not cure such a failure for any year, or if the Fund otherwise were to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment for such year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided in both cases that the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Funds shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs under the Code.
The Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction). If the Fund retains any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. The Fund also intends to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as
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undistributed capital gains in a timely notice to its shareholders who then in turn (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their respective shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on properly-filed U.S. federal income tax returns to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. In this event, for federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend, its taxable income and its earnings and profits, a RIC may elect to treat any post-October capital loss (defined as the greatest of net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss, in each case attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or November 30, if the Fund so elects)) and certain late-year ordinary losses (generally, (i) net ordinary losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or November 30, if the Fund makes the election referred to above), plus (ii) other net ordinary losses attributable to the portion of the taxable year, if any, after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against the Funds net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, the Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to offset capital gains in future years, thereby reducing the amount the Fund would otherwise be required to distribute in such future years to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and avoid a fund-level tax. The Fund is permitted to carry forward net capital losses it incurs without expiration. Any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. The Funds annual shareholder report will describe available capital loss carryovers (if any).
If the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or November 30 of that year if the Fund so elects) plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would be taken into account after October 31 (or November 30, if the Fund makes the election referred to above) are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also for purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax in the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund generally intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
Taxation of Fund Distributions
Distributions of investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Funds earnings and profits. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. In general, the Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) generally will be treated as long-term capital gain includible in a shareholders net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains generally are made after applying any available capital loss carryovers.
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Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before a shareholders investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional shares.
Dividends declared and payable by the Fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January generally will be treated for federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which distributions are declared rather than the calendar year in which they are received.
Distributions of investment income properly reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by the Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to that Funds shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a PFIC (as defined below). Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities and REITs generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
In general, distributions of investment income properly reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by the Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Funds dividends (other than properly reported Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. The Fund does not expect a significant portion of its distribution to be derived from qualified dividend income.
Properly reported dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of the Fund generally will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction available to corporations to the extent they are properly reported as being attributable to the amount of eligible dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by the Fund will not be treated as an eligible dividend (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (less than 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (2) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) otherwise by application of the Code (for example, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock generally stock acquired with borrowed funds). The Fund generally does not expect that a significant portion of its distributions will be eligible for corporate dividends-received deduction.
Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by the Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that, for federal tax purposes, is treated as a loan by the Fund, generally will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders or be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
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Section 1411 of the Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and of certain trusts and estates under similar rules. The details of the implementation of this tax remain subject to future guidance. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by the Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.
If the Fund makes a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholders tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital generally is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares
A sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares generally will give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares generally will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed under the Codes wash sale rules if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Upon the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Funds Prospectus for more information.
Foreign Taxation
A Funds investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. In that case, the Funds yield on those securities would be decreased. If a Fund invests more than 50% of its assets in foreign securities, it generally may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund. In addition, a Funds investments in foreign securities and foreign currency may be subject to special tax rules that have the effect of increasing or accelerating the Funds recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the Funds distributions to shareholders.
A Funds investments in certain debt obligations (such as OID securities as defined in the SAI), derivatives, or REITs may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such investments. Thus, a Fund could be required to liquidate investments, including at times when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.
Tax Implications of Certain Fund Investments
Options, Futures, Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements and Hedging Transactions. The tax treatment of certain positions that may be entered into by the Fund, including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options, as well as listed non-equity options that may be written or purchased by the Fund on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (Section 1256 Contracts). Gains or losses on Section 1256 Contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (60/40 gains or losses) although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character, as described below. Also, any Section 1256 Contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are marked to market with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as 60/40 or ordinary gain or loss, as applicable. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of its investments may be marked to the market, potentially resulting in the recognition of income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash. The Fund may therefore be required to liquidate investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs and avoid a Fund-level tax.
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In general, option premiums received by the Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by the Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Funds basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by the Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, that Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of the Funds obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by that Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by the Fund expires unexercised, that Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The Funds options activities may include transactions constituting straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, that trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Such straddles include, for example, positions in a particular security, or an index of securities, and one or more options that offset the former position, including options that are covered by the Funds long position in the subject security. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to substantially similar or related property, to the extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no longer part of a straddle. The straddle rules apply in modified form to so-called qualified covered calls. Very generally, where a taxpayer writes an option a single stock that is in the money but not deep in the money, the holding period on the stock will not be terminated, as it would be under the general straddle rules, but will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. These straddle rules could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or to fail to qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.
The Funds investments in futures contracts, forward contracts, options, straddles, swap agreements, and options on swaps and foreign currencies, derivatives, as well as any of its other hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the mark-to-market, constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, or cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Funds securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a fund-level tax.
Certain of the Funds investments in derivative instruments, foreign currency denominated instruments, and any of the Funds transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Funds book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and avoid a fund-level tax. If the Funds book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income, including net realized capital gains, and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution (if any) of such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Funds remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, if any), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipients basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.
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Certain Foreign Currency Tax Issues. Transactions in foreign currencies, foreign-currency denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses generally will reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.
The Funds forward contracts may qualify as Section 1256 contracts under the Code if the underlying currencies are currencies for which there are futures contracts that are traded on and subject to the rules of a qualified board or exchange. However, a forward currency contract that is a Section 1256 contract would, absent an election out of Section 988 of the Code as described in the preceding paragraph, be subject to Section 988. Accordingly, although such a forward currency contract would be marked-to-market annually like other Section 1256 contracts, the resulting gain or loss would be ordinary. If the Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to forward currency contracts that qualify as Section 1256 contracts, the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts, as described above, would apply to those forward currency contracts: that is, the contracts would be marked-to-market annually and gains and losses with respect to the contracts would be treated as 60/40 gain or loss. If the Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to any of its forward currency contracts that do not qualify as Section 1256 contracts, such contracts will not be marked to market annually and the Fund will recognize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the Funds holding period therein. The Fund may elect out of Section 988 with respect to all, some or none of its forward currency contracts.
Certain Investments in REITs, REMICs and TMPs. An investment by the Fund in REIT equity securities may result in the Fund receiving cash in excess of the REITs earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, such distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the required distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.
The Fund may invest directly or indirectly (including through a REIT) in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) (including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of the Funds income (including income allocated to the Fund from a REIT or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC generally will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, to the extent the Fund invests in such interests, it may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), as noted below.
In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. See Tax-Exempt Shareholders below for a discussion of the special tax consequences that may result where a tax-exempt entity invests in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
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Investments in Other RICs. If the Fund receives dividends from another investment company that qualifies as a RIC, and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.
If the Fund receives dividends from another investment company that qualifies as a RIC and the investment company reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report its distributions derived from those dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.
Special Rules for Debt Obligations. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that are acquired by the Fund will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the OID is treated as interest income and is included in the Funds income (and required to be distributed by that Fund) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Funds income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance that are acquired by the Fund may be treated as having OID or, in certain cases, acquisition discount (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). That Fund will be required to include the OID or acquisition discount in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which OID or acquisition discount accrues, and thus is included in the Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.
If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or, if necessary, by disposition of portfolio securities including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than if the Fund had not held such securities.
Securities Purchased at a Premium. Very generally, where the Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity (a premium) the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if the Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require the Fund to reduce its tax basis by the amount of amortized premium.
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Certain High-Yield Discount Obligations. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high-yield discount obligations in which the Fund may invest may be treated as a dividend for purposes of the corporate dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high-yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.
Higher-Risk Securities. The Fund may invest in below investment-grade fixed-income securities, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of, or in default, present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how the Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies. An equity investment by the Fund in certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) could potentially subject the Fund to U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from a disposition of shares in the PFIC. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may make certain elections to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, the Fund may elect to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its holdings in a PFIC to the market as though the Fund had sold and repurchased its holdings in the PFIC on the last day of the Funds taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The Fund also may in certain cases elect to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing fund (i.e., make a QEF election), in which case the Fund will be required to include in its income annually its share of the PFICs income and net capital gains, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC.
The mark-to-market and QEF elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirements, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Funds total return. Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs generally will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Income of a RIC that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity generally will not be treated as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of that RIC. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder may realize UBTI by virtue of its investments in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs, as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds that Funds investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund). Furthermore, any investment in residual interests of a CMO that has elected to be treated as a REMIC can create complex tax consequences, especially if the Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.
In addition, special tax consequences apply when CRTs invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, if a CRT (defined in Section 664 of the Code) realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax is imposed on such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a fund that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognizes excess inclusion
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income, then the Fund will be subject to a tax on the portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT (or other shareholder), and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in the Fund. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.
Backup Withholding
The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is 28%.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Capital Gain Dividends generally will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a United States person within the meaning of the Code (a Foreign Person) generally are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a Foreign Person directly, would not be subject to withholding.
Effective for distributions with respect to taxable years of a RIC beginning before January 1, 2014, in general and subject to certain limitations, the RIC was not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions attributable to U.S. source interest income of types similar to those that would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual Foreign Person, to the extent such distributions were properly reported by the Fund as interest-related dividends, and (ii) with respect to distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, to the extent such distributions were properly reported by the Fund as short-term capital gain dividends. These exemptions have expired for taxable years of a RIC beginning on or after January 1, 2014. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend these exemptions for distributions with respect to taxable years of a RIC beginning on or after January 1, 2014, and what the terms of such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect. Even if Congress extends these exemptions, the Fund may choose not to report potentially eligible distributions as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding.
In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld even if the RIC reported all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign Persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who or which is a Foreign Person has a trade or business in the United States, and Fund dividends received by such holder are effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, the dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.
A beneficial holder of Fund shares who or which is a Foreign Person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on a sale or redemption of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or Capital Gain Dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale, redemption or Capital Gain Dividend, and certain other conditions are met or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).
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Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs generally are defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.
If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, under a special look-through rule, any distributions by the Fund to a Foreign Person (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable directly or indirectly to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands, generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a Foreign Person, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholders current and past ownership of the Fund. Prior to January 1, 2014, the special look-through rule described above for distributions by a RIC to a Foreign Person also applied to distributions attributable to (i) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the RIC and (ii) distributions received by the RIC from a lower-tier RIC that the upper-tier RIC was required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend these former look-through provisions to distributions made on or after January 1, 2014, and what the terms of any such extension would be, including whether any such extension would have retroactive effect.
In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% shareholder that is a Foreign Person, in which case such Foreign Person generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption. Prior to January 1, 2014, withholding generally was not required with respect to amounts paid in redemption of shares of a RIC if the RIC was a USRPHC that was considered to be domestically controlled or, in certain limited cases, if the RIC (whether or not domestically controlled) held substantial investments in RICs that were domestically controlled USRPHCs. This exemption from withholding for redemptions has expired and such withholding is required, without regard to whether the Fund or any RIC in which it invests is domestically controlled. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this exemption for redemptions made on or after January 1, 2014, and what the terms of any such extension would be, including whether any such extension would have retroactive effect.
The Fund generally does not expect that they will be USRPHCs or would be USRPHCs but for the operation of certain of the special exceptions referred to above.
Foreign Persons should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the certification and filing requirements imposed on foreign investors in order to qualify for an exemption from the backup withholding tax described above or a reduced rate of withholding provided by treaty.
Certain Additional Reporting and Withholding Requirements
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) generally requires the Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on dividends, including Capital Gain Dividends, and the proceeds of the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. If a payment by the Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to Foreign Persons described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain and interest-related dividends), beginning as early as July 1, 2014.
88
Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
Other Tax Matters
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of such an investment on their particular tax situations.
Fund dividends and distributions and gains from the sale of Fund shares may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local and, where applicable, foreign taxes.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Yield and Total Return
The Fund may advertise the yield and total return of each class of its shares. The Funds yield and total return will vary from time to time depending upon market conditions, the composition of its portfolio and operating expenses of the Trust allocated to the Fund. These factors, possible differences in the methods used in calculating yield and total return and the tax-exempt status of distributions should be considered when comparing the Funds yield and total return to yields and total returns published for other investment companies and other investment vehicles. Yield and total return should also be considered relative to changes in the value of the Funds shares and to the relative risks associated with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. Yields do not take into account any applicable sales charges or CDSC. Yield and total return may be stated with or without giving effect to any expense limitations in effect for the Fund. For those funds that present yields and total returns reflecting an expense limitation or waiver, the yield or total return would have been lower if no limitation or waiver were in effect. Yields and total returns will generally be higher for Class A shares than for Class C shares, because of the higher levels of expenses borne by the Class C shares. Because of its lower operating expenses, Class Y shares of the Fund can be expected to achieve a higher yield and total return than the same Funds Class A and Class C shares.
The Fund may also present one or more distribution rates for each class in its sales literature. These rates will be determined by annualizing the classs distributions from net investment income and net short-term capital gain over a recent 12-month, 3-month or 30-day period and dividing that amount by the maximum offering price or the NAV. If the NAV, rather than the maximum offering price, is used to calculate the distribution rate, the rate will be higher.
At any time in the future, yield and total return may be higher or lower than past yields or total return, and there can be no assurance that any historical results will continue.
Investors in the Fund are specifically advised that share prices, expressed as the NAVs per share, will vary just as yield and total return will vary. An investors focus on the yield of the Fund to the exclusion of the consideration of the share price of the Fund may result in the investors misunderstanding the total return he or she may derive from the Fund.
89
Benchmark Comparisons
Performance information for a fund with over one calendar year of performance history will be included in the Prospectus (in the section Risk/Return Bar Chart and Table in such funds Fund Summary), along with the performance of an appropriate benchmark index. Because index comparisons are generally calculated as of the end of each month, index performance information under the Since Inception, Life of Fund or Life of Class headings in the Prospectus for funds with less than ten years of performance history may not be coincident with the inception date of the fund (or class, as applicable). In such instances, index performance is generally presented from the month-end following the inception date of the fund (or class, as applicable).
This document may contain references to third-party copyrights, indexes, and trademarks, each of which is the property of its respective owner. Such owner is not affiliated with Natixis Global Asset Management or any of its related or affiliated companies (collectively NGAM) and does not sponsor, endorse or participate in the provision of any NGAM services, funds or other financial products.
The index information contained herein is derived from third parties and is provided on an as is basis. The user of this information assumes the entire risk of use of this information. Each of the third-party entities involved in compiling, computing or creating index information, disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to such information.
The Fund is newly formed and has not yet issued financial statements.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Standard & PoorsA brief description of the applicable rating symbols of Standard & Poors and their meanings (as published by Standard & Poors) follows:
Issue Credit Rating Definitions
A Standard & Poors issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects Standard & Poors view of the obligors capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on Standard & Poors analysis of the following considerations:
| Likelihood of paymentcapacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; |
| Nature of and provisions of the obligation and the promise we impute; |
| Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights. |
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
AAA
An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A
An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
A-1
BBB
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poors expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
C
The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poors expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
D
An obligation rated D is in payment default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
A-2
Plus (+) or minus ()
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus () sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poors does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A-1
A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2
A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3
A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B
A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C
A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D
A short-term obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
SPUR (Standard & Poors Underlying Rating)
A SPUR rating is an opinion about the stand-alone capacity of an obligor to pay debt service on a credit-enhanced debt issue, without giving effect to the enhancement that applies to it. These ratings are published only at the request of the debt issuer/obligor with the designation SPUR to distinguish them from the credit-enhanced rating that applies to the debt issue. Standard & Poors maintains surveillance of an issue with a published SPUR.
A-3
Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions
A Standard & Poors U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poors opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poors analysis will review the following considerations:
| Amortization schedulethe larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
| Source of paymentthe more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Dual Ratings
Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, AAA/A-1+ or A-1+/A-1). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example SP-1+/A-1+).
Standard & Poors Disclaimers
The analyses, including ratings, and of Standard & Poors and its affiliates (together, Standard & Poors) are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or make any investment decisions. Standard & Poors assumes no obligation to update any information following publication. Users of ratings or other analyses should not rely on them in making any investment decision. Standard & Poors opinions and analyses do not address the suitability of any security. Standard & Poors does not act as a fiduciary or an investment advisor except where registered as such. While Standard & Poors has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, Standard & Poors does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives. Ratings and other opinions may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn at any time.
Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)
Federal deposit insurances limit: L qualifier
Ratings qualified with L apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.
A-4
Principal: p qualifier
This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The p suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.
Public Information Ratings: pi qualifier
Ratings with a pi suffix are based on an analysis of an issuers published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuers management and therefore may be based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a pi suffix. Ratings with a pi suffix are reviewed annually based on a new years financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuers credit quality.
Preliminary Ratings: prelim qualifier
Preliminary ratings, with the prelim suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by Standard & Poors of appropriate documentation. Standard & Poors reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.
| Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions. |
| Preliminary ratings are assigned to Rule 415 Shelf Registrations. As specific issues, with defined terms, are offered from the master registration, a final rating may be assigned to them in accordance with Standard & Poors policies. |
| Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligors emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or postbankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s). |
| Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in Standard & Poors opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to these entities obligations. |
| Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, Standard & Poors would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings. |
| A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating. |
Termination Structures: t qualifier
This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.
A-5
Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)
Contingent upon final documentation: * inactive qualifier
This symbol that indicated that the rating was contingent upon Standard & Poors receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.
Termination of obligation to tender: c inactive qualifier
This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuers bonds were deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.
U.S. direct government securities: G inactive qualifier
The letter G followed the rating symbol when a funds portfolio consisted primarily of direct U.S. government securities.
