UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12 |
JPMorgan Trust I
JPMorgan Trust II
J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
5) | Total fee paid: |
☐ | Fee paid with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
3) | Filing Party: |
4) | Date Filed: |
JPMorgan Trust I
JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund
JPMorgan Trust II
JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund
J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust
JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund
(each, a Trust and together, the Trusts)
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
[August ___], 2024
Dear Shareholder:
You are being asked to vote on important matters to be considered at a special joint meeting of shareholders of each of the above listed funds (each, a Fund and together, the Funds), scheduled to be held at [11:00 a.m.] Eastern Time on [October 2], 2024, at [277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, 17th Floor] (the Meeting).
The Meeting is being held to consider the following proposal (the Proposal):
To change each Fund from a diversified company to a non-diversified company by eliminating the related fundamental investment policy.
You are entitled to vote at the Meeting, including any postponement(s) and adjournment(s), if you owned shares of any Fund at the close of business on [July 31], 2024.
Your vote is extremely important, and voting is quick and easy. Everything you need is enclosed. You can vote in any of four ways: by telephone, via the Internet, by returning the enclosed proxy card by mail, or by participating in the Meeting. We encourage you to vote by telephone or via the Internet, which will reduce the time and costs associated with this proxy solicitation.
Please vote all proxies you receive at your earliest convenience. Please review the Proxy Statement and consider the Proposal carefully before voting. Please vote at your earliest convenience even if you plan to participate in the Meeting. This will help control costs associated with conducting the proxy solicitation and will help ensure quorum is reached, which will allow the Proposal to be acted upon at the Meeting. You may receive more than one set of proxy solicitation materials if you hold shares in multiple Funds or accounts. Please vote them all. Your vote is extremely important, no matter how many shares you own.
Instructions explaining how to vote are provided on the notice for the Meeting and your proxy card.
If you have any questions after reviewing the proxy materials, please call [1-888-628-1041.] We will get you the answers that you need promptly.
The Board of Trustees of each Trust unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the Proposal.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters and for your continuing support of the J.P. Morgan Mutual Funds.
Sincerely,
[Signature to be Added]
Brian S. Shlissel
President
JPMorgan Trust I
JPMorgan Trust II
J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The following is a brief Q&A that will help explain the Proposal, including the reasons for the Proposal. A more detailed discussion of the Proposal is in the proxy statement that follows this Q&A. Shareholders should read the entire proxy statement carefully.
Q. What am I being asked to vote on?
A. Shareholders of each Fund are being asked to vote on the Proposal to change the Fund from a diversified company to a non-diversified company by eliminating the related fundamental investment policy. Because the investment policy is fundamental, shareholder approval is required to eliminate it. Approval of the Proposal will be determined for each Fund separately, solely by the voting results of shareholders of that Fund.
Q. What is the difference between diversified companies and non-diversified companies?
A. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), a diversified company must have at least 75% of the value of its total assets represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the companys total assets and not more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. In effect, the aggregated total of single-issuer positions of 5% or more cannot exceed 25% of a funds assets. In contrast, the 1940 Act defines a non-diversified company as a fund other than a diversified company, and places no single-issuer limits on the fund due to that classification.
Q. Has the Board of Trustees approved the Proposal?
A. Yes. The Board of Trustees of each Trust has reviewed and approved the Proposal. The Board of Trustees of each Trust, including all of the Independent Trustees (i.e., Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act), determined that, for each Fund, the Proposal is in the best interests of the Fund.
The Board of Trustees of each Trust unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the Proposal.
Q. Why am I being asked to approve the Proposal?
A. Each Fund is currently classified as a diversified company and has a related fundamental investment policy on diversification. As a result, each Fund is limited in its ownership of securities of single issuers. The diversification status of each Fund limits its ability to invest above 5% in certain issuers and forces each Funds portfolio to be underweight at least some of the top holdings in its benchmark, even if the Funds portfolio management team finds them to be attractive investment opportunities. This limitation can ultimately inhibit the opportunity for the Fund to implement its principal investment strategy and can hinder its ability to outperform its benchmark or non-diversified peer funds with otherwise similar investment strategies, on a risk-return basis. Shareholder approval of the Proposal would allow each Fund to operate as a non-diversified company, which would provide each Funds portfolio management team with additional investment flexibility and the potential to enhance the Funds performance.