Provisional Ratings: pr inactive qualifier
The letters pr indicate that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of a project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements was largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, made no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion.
Quantitative Analysis of public information: q inactive qualifier
A q subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.
Extraordinary risks: r inactive qualifier
The r modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, which are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an r modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will not exhibit extraordinary non-credit related risks. Standard & Poors discontinued the use of the r modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks
Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poors analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligors capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign governments own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
Moodys Investors Service, Inc.A brief description of the applicable Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moodys) follows:
A-6
Long-Term Obligation Ratings
Moodys long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Moodys Long-Term Rating Definitions:
Aaa
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A
Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa
Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a (hyb) indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.
Long-Term Issuer Ratings
Long-Term Issuer Ratings are opinions of the ability of entities to honor long-term senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts. Moodys expresses Long-Term Issuer Ratings on its long-term global scale.
A-7
Hybrid Indicator (hyb)
The hybrid indicator (hyb) is appended to all long-term ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
Medium-Term Note Program Ratings
Moodys assigns ratings to medium-term note (MTN) programs and to the individual debt securities issued from them (referred to as drawdowns or notes). These ratings may be expressed on Moodys general long-term or short-term rating scale, depending upon the intended tenor of the notes to be issued under the program.
MTN program ratings are intended to reflect the ratings likely to be assigned to drawdowns issued from the program with the specified priority of claim (e.g., senior or subordinated). However, the rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN program may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuers default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different rating. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.
Market participants must determine whether any particular note is rated, and if so, at what rating level. Moodys encourages market participants to contact Moodys Ratings Desks or visit www.moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol. To capture the contingent nature of a program rating, Moodys assigns provisional ratings to MTN programs. A provisional rating is denoted by a (P) in front of the rating and is defined elsewhere in this document.
The rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN or bank/deposit note program is definitive in nature, and may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuers default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different thing. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.
Moodys encourages market participants to contact Moodys Ratings Desks or visit www.moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.
Short-Term Obligation Ratings
Moodys short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments.
Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Note: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.
A-8
Short-Term Issuer Ratings
Short-Term Issuer Ratings are opinions of the ability of entities to honor short-term senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts. Moodys expresses Short-Term Issuer Ratings on its short-term obligations ratings scale.
Fitch Investor Services, Inc.A brief description of the applicable rating symbols of Fitch Investor Services, Inc. (Fitch) and their meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:
Credit Rating Scales
Fitch Ratings credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested. The agencys credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.
The terms investment grade and speculative grade have established themselves over time as shorthand to describe the categories AAA to BBB (investment grade) and BB to D (speculative grade). The terms investment grade and speculative grade are market conventions, and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. Investment grade categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the speculative categories either signal a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.
A designation of Not Rated or NR is used to denote securities not rated by Fitch where Fitch has rated some, but not all, securities comprising an issuance capital structure.
Credit ratings express risk in relative rank order, which is to say they are ordinal measures of credit risk and are not predictive of a specific frequency of default or loss.
Fitch Ratings credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. In particular, ratings do not deal with the risk of a market value loss on a rated security due to changes in interest rates, liquidity and other market considerations. However, in terms of payment obligation on the rated liability, market risk may be considered to the extent that it influences the ability of an issuer to pay upon a commitment. Ratings nonetheless do not reflect market risk to the extent that they influence the size or other conditionality of the obligation to pay upon a commitment (for example, in the case of index-linked bonds).
In the default components of ratings assigned to individual obligations or instruments, the agency typically rates to the likelihood of non-payment or default in accordance with the terms of that instruments documentation. In limited cases, Fitch Ratings may include additional considerations (i.e., rate to a higher or lower standard than that implied in the obligations documentation). In such cases, the agency will make clear the assumptions underlying the agencys opinion in the accompanying rating commentary.
Long-Term Credit Rating Scales
Issuer Credit Rating Scales
Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entitys relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.
In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agencys view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.
A-9
AAA
Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA
Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A
High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB
Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB
Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.
B
Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.
CCC
Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.
CC
Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.
C
Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include:
| the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; |
| the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or |
| Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of RD or D to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange. |
A-10
RD
Restricted default. RD ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:
| the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; |
| the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; |
| the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or |
| execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations. |
D
Default. D ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.
Imminent default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.
In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agencys opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuers financial obligations or local commercial practice.
Note:
The modifiers + or may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below B.
Limitations of the Issuer Credit Rating Scale
Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:
| The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period. |
| The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuers securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change. |
| The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuers securities or stock. |
| The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer default. |
| The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as counterparty to trade credit. |
| The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuers business, operational or financial profile other than the agencys opinion on its relative vulnerability to default. |
A-11
Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the readers convenience. Readers are requested to review the section Understanding Credit RatingsLimitations and Usage for further information on the limitations of the agencys ratings.
Short-Term Ratings
Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers or Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream, and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as short term based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
F1
Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2
Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3
Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B
Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C
High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
RD
Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.
D
Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
Limitations of the Short-Term Ratings Scale
Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:
| The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period. |
| The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuers securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change. |
| The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuers securities or stock. |
| The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an obligation default. |
| The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transactions profile other than the agencys opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of the rated issuer or obligation. |
A-12
Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the readers convenience. Readers are requested to review the section Understanding Credit RatingsLimitations and Usage for further information on the limitations of the agencys ratings.
Standard Rating Actions
Affirmed*
The rating has been reviewed with no change in rating. Ratings affirmations may also include an affirmation of, or change to Outlook when an Outlook is used.
Confirmed
Action taken in response to an external request or change in terms. Rating has been reviewed in either context, and no rating change has been deemed necessary. For servicer ratings, action taken in response to change in financial condition or IDR of servicer where servicer rating is reviewed in that context exclusively, and no rating action has been deemed necessary.
Downgrade*
The rating has been lowered in the scale.
Matured*/Paid-In-Full
a. Matured This action is used when an issue has reached the end of its repayment term and rating coverage is discontinued. Denoted as NR.
b. Paid-In-Full This action indicates that the issue has been paid in full. As the issue no longer exists, it is therefore no longer rated. Denoted as PIF.
Upgrade*
The rating has been raised in the scale.
Withdrawn*
The rating has been withdrawn and the issue or issuer is no longer rated by Fitch Ratings. Indicated in rating databases with the symbol WD.
* | A rating action must be recorded for each rating in a required cycle to be considered compliant with Fitch policy concerning aging of ratings. Not all Ratings or Data Actions, or changes in rating modifiers, will meet this requirement. Actions that meet this requirement are noted with an * in the above definitions. |
XSE33-0614
A-13
Registration Nos. 002-11101
811-00242
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a) | Articles of Incorporation. | |||||
(1) | Natixis Funds Trust II (the Registrant) Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 2, 2005 (the Agreement and Declaration) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (a)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment (PEA) No. 128 to the initial registration statement (Registration Statement) filed on January 30, 2006. | |||||
(2) | Amendment No. 1 dated June 1, 2007 to the Agreement and Declaration is incorporated by reference to exhibit (a)(2) to PEA No. 132 to the Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2008. | |||||
(3) | Memorandum and Articles of Association of ASG Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd. (the Global Alternatives Commodity Subsidiary) dated August 11, 2008 is incorporated by reference to exhibit (a)(3) to PEA No. 138 filed on September 29, 2008. | |||||
(4) | Memorandum and Articles of Association of ASG Diversifying Strategies Cayman Fund Ltd. (the Diversifying Strategies Commodity Subsidiary) dated July 2, 2009 is incorporated by reference to exhibit (a)(4) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(5) | Memorandum and Articles of Association of ASG Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd. (the Managed Futures Strategy Commodity Subsidiary) dated June 24, 2010 is incorporated by reference to exhibit (a)(5) to PEA No. 150 filed on July 29, 2010. | |||||
(b) | By-Laws. | |||||
(1) | The Registrants Amended and Restated By-Laws dated September 23, 2008 (the By-Laws) are incorporated by reference to exhibit (b)(1) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008. | |||||
(c) | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. | |||||
(1) | Rights of shareholders as described in Article III, Section 6 and Article V of the Registrants Agreement and Declaration is incorporated by reference to exhibit (c) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. |
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(d) | Investment Advisory Contracts. | |||||
(1) | (i) | Advisory Agreement dated October 30, 2000 between the Registrant, on behalf of Natixis Oakmark Fund, and NGAM Advisors, L.P. (NGAM Advisors) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(i) to PEA No. 114 to the Registration Statement filed on February 27, 2001. | ||||
(ii) | Advisory Agreement dated September 30, 2008 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Global Alternatives Fund, and AlphaSimplex Group, LLC (AlphaSimplex) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(iii) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008. | |||||
(iii) | Addendum dated July 1, 2012 to the Advisory Agreement dated September 30, 2008 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Global Alternatives Fund, and AlphaSimplex Group, LLC is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(iii) to PEA No. 172 to the Registration Statement filed on January 24, 2013. | |||||
(iv) | Advisory Agreement dated October 31, 2008 between the Registrant, on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund, and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(iv) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. | |||||
(v) | Advisory Agreement dated November 27, 2008 between the Global Alternatives Commodity Subsidiary and AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(v) to PEA No. 141 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2009. | |||||
(vi) | Advisory Agreement dated July 21, 2009 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund, and AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(vi) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(vii) | Advisory Agreement dated July 21, 2009 between the Diversifying Strategies Commodity Subsidiary and AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(viii) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(viii) | Advisory Agreement dated July 28, 2010 between the Registrant on behalf of ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund and AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(vii) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(ix) | Advisory Agreement dated July 28, 2010 between the Managed Futures Strategy Commodity Subsidiary and AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(viii) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(x) | Advisory Agreement dated December 14, 2010 between the Registrant on behalf of Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund (formerly, the Loomis Sayles Absolute Strategies Fund) and Loomis Sayles is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xii) to PEA No. 153 filed on December 14, 2010. |
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(xi) | Advisory Agreement dated September 16, 2011 between the Registrant on behalf of Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund and Loomis Sayles is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xv) to PEA No. 158 as filed on September 29, 2011. | |||||
(xii) | Advisory Agreement dated March 28, 2012 between the Registrant on behalf of Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund and Loomis Sayles is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xv) to PEA No. 162 to the Registration Statement filed on March 30, 2012. | |||||
(xiii) | Advisory Agreement dated June 29, 2012 between the Registrant, on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Select Fund and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xvi) to PEA No. 167 filed on June 28, 2012. | |||||
(xiv) | Advisory Agreement dated November 16, 2012 between the Registrant, on behalf of McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xvii) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | |||||
(xv) | Advisory Agreement dated September 30, 2013 between the Registrant on behalf of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund and AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xvii) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(xvi) | Advisory Agreement dated February 10, 2014 between the Registrant on behalf of Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and Loomis Sayles is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(1)(xvi) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. | |||||
(xvii) | Advisory Agreement dated July 10, 2014 between the Registrant on behalf of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund and Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US) is filed herewith. | |||||
(2) | (i) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated October 29, 2002 among the Registrant, on behalf of Natixis Oakmark Fund, NGAM Advisors, and Harris Associates L.P. (Harris Associates) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(i) to PEA No. 118 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2003. | ||||
(ii) | Amendment No.1 dated July 1, 2005 to Sub-Advisory Agreement dated October 29, 2002 among the Registrant, on behalf of Natixis Oakmark Fund, NGAM Advisors, and Harris Associates is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(ii) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | |||||
(iii) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 30, 2008 among the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Global Alternatives Fund, AlphaSimplex and Reich & Tang Asset Management, LLC (Reich & Tang) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(iii) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008. |
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(iv) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated October 31, 2008 among the Registrant on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund, NGAM Advisors and Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. (Vaughan Nelson) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(iv) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. | |||||
(v) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated November 27, 2008 among the Global Alternatives Commodity Subsidiary, AlphaSimplex and Reich & Tang is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(v) to PEA No. 141 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2009. | |||||
(vi) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated July 24, 2009 among the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund, AlphaSimplex and Reich & Tang is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(vi) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(vii) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated July 24, 2009 among the Diversifying Strategies Commodity Subsidiary, AlphaSimplex and Reich & Tang is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(vii) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(viii) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated July 28, 2010 among the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund, AlphaSimplex and Reich & Tang is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(viii) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(ix) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated June 29, 2012 among the Registrant, on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Select Fund, NGAM Advisors and Vaughan Nelson is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(xi) to PEA No. 167 filed on June 28, 2012. | |||||
(x) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2013 among the Registrant, on behalf of McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, NGAM Advisors and McDonnell Investment Management, LLC is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(xiii) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | |||||
(xi) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 30, 2013 among the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund, AlphaSimplex and Reich & Tang is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(xi) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(xii) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 30, 2013 among the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund, AlphaSimplex and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (d)(2)(xii) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(e) | Underwriting Contracts. | |||||
(1) | Distribution Agreement dated March 3, 2003 between the Registrant, on behalf of Natixis Oakmark Fund, and NGAM Distribution, L.P. (NGAM Distribution) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(1) to PEA No. 119 to the Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2003. |
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(2) | Distribution Agreement dated September 30, 2008 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Global Alternatives Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(4) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008. | |||||
(3) | Distribution Agreement dated October 31, 2008 between the Registrant, on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(5) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. | |||||
(4) | Distribution Agreement dated July 27, 2009 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(5) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(5) | Distribution Agreement dated July 28, 2010 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(5) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(6) | Distribution Agreement dated December 14, 2010 between the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(8) to PEA No. 153 filed on December 14, 2010. | |||||
(7) | Distribution Agreement dated September 30, 2011 between the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(10) to PEA No. 158 filed on September 29, 2011. | |||||
(8) | Distribution Agreement dated March 28, 2012 between the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(10) to PEA No. 162 to the Registration Statement filed on March 30, 2012. | |||||
(9) | Distribution Agreement dated June 29, 2012 between the Registrant, on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Select Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(11) to PEA No. 167 filed on June 28, 2012. | |||||
(10) | Distribution Agreement dated December 31, 2012 between the Registrant, on behalf of McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(12) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | |||||
(11) | Distribution Agreement dated September 30, 2013 between the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(12) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(12) | Distribution Agreement dated February 10, 2014 between the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (e)(12) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. |
5
(13) | Distribution Agreement dated July 10, 2014 between the Registrant, on behalf of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund and NGAM Distribution is filed herewith. | |||||
(14) | Form of Dealer Agreement used by NGAM Distribution is filed herewith. | |||||
(f) | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. | |||||
Not applicable. | ||||||
(g) | Custodian Agreements. | |||||
(1) | Custodian Contract dated September 1, 2005 among the Registrant, on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (g)(1) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | |||||
(2) | Amendment No. 1 dated September 15, 2006 to Master Custody Agreement dated September 1, 2005 among the Registrant, on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (g)(2) to PEA No. 130 filed on January 26, 2007. | |||||
(3) | Custody Services Agreement dated November 27, 2008 between the Global Alternatives Commodity Subsidiary and State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (g)(3) to PEA No. 141 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2009. | |||||
(4) | Custody Services Agreement dated July 27, 2009 between the Diversifying Strategies Commodity Subsidiary and State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (g)(4) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(5) | Custody Services Agreement dated July 28, 2010 between the Managed Futures Strategy Commodity Subsidiary and State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (g)(5) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(h) | Other Material Contracts. | |||||
(1) | (i) | Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant, on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (Boston Financial) is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(1)(i) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | ||||
(ii) | Amendment dated October 1, 2008 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant, on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Hansberger International Series, Gateway Trust and Boston Financial is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(1)(iii) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. |
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(iii) | Amendment dated October 1, 2011 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Gateway Trust, Hansberger International Series and Boston Financial is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(1)(vi) to PEA No. 161 to the Registration Statement filed on February 17, 2012. | |||||
(iv) | Revised Appendix A dated March 30, 2012 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Gateway Trust, Hansberger International Series and Boston Financial is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(1)(v) to PEA No. 162 to the Registration Statement filed on March 29, 2012. | |||||
(v) | Amendment dated February 21, 2012 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Gateway Trust, Hansberger International Series and Boston Financial is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(1)(vi) to PEA No. 163 to the Registration Statement filed on April 13, 2012. | |||||
(vi) | Amendment dated April 23, 2014 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust II, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Hansberger International Series and Boston Financial is filed herewith. | |||||
(2) | (i) | Administrative Services Agreement dated January 3, 2005 between the Registrant, on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2) to PEA No. 125 to the Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2005. | ||||
(ii) | First Amendment dated November 1, 2005 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(ii) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | |||||
(iii) | Second Amendment dated January 1, 2006 to Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(iii) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | |||||
(iv) | Third Amendment dated July 1, 2007 to Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(iv) to PEA No. 132 to the Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2008. | |||||
(v) | Fourth Amendment dated September 17, 2007 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(v) to PEA No. 132 to the Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2008. |
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(vi) | Fifth Amendment dated February 1, 2008 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(vi) to PEA No. 132 to the Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2008. | |||||
(vii) | Sixth Amendment dated February 19, 2008 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(vii) to PEA No. 134 to the Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2008. | |||||
(viii) | Seventh Amendment dated July 1, 2008 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(viii) to PEA No. 138 to the Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2008. | |||||
(ix) | Eighth Amendment dated September 29, 2008 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(ix) to PEA No. 138 to the Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2008. | |||||
(x) | Ninth Amendment dated October 31, 2008 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(x) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. | |||||
(xi) | Tenth Amendment dated January 9, 2009 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xi) to PEA No. 141 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2009. | |||||
(xii) | Eleventh Amendment dated July 27, 2009 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xii) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(xiii) | Twelfth Amendment dated February 25, 2010 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xiii) to PEA No. 146 filed on March 1, 2010. | |||||
(xiv) | Thirteenth Amendment dated July 1, 2010 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xiv) to PEA No. 150 filed on July 29, 2010. | |||||
(xv) | Fourteenth Amendment dated September 21, 2010 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xv) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(xvi) | Fifteenth Amendment dated December 14, 2010 to the Administrative Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xvi) to PEA No. 153 filed on December 14, 2010. | |||||
(xvii) | Sixteenth Amendment dated July 1, 2011 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xvii) to PEA No. 157 filed on July 15, 2011. |
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(xviii) | Seventeenth Amendment dated September 16, 2011 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xviii) to PEA No. 160 filed on September 29, 2011. | |||||
(xix) | Eighteenth Amendment dated March 28, 2012 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xix) to PEA No. 162 filed on March 30, 2012. | |||||
(xx) | Nineteenth Amendment dated June 29, 2012 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xx) to PEA No. 167 filed on June 28, 2012. | |||||
(xxi) | Twentieth Amendment dated November 16, 2012 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xxi) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | |||||
(xxii) | Twenty-First Amendment dated September 26, 2013 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xxii) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. | |||||
(xxiii) | Twenty-Second Amendment dated February 10, 2014 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xxiii) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. | |||||
(xxiv) | Twenty-Third Amendment dated July 10, 2014 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors is filed herewith. | |||||
(xxv) | Administrative Services Agreement dated November 27, 2008 between the Global Alternatives Commodity Subsidiary and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xii) to PEA No. 141 filed on April 30, 2009. | |||||
(xxvi) | Sub-Administrative Services Agreement dated January 28, 2009 among the Global Alternatives Commodity Subsidiary, State Street and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xiii) to PEA No. 141 filed on April 30, 2009. | |||||
(xxvii) | Administrative Services Agreement dated July 27, 2009 between the Diversifying Strategies Commodity Subsidiary and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xv) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(xxviii) | Sub-Administrative Services Agreement dated July 27, 2009 among the Diversifying Strategies Commodity Subsidiary, State Street and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xvi) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(xxix) | Administrative Services Agreement dated July 28, 2010 between the Managed Futures Strategy Commodity Subsidiary and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xx) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. |
9
(xxx) | Sub-Administrative Services Agreement dated July 28, 2010 among the Managed Futures Strategy Commodity Subsidiary, State Street and NGAM Advisors is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(2)(xxi) to PEA No. 151 filed on September 29, 2010. | |||||
(3) | (i) | Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 1, 2005 among the Registrant, on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(3)(i) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | ||||
(ii) | First Amendment dated December 20, 2005 to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 1, 2005 with State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(3)(ii) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008. | |||||
(iii) | Second Amendment dated February 29, 2008 to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 1, 2005 with State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(3)(iii) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008. | |||||
(iv) | Third Amendment dated January 1, 2011 to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 1, 2005 with State Street is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(3)(iv) to PEA No. 155 to the Registration Statement filed on May 2, 2011. | |||||
(4) | AlphaSimplex Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated April 30, 2014 between AlphaSimplex and the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund, ASG Global Alternatives Fund, ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(4) to PEA No. 188 to the Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2014. | |||||
(5) | NGAM Advisors Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertakings dated April 30, 2014 between NGAM Advisors and the Registrant, on behalf of McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Natixis Oakmark Fund and Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(5) to PEA No. 188 to the Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2014. | |||||
(6) | Loomis Sayles Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated April 30, 2014 between Loomis Sayles and the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(6) to PEA No. 188 to the Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2014. | |||||
(7) | Loomis Sayles Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated March 31, 2014 between Loomis Sayles and the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund and Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(7) to PEA No. 186 to the Registration Statement filed on April 16, 2014. |
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(8) | Reliance Agreement for Exchange Privileges dated June 30, 2009 by and among Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Gateway Trust, Hansberger International Series, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II and the Registrant is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(7) to PEA No. 146 filed on March 1, 2010. | |||||
(9) | NGAM Advisors Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated March 31, 2014 between NGAM Advisors and the The Registrant, on behalf of Vaughan Nelson Select Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(9) to PEA No. 186 to the Registration Statement filed on April 16, 2014. | |||||
(10) | AlphaSimplex Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated September 30, 2013 between AlphaSimplex and the Registrant, on behalf of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(11) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(11) | Loomis Sayles Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated February 10, 2014 between Loomis Sayles and the Registrant, on behalf of Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (h)(12) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. | |||||
(12) | Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated July 10, 2014 between Natixis AM US and the Registrant, on behalf of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund is filed herewith. | |||||
(i) | Legal Opinion. | |||||
(1) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated January 3, 1989 with respect to the Registrants Natixis Oakmark Fund and Loomis Sayles Massachusetts Tax Free Income Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(a) to PEA No. 106 filed on April 18, 1997. | |||||
(2) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated September 10, 1993 with respect to offering multiple classes of shares for all series of the Registrant is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10(d) to PEA No. 106 filed on April 18, 1997. | |||||
(j) | Other Opinions. | |||||
Not applicable. | ||||||
(k) | Omitted Financial Statements. | |||||
Not applicable. | ||||||
(l) | Initial Capital Agreements. | |||||
Not applicable. |
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(m) | Rule 12b-1 Plan. | |||||
(1) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Natixis Oakmark Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(1)(a) to PEA No. 115 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2001. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class B shares of Natixis Oakmark Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(1)(b) to PEA No. 119 to the Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2003. | |||||
(c) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Natixis Oakmark Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(1)(c) to PEA No. 115 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2001. | |||||
(2) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of ASG Global Alternatives Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(3)(a) to PEA No. 138 to the Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2008. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of ASG Global Alternatives Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(3)(b) to PEA No. 138 to the Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2008. | |||||
(3) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(4)(a) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(4)(b) to PEA No. 139 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008. | |||||
(4) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(5)(a) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(5)(b) to PEA No. 144 filed on July 31, 2009. | |||||
(5) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(5)(a) to PEA No. 150 filed on July 29, 2010. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(5)(b) to PEA No. 150 filed on July 29, 2010. | |||||
(6) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(8)(a) to PEA No. 153 filed on December 14, 2010. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(8)(b) to PEA No. 153 filed on December 14, 2010. |
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(7) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(10)(a) to PEA No. 158 filed on September 29, 2011. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(10)(b) to PEA No. 158 filed on September 29, 2011. | |||||
(8) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(10)(a) to PEA No. 162 filed on March 30, 2012. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(10)(b) to PEA No. 162 filed on March 30, 2012. | |||||
(9) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Vaughan Nelson Select Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(11)(a) to PEA No. 167 filed on June 28, 2012. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Vaughan Nelson Select Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(11)(b) to PEA No. 167 filed on June 28, 2012. | |||||
(10) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(12)(a) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(12)(b) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | |||||
(11) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(12)(a) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(12)(b) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(12) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(12)(a) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. | ||||
(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund is incorporated by reference to exhibit (m)(12)(b) to PEA No. 182 to the Registration Statement filed on February 7, 2014. | |||||
(13) | (a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund is filed herewith. |
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(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund is filed herewith. | |||||
(n) | Rule 18f-3 Plan. | |||||
The Registrants Amended and Restated Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) effective November 16, 2012 is incorporated by reference to exhibit (n) to PEA No. 170 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2012. | ||||||
(p) | Code of Ethics. | |||||
(1) | Code of Ethics dated September 14, 2007 for The Registrant is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(1) to PEA No. 132 to the Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2008. | |||||
(2) | Code of Ethics dated October 1, 2007 as amended January 1, 2010 for NGAM Advisors and NGAM Distribution is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(2) to PEA No. 147 to the Registration Statement filed on April 30, 2010. | |||||
(3) | Code of Ethics dated September 30, 2005 as amended April 8, 2013 for Harris Associates is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(3) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(4) | Code of Ethics revised as of July 30, 2010 for AlphaSimplex is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(4) to PEA No. 155 filed on May 2, 2011. | |||||
(5) | Code of Ethics dated February 1, 2008 as amended September 2012 for Reich & Tang is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(5) to PEA No. 174 filed on March 28, 2013. | |||||
(6) | Code of Ethics dated May 20, 2008 as amended March 11, 2014 for Vaughan Nelson is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(6) to PEA No. 190 filed on June 27, 2014. | |||||
(7) | Code of Ethics dated January 14, 2000 as amended October 16, 2013 for Loomis Sayles is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(7) to PEA No. 185 filed on March 28, 2014. | |||||
(8) | Code of Ethics dated June 1, 2011 as amended June 24, 2013 for McDonnell is incorporated by reference to exhibit (p)(8) to PEA No. 179 to the Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2013. | |||||
(9) | Code of Ethics dated June 17, 2014 for Natixis AM US is filed herewith. |
14
(q) | Powers of Attorney. | |||||
(1) | Powers of Attorney for John T. Hailer, Robert Blanding and Sandra O. Moose dated October 18, 2004, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee are incorporated by reference to exhibit (q) to PEA No. 124 to the Registration Statement filed on December 2, 2004. | |||||
(2) | Power of Attorney for Cynthia L. Walker dated June 2, 2005, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(2) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. | |||||
(3) | Power of Attorney for Kenneth A. Drucker dated June 17, 2008, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(4) to PEA No. 136 to the registration Statement filed on July 17, 2008. | |||||
(4) | Power of Attorney for Wendell J. Knox dated June 4, 2009, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(4) to PEA No. 143 to the Registration Statement filed on July 15, 2009. | |||||
(5) | Power of Attorney for Erik Sirri dated November 19, 2009, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(5) to PEA No. 146 to the Registration Statement filed on March 1, 2010. | |||||
(6) | Power of Attorney for Peter Smail dated November 24, 2009, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(6) to PEA No. 146 to the Registration Statement filed on March 1, 2010. | |||||
(7) | Power of Attorney for David L. Giunta dated January 3, 2011, effective January 1, 2011, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(8) to PEA No. 154 filed on February 25, 2011. | |||||
(8) | Power of Attorney for Martin T. Meehan dated July 1, 2012, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(9) to PEA No. 169 to the registration Statement filed on October 17, 2012. | |||||
(9) | Power of Attorney for Edmond J. English dated December 28, 2012, designating John M. Loder, Coleen Downs Dinneen, Russell Kane and Michael Kardok as attorneys to sign for each Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit (1) to PEA No. 171 to the registration Statement filed on January 18, 2013. |
15
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Registrant.
The Registrant is not aware of any person controlled or under common control with any of its series. As of June 16, 2014, the persons listed below owned 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of one or more series of the Registrant and thus may be deemed to control the series within the meaning of Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act:
Fund |
Shareholder and Address |
Percentage of | ||
ASG Global Alternatives Fund | Wells Fargo Bank NA Minneapolis, MN 55480-1533 |
34.29% | ||
ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. San Francisco, CA 94104-4151 |
41.21% | ||
ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund | LPL Financial San Diego, CA 92121-1968 |
53.90% | ||
Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. Boston, MA 02116-3368 |
41.50% | |||
Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. San Francisco, CA 94104-4151 |
30.99% | ||
Dingle & Co Detroit, MI |
26.89% | |||
Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund | Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. Boston, MA 02116-3368 |
78.03% | ||
McDonnell International Municipal Bond Fund | Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. Boston, MA 02116-3368 |
74.38% | ||
Vaughan Nelson Select Fund | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. San Francisco, CA 94104-4151 |
32.11% |
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Item 30. Indemnification.
Under Article 5 of the Registrants By-laws, any past or present Trustee or officer of the Registrant (hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person) shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law against all liability and all expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or otherwise involved by reason of his or her being or having been a Covered Person. That provision does not authorize indemnification when it is determined that such Covered Person would otherwise be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. This description is modified in its entirety by the provision of Article 5 of the Registrants By-laws incorporated by reference to exhibit (b)(1) to PEA No. 140 to the Registration Statement filed on December 1, 2008.
The Distribution Agreements, the Custodian Agreement, the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement (the Agreements) contained herein and in various post-effective amendments and incorporated herein by reference, provide for indemnification. The general effect of these provisions is to indemnify entities contracting with the Registrant against liability and expenses in certain circumstances. This description is modified in its entirety by the provisions of the Agreements as contained in this Registration Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant and its Trustees, officers and employees are insured, under a policy of insurance maintained by the Registrant in conjunction with Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P. and its affiliates, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policy, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been such Trustees or officers. The policy expressly excludes coverage for any Trustee or officer for any claim arising out of any fraudulent act or omission, any dishonest act or omission or any criminal act or omission of the Trustee or officer.
17
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
(a) | NGAM Advisors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P., serves as investment adviser to Natixis Oakmark Fund, McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund and Vaughan Nelson Select Fund and subadviser (through its Division Active Investment Advisors) to ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund. NGAM Advisors was organized in 1995. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of NGAM Advisors during the past two years is incorporated by reference to schedules A, C and D of Form ADV filed by NGAM Advisors pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, (the Advisers Act) (SEC file No. 801-48408; IARD/CRD No. 106800). | ||||
(b) | Harris Associates serves as a subadviser to the Registrants Natixis Oakmark Fund. Harris Associates serves as investment adviser to mutual funds, individuals, trusts, retirement plans, endowments and foundations, and manages several private partnerships, and is a registered commodity trading adviser and commodity pool operator. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of Harris Associates during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, C and D of Form ADV filed by Harris Associates pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-50333; IARD/CRD No. 106960). | ||||
(c) | Reich & Tang, a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P., serves as the subadviser to ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund, ASG Global Alternatives Fund, ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund and ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund and currently is manager or subadviser of 13 registered investment companies, of which it acts as administrator for 10, and advises pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of Reich & Tang during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, B and D of Form ADV filed by Reich & Tang pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC file No. 801-47230, IARD/CRD No. 106186). | ||||
(d) | AlphaSimplex, a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P., serves as the investment adviser to ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund, ASG Global Alternatives Fund, ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund and ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund and currently is manager or subadviser of additional registered investment companies and privately-offered funds. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of AlphaSimplex during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, B and D of Form ADV filed by AlphaSimplex pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC file No. 801-62448, IARD/CRD No. 128356). |
18
(e) | Vaughan Nelson, a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P., serves as subadviser to the Registrants Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund and Vaughan Nelson Select Fund and provides investment advice to a number of other registered investment companies and to other organizations and individuals. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of Vaughan Nelson during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, C and D of Form ADV filed by Vaughan Nelson pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC file No. 801-51795, IARD/CRD No. 106975). | ||||
(f) | Loomis Sayles, a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P., serves as adviser to the Registrants Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund, Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund and Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund and provides investment advice to a number of other registered investment companies and to other organizations and individuals. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of Loomis Sayles during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, C and D of Form ADV filed by Loomis Sayles pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC file No. 801-170; IARD/CRD No. 105377). | ||||
(g) | McDonnell serves as subadviser to the Registrants McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and provides investment advice to a number of other registered investment companies and to other organizations and individuals. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of McDonnell during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, C and D of Form ADV filed by McDonnell pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC file No. 801-60399; IARD/CRD No. 113878). | ||||
(h) | Natixis AM US, a subsidiary of Natixis Asset Management, serves as the investment adviser to Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund and provides investment advice to a number of other organizations and individuals. | |||
The list required by this Item 31 regarding any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by officers and partners of Natixis AM US during the past two years is incorporated herein by reference to schedules A, C, and D of Form ADV filed by Natixis AM US pursuant to the Advisors Act (SEC file No. 801-79804; IARD/ CRD no. 171003). |
19
Item 32. Principal Underwriters.
(a) | NGAM Distribution, L.P., the Registrants principal underwriter, also serves as principal underwriter for: |
Natixis Funds Trust I
Natixis Funds Trust IV
Loomis Sayles Funds I
Loomis Sayles Funds II
Gateway Trust
Hansberger International Series
(b) | The general partner and officers of the Registrants principal underwriter, NGAM Distribution, L.P., and their addresses are as follows: |
Name |
Positions and Offices with Principal Underwriter |
Positions and Offices with The Registrant | ||
NGAM Distribution Corporation | General Partner | None | ||
David L. Giunta | President and Chief Executive Officer | President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Coleen Downs Dinneen | Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Clerk | Secretary, Clerk and Chief Legal Officer | ||
Russell Kane | Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Clerk and Chief Compliance Officer for Mutual Funds | Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Assistant Secretary | ||
Michael Kardok | Senior Vice President | Treasurer, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer | ||
Beatriz Pina Smith | Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | None | ||
Anthony Loureiro | Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer-Broker/Dealer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | None | ||
Marilyn Rosh | Senior Vice President and Controller | None | ||
Josh Bogen | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Matthew Coldren | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Mark Doyle | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Ed Farrington | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Robert Hussey | Executive Vice President | None |
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Name |
Positions and Offices with Principal Underwriter |
Positions and Offices with The Registrant | ||
Dan Santaniello | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Sharon Wratchford | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Paul Anderson | Senior Vice President | None | ||
John Bearce | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Warren Besser | Senior Vice President | None | ||
William Butcher | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Spiro Christopulos | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Claudine Ciccia | Senior Vice President | None | ||
James Cove | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Joe Duffey | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Dineen Dusablon | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Tracy Fagan | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Kevin Finney | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Tracey Flaherty | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Sean Foley | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Alaina Giampapa | Senior Vice President | None | ||
David Goodsell | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Marina Gross | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Tom Huddleston | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Christopher Hunter | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Sean Kane | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Jeff Keselman | Senior Vice President | None | ||
David Lafferty | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Ted LeClair | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Rosa Licea-Mailloux | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Dan Lynch | Senior Vice President | None |
21
Name |
Positions and Offices with Principal Underwriter |
Positions and Offices with The Registrant | ||
Cyndi Lyons | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Robert Lyons | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Ian MacDuff | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Timothy Maher | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Meghan Marquez | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Marla McDougall | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Shylaja Nathan | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Peter Olsen | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Maureen ONeill | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Stacie Paoletti | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Daniel Price | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Elizabeth Puls-Burns | Senior Vice President | None | ||
David Snowden | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Nancy Spaulding Gray | Senior Vice President | None | ||
David Vallon | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Leslie Walstrom | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Susannah Wardly | Senior Vice President | None |
The principal business address of all the above persons or entities is 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.