Q. How would approval of the Proposal impact the day-to-day management of the Fund?
A. While approval of the Proposal would provide each Funds portfolio management team with greater long-term flexibility in executing its investment strategy by allowing increased exposures to certain holdings, it is not otherwise expected to affect the way the Funds are currently managed. The investment objective and investment strategies for each Fund will not change due to approval of the Proposal. In addition, while each Funds fundamental investment policy on diversification would be eliminated, all other fundamental investment policies will remain unchanged.
Q. What if shareholders do not approve the Proposal?
A. If shareholders do not approve this Proposal for a Fund, it will remain a diversified company and retain its current fundamental investment policy on diversification.
Q. What if quorum is not reached by the Meeting date or if the Proposal is not approved?
A. In the event that the necessary quorum to transact business is not obtained by the date of the Meeting or the Proposal does not receive sufficient votes for approval, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. In the event of an adjournment within 60 days from the date of the Meeting, no further notice would be provided other than an announcement at the Meeting to be adjourned. The persons named as proxies would vote upon such adjournment(s) after consideration of the best interests of all shareholders.
Q. How many votes am I entitled to cast?
A. As a shareholder of JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund and JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund, you are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value, and a proportionate fractional vote for any remainder of net asset value, represented by such shareholders shares as of the Record Date. As a shareholder of JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund, you are entitled to one vote for each whole share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for any fractional shares held, as of the Record Date. The Record Date is [July 31], 2024.
Q. How do I vote my shares?
A. Voting is quick and easy. You can vote in any of four ways: by telephone, via the Internet, by returning the Proxy Card by mail, or by participating in the Meeting. We encourage you to vote by telephone or via the Internet, which will reduce the time and costs associated with this proxy solicitation.
To vote by Telephone: |
To vote by Internet: | |
(1) Read the Proxy Statement |
(1) Read the Proxy Statement | |
(2) Call the toll-free number shown on your Proxy Card. |
(2) Go to the website shown on your Proxy Card. | |
(3) Enter the control number shown on your Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions. |
(3) Enter the control number shown on your Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions. |
If you have any questions after reviewing the proxy materials, please call [1-888-628-1041.] Representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. We will get you the answers that you need promptly.
JPMorgan Trust I
JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund
JPMorgan Trust II
JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund
J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust
JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
NOTICE OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD [OCTOBER 2], 2024
To the Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special joint meeting of shareholders of JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund, a series of JPMorgan Trust I, JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund, a series of JPMorgan Trust II, and JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund, a series of J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust (each, a Fund and together, the Funds), is scheduled to be held at [11:00 a.m.] Eastern Time on [October 2], 2024, at [277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, 17th Floor] (the Meeting).
The Meeting is being held to consider the following proposal (the Proposal):
To change each Fund from a diversified company to a non-diversified company by eliminating the related fundamental investment policy.
You are entitled to participate and to vote at the Meeting, including any postponement(s) and adjournment(s), if you owned shares of any Fund at the close of business on [July 31], 2024 (the Record Date).
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. Shares represented by proxies, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholders. If Proxy Cards have been executed, but no instructions are given, such proxies will be voted in favor of the Proposal. To revoke a proxy, the shareholder giving such proxy must either: (1) submit to the Trusts a subsequently dated Proxy Card, (2) deliver to the Trusts a written notice of revocation, or (3) otherwise give notice of revocation at the Meeting, in all cases prior to the exercise of the authority granted in the proxy. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of each Fund entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at the Meeting.