(c) | Not applicable. |
22
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The following companies, in the aggregate, maintain possession of the documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder:
(a) | For all series of The Registrant: | |||
(i) | Natixis Funds Trust II | |||
399 Boylston Street | ||||
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 | ||||
(ii) | NGAM Distribution, L.P. | |||
399 Boylston Street | ||||
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 | ||||
(iii) | NGAM Advisors, L.P. | |||
399 Boylston Street | ||||
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 | ||||
(iv) | State Street Bank and Trust Company | |||
225 Franklin Street | ||||
Boston, Massachusetts 02110 | ||||
(v) | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. | |||
2000 Crown Colony Drive | ||||
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169 | ||||
(b) | For the series of the Registrant managed by Harris Associates: | |||
Harris Associates L.P. | ||||
111 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4600 | ||||
Chicago, IL 60606 | ||||
(c) | For the series of the Registrant managed by Reich & Tang: Reich & Tang Asset Management, LLC 1411 Broadway, 28th Floor New York, New York 10018-3450 | |||
(d) | For the series of the Registrant managed by AlphaSimplex: AlphaSimplex Group, LLC One Cambridge Center Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 | |||
(e) | For the series of the Registrant managed by Vaughan Nelson: Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. 600 Travis Street, Suite 6300 Houston, Texas 77002 | |||
(f) | For the series of the Registrant managed by Loomis Sayles: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. One Financial Center Boston, Massachusetts 02111 |
23
(g) | For the series of the Registrant managed by McDonnell: McDonnell Investment Management, LLC 1515 West 22nd Street Oak Brook, Illinois 60523 | |||
(h) | For the series of the Registrant managed by NATIXIS AM US: Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC 399 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 |
Item 34. Management Services.
None.
Item 35. Undertakings.
The Registrant undertakes to provide the annual report of any of its series to any person who receives a prospectus for such series and who requests the annual report.
24
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 9th day of July, 2014.
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II | ||
By: | /s/ David L. Giunta | |
David L. Giunta | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ David L. Giunta |
||||
David L. Giunta | President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
/s/ Michael C. Kardok |
||||
Michael C. Kardok | Treasurer | July 9, 2014 | ||
Robert J. Blanding* |
||||
Robert J. Blanding | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
Kenneth A. Drucker* |
||||
Kenneth A. Drucker | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
Edmond J. English* |
||||
Edmond J. English | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
John T. Hailer* |
||||
John T. Hailer | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
Wendell J. Knox* |
||||
Wendell J. Knox | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
Martin T. Meehan* |
||||
Martin T. Meehan | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
Sandra O. Moose* |
||||
Sandra O. Moose | Trustee, Chairperson of the Board | July 9, 2014 | ||
Erik R. Sirri* |
||||
Erik R. Sirri | Trustee | July 9, 2014 |
Peter J. Smail* |
||||
Peter J. Smail | Trustee | July 9, 2014 | ||
Cynthia L. Walker* |
||||
Cynthia L. Walker | Trustee | July 9, 2014 |
*By: | /s/ Coleen Downs Dinneen | |
Coleen Downs Dinneen | ||
Attorney-In-Fact 1 | ||
July 9, 2014 |
1 | Powers of Attorney for Robert J. Blanding, John T. Hailer and Sandra O. Moose are incorporated by reference to exhibit (q) to PEA No. 124 to the Registration Statement filed on December 2, 2004. Power of Attorney for Cynthia L. Walker is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(2) to PEA No. 128 to the Registration Statement filed on January 30, 2006. Power of Attorney for Kenneth A. Drucker is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(4) to PEA No. 136 to the Registration Statement filed on July 17, 2008. Power of Attorney for Wendell J. Knox is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(4) to PEA No. 143 to the Registration Statement filed on July 15, 2009. Power of Attorney for Erik Sirri is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(5) to PEA No. 146 to the Registration Statement filed on March 1, 2010. Power of Attorney for Peter Smail is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(6) to PEA No. 146 to the Registration Statement filed on March 1, 2010. Power of Attorney for Martin T. Meehan is incorporated by reference to exhibit (q)(9) to PEA No. 169 to the Registration Statement filed on October 17, 2012. Power of Attorney for Edmond J. English is incorporated by reference to exhibit (1) to PEA No. 171 to the registration Statement filed on January 18, 2013. |
Natixis Funds Trust II
Exhibit Index
Exhibits for Item 28 of Form N-1A
Exhibit |
Exhibit Description | |
(d)(1)(xvii) | Advisory Agreement dated July 10, 2014 between the Registrant on behalf of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund and Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC. | |
(e)(13) | Distribution Agreement dated July 10, 2014 between the Registrant, on behalf of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund and NGAM Distribution, L.P. | |
(e)(14) | Form of Dealer Agreement used by NGAM Distribution, L.P. | |
(h)(1)(vii) | Amendment dated April 23, 2014 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated October 1, 2005 among the Registrant on behalf of its respective series, Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust II, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Hansberger International Series and Boston Financial. | |
(h)(2)(xxiv) | Twenty-Third Amendment dated July 10, 2014 to the Administrative Services Agreement with NGAM Advisors, L.P. | |
(h)(12) | Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Undertaking dated July 10, 2014 between Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC and the Registrant, on behalf of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund. | |
(m)(13)(a) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A shares of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund. | |
(m)(13)(b) | Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class C shares of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund. | |
(p)(9) | Code of Ethics dated June 17, 2014 for Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC. |
Exhibit (d)(1)(xvii)
SEEYOND MULTI-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Advisory Agreement
AGREEMENT made as of this 10th day of July, 2014, by and between Natixis Funds Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), with respect to its Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund series (the Series), and Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to enter into an agreement setting forth the terms upon which the Adviser will perform certain services for the Series;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants hereinafter contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets belonging to the Series and to perform the other services herein set forth, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees, at its own expense, to render the services and to assume the obligations herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided. The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.
2. In carrying out its obligations to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets belonging to the Series, the Adviser shall:
(a) obtain and evaluate such economic, statistical and financial data and information and undertake such additional investment research as it shall believe necessary or advisable for the management of the investment and reinvestment of the assets belonging to the Series in accordance with the Series investment objective and policies;
(b) take such steps as are necessary to implement the investment policies of the Series by purchase and sale of securities, including the placing of orders for such purchase and sale with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser;
(c) regularly report to the Board of Trustees with respect to the implementation of the investment policies of the Series; and
(d) vote all proxies and exercise all other rights of the Series as a security holder of companies in which the Series from time to time invests.
The Adviser shall manage the Series in conformity with (1) the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the Series set forth in the Trusts prospectus and statement of additional information relating to the Series, (2) any additional policies or guidelines established by the Trusts trustees that have been furnished in writing to the Adviser, and (3) the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) applicable to regulated investment companies (as defined in Section 851 of the Code), all as from time to time in effect (collectively, the Policies), and with all applicable provisions of law, including, without limitation, all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the 1940 Act). Subject to the foregoing, the Adviser is authorized in its discretion to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the Series, without regard to the length of time the securities have been held and the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any tax considerations; and the majority or the whole of the Series may be invested in such proportions of stocks, bonds, other securities or investment instruments, or cash, as the Adviser shall determine.
3. All activities in connection with the management of the affairs of the Series undertaken by the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times be subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Trustees, any duly constituted committee thereof or any officer of the Trust acting pursuant to like authority.
4. In addition to performing at its expense the obligations set forth in section 2 hereof, the Adviser shall furnish to the Trust at the Advisers own expense or pay the expenses of the Trust for the following:
(a) office space in such place or places as may be agreed upon from time to time, and all necessary office supplies, facilities and equipment;
(b) necessary executive and other personnel for managing the affairs of the Series (exclusive of those related to and to be performed under contract for custodial, transfer, dividend and plan agency services by the entity or entities selected to perform such services and exclusive of any managerial functions described in section 5); and
(c) compensation, if any, of Trustees of the Trust who are directors, officers, partners or employees of the Adviser or, as the Adviser may agree from time to time, any affiliated person (other than a registered investment company) of the Adviser.
5. Except as the Adviser may otherwise agree from time to time, nothing in section 4 hereof shall require the Adviser to bear, or to reimburse the Trust for:
(a) any of the costs of printing and distributing the items referred to in subsection (n) of this section 5;
(b) any of the costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature;
(c) compensation of Trustees of the Trust who are not directors, officers, partners or employees of the Adviser or of any affiliated person (other than a registered investment company) of the Adviser;
(d) registration, filing and other fees in connection with requirements of regulatory authorities;
(e) the charges and expenses of the custodian appointed by the Trust for custodial, paying agent, transfer agent and plan agent services;
(f) charges and expenses of independent accountants retained by the Trust;
(g) charges and expenses of any transfer agents and registrars appointed by the Trust;
(h) brokers commissions and issue and transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with securities transactions to which the Trust is a party;
(i) taxes and fees payable by the Trust to Federal, State or other governmental agencies;
(j) any cost of certificates representing shares of the Series;
(k) legal fees and expenses in connection with the affairs of the Trust including registering and qualifying its shares with Federal and State regulatory authorities;
(l) expenses of meetings of shareholders and Trustees of the Trust;
(m) interest, including interest on borrowings by the Trust;
(n) the cost of services, including services of counsel, required in connection with the preparation of the Trusts registration statements and prospectuses, including amendments and revisions thereto, annual, semiannual and other periodic reports of the Trust, and notices and proxy solicitation material furnished to shareholders of the Trust or regulatory authorities; and
(o) the Trusts expenses of bookkeeping, accounting, auditing and financial reporting, including related clerical expenses.
6. The services of the Adviser to the Trust hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others, so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby.
7. As full compensation for all services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses borne by the Adviser hereunder, the Trust shall pay the Adviser compensation at the annual percentage rate of 0.85% of the Series average daily net assets or such lesser rate as the Adviser may agree to from time to time. Such compensation shall be payable monthly in arrears or at such other intervals, not less frequently than quarterly, as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may from time to time determine and specify in writing to the Adviser. The Adviser hereby acknowledges that the Trusts obligation to pay such compensation is binding only on the assets and property belonging to the Series.
8. If the total of all ordinary business expenses of the Series or the Trust as a whole (including investment advisory fees but excluding taxes and portfolio brokerage commissions) for any fiscal year exceeds the lowest applicable percentage of average net assets or income limitations prescribed by any state in which shares of the Series are qualified for sale, the Adviser shall pay any such excess. Solely for purposes of applying such limitations in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the Series and the Trust shall each be deemed to be a separate fund subject to such limitations. Should the applicable state limitation provisions fail to specify how the average net assets of the Trust or belonging to the Series are to be calculated, that figure shall be calculated by reference to the average daily net assets of the Trust or the Series, as the case may be.
9. It is understood that any of the shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust may be a partner, shareholder, director, officer, employee or agent of, or be otherwise interested in, the Adviser, any affiliated person of the Adviser, any organization in which the Adviser may have an interest or any organization which may have an interest in the Adviser; that the Adviser, any such affiliated person or any such organization may have an interest in the Trust; and that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any transactions hereunder except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust and the Partnership Agreement of the Adviser, respectively, or by specific provisions of applicable law.
10. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of its execution, and
(a) unless otherwise terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date of execution, and from year to year thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or the Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval;
(b) this Agreement may at any time be terminated on sixty days written notice to the Adviser either by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series;
(c) this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment;
(d) this Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser on ninety days written notice to the Trust; and
(e) if the Adviser requires the Trust or the Series to change its name so as to eliminate all references to Seeyond, then this Agreement shall automatically terminate at the time of such change unless the continuance of this Agreement after such change shall have been specifically approved by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series and by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or the Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this section 10 shall be without payment of any penalty.
11. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the parties, provided that such consent on the part of the Trust shall have been approved by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series and by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or the Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purposes of voting on such approval.
12. For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, interested person, affiliated person and assignment shall have their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission or guidance issued by its staff under said Act. References in this Agreement to any assets, property or liabilities belonging to the Series shall have the meaning defined in the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, each as amended from time to time.
13. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability to the Trust, to any shareholder of the Trust or to any other person, firm or organization, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder.
14. In accordance with Regulation S-P, if non-public personal information regarding either partys customers or consumers is disclosed to the other party in connection with this Agreement, the party receiving such information will not disclose or use that information other than as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
15. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in one or more counterparts, and, if so executed, the separate instruments shall constitute one agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II, | ||
on behalf of its | ||
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund | ||
By: | /s/ David L. Giunta | |
Name: |
David L. Giunta | |
Title: |
President | |
NATIXIS ASSET MANAGEMENT U.S., LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Frederic Babu | |
Name: |
Frederic Babu | |
Title: |
Managing Director | |
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is executed with respect to the Trusts Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund series on behalf of the Trust by officers of the Trust as officers and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property belonging to the Series.
Exhibit (e)(13)
SEEYOND MULTI-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Distribution Agreement
AGREEMENT made this July 10, 2014 by and between NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), and NGAM DISTRIBUTION, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Distributor).
W I T N E S S E T H:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants hereinafter contained, the Trust and the Distributor agree as follows:
1. | Distributor. The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as general distributor of shares of beneficial interest (Series shares) of the Trusts Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund series (the Series) during the term of this Agreement. The Trust reserves the right, however, to refuse at any time or times to sell any Series shares hereunder for any reason deemed adequate by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. |
2. | Sale and Payment. Under this agreement, the following provisions shall apply with respect to the sale of and payment for Series shares: |
(a) The Distributor shall have the right, as principal, to purchase Series shares from the Trust at their net asset value and to sell such shares to the public against orders therefor at the applicable public offering price, as defined in Section 3 hereof. The Distributor shall also have the right, as principal, to sell shares to dealers against orders therefor at the public offering price less a concession determined by the Distributor.
(b) Prior to the time of delivery of any shares by the Trust to, or on the order of, the Distributor, the Distributor shall pay or cause to be paid to the Trust or to its order an amount in Boston or New York clearing house funds equal to the applicable net asset value of such shares. The Distributor shall retain so much of any sales charge or underwriting discount as is not allowed by it as a concession to dealers.
3. | Public Offering Price. The public offering price shall be the net asset value of Series shares, plus any applicable sales charge, all as set forth in the current prospectus and statement of additional information (together the prospectus) of the Trust relating to the Series shares. In no event shall the public offering price exceed 1000/935 of such net asset value, and in no event shall any applicable sales charge or underwriting discount exceed 6.5% of the public offering price. The net asset value of Series shares shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the agreement and declaration of trust and by-laws of the Trust, each as amended to date, and the current prospectus of the Trust relating to the Series shares. |
4. | Trust Issuance of Series Shares. The delivery of Series shares shall be made promptly by a credit to a shareholders open account for the Series or by delivery of a share certificate. The Trust reserves the right to (a) issue Series shares at any time directly to the shareholders of the Series as a stock dividend or stock split, (b) issue to such shareholders shares of the Series, or rights to subscribe to shares of the Series, as all or part of any dividend that may be distributed to shareholders of the Series or as all or part of any optional or alternative dividend that may be distributed to shareholders of the Series, and (c) to sell Series shares in accordance with the current applicable prospectus of the Trust relating to the Series shares. |
5. | Redemption or Repurchase. The Distributor shall act as agent for the Trust in connection with the redemption or repurchase of Series shares by the Trust to the extent and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the current applicable prospectus of the Trust relating to the Series shares, and the Trust agrees to reimburse the Distributor, from time to time upon demand, for any reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such redemptions or repurchases. |
6. | Undertaking Regarding Sales. The Distributor shall use reasonable efforts to sell Series shares but does not agree hereby to sell any specific number of Series shares and shall be free to act as distributor of the shares of other investment companies. Series shares will be sold by the Distributor only against orders therefor. The Distributor shall not purchase Series shares from anyone except in accordance with Sections 2 and 5 and shall not take long or short positions in Series shares contrary to the agreement and declaration of trust or by-laws of the Trust, each as amended to date. |
7. | Compliance. The Distributor shall conform to the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the sale of securities laws of any jurisdiction in which it sells, directly or indirectly, any Series shares. The Distributor agrees to make timely filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), FINRA and such other regulatory authorities as may be required, of any sales literature relating to the Series and intended for distribution to prospective investors. The Distributor also agrees to furnish to the Trust sufficient copies of any agreements or plans it intends to use in connection with any sale of Series shares in adequate time for the Trust to file and clear them with the proper authorities before they are put in use (which the Trust agrees to use its best efforts to do as expeditiously as reasonably possible), and not to use them until so filed and cleared. |
8. | Registration and Qualification of Series Shares. The Trust agrees to execute such papers and to do such acts and things as shall from time to time be reasonably requested by the Distributor for the purpose of qualifying and maintaining qualification of the Series shares for sale under the so-called Blue Sky Laws of any state or for maintaining the registration of the Trust and of the Series shares under the federal Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), to the end that there will be available for sale from time to time such number of Series shares as the Distributor may reasonably be expected to sell. The Trust shall advise the Distributor promptly of (a) any action of the SEC or any authorities of any state or territory, of which it may be advised, affecting registration or qualification of the Trust or the Series shares, or rights to offer Series shares for sale, and (b) the happening of any event which makes untrue any statement or which requires the making of any change in the Trusts registration statement or its prospectus relating to the Series shares in order to make the statements therein not misleading. |
9. | Distributor Independent Contractor. The Distributor shall be an independent contractor and neither the Distributor nor any of its officers or employees as such is or shall be an employee of the Trust. The Distributor is responsible for its own conduct and the employment, control and conduct of its agents and employees and for injury to such agents or employees or to others through its agents or employees. The Distributor assumes full responsibility for its agents and employees under applicable statutes and agrees to pay all employer taxes thereunder. |
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10. | Expenses Paid by Distributor. While the Distributor continues to act as agent of the Trust to obtain subscriptions for and to sell Series shares, the Distributor shall pay the following: |
(a) all expenses of printing (exclusive of typesetting) and distributing any prospectus for use in offering Series shares for sale, and all other copies of any such prospectus used by the Distributor, and
(b) all other expenses of advertising and of preparing, printing and distributing all other literature or material for use in connection with offering Series shares for sale.
11. | Interests in and of Distributor. It is understood that any of the shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust may be a shareholder, director, officer, employee or agent of, or be otherwise interested in, the Distributor, any affiliated person of the Distributor, any organization in which the Distributor may have an interest or any organization which may have an interest in the Distributor; that the Distributor, any such affiliated person or any such organization may have an interest in the Trust; and that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any transaction hereunder except as otherwise provided in the agreement and declaration of trust or by-laws of the Trust, in the limited partnership agreement of the Distributor or by specific provision of applicable law. |
12. | Effective Date and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of its execution, and |
(a) Unless otherwise terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the shares of the Series so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the votes which may be cast by shareholders of the Series and (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Distributor or the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement may at any time be terminated on sixty days notice to the Distributor either by vote of a majority of the Trusts Board of Trustees then in office or by the vote of a majority of the votes which may be cast by shareholders of the Series.
(c) This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
(d) This Agreement may be terminated by the Distributor on ninety days written notice to the Trust.
Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this section shall be without payment of any penalty.
13. | Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply: |
(a) The vote of a majority of the votes which may be cast by shareholders of the Series means (1) 67% or more of the votes of the Series present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Series entitled to vote at such meeting are present; or (2) the vote of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Series entitled to vote at such meeting, whichever is less.
(b) The terms affiliated person, interested person and assignment shall have their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.
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14. | Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the parties, provided that such consent on the part of the Series shall be approved (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the votes which may be cast by shareholders of the Series and (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Distributor or the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. |
15. | Applicable Law and Liabilities. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All sales hereunder are to be made, and title to the Series shares shall pass, in Boston, Massachusetts. |
16. | Limited Recourse. The Distributor hereby acknowledges that the Trusts obligations hereunder with respect to the shares of the Series are binding only on the assets and property belonging to the Series. |
17. | Privacy. In accordance with Regulation S-P, if non-public personal information regarding either partys customers or consumers is disclosed to the other party in connection with this Agreement, the party receiving such information will not disclose or use that information other than as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. |
18. | Anti-Money Laundering. Each party to this agreement hereby agrees to abide by and comply with all relevant anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including without limitation the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, and the USA Patriot Act of 2001. Each party represents that it has established an Anti-Money Laundering Program that complies with all material aspects of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and other applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Each party also hereby agrees to comply with any new or additional anti-money laundering laws or regulations. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II,
on behalf of its SEEYOND MULTI-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND series
By: | /s/ David L. Giunta | |
Name: David L. Giunta | ||
Title: President | ||
NGAM DISTRIBUTION, L.P. | ||
By: | NGAM Distribution Corporation, its general partner | |
By: | /s/ Coleen Downs Dinneen | |
Name: Coleen Downs Dinneen | ||
Title: Executive Vice President |
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A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust establishing Natixis Funds Trust II, (the Trust), as amended to date, is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is executed with respect to the Trusts Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund series (the Series) on behalf of the Trust by officers of the Trust as officers and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Series.
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Exhibit (e)(14)
NGAM Distribution, L.P.
399 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Dealer Agreement
This dealer agreement (Dealer Agreement) is entered into between NGAM Distribution, L.P. (formerly Natixis Distributors, L.P.) (our, us, or we) and the undersigned company (you). We offer to sell to you shares of each of the mutual funds distributed by us (the Funds and each a Fund), for each of which we serve as principal underwriter as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act), and from which we have the right to purchase shares.1 Shares are offered pursuant to the then current prospectus, including any supplements or amendments thereto, of each of the Funds (the Prospectus, which term as hereinafter used shall include the Statement of Additional Information of the Fund).
With respect to each of the Funds (except for Section 5, which applies only with respect to each Fund having in effect from time to time a service plan, service and distribution plan or other plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, each a Plan and together the Plans):
1. For all sales of shares of the Funds you shall act as dealer for your own account, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as agent, except as limited agent for purposes of receiving and transmitting orders and instructions regarding the purchase, exchange and redemption of shares of your customers and employees, with no authority to otherwise act as agent for any Fund or for us.
2. You or your designated agent agree to obtain and provide to your customers the Prospectus(es) of the applicable Fund(s) together with any supplemental sales literature you provide. You agree not to purchase any Fund shares for any customer, unless you deliver or cause to be delivered to such customer, at or prior to the time of such purchase, a copy of the Prospectus of the applicable Fund, or the Prospectus of the applicable Fund. You hereby represent that you understand your obligation to deliver a Prospectus to customers who purchase Fund shares pursuant to federal securities laws and you have taken all necessary steps to comply with such Prospectus delivery requirements.
3. Orders received from you will be accepted by us only at the public offering price applicable to each order, except for transactions to which a reduced offering price applies as provided in the Prospectus of the Fund(s). The minimum dollar purchase of shares of each Fund by any investor shall be the applicable minimum amount described in the Prospectus of the Fund and no order for less than such amount will be accepted hereunder. The public offering price shall be the net asset value per share plus the sales charge, if any, applicable to the transaction, expressed as a percentage of the public offering price, as determined and effective as of the time specified in the Prospectus of the Fund(s). The procedures relating to the handling of orders shall be subject to any instructions that we shall forward from time to time to you. All orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by us, or our designated agent, in our sole discretion. You hereby agree to comply with attached Appendix A, Policies and Procedures with Respect to Mutual Fund Trading, as well as with the terms of the Prospectus and the policies and procedures of the Funds. You understand that in recommending the purchase, sale or exchange of any Fund shares to your customers, you must have reasonable grounds for believing that such recommendation is suitable for such customer.
4. The sales charge applicable to any sale of Fund shares by you and the dealer concession or commission applicable to any order from you for the purchase of Fund shares accepted by us shall be set forth in the Prospectus of the Fund. You shall notify us if you are not eligible to receive a dealer concession or commission. You may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with sales by you of shares of the Fund where you receive all or substantially all of the sales charge as set forth in the Funds Prospectus, and therefore you may be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933.
1 | The definition of Funds shall not include the following mutual funds, which are distributed by NGAM Distribution, L.P, but which are not available to you through the terms of this Dealer Agreement: Hansberger Emerging Markets Fund (Institutional Class); Hansberger International Growth Fund (Institutional Class); Hansberger International Value Fund (Institutional Class); Hansberger International Growth Fund (Advisor Class); Loomis Sayles Fixed Income Fund; Loomis Sayles Institutional High Income Fund; Loomis Sayles Investment Grade Fixed Income Fund; Loomis Sayles High Income Opportunities Fund; and Loomis Sayles Securitized Asset Fund. |
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Exhibit (e)(14)
(a) We are entitled to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on redemptions of applicable classes of shares of the Funds, as described in the Prospectus. You agree that you will sell shares subject to a CDSC and that are to be held in omnibus accounts only if you are a NETWORKING participant with the National Securities Clearing Corporation and if such accounts are established pursuant to a NETWORKING Agreement.
(b) Reduced sales charges or no sales charge may apply to certain transactions, including under letter of intent, combined purchases or investments, reinvestment of dividends and distributions, repurchase privilege, unit investment trust distribution reinvestment or other programs, as described in the Prospectus of the Fund(s). To obtain any such reductions, you must notify us when the sale that would qualify for such reduction takes place.
5. Rule 12b-1 Plans. The substantive provisions of this Section 5 have been adopted pursuant to the Plans.
(a) You agree to provide (i) for the Funds with a service plan, personal services to investors in shares of the Funds and/or services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts, and (ii) for those Funds with a service and distribution plan, both personal services to investors in shares of the Funds and/or services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts and also distribution and marketing services in the promotion of Fund shares. As compensation for these services, we shall pay you, as agent, upon receipt by us from the Fund(s), a quarterly service fee or service fee and distribution fee based on the average daily net asset value of Fund shares at the rate set forth with respect to the relevant Class(es) of shares of the Fund(s) in the Prospectus. This fee will be based on the average daily net asset value of Fund shares that are owned of record by your firm as nominee for your customers or that are owned by those shareholders whose records, as maintained by the Fund or its agent, designate your firm as the shareholders dealer of record. Normally, payment of such fee to you shall be made within forty-five (45) days after the close of each quarter for which such fee is payable provided, however, that any other provision of this Dealer Agreement or the Prospectuses to the contrary notwithstanding, we shall not have any obligation whatsoever to pay any amount of distribution and/or service fee with respect to shares of any Fund except to the extent, and only to the extent, that we have actually received payment of at least such amount of distribution and/or service fee from the Funds with respect to such shares pursuant to a Plan in consideration of you furnishing distribution and client services hereunder with respect to your customers that own such class of shares of such Fund, it being understood that our liability to you in respect of such fees is limited solely to the proceeds of such fees received by us from the Funds.
(b) You shall furnish us and the Fund with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trustees of the Fund with respect to the fees paid to you pursuant to this Section 5 and you shall notify us if you are not eligible to receive 12b-1 fees, including without limitation by reason of your failure to provide the services as required in this Section 5.
(c) The provisions of this Section 5 may be terminated by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Funds who are not interested persons of the Funds and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, or by a vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days written notice, without payment of any penalty. Such provisions will be terminated also by any act that terminates either the Funds Distribution Contract or Underwriting Agreement with us, or this Dealer Agreement under Section 16 hereof or otherwise and shall terminate automatically in the event of the assignment (as that term is defined in the Act) of this Dealer Agreement.
(d) The provisions of the Distribution Contract or Underwriting Agreement between the Fund and us, insofar as they relate to the Plan, are incorporated herein by reference. The provisions of this Section 5 shall continue in full force and effect only so long as the continuance of the Plan, the Distribution Contract or Underwriting Agreement and these provisions are approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting thereon.
6. You agree to purchase Fund shares only from us or from your customers. If you purchase Fund shares from us, you agree that all such purchases shall be made only: (a) to cover orders already received by you from your customers; (b) for shares being acquired by your customers pursuant to either the exchange privilege or the reinvestment privilege, as described in the Prospectus of the Fund; or (c) for your own bona fide investment. If you purchase shares from your customers, you agree to pay such customers not less than the applicable redemption price next quoted by the Fund pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus of the Fund.
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Exhibit (e)(14)
7. You shall sell shares only: (a) to customers at the applicable public offering price, except for shares being acquired by your customers at net asset value as described in the Prospectus of the Fund, and (b) to us as agent for the Fund at the redemption price. In such a sale to us, you may act either as principal for your own account or as agent for your customer. If you act as principal for your own account in purchasing shares for resale to us, you agree to pay your customer not less than the price that you receive from us. If you act as agent for your customer in selling shares to us, you agree not to charge your customer more than a fair commission or fee for handling the transaction, except that you agree to receive no compensation of any kind based on the reinvestment of redemption or repurchase proceeds pursuant to the repurchase privilege, as described in the Prospectus of the Fund.
8. You hereby certify that all of your customers taxpayer identification numbers (TIN) or social security numbers (SSN) furnished to us by you are correct and that you will not open an account without providing us with the customers TIN or SSN. You agree to comply with the provisions of Appendix B, Policies and Procedures with Respect to Rule 22c-2.
9. You hereby acknowledge that, in the performance of the services contemplated by this Dealer Agreement, you use or have access to records, systems, or operations that include, in tangible or electronic form, information relating to your customers such as their name, address (including email address), phone number, account number, SSN, drivers license number, date of birth, account activity, investments, and other nonpublic personal information (including consumer reports) (collectively, Personal Information or Customer Data), which is subject to the requirements of the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act and Regulation S-P thereunder promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time amended, and other federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the management, use, disposal, and safekeeping of Personal Information and/or Customer Data as well as laws and regulations relating to know your customer, anti-money laundering, and similar federal and state regulatory requirements (collectively Privacy Laws). You agree to comply with all applicable Privacy Laws relating to Personal Information and Customer Data and to cooperate with us in enabling us to satisfy our regulatory requirements relating to Personal Information.
10. You shall not withhold placing with us orders received from your customers so as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding; e.g., by a change in the net asset value from that used in determining the public offering price to your customers.
11. We will not accept from you any conditional orders for shares.
12. If any Fund shares sold to you or your customers under the terms of this Dealer Agreement are redeemed by the Fund or repurchased by us as agent for the Fund within seven (7) business days after the date of our confirmation of the original purchase by you or your customers, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right to any dealer concession or commission received by you on such Fund shares. We will notify you of any such repurchase or redemption within ten (10) business days after the date thereof and you shall forthwith refund to us the entire concession or commission allowed or paid to you on such sale. We agree, in the event of any such repurchase or redemption, to refund to the Fund the portion of the sales charge, if any, retained by us and, upon receipt from you of the concession allowed to you on any Fund shares, to pay such refund forthwith to the Fund.
13. Payment for Fund shares sold to you shall be made on or before the settlement date specified in our confirmation, at the office of our clearing agent, and by check payable to the order of the Fund, which reserves the right to delay issuance, redemption or transfer of shares until such check has cleared. If such payment and all necessary applications and documents are not received by us, we reserve the right, without notice, forthwith either to cancel the sale, or at our option, sell the shares ordered back to the Fund, in which case you shall bear any loss resulting from your failure to make payment as aforesaid.
14. You will also act as principal in all purchases by a shareholder for whom you are the dealer of record of Fund shares with respect to payments sent directly by such shareholder to the Shareholder Services and Transfer Agent (the TA) specified in the Prospectus of the Fund, and you authorize and appoint the TA to execute and confirm such purchases to such shareholders on your behalf. Upon receipt of payment from the Funds, we, as agent, will remit to you, no less frequently than monthly, the amount of any concessions due with respect to such purchases, except that no concessions will be paid to you on any transaction for which your net sales concession is less than $5.00 in any payment cycle. You also represent that with respect to all such direct purchases by such shareholder, you may lawfully sell shares of such Fund in the state designated as such shareholders record address.
15. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning shares of the Funds except those contained in the Prospectuses of the Funds and in sales literature issued by us supplemental to such Prospectuses or approved in writing by us. In purchasing shares from us, you shall rely solely on the representations contained in such Prospectuses and such sales literature. We will furnish you with additional copies of such Prospectuses and such sales literature and other releases and information issued by us in reasonable quantities upon request.
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Exhibit (e)(14)
(a) If, with prior written approval from us, you use any advertisement or sales literature which has not been supplied by us, you are responsible for ensuring that the material complies with all applicable regulations and has been filed with the appropriate authorities.
(b) You shall indemnify and hold us (and our directors, officers, employees, controlling persons and agents) and the Fund and its Trustees and officers harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) (Losses) incurred by us or any of them arising out of (i) your dissemination of information regarding any Fund that is alleged to contain an untrue statement of material fact or any omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and that was not published or provided to you by or on behalf of us, or accurately derived from information published or provided by or on behalf of us or any of our Affiliates, (ii) any breach by you of any representation, warranty or agreement contained in this Dealer Agreement, (iii) any act or omission, including without limitation any material misstatement by you in connection with any orders or solicitation of orders for, or transactions in, shares of the Funds, or (iv) any willful misconduct or negligence on your part in the performance of, or failure to perform, your obligations under this Dealer Agreement, except to the extent such losses are caused by our breach of this Dealer Agreement or our willful misconduct or negligence in the performance, or failure to perform, our obligations under this Dealer Agreement.
(c) We shall indemnify and hold you (and your directors, officers, employees, controlling persons and agents) harmless from and against any and all Losses incurred by you arising out of (i) our dissemination of information regarding any Fund that contains an untrue statement of material fact or any omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) any breach by us of any representation, warranty or agreement contained in this Dealer Agreement, (iii) any act or omission, including without limitation any material misstatement by us in connection with any orders or solicitation of orders for, or transactions in, shares of the Funds, or (iv) any willful misconduct or negligence on our part in the performance of, or failure to perform, our obligations under this Dealer Agreement, except to the extent such losses are caused by your breach of this Dealer Agreement or your willful misconduct or negligence in the performance, or failure to perform, your obligations under this Dealer Agreement.