In the event that the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to approve the Proposal is not obtained by the date of the Meeting, a person named as proxy may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting for a reasonable period or periods to permit further solicitation of proxies. In addition, if, in the judgment of the persons named as proxies, it is advisable to defer action on one or more proposals, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting with respect to such proposal or proposals for a reasonable period or periods. Any broker non-votes received will be excluded from the calculation of the number of votes required to approve any proposal to adjourn a meeting. Please refer to the section in the Proxy Statement entitled Adjournments for additional details.
If a shareholder wishes to participate in the Meeting, but does not wish to authorize the execution of a proxy by telephone or through the Internet, the shareholder may still submit the Proxy Card included with the Proxy Statement or attend the Meeting in person.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Shareholders To Be Held on [October 2], 2024.
This Notice presents an overview of the more complete proxy materials, which contain important information and are available on the Funds website or by mail. This Notice is not a ballot or other form for voting.
The Proxy Statement is available at [vote.proxyonline.com/jpmorgan/docs/2024mtg.pdf and a paper copy can be obtained at no charge by calling1-888-628-1041].
Your vote is extremely important, and voting is quick and easy. You can vote in any of four ways: by telephone, via the Internet, by returning the Proxy Card by mail, or by participating in the Meeting. We encourage you to vote by telephone or via the Internet, which will reduce the time and costs associated with this proxy solicitation.
To vote by Telephone: |
To vote by Internet: | |
(1) Read the Proxy Statement |
(1) Read the Proxy Statement | |
(2) Call the toll-free number shown on your Proxy Card. |
(2) Go to the website shown on your Proxy Card. | |
(3) Enter the control number shown on your Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions. |
(3) Enter the control number shown on your Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions. |
Please vote all proxies you receive at your earliest convenience, even if you plan to participate in the Meeting. You may receive more than one set of proxy solicitation materials if you hold shares in multiple Funds or accounts. Please vote them all. Your vote is extremely important, no matter how many shares you own.
Whichever method you choose, please read the Proxy Statement carefully before you vote.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
[Signature to be Added]
Brian S. Shlissel
President
JPMorgan Trust I
JPMorgan Trust II
J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust
[August ], 2024
PLEASE RESPOND WE ASK THAT YOU VOTE PROMPTLY IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION.
PROXY STATEMENT
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [OCTOBER 2], 2024
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of each of JPMorgan Trust I, JPMorgan Trust II and J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust (each, a Trust and collectively, the Trusts), on behalf of JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund, JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund, and JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund, respectively (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds), to be voted at a Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders to be held at [11:00 a.m.] Eastern Time on [October 2], 2024, at [277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, 17th Floor] (together with any postponements or adjournments, the Meeting).
This Proxy Statement and its accompanying Proxy Card are first being mailed to shareholders on or about [August ], 2024. Any shareholder of a Fund on the Record Date is invited to attend the Meeting.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. Shares represented by proxies, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholders. If Proxy Cards have been executed, but no instructions are given, such proxies will be voted in favor of the Proposal. To revoke a proxy, the shareholder giving such proxy must either: (1) submit to the Trusts a subsequently dated Proxy Card, (2) deliver to the Trusts a written notice of revocation, or (3) otherwise give notice of revocation at the Meeting, in all cases prior to the exercise of the authority granted in the proxy. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of each Fund entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at the Meeting.
In the event that the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to approve the Proposal is not obtained by the date of the Meeting, a person named as proxy may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting for a reasonable period or periods to permit further solicitation of proxies. In addition, if, in the judgment of the persons named as proxies, it is advisable to defer action on one or more proposals, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting with respect to such proposal or proposals for a reasonable period or periods. Any broker non-votes received will be excluded from the calculation of the number of votes required to approve any proposal to adjourn a meeting. Please refer to the section in this Proxy Statement entitled Adjournments for additional details.
If a shareholder wishes to participate in the Meeting but does not wish to authorize the execution of a proxy by telephone or through the Internet, the shareholder may still submit the Proxy Card included with this Proxy Statement or attend the Meeting in person.