(d) This Section 15 shall survive termination of this Dealer Agreement.
16. The Fund reserves the right in its discretion and we reserve the right in our discretion, without notice, to refuse any order for the purchase of Fund shares for any reason whatsoever, and to suspend sales or withdraw the offering of Fund shares (or shares of any class(es)) entirely. We reserve the right, by written notice to you, to amend, modify, cancel or assign this Dealer Agreement, including Section 5 hereof, and any appendices that are now or in the future attached to this Dealer Agreement. Notice for all purposes shall be deemed to be given when mailed or electronically transmitted to you.
17. This Dealer Agreement shall replace any prior agreement between you and us or any of our predecessor entities (including but not limited to Natixis Distributors, L.P., IXIS Asset Management Distributors, L.P., CDC IXIS Asset Management Distributors, L.P., Nvest Funds Distributor, L.P., New England Funds, L.P., TNE Investment Services Corporation, and Investment Trust of Boston Distributors, Inc.) and is conditioned upon your representation and warranty that you are (i) registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and are a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) or (ii) exempt from registration as a broker/dealer under the 1934 Act. Regardless of whether you are a FINRA member, you and we agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations of FINRA, including without limitation Conduct Rules 2310, 2420, 3110, 3510 and 2830, and all applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations. You agree to notify us immediately if you cease to be registered as a broker/dealer under the 1934 Act (or exempt from registration as a broker/dealer under the 1934 Act) and a member of FINRA. You agree to notify us of any material compliance matter related to the services provided by you pursuant to this Dealer Agreement. Should you cease to be registered as a broker/dealer under the 1934 Act (or exempt from such registration) and/or a cease to be a member in good standing of FINRA, you will be removed as broker-dealer of record and this Dealer Agreement will be terminated.
(a) You will not offer Fund shares for sale in any state (a) where they are not qualified for sale under the blue sky laws and regulations of such state or (b) where you are not qualified to act as a broker/dealer. You agree to offer Fund shares only to U.S. citizens with U.S. addresses.
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Exhibit (e)(14)
(b) If you are a bank, with respect to any and all transactions in shares of the Funds pursuant to this Dealer Agreement, it is understood and agreed in each case that unless otherwise agreed to by us in writing: (i) you shall be acting solely as agent for the account of your customer; (ii) each transaction shall be initiated solely upon the order of your customer; (iii) we shall execute transactions only upon receiving instructions from you acting as agent for your customer; (iv) as between you and your customer, your customer will have full beneficial ownership of all shares; and (v) each transaction shall be for the account of your customer and not for your account.
18. Each of the parties represents and warrants that it has enacted appropriate safeguards to protect non-public customer information. If non-public personal information regarding either partys customers or consumers is disclosed to the other party in connection with this Dealer Agreement, the party receiving such information will not disclose or use that information other than as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Dealer Agreement and in accordance with Regulation S-P.
19. You hereby represent and certify to us that you are aware of, and in compliance with, all applicable anti-money laundering laws, regulations, rules and government guidance, including the reporting, recordkeeping and compliance requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act), its implementing regulations, and related Securities and Exchange Commission and self-regulatory organization rules and regulations. You hereby certify to us that, as required by the Patriot Act, you have a comprehensive anti-money laundering compliance program that includes: internal policies, procedures and controls for complying with the Patriot Act; a designated compliance officer or officers; an ongoing training program for appropriate employees; and an independent audit function. You also hereby certify to us that, to the extent applicable, you are in compliance with the economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and have an OFAC compliance program that satisfies all applicable laws and regulations and sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Laws and Regulations. You represent that you have adopted a Customer Identification Program in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations and will verify the identity of customers who open accounts with you and who invest in shares of the Funds. Except to the extent restricted by applicable law, you hereby agree to notify the Funds promptly whenever questionable activity or potential indications of suspicious activity or OFAC matches are detected with respect to the Funds. You hereby undertake to notify us promptly if any of the foregoing certifications cease to be true and correct for any reason. You further agree to monitor your employees use of web based systems used by you to access customer account information. You agree to notify us should any system ID require reassignment. You agree to remove such access as necessary. You agree that any order to purchase shares shall constitute your continued certification of the matters you have certified in this Section 19.
20. You hereby agree that all purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares contemplated by this Dealer Agreement shall be effected by you for your customers in accordance with each Funds Prospectus, including, without limitation, the collection of any redemption fees, if applicable, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. You agree that, in the event that it should come to your attention that any of your customers are engaging in a pattern of purchases, redemptions and/or exchanges of Funds that potentially violates the Funds frequent trading policy as described in the relevant Funds Prospectus, you shall immediately notify us of such pattern and shall cooperate fully with us in any investigation and, if deemed necessary or appropriate by us, terminating any such pattern of trading, including, without limitation, by refusing such customers orders to purchase or exchange shares of the Funds.
21. You hereby represent that you have established and will maintain a business continuity program, in compliance with FINRA Rules 3510 and 3520, designed to ensure that you will at all times fulfill your obligations as set forth in this Dealer Agreement.
22. You hereby agree to provide any additional material as we may reasonably request to allow us to conduct periodic due diligence reviews and to ensure compliance with this Dealer Agreement.
23. You hereby acknowledge that each Fund and class of shares thereof may be offered and sold only in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the respective Funds prospectus and statement of additional information, as may be amended from time to time.
24. All communications to us should be mailed to the above address and e-mailed to thirdpartynotices@ngam.natixis.com. Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or faxed to you at the address specified by you.
25. This Dealer Agreement together with attached appendices shall be effective when accepted by you below and shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Exhibit (e)(14)
26. This Dealer Agreement together with attached appendices shall be effective as against you and your successor in interest. All obligations, representations, warranties and covenants made and belonging to you shall be enforceable against your successor in interest to the same extent that such would be enforceable against you.
Your submission and our acceptance of an order for the Funds, or receipt by us of an executed copy of this Dealer Agreement from you represents your acknowledgement and acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Dealer Agreement and its attached appendices.
Accepted: | NGAM Distribution, L.P. | |||||||
Dealers Name | By: NGAM Distribution Corporation, its general partner | |||||||
Address: | Address: 399 Boylston Street | |||||||
Boston, MA 02116 | ||||||||
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By: | By: | |||||||
Authorized Signature of Dealer | Authorized Signature | |||||||
Date: | ||||||||
(Please print name) |
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Exhibit (e)(14)
Appendix A
NGAM Distribution, L.P.
Policies and Procedures with Respect to Mutual Fund Trading
You shall establish and maintain effective internal policies and controls, including operational and system controls, with respect to the processing of orders of the funds received prior to and after the close of the New York Stock Exchange normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Pricing Time), for the purchase, redemption and exchange of shares of mutual funds, including the Funds.
For all transactions in the Funds, you shall follow all applicable rules and regulations and shall establish internal policies regarding the timely handling of orders for the purchase, redemption and exchange of shares of the Funds (Fund Orders) and maintain effective internal controls over the ability to distinguish and appropriately process Fund Orders received prior to and after the Funds Pricing Time, including operational and systems controls. Specifically, you represent as of the date of Dealer Agreement and each time that you accept a Fund Order on behalf of a Fund that:
| Your policies and procedures provide reasonable assurance that Fund Orders received by you prior to the Funds Pricing Time are segregated from Fund Orders received by you after the Funds Pricing Time and are properly transmitted to the Funds (or their agents) for execution at the current days net asset value (NAV). |
| Your policies and procedures provide reasonable assurances that Fund Orders received by you after the Funds Pricing Time are properly transmitted to the Funds (or their agents) for execution at the next days NAV. |
| Your policies and procedures provide reasonable assurance that transactional information is delivered to the Funds (or their agents) in a timely manner. |
| You have designed procedures to provide reasonable assurance that policies with regard to the receipt and processing of Fund Orders are complied with. Such procedures either prevent or detect, on a timely basis, instances of noncompliance with the policies governing the receipt and processing of Fund Orders. |
| Policies and procedures governing the timely handling of Fund Orders have been designed and implemented effectively by all third parties to whom you have designated the responsibility to distinguish and appropriately process Fund Orders received prior to and after the Funds Pricing Time. |
To the extent we have entered into related agreements with you regarding your handling of Fund Orders, you acknowledge and agree that this appendix shall apply to your handling of all Fund Orders, whether authorized under the Dealer Agreement or any other agreement with us or our affiliates.
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Exhibit (e)(14)
Appendix B
NGAM Distribution, L.P.
Policies and Procedures with Respect to Rule 22c-2
I. Shareholder Information.
1. Agreement to Provide Information. You agree to provide to the Fund, upon written request, the taxpayer identification number (TIN), the Individual/International Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or other government-issued identifier (GII), if known, of any or all Shareholder(s) of each account held of record by you and the amount, date, name or other identifier of any investment professional(s) associated with the Shareholder(s) or account (if known), and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of Shares held through an account maintained by you during the period covered by the request.
2. Period Covered by Request. Requests must set forth a specific period, not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of the request, for which transaction information is sought. The Fund may request transaction information older than ninety (90) days from the date of the request as the Fund deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to request the information set forth in Section I. (1) for each trading day and you agree, if so directed by the Fund, to provide the information.
3. Form and Timing of Response. You agree to provide, promptly upon request of the Fund or its designee, the requested information specified in Section I. (1). If requested by the Fund or its designee, you agree to use best efforts to determine promptly whether any specific person about whom you have received identification and transaction information specified in Section I. (1) is itself a financial intermediary (indirect intermediary) and, upon further request of the Fund or its designee, promptly either (i) provide (or arrange to have provided) the information set forth in Section I. (1) for those shareholders who hold an account with an indirect intermediary or (ii) restrict or prohibit the indirect intermediary from purchasing, in nominee name on behalf of other persons, securities issued by the Fund. You additionally agree to inform the Fund whether you plan to perform (i) or (ii). Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing and in a format mutually agreed upon by the parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided to the Fund should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format.
4. Limitations on Use of Information. Fund agrees not to use the information received for marketing or any other similar purpose without your prior written consent.
5. Agreement to Restrict Trading. You agree to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by a Shareholder that has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions of the Funds Shares (directly or indirectly through your account) that violate policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares issued by the Fund.
6. Form of Instructions. Instructions to restrict or prohibit trading must include the TIN, ITIN, GII, if known, and the specific restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN, ITIN, or GII is not known, the instructions must include an equivalent identifying number of the Shareholder(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the instruction relates.
7. Timing of Response. You agree to execute instructions as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five (5) business days after receipt of the instructions by you.
8. Confirmation. You must provide written confirmation to the Fund that instructions have been executed. You agree to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten (10) business days after the instructions have been executed.
9. Definitions. For purposes of this schedule only:
(a) The term Fund includes the funds principal underwriter and transfer agent. The term does not include any excepted funds as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.*
* | As defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b), the term excepted fund means any: (1) money market fund; (2) fund that issues securities that are listed on a national securities exchange; and (3) fund that affirmatively permits short-term trading of its securities, if its prospectus clearly and prominently discloses that the fund permits short-term trading of its securities and that such trading may result in additional costs for the fund. |
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Exhibit (e)(14)
(b) The term Shares means the interests of Shareholders corresponding to the redeemable securities of record issued by the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that are held by you.
(c) The term Shareholder means the beneficial owner of Shares, whether the Shares are held directly or by you in nominee name.
(d) Note that the term Shareholder may have alternative meanings as follows: (1) for Retirement Plan Recordkeepers the term Shareholder means the Plan participant notwithstanding that the Plan may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of Shares and (2) for Insurance Companies the term Shareholder means the holder of interests in a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract issued by an Intermediary.
(e) The term written includes electronic writings and facsimile transmissions.
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Exhibit (h)(1)(vii)
AMENDMENT
To Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
between
Each of the Entities Listed on Appendix A
and
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
This Amendment is made as of this 23rd day of April, 2014 between each of the investment companies listed below and Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (the Transfer Agent). In accordance with Section 15.1 (Amendment) and Section 16 (Additional Funds/Portfolios) of the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Funds and the Transfer Agent dated as of October 1, 2005, as amended (the Agreement), the parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. | Appendix A. Appendix A to the Agreement is superseded and replaced with Appendix A dated April 23, 2014 and attached hereto. |
2. | All defined terms and definitions in the Agreement shall be the same in this amendment (the Amendment) except as specifically revised by this Amendment. |
3. | Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST I | ||||||||
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II | ||||||||
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST IV | ||||||||
LOOMIS SAYLES FUNDS I | ||||||||
LOOMIS SAYLES FUNDS II | ||||||||
GATEWAY TRUST | BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. | |||||||
HANSBERGER INTERNATIONAL SERIES | ||||||||
By: | /s/ Michael Kardok | By: | /s/ Richard J. Johnson | |||||
Name: Michael Kardok | Name: Richard J. Johnson | |||||||
Title: Treasurer | Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
Funds and Portfolios
Dated: April 23, 2014
Natixis | Funds Trust I, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
CGM Advisor Targeted Equity Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund | ||
Natixis Diversified Income Fund | ||
Natixis Oakmark International Fund | ||
Natixis U.S. Equity Opportunities Fund (£k/a Natixis U.S. Multi-Cap Equity Fund) | ||
Vaughan Nelson Small Cap Value Fund | ||
Natixis | Funds Trust II, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund | ||
ASG Global Alternatives Fund | ||
ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund | ||
ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund (f/k/a Loomis Sayles Absolute Strategies Fund) | ||
McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund | ||
Natixis Oakmark Fund (f/k/a Harris Associates Large Cap Value Fund) | ||
Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund | ||
Vaughn Nelson Select Fund | ||
Natixis | Funds Trust N, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
AEW Real Estate Fund | ||
Loomis | Sayles Funds I, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealt.1 of Massachusetts | |
Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Fixed Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Global Bond Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles High Income Opportunities Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Inflation Protected Securities Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Institutional High Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Intermediate Duration Bond Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Investment Grade Fixed Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Securitized Asset Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund |
APPENDIX A
Funds and Portfolios
Dated: April 23, 2014
(continued)
Loomis Sayles Funds II, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | ||
Loomis Sayles Global Equity and Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Growth Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles High Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles International Bond Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Investment Grade Bond Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Limited Term Government and Agency Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Small Cap Growth Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund | ||
Loomis Sayles Value Fund | ||
Gateway | Trust, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
Gateway Fund | ||
Gateway International Fund | ||
Hansberger International Series, a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | ||
Hansberger International Growth Fund |
Exhibit (h)(2)(xxiv)
TWENTY-THIRD AMENDMENT TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Amendment made as of July 10, 2014, by and between NGAM Advisors, L.P. (NGAM Advisors), Natixis Funds Trust I, Natixis Funds Trust II, Natixis Funds Trust IV, Loomis Sayles Funds I, Loomis Sayles Funds II, Gateway Trust and Hansberger International Series (collectively, the Trusts).
WHEREAS, NGAM Advisors and the Trusts are parties to an Administrative Services Agreement dated January 3, 2005, as amended November 1, 2005, January 1, 2006, July 1, 2007, September 17, 2007, February 1, 2008, February 19, 2008, July 1, 2008, September 29, 2008, October 31, 2008, January 9, 2009, July 27, 2009, February 25, 2010, July 1, 2010, September 21, 2010, December 14, 2010, July 1, 2011, September 16, 2011, March 28, 2012, June 29, 2012, November 16, 2012, September 26, 2013 and February 10, 2014, (together with the amendments, the Agreement), governing the terms and conditions under which NGAM Advisors provides certain administrative services to the series of the Trusts; and
WHEREAS, NGAM Advisors and the Trusts desire to amend Schedule A of the Agreement to reflect changes in Trust Portfolios;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, NGAM Advisors and the Trusts hereby agree as follows:
1. | Schedule A of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety and replaced with Schedule A attached hereto. |
2. | Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and provisions of the Agreement shall continue to apply with full force and effect. |
3. | This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. |
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed as a sealed instrument in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.
NGAM ADVISORS, L.P.
By NGAM Distribution Corporation, its general partner
By: | /s/ David L. Giunta | |
David L. Giunta, President and Chief Executive Officer |
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST I
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST II
NATIXIS FUNDS TRUST IV
LOOMIS SAYLES FUNDS I
LOOMIS SAYLES FUNDS II
GATEWAY TRUST
HANSBERGER INTERNATIONAL SERIES
By: | /s/ Michael C. Kardok | |
Michael C. Kardok, Treasurer |
Schedule A
Trust Portfolios
As of: July 10, 2014
Natixis Funds Trust I |
CGM Advisor Targeted Equity Fund |
Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund |
Natixis Diversified Income Fund |
Natixis Oakmark International Fund |
Natixis U.S. Equity Opportunities Fund |
Vaughan Nelson Small Cap Value Fund |
Natixis Funds Trust II |
ASG Diversifying Strategies Fund |
ASG Global Alternatives Fund |
ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund |
ASG Tactical U.S. Market Fund |
Loomis Sayles Capital Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund |
Loomis Sayles Senior Floating Rate and Fixed Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Strategic Alpha Fund |
McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund |
Natixis Oakmark Fund |
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund (effective July 10, 2014) |
Vaughan Nelson Select Fund |
Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund |
Natixis Funds Trust IV |
AEW Real Estate Fund |
Loomis Sayles Funds I |
Loomis Sayles Bond Fund |
Loomis Sayles Fixed Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Global Bond Fund |
Loomis Sayles High Income Opportunities Fund |
Loomis Sayles Inflation Protected Securities Fund |
Loomis Sayles Institutional High Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Intermediate Duration Bond Fund |
Loomis Sayles Investment Grade Fixed Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Securitized Asset Fund |
Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund |
Loomis Sayles Funds II |
Loomis Sayles Global Equity and Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Growth Fund |
Loomis Sayles High Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles International Bond Fund |
Loomis Sayles Investment Grade Bond Fund |
Loomis Sayles Limited Term Government and Agency Fund |
Loomis Sayles Small Cap Growth Fund |
Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund |
Loomis Sayles Value Fund |
Hansberger International Series |
Hansberger International Growth Fund |
Gateway Trust |
Gateway Fund |
Gateway International Fund |
Exhibit (h)(12)
July 10, 2014
Natixis Funds Trust II
399 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Re: | Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US) notifies you that it will waive its management fee and, to the extent necessary, bear other expenses of the Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund (the Fund) through April 30, 2016 to the extent that the total annual fund operating expenses of each class of the Fund, exclusive of acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage, interest, taxes, and organizational and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation and indemnification expenses, would exceed the following annual rates:
Name of Fund |
Expense Cap | |
July 10, 2014 through April 30, 2016: |
||
Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund1 |
1.30% for Class A shares | |
2.05% for Class C shares | ||
1.05% for Class Y shares |
1 | The expense caps account for advisory fees payable to Natixis AM US. NGAM Advisors, L.P. (NGAM Advisors) will bear a portion of the waiver at the actual percent of the fee paid to NGAM Advisors (Support Services Fee) divided by the management fee earned by Natixis AM US. |
With respect to the Fund, subject to applicable legal requirements, Natixis AM US shall be permitted to recover expenses it has borne subsequent to the effective date of this agreement (whether through reduction of its management fee or otherwise) in later periods to the extent that a Funds expenses fall below the annual rates set forth above. Provided, however, that Fund is then not obligated to pay any such deferred fees more than one year after the end of the fiscal year in which the fee was deferred.
During the period covered by this agreement, the expense cap arrangement set forth above for the Fund may only be modified by a majority vote of the non-interested Trustees of the Natixis Funds Trust II.
1
For purposes of determining any such waiver or expense reimbursement, expenses of the class of the Fund shall not reflect the application of balance credits made available by the Funds custodian or arrangements under which broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the Funds agree to bear some portion of Fund expenses.
We understand and intend that you will rely on this undertaking in preparing and filing the Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in accruing each Funds expenses for purposes of calculating its net asset value per share and for other purposes permitted under Form N-1A and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and expressly permit you to do so.
Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Frederic Babu | |
Name: Frederic Babu | ||
Title: Managing Director |
2
Exhibit (m)(13)(a)
SEEYOND MULTI-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Class A 12b-1 Plan
This Plan (the Plan) constitutes the Service Plan relating to the Class A shares of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund (the Series), a series of Natixis Funds Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust).
Section 1. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, will pay to NGAM Distribution, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership which acts as the Principal Distributor of the Series shares, or such other entity as shall from time to time act as the Principal Distributor of the Series shares (the Distributor), a fee (the Service Fee) for expenses borne by the Distributor in connection with the provision of personal services provided to investors in Class A shares of the Series or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Series average daily net assets attributable to the Class A shares. Subject to such limit and subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, the Service Fee shall be as approved from time to time by (a) the Trustees of the Trust and (b) the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Service Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly or at such other intervals as the Trustees shall determine. All payments of Service Fees are intended to qualify as service fees as defined in Rule 2830(b)(9) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (or any successor provision) Conduct Rules as in effect from time to time.
Section 2. The Service Fee may be paid only to reimburse the Distributor for expenses of providing personal services to investors in Class A shares of the Series, including, but not limited to, (i) expenses (including overhead expenses) of the Distributor for providing personal services to investors in Class A shares of the Series or in connection with the maintenance of shareholder accounts and (ii) payments made by the Distributor to any securities dealer or other organization (including, but not limited to, any affiliate of the Distributor) with which the Distributor has entered into a written agreement for this purpose, for providing personal services to investors in Class A shares of the Series or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, which payments to any such organization may be in amounts in excess of the cost incurred by such organization in connection therewith.
Section 3. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by votes of the majority (or whatever other percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act) or the rules and regulations thereunder) of both (a) the Trustees of the Trust, and (b) the Independent Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
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Section 4. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Section 5. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class A shares of the Series.
Section 6. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide:
A. That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class A shares of the Series, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
B. That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Section 7. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenses permitted pursuant to Section 1 hereof without approval by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding Class A shares of the Series, and all material amendments of this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided for continuation of this Plan in Section 3.
Section 8. As used in this Plan, (a) the term Independent Trustees shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms assignment and interested person shall have the respective meanings specified in the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the term majority of the outstanding Class A shares of the Series shall mean the lesser of the 67% or the 50% voting requirements specified in clauses (A) and (B), respectively, of the third sentence of Section 2(a)(42) of the Act, all subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Exhibit (m)(13)(b)
SEEYOND MULTI-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Class C Distribution and Service Plan
This Plan (the Plan) constitutes the Distribution and Service Plan relating to the Class C shares of Seeyond Multi-Asset Allocation Fund (the Series), a series of Natixis Funds Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust).
Section 1. Service Fee. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, will pay to NGAM Distribution, L.P. (NGAM Distribution), a Delaware limited partnership which acts as the Principal Distributor of the Series shares, or such other entity as shall from time to time act as the Principal Distributor of the Series shares (the Distributor), a fee (the Service Fee) at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Series average daily net assets attributable to the Class C shares. Subject to such limit and subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, the Service Fee shall be as approved from time to time by (a) the Trustees of the Trust and (b) the Independent Trustees of the Trust (as defined in Section 8 below); provided, however, that no Service Fee or other fee that is a service fee as defined in Rule 2830(b)(9) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (or any successor provision thereto) Conduct Rules as in effect from time to time (the FINRA Rule) shall be paid, with respect to Class C shares of the Series, to NGAM Distribution (or to any affiliate of NGAM Distribution, or to any other person in circumstances where substantially all of the services and functions relating to the distribution of Class C shares of the Series have been delegated to, or are being performed by, NGAM Distribution or an affiliate of NGAM Distribution), under this Plan or otherwise, if the Distribution Fee is terminated or is reduced below the rate set forth in Section 2. The Service Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly or at such other intervals as the Trustees shall determine. The Distributor may pay all or any portion of the Service Fee to securities dealers or other organizations (including, but not limited to, any affiliate of the Distributor) as service fees pursuant to agreements with such organizations for providing personal services to investors in Class C shares of the Series and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, and may retain all or any portion of the Service Fee as compensation for providing personal services to investors in Class C shares of the Series and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. All payments under this Section 1 are intended to qualify as service fees as defined in the FINRA Rule.
Section 2. Distribution Fee. In addition to the Service Fee, the Trust, on behalf of the Series, will pay to the Distributor a fee (the Distribution Fee) at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Series average daily net assets attributable to the Class C shares (unless reduced as contemplated by and permitted pursuant to the next sentence hereof) in consideration of the services rendered in connection with the sale of such shares by the Distributor. The Trust will not terminate the Distribution Fee in respect of Series assets attributable to Class C shares, or pay such fee at an annual rate of less than 0.75% of the Series average daily net assets attributable to the Class C shares, unless it has ceased, and not resumed, paying the Service Fee (or any other fee that constitutes a service fee as defined in the FINRA Rule) to NGAM Distribution (or to any affiliate of NGAM Distribution, or to any other person in circumstances where substantially all of the services and functions relating to the distribution of Class C shares of the Series have been delegated to, or are being performed by, NGAM Distribution or an affiliate of NGAM Distribution). Subject to such restriction and subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, the Distribution Fee shall be as approved from time to time by (a) the Trustees of the Trust and (b) the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Distribution Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly or at such other intervals as the Trustees shall determine.
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The obligation of the Series to pay the Distribution Fee shall terminate upon the termination of this Plan or the relevant distribution agreement between the Distributor and the Trust relating to the Series, in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, but until any such termination shall not be subject to any dispute, offset, counterclaim or defense whatsoever (it being understood that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed a waiver by the Trust or the Series of its right separately to pursue any claims it may have against the Distributor and enforce such claims against any assets of the Distributor (other than its right to be paid the Distribution Fee and to be paid contingent deferred sales charges)).
The right of NGAM Distribution to receive the Distribution Fee (but not the relevant distribution agreement or NGAM Distributions obligations thereunder) may be transferred by NGAM Distribution in order to raise funds which may be useful or necessary to perform its duties as principal underwriter, and any such transfer shall be effective upon written notice from NGAM Distribution to the Trust. In connection with the foregoing, the Series is authorized to pay all or part of the Distribution Fee directly to such transferee as directed by NGAM Distribution.
The Distributor may pay all or any portion of the Distribution Fee to securities dealers or other organizations (including, but not limited to, any affiliate of the Distributor) as commissions, asset-based sales charges or other compensation with respect to the sale of Class C shares of the Series, and may retain all or any portion of the Distribution Fee as compensation for the Distributors services as principal underwriter of the Class C shares of the Series. All payments under this Section 2 are intended to qualify as asset-based sales charges as defined in the FINRA Rule.
Section 3. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by votes of the majority (or whatever other percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act) or the rules and regulations thereunder) of both (a) the Trustees of the Trust, and (b) the Independent Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
Section 4. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Section 5. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class C shares of the Series.
-2-
Section 6. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide:
A. That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class C shares of the Series, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
B. That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Section 7. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenses permitted pursuant to Sections 1 or 2 hereof without approval by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding Class C shares of the Series, and all material amendments of this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided for continuation of this Plan in Section 3.
Section 8. As used in this Plan, (a) the term Independent Trustees shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms assignment and interested person shall have the respective meanings specified in the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the term majority of the outstanding Class C shares of the Series shall mean the lesser of the 67% or the 50% voting requirements specified in clauses (A) and (B), respectively, of the third sentence of Section 2(a)(42) of the Act, all subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Exhibit (p)(9)
NATIXIS ASSET MANAGEMENT U.S., LLC
Dated June 17, 2014
CODE OF ETHICS
This Code of Ethics (the Code) is divided into two parts. The first part (Code Part 1) applies to US Access Persons of Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US). The second part (Code Part 2) applies to employees of Natixis Asset Management (NAM) who perform certain services for Natixis AM US under the Services Agreement between NAM and Natixis AM US and who are considered Associated Persons of Natixis AM US. This Code has been adopted by Natixis AM US pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act) and Rule 17j-1 under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and is intended, among other things, to address the requirements under both rules that are applicable to all persons associated with Natixis AM US who are considered to be access persons, each of whom is intended to be subject to either Code Part 1 or Code Part 2.1 The Appendices attached to this Code apply to both Code Part 1 and Code Part 2.
Note: Capitalized terms not defined in the text are defined at the end in Code Appendix A.
Table of Contents | ||||
Code Part 1 |
(US Access Persons of Natixis AM US) | Page 2 | ||
Code Part 2 |
(Associated Persons of Natixis AM US) | Page 6 | ||
Appendix A |
(Definitions) | Page 10 | ||
Appendix B |
(Certification of Receipt of Code) | Page 12 | ||
Appendix C |
(Initial Holdings Report) | Page 13 | ||
Appendix D |
(Annual Holdings Report) | Page 16 | ||
Appendix E |
(Quarterly Transactions Report) | Page 19 | ||
Appendix F |
(Pre-Clearance Form) | Page 21 | ||
Appendix G |
(Insider Trading Policy) | Page 22 |
1 | Natixis AM US manages investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, triggering an obligation to comply with Rule 17j-1. For purposes of this Code, the requirements of Rule 17j-1 apply across all Natixis AM US client accounts. |
1
CODE PART 1
GENERAL ETHICAL STANDARDS
As a US Access Person of Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US), you have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the clients that you service. You are thus expected to put the interest of clients first and foremost in your business dealings and day-to-day activities, to conduct yourself in accordance with these standards at all times, and to deal honestly and fairly with all persons with whom you have contact. Also, please be aware that it is generally improper for you to (i) use for your own benefit (or the benefit of anyone other than a client) information about Natixis AM US clients trading or investment recommendations or (ii) take advantage of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available for a client.
You also are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations when you conduct your professional activities. This includes complying with applicable U.S. federal securities laws when you provide services to clients of Natixis AM US. In order to comply with these laws, you may rely on the compliance policies and procedures of Natixis AM US that have been communicated to you. You also will receive periodic training on these procedures and should consult with Amber Baker, the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of Natixis AM US if you have any questions at any time regarding regulatory compliance.
New employees will receive adequate training prior to being asked to be subject to this Code.
You are expected to read and understand all requirements and procedures of the Code and will be required to sign and return a certification acknowledging your receipt of this Code (and any amendment thereto) to the CCO initially and annually on the form included in Code Appendix B. If you do not understand the requirements and procedures of this Code, please contact the CCO before you sign such certification.
Natixis AM US takes violations of this Code seriously. You are required to report violations of the Code to the CCO. If you have any questions about this Code, please contact the CCO, who administers this Code.
RESTRICTIONS
The following restrictions apply to you. Please remember that these restrictions are in addition to any other procedures that have been adopted by Natixis AM US.
| Pre-Clearance of Certain Personal Securities Transactions |
You must obtain approval from the CCO before you acquire Beneficial Ownership in any security in an initial public offering (IPO) or in a limited offering (i.e., a private placement or other type of sale limited to selected investors), in each case whether in the U.S., France or elsewhere. If you are confused about whether or not you need this approval, please check with the CCO before you invest. The Pre-Clearance Form is contained in Code Appendix F. The CCO may revise this Code to add additional pre-clearance requirements if deemed necessary.
2
| Ban on Short-Term Trading |
You are not allowed to buy shares of a fund managed by Natixis AM US within 60 days of selling shares of the same fund. Additionally, you are not allowed to sell shares of a fund managed by Natixis AM US within 60 days of buying shares of the same fund. This restriction does not apply to 1940 Act money market funds. For purposes of this restriction, trades on which you have no influence (e.g., company retirement plan matching contributions) or automatic transactions (e.g., payroll deduction, deferred compensation, retirement plan contributions, systematic withdrawal plans) are not considered purchases or sales. However, this restriction does apply to exchanges and re-allocation of assets within a retirement or deferred compensation plan account.
| Blackout Period |
You are not allowed to knowingly purchase or sell any Covered Security within a period of seven calendar days (trade date being day zero) before and after the date that a Natixis AM US client, with respect to which you have the ability to influence investment decisions or have prior investment knowledge regarding associated client activity, has purchased or sold such Covered Security or a closely related Covered Security. Knowledge may be inferred in certain situations (for example, if you purchase a Covered Security immediately prior to a purchase being made on behalf of a client of Natixis AM US that then raises the value of such Covered Security significantly). In such situations, you may be required to disgorge any profits, subject to the discretion of the CCO.
| Ban on Insider Trading |
It is unlawful for you to use material, non-public information in violation of the U.S. federal securities laws. You must abide by the Insider Trading Policy contained in Appendix G.
REPORTING
The following reporting requirements apply to you. Please remember that these reporting requirements are in addition to any other procedures that have been adopted by Natixis AM US.
| Initial and Annual Holdings Reports |
Natixis AM US requests that you report brokerage accounts and holdings in Covered Securities in which you have any Beneficial Ownership interest. Alternatively, you may instead provide access to all of your brokerage accounts.
You must submit an Initial Holdings Report to the CCO within 10 days of becoming a US Access Person. This Initial Holdings Report must contain information that is current as of a date that is no more than 45 days prior to the date that you became a US Access Person.
Annual Holdings Reports must be submitted to the CCO on or before the 14th of February each year. The information contained in the Annual Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Annual Holdings Report is submitted.
3
The Initial and Annual Holdings Reports must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
| the title and type of Covered Security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol, ISIN or CUSIP number; |
| the number of shares, and principal amount of each Covered Security in which you have any Beneficial Ownership interest; |
| the name of any financial institution with which you maintain an account in which any Securities are held for your direct or indirect benefit (e.g., brokerage and other accounts in securities with financial institutions); and |
| the date you submit the report. |
Instead of providing information regarding required Covered Securities holdings and account information on the Initial and Annual Holdings Report, you may attach to the report a duplicate bank or brokerage account statement containing all of the information required in the report.
The Initial Holdings Report form is contained in Code Appendix C. The Annual Holdings Report form is contained in Code Appendix D. If you have questions about these requirements, please contact the CCO.
| Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, you must complete and submit a Quarterly Transaction Report to the CCO. The Quarterly Transaction Report must contain, at a minimum, the following information (as applicable) regarding each transaction during the quarter in a Covered Security in which you had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, a Beneficial Ownership interest:
| the date of the transaction; |
| the title, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol, ISIN or CUSIP number; |
| the interest and maturity date, if applicable; |
| the number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security involved; |
| the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
| the price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected; |
| the name of the financial institution with or through which the transaction was effected; and |
| the date you submit the report. |
The Quarterly Transaction Report must also contain, with respect to any account you established in which any Securities were held during the quarter for your direct or indirect benefit, the name of the financial institution with which you established the account and the date the account was established.