If you would like to receive a copy of the most recent annual report of a Fund free of charge, or copies of any subsequent shareholder report, please make the request in writing to J.P. Morgan Funds Services, P.O. Box 219143, Kansas City, MO 64121-9143 or by calling 1-800-480-4111. Requested shareholder reports will be sent by first class mail within three business days of the receipt of the request. You can also obtain the annual report for any Fund by visiting www.jpmorganfunds.com.
1
PROPOSAL
TO CHANGE JPMORGAN U.S. GARP EQUITY FUND, JPMORGAN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND AND JPMORGAN GROWTH ADVANTAGE FUND FROM A DIVERSIFIED COMPANY TO A NON-DIVERSIFIED COMPANY BY ELIMINATING THE RELATED FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICY
The Meeting is being held to act on the proposal (Proposal) for each Fund to change the Fund from a diversified company to a non-diversified company by eliminating the related fundamental investment policy, as shown in the following table:
Fund Name |
Related Fundamental Investment Policy | |
JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund |
The Fund may not make any investment inconsistent with the Funds classification as a diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. | |
JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund |
The Fund may not purchase securities of any issuer if such purchase would not be consistent with the maintenance of the Funds status as a diversified company under the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. | |
JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund |
The Fund intends to meet the diversification requirement of the 1940 Act. |
Because the above investment policies are fundamental, shareholder approval is required to eliminate them.
The Board of Trustees of each Trust has reviewed and approved the Proposal for each Fund. The Board of Trustees of each Trust, including all of the Independent Trustees (i.e., Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), determined that, for each Fund, the Proposal is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board of Trustees of each Trust unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the Proposal for each Fund.
Section 5(b)(1) of the 1940 Act, a federal statute regulating the operations of mutual funds, requires funds to be classified as either a diversified company or non-diversified company and such classification is considered a fundamental investment policy, meaning that it cannot be changed or eliminated without shareholder approval. A diversified company, pursuant to Section 5(b)(1) of the 1940 Act must have 75% of its total assets represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the companys total assets and not more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. In effect, the aggregated total of single-issuer positions of 5% or more cannot exceed 25% of each Funds assets. In contrast, a non-diversified company does not have this limitation under the 1940 Act and therefore can invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers.
Although each Fund is an actively managed fund, and not an index fund, it is expected that each Fund will invest in the top holdings of the Funds benchmark index. The Funds portfolio management team may underweight or overweight such holdings relative to the index based on its evaluation of those companies. The diversification status of each Fund limits its ability to invest above 5% in certain issuers and forces each Funds portfolio to be underweight at least some of the top holdings in its benchmark index, even if the Funds portfolio management team finds them to be attractive investment opportunities. As a result, a Funds portfolio management team may be prohibited from being equal to or overweight relative to the Funds benchmark index in these top holdings.
The benchmark index for each Fund is listed in the following table:
Fund Name |
Benchmark | |
JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund |
Russell 1000 Growth Index | |
JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund |
Russell 1000 Growth Index | |
JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund |
Russell 3000 Growth Index |
2
In contrast to the Funds, the benchmark indices are not limited by the 1940 Act diversification requirement. Over the past several years, certain stocks of technology-related issuers contained in the Russell 1000 Growth Index and/or the Russell 3000 Growth Index have experienced significant increases in their market capitalizations. As a result, these indices have become much more concentrated at the individual stock level. For example, as of June 30, 2024, 49% of the Russell 1000 Growth Index and 47% of the Russell 3000 Growth Index were represented by five stocks that have a greater than 5% weight. This level of index concentration coupled with the limitations placed on a diversified company can, at times, constrain a Funds ability to fully achieve target exposures to individual securities.
In selecting investments for each Fund, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (JPMIM or Adviser) considers the stocks in each Funds benchmark index as potential investments, in accordance with the Funds principal investment strategy. Due to the 1940 Act diversification requirement, at various times, the Funds must underweight at least some of these holdings relative to their weights in the respective indices even if the Adviser finds them to be attractive investment opportunities. The diversification status forces each Fund to be underweight its benchmarks top holdings, meaning the Adviser cannot choose to equal or overweight positions relative to a Funds benchmark even if, in accordance with the Funds investment objective and principal investment strategy, the Adviser determines that they represent the best available investment opportunity. This limitation can ultimately inhibit the opportunity for the Fund to implement its principal investment strategy and can hinder its ability to outperform its benchmark or non-diversified peer funds with otherwise similar investment strategies, on a risk-return basis. The Adviser believes reclassifying each Fund as a non-diversified company is in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders because the non-diversified status will provide the Adviser with additional investment flexibility and the potential to enhance the Funds performance.
While approval of the Proposal would provide the Adviser with greater long-term flexibility in executing each Funds investment strategy by allowing increased exposures to certain holdings, it is not otherwise expected to affect the way the Funds are currently managed. The investment objective and investment strategies for each Fund will not change due to approval of the Proposal. In addition, while each Funds fundamental investment policy on diversification would be eliminated, all other fundamental investment policies will remain unchanged.
The 1940 Act diversification requirements are separate and apart from the diversification requirements that each Fund complies with in order to qualify for special tax treatment as set forth in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. This Proposal does not in any way affect a Funds intent to comply with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M. As a non-diversified company, the percentage of a Funds assets invested in any single issuer would not be limited by the 1940 Act, but would remain subject to Subchapter Ms broader diversification requirements.
Investing a larger percentage of a Funds assets in any one issuer could increase the Funds risk of loss and make its share price more volatile because the value of its shares would be more susceptible to adverse events affecting that issuer. If the Adviser takes a larger position in an issuer that subsequently has an adverse return, a Fund may have a greater loss than it would have had if the Adviser had diversified the Funds investments consistent with Section 5(b)(1) of the 1940 Act. While the change to a non-diversified company classification may allow for the potential for greater risk taking by a Fund, the portfolio management team currently intends to manage the Funds using the substantially similar risk and volatility guidelines it has used managing the Fund while it has been classified as a diversified company.
If shareholders approve the Proposal, each Fund may operate as a non-diversified company or, in the Advisers discretion, it may not, subject to the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. However, if a Fund does not operate as a non-diversified company for three consecutive years following shareholder approval, the 1940 Act rules will require the Fund to be automatically re-classified as a diversified company. This would require a Fund again to seek shareholder approval to operate as a non-diversified company.
At meetings held on June [25-26], 2024, the Board of Trustees for each Trust unanimously approved the submission of this Proposal to shareholders for their approval.
3
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Current service providers of the Funds are described below.
Investment Adviser
JPMIM, 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, serves as investment adviser to the Funds and continuously reviews and supervises the Funds investment program. JPMIM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Asset Management Holdings Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. As of December 31, 2023, JPMIM managed over $2.7 trillion in assets.
Distributor
JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (JPMDS), 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, serves as distributor to each of the Funds. JPMDS is an affiliate of the Adviser, the Administrator and JPMorgan Chase Bank and is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase.
Administrator
JPMIM, 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, serves as administrator for the Trusts.
VOTING INFORMATION
Shareholders Entitled to Vote
You are entitled to vote at the Meeting, including any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, if you owned shares of any Fund at the close of business on the Record Date of [July 31], 2024.
Quorum
For each Fund, a majority of its outstanding shares as of the Record Date shall constitute a quorum at the Meeting for acting on the Proposal.
Voting Requirement
For each Fund, approval of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of its outstanding voting securities as of the Record Date, within the meaning of the 1940 Act. This means the affirmative vote of the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of the shares present at the meeting or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The approval of the Proposal by one Fund is not contingent on the approval of any other Fund.