The Quarterly Transaction Report form is contained in Code Appendix E. If you have questions about whether you had or acquired a Beneficial Ownership interest in a Covered Security, please contact the CCO.
4
| Exceptions from Reporting Requirements |
You are not required to submit: (i) any transaction or holdings report with respect to Securities held in accounts over which you had no direct or indirect influence or control (e.g., accounts managed by third-parties on a discretionary basis and for which you have no influence over individual investment decisions); (ii) a transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan; or (iii) a transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by Natixis AM US in the required time period (within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter), if all the information required to be on transaction reports is contained in the broker trade confirmations or account statements.
5
CODE PART 2
Applicability: These policies and procedures (the Code) are in addition to, and not substitutive of, Natixis Asset Managements current personal trading policies and procedures and apply to all individuals who are informed that they are subject to this Code by Patricia Rouast Duverger or her designee or successor (Deputy Compliance Officer or DCO), while acting in her capacity as DCO under the terms of the Services Agreement between Natixis Asset Management (NAM) and Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC (Natixis AM US) by which certain employees may perform services that will result in them being considered Associated Persons and access persons under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act) and the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
Note: Capitalized terms not defined in the text are defined at the end in Code Appendix A.
If you have any questions about this Code, please contact the DCO, who administers this Code.
GENERAL ETHICAL STANDARDS
As an employee of NAM acting on behalf of Natixis AM US, you have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the clients that you service. You are thus expected to put the interest of clients first and foremost in your business dealings and day-to-day activities, to conduct yourself in accordance with these standards at all times, and to deal honestly and fairly with all persons with whom you have contact. Also, please be aware that it is generally improper for you to (i) use for your own benefit (or the benefit of anyone other than a client) information about NAMs and Natixis AM US clients trading or investment recommendations or (ii) take advantage of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available for a client.
You also are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations when you conduct your professional activities. This includes complying with applicable U.S. federal securities laws when you provide services to clients of Natixis AM US. In order to comply with these laws, you may rely on the compliance policies and procedures of NAM and Natixis AM US that have been communicated to you. You also will receive periodic training on these procedures and should consult with the DCO if you have any questions at any time regarding regulatory compliance with U.S. rules.
The DCO, with the assistance of Natixis AM US, will determine who is an Associated Person subject to this Code, and will maintain the list current at all times. New Associated Persons subject to this Code will receive adequate training prior to being asked to be subject to the Code.
You are expected to read and understand all requirements and procedures of the Code and will be required to sign and return a certification acknowledging your receipt of this Code (and any amendment thereto) to the DCO initially and annually on the form included in Code Appendix B. If you do not understand the requirements and procedures of this Code, please contact the DCO before you sign such certification.
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NAM takes violations of this Code seriously. You are reminded that the Code de deontologie of NAM, in conformity with French law, permits you to report potential violations of applicable laws and regulations, including internal ethics and professional rules and procedures. In conformity with (i) that provision, (ii) your agreement to become an Associated Person and comply with certain U.S. legal requirements, and (iii) Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, you can also report violations of this Code to the DCO. You are encouraged to report violations and can be assured that all such reports will be investigated and handled strictly confidentially to the extent permitted by law.
RESTRICTIONS
The following restrictions apply to you. Please remember that these restrictions are in addition to any other procedures that apply to you as a result of your employment by NAM.
| Pre-Clearance of Certain Personal Securities Transactions |
You must obtain approval from the DCO before you acquire Beneficial Ownership in any security in an initial public offering (IPO) or in a limited offering (i.e., a private placement or other type of sale limited to selected investors), in each case whether in the U.S., France or elsewhere. If you are confused about whether or not you need this approval, please check with the DCO before you invest. The Pre-Clearance Form is contained in Code Appendix F. The DCO may revise this Code to add additional pre-clearance requirements if deemed necessary.
| Ban on Short-Term Trading |
You are not allowed to buy shares of a fund managed by Natixis AM US within 60 days of selling shares of the same fund. Additionally, you are not allowed to sell shares of a fund managed by Natixis AM US within 60 days of buying shares of the same fund. This restriction does not apply to 1940 Act money market funds. For purposes of this restriction, trades on which you have no influence (e.g., company retirement plan matching contributions) or automatic transactions (e.g., payroll deduction, deferred compensation, retirement plan contributions, systematic withdrawal plans) are not considered purchases or sales. However, this restriction does apply to exchanges and re-allocation of assets within a retirement or deferred compensation plan account.
| Blackout Period |
You are not allowed to knowingly purchase or sell any Covered Security within a period of seven calendar days (trade date being day zero) before and after the date that a Natixis AM US client, with respect to which you have the ability to influence investment decisions or have prior investment knowledge regarding associated client activity, has purchased or sold such Covered Security or a closely related Covered Security. Knowledge may be inferred in certain situations (for example, if you purchase a Covered Security immediately prior to a purchase being made on behalf of a client of Natixis AM US that then raises the value of such Covered Security significantly). In such situations, you may be required to disgorge any profits, subject to discretion of the DCO.
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| Ban on Insider Trading |
It is unlawful for you to use material, non-public information in violation of the U.S. federal securities laws. You must abide by the Insider Trading Policy contained in Appendix G.
REPORTING
The following reporting requirements apply to you. Please remember that these reporting requirements are in addition to any other procedures that apply to you as a result of your employment by NAM.
| Initial and Annual Holdings Reports |
NAM requests that you report brokerage accounts and holdings in Covered Securities in which you have any Beneficial Ownership interest. Alternatively, you may instead provide access to all of your brokerage accounts.
You must submit an Initial Holdings Report to the DCO within 10 days of becoming an Associated Person. This Initial Holdings Report must contain information that is current as of a date that is no more than 45 days prior to the date that you became an Associated Person.
Annual Holdings Reports must be submitted to the DCO on or before the 14th of February each year. The information contained in the Annual Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Annual Holdings Report is submitted.
The Initial and Annual Holdings Reports must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
| the title and type of Covered Security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol, ISIN or CUSIP number; |
| the number of shares, and principal amount of each Covered Security in which you have any Beneficial Ownership interest; |
| the name of any financial institution with which you maintain an account in which any Securities are held for your direct or indirect benefit (e.g., brokerage and other accounts in securities with financial institutions); and |
| the date you submit the report. |
Instead of providing information regarding required Covered Securities holdings and account information on the Initial and Annual Holdings Report, you may attach to the report a duplicate bank or brokerage account statement containing all of the information required in the report.
The Initial Holdings Report form is contained in Code Appendix C. The Annual Holdings Report form is contained in Code Appendix D. If you have questions about these requirements, please contact the DCO.
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| Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, you must complete and submit a Quarterly Transaction Report to the DCO. The Quarterly Transaction Report must contain, at a minimum, the following information (as applicable) regarding each transaction during the quarter in a Covered Security in which you had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, a Beneficial Ownership interest:
| the date of the transaction; |
| the title, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol, ISIN or CUSIP number; |
| the interest and maturity date, if applicable; |
| the number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security involved; |
| the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
| the price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected; |
| the name of the financial institution with or through which the transaction was effected; and |
| the date you submit the report. |
The Quarterly Transaction Report must also contain, with respect to any account you established in which any Securities were held during the quarter for your direct or indirect benefit, the name of the financial institution with which you established the account and the date the account was established.
The Quarterly Transaction Report form is contained in Code Appendix E. If you have questions about whether you had or acquired a Beneficial Ownership interest in a Covered Security, please contact the DCO.
| Exceptions from Reporting Requirements |
You are not required to submit: (i) any transaction or holdings report with respect to Securities held in accounts over which you had no direct or indirect influence or control (e.g., accounts managed by third-parties on a discretionary basis and for which you have no influence over individual investment decisions); (ii) a transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan; or (iii) a transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by NAM in the required time period (within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter), if all the information required to be on transaction reports is contained in the broker trade confirmations or account statements.
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CODE APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
Associated Person: any employee of NAM who has been designated as an associated person of Natixis AM US in accordance with the Services Agreement, as such term is defined therein.
Automatic Investment Plan: a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment program.
Beneficial Ownership: any interest in securities whereby a person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in such securities. The definition of pecuniary interest is complex but generally includes an interest held by a person that provides the person the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the securities. Beneficial Ownership includes, but is not limited to, securities (i) held in a persons own name; (ii) held with another in joint ownership arrangements; (iii) held by members of a persons immediate family sharing the same household; (iv) owned by a corporation that is directly or indirectly controlled by, or under common control with, such person; and (v) over which a person has discretionary authority outside of his or her ordinary course of business. Please contact the DCO or CCO, as applicable, if you have any uncertainty over whether you have Beneficial Ownership over a security.
Covered Security: any Security other than Non-Reportable Securities.
Non-Access Director: any person who is a member of the Board of Directors of Natixis AM US but who is not an officer, partner or employee of Natixis AM US and who:
| in connection with their regular functions or duties, does not make, participate in or obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of Securities by Natixis AM US clients, and whose functions do not relate to the making of recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; |
| does not have access to non-public information regarding any Natixis AM US clients purchase or sale of Securities, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Natixis AM US client; and |
| is not involved in making securities recommendations to Natixis AM US clients and does not have access to such recommendations that are non-public. |
Non-Reportable Securities: any of the following: (i) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii) bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; (iii) shares issued by money market funds; (iv) shares issued by open-end investment companies (including mutual funds) unless a member of the Natixis group (NAM, Natixis AM US or other affiliated investment advisers) acts as investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund; and (v) exchange traded funds (ETFs), other than those in which Natixis AM US trades. Please contact the DCO or CCO, as applicable, if you need a list of affiliated investment advisers.
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Security: any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of Securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a security, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any security of the foregoing.
Services Agreement: the agreement between NAM and Natixis AM US pursuant to which certain employees of NAM serve as Associated Persons of Natixis AM US.
US Access Person: any employee, partner, officer or director of Natixis AM US who is not a Non-Access Director and who:
| has access to nonpublic information regarding any Natixis AM US clients purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any client of Natixis AM US; or |
| is involved in making securities recommendations to Natixis AM US clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic. |
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CODE APPENDIX B
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CERTIFICATION
I acknowledge receipt of this Code. I have read and understand this Code and agree to be governed by it. I certify that I have complied with the requirements of this Code in the past year (if I was subject to the Code during this time). I also certify that I have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of this Code.
(signature) |
Print Name of Reporting Person |
Date: |
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CODE APPENDIX C
FORM OF INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Print Name of Reporting Person |
Date Person Became Subject to these | |||
Reporting Requirements | ||||
Date Report Due |
Information Reported Accurate as of Date | |||
(w/in 10 days of becoming a US Access | (Must be current as of a date no more than | |||
Person or an Associated Person) | 45 days prior to becoming a US Access | |||
Person or an Associated Person) |
Instructions: You are required to provide the information requested in the attached table regarding any accounts maintained at a financial institution holding Securities with respect to which you may be deemed to have a Beneficial Ownership interest. In lieu of completing the attached table, you may provide copies of account statements if all information requested is provided.
All terms used in this Report have the same meaning as set forth in the Code.
With respect to accounts in which you hold only Non-Reportable Securities, you only need to provide: (i) the name of the financial institution that holds the account; (ii) the account number; and (iii) the name on the account.
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INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
For Accounts holding Covered Securities
Account Number |
Name on Account | Title and Type of Security |
Ticker Symbol, ISIN or CUSIP Number |
No. of Shares |
Principal Amount |
Name of Financial Institution that Holds the Account |
(Use additional pages if needed.)
If you have no Covered Securities, please check this box. ¨
If you are submitting this report to supplement brokerage statements to which the DCO or CCO, as applicable, has been granted review access, please check this box. ¨
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For Accounts holding only Non-Reportable Securities:
Account Number |
Name on Account | Name of Financial Institution that Holds the Account |
Certification
I certify that the information in this Report is true and complete in all material respects as of the date specified above (which is not more than 45 days prior to my submitting this Report).
Signature |
Date |
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CODE APPENDIX D
FORM OF ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Due on or before February 14
Print Name of Reporting Person |
Information Reported Accurate as of Date (Must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date this report is submitted) |
Instructions: You are required to provide the information requested in the attached table regarding any accounts maintained at a financial institution holding Securities with respect to which you may be deemed to have a Beneficial Ownership interest. In lieu of completing the attached table, you may provide copies of account statements to the DCO or CCO, as applicable, if all information requested is provided.
All terms used in this Report have the same meaning as set forth in the Code.
With respect to accounts in which you hold only Non-Reportable Securities, you only need to provide: (i) the name of the financial institution that holds the account; (ii) the account number; and (iii) the name on the account.
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ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Due On Or Before February 14
For Accounts holding Covered Securities:
Account Number |
Name on Account | Title and Type of Security |
Ticker Symbol, ISIN or CUSIP Number |
No. of Shares |
Principal Amount |
Name of Financial Institution that Holds the Account |
(Use additional pages if needed.)
If you have no Covered Securities, please check this box. ¨
If you are submitting this report to supplement brokerage statements to which the DCO or CCO, as applicable, has been granted review access, please check this box. ¨
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For Accounts holding only Non-Reportable Securities:
Account Number |
Name on Account | Name of Financial Institution that Holds the Account |
Certification
I certify that the information in this Report is true and complete in all material respects as of the date specified above (which is not more than 45 days prior to my submitting this Report).
Signature |
Date |
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CODE APPENDIX E
FORM OF QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT
Print Name of Reporting Person |
Date Report Submitted | |||
Calendar Quarter Ended |
Date Due (30 days after Quarter End) |
Instructions: Provide the information requested below, as applicable, for each transaction in Covered Securities during the calendar quarter specified above in which you had, or as a result of the transaction obtained, a Beneficial Ownership interest in the Covered Securities.
All terms used in this Report have the same meaning as set forth in the Code.
You do not need to provide information regarding securities transactions if you provide copies of the outside brokerage account statements reflecting such transactions to the DCO or CCO, as applicable, not less than 30 days following the end of the calendar quarter.
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SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
(Use additional sheets if necessary)
Trade Date |
Name of Security & Ticker, ISIN or CUSIP |
Interest Rate |
Maturity Date |
# of Shares |
Principal Amount |
Buy/Sell | Price | Name of Financial Institution Effecting Transaction |
If you have no reportable transactions for the quarter or if such transactions are exempt from reporting as outlined in the Code, please check the box. ¨
If you are submitting this report to supplement brokerage statements to which the DCO or CCO, as applicable, has been granted review access, please check this box. ¨
Certification
I certify that the information in this Report is true and complete in all material respects as of the date specified above (which is not more than 30 days after the end of the quarter).
Signature |
Date |
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CODE APPENDIX F
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION PRE-CLEARANCE FORM
To be completed if you seek to acquire Beneficial Ownership in any Security in an initial public offering or in a limited offering. Please use a separate form for each Security.
Note: Capitalized terms are defined in the Code. | ||||||
Your name (please print) | ||||||
Account for which approval is sought (e.g., personal, spouse, etc.) | ||||||
Quantity | Issue (Full Security Description) | Ticker, ISIN or | ||||
CUSIP | ||||||
| ||||||
IPO |
Private Placement |
Other Limited Offering | ||||
¨ Yes ¨ No | ¨ Yes ¨ No | ¨ Yes ¨ No |
Unless otherwise approved and stated herein, approvals are valid until the close of business on the day approval has been granted. Accordingly, unless otherwise approved and stated herein, GTC (good-til-cancelled) orders are prohibited, and if a trade is not fully executed by the close of the trading day for which approved, you are required to submit a new pre-clearance form for the balance. It is your responsibility to comply with all provisions of the Code. Obtaining pre-clearance satisfies the pre-clearance requirements of the Code but does not imply compliance with the Codes other provisions.
By signing below, you certify the following: you agree that the above trade order is in compliance with the Code and is not based on knowledge of an actual client order in the Security that is being purchased or sold, or knowledge that the Security is being considered for purchase or sale by one or more specific clients. You also acknowledge that you are not in possession of material, nonpublic (inside) information pertaining to the Security or issuer of the Security.
Date: | Signature: |
Approval/Rejection
Trade Has Been: ¨ Approved ¨ Rejected
By: | ||||||||||
DCO or CCO, as applicable | Date Approved/Rejected |
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CODE APPENDIX G
INSIDER TRADING POLICY
While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the U.S. federal securities laws prohibit:
(1) | trading by an insider, while aware of material, non-public information; |
(2) | trading by a non-insider, while aware of material, non-public information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insiders duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; |
(3) | an insider communicating material, non-public information to others; |
(4) | a non-insider communicating material, non-public information to others where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insiders duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; and |
(5) | trading while aware of material, non-public information regarding a tender offer. |
You shall not:
(1) | trade in any security, either personally or on behalf of others, while aware of material, non-public information relating to the issuer of that security; |
(2) | communicate material, non-public information to any other person; |
(3) | while aware of material, non-public information, recommend trading a security in an issuer to which the information relates, or otherwise recommend the purchase or sale of any such security; and |
(4) | trade in violation of federal securities laws in a security subject to a tender offer while aware of material, non-public information relating to the tender offer or the issuer of the security. |
The foregoing should be understood as a brief synopsis of a complex legal subject matter and shall not be deemed to prohibit conduct that is otherwise lawful and consistent with your fiduciary duty.
Any questions regarding this policy should be referred to the DCO or CCO, as applicable.
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