How Votes will be Counted
Each shareholder of JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund and JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund is entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value, and a proportionate fractional vote for any remainder of net asset value, represented by such shareholders shares as of the Record Date. Each shareholder of JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund is entitled to one vote for each whole share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for any remainder of net asset value, represented by such shareholders shares as of the Record Date. Executed Proxy Cards marked as withhold votes will be treated as shares that are present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting. Withhold votes will be treated as votes against the Proposal. Treating withhold votes as votes against the Proposal can have the effect of causing shareholders who choose not to participate in the proxy vote to prevail over shareholders who cast votes or provide voting instructions to their brokers or nominees. Each Fund may request that selected brokers or nominees return proxies on behalf of shares for which voting instructions have not been received if doing so is necessary to obtain a quorum. Withhold votes will not be voted FOR or AGAINST any adjournment.
4
If a Proxy Card is properly executed and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the proxies named on the card will vote the shares represented by the proxy in accordance with the instructions marked on the card. Unmarked but properly executed Proxy Cards will be voted FOR the Proposal. If you simply sign, date and return the Proxy Card, but do not specify a vote, your proxy will be voted FOR the Proposal.
How to Vote
Any shareholder of a Fund on the Record Date can vote in any of four ways: by telephone, via the Internet, by returning the Proxy Card by mail, or by participating in the Meeting.
Please follow the instructions on your Proxy Card.
Revoking a Proxy or Changing a Vote
Shares represented by proxies, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholders. To revoke a proxy, the shareholder giving such proxy must either (1) submit to the Trust a subsequently dated Proxy Card, (2) deliver to the applicable Trust a written notice of revocation, or (3) otherwise give notice of revocation in open Meeting, in all cases prior to the exercise of the authority granted in the proxy.
Adjournment
In the event that the necessary quorum to transact business is not obtained by the date of the Meeting, or, in the event that the Proposal does not receive sufficient votes for approval, whether or not a quorum is present, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require an affirmative vote by the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. In determining whether to adjourn the Meeting, the following factors may be considered: the percentage of votes actually cast, the percentage of negative votes actually cast, the nature of any further solicitation and the information to be provided to shareholders with respect to the reasons for the solicitation. In addition, if, in the judgment of persons named as proxies, it is advisable to defer action on the Proposal, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting for a reasonable period or periods. In the event of an adjournment, no further notice is needed other than an announcement at the Meeting to be adjourned if the adjourned meeting is held within 60 days from the date of the Meeting. For purposes of calculating a vote to adjourn the Meeting, any broker non-votes received will be excluded from the calculation of the number of votes required to approve any proposal to adjourn a meeting. The persons named as proxies will vote upon such adjournment after consideration of the best interests of all shareholders.
Broker Non-Votes
For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, executed proxies marked as broker non-votes (that is, proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power) will be treated as shares that are present for quorum purposes but which have not been voted. Accordingly, broker non-votes will effectively be a vote against the Proposal, for which the required vote is a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter. As described above in the section entitled Adjournments, broker non-votes will have no effect on votes to adjourn the Meeting.
Method of Solicitation
Proxies are being solicited by mail. Additional solicitations may be made by telephone, e-mail, or other personal contact by officers or employees of JPMIM and their affiliates or by proxy soliciting firms retained by the Funds. The Funds have retained EQ Fund Solutions, LLC (EQFS), a proxy solicitor, to assist in the solicitation of proxies primarily by contacting shareholders by telephone. By contract, EQFS, among other things, will be: (i) required to maintain the confidentiality of all shareholder information; (ii) prohibited from selling or
5
otherwise disclosing to any third-party shareholder information; and (iii) required to comply with state telemarketing laws to the extent applicable to the services provided under the contract. The cost of retaining such proxy solicitor will be deemed an expense relating to the Meeting. In addition, JPMIM may reimburse persons holding shares in their names or in the names of their nominees for expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation material to their beneficial owners. The aggregate costs of the Meeting, including the costs of preparing, assembling, mailing and transmitting proxy materials and of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board, are estimated to be approximately $9,796,663 and will be borne by the Funds. Each Fund is subject to contractual expense limitations, as a result the proxy expenses will be borne by JPMIM for any Fund with operating expenses (including proxy expenses) above its expense limitation. [As of the date of this proxy statement, each Funds operating expenses exceeded its expense limitation.]
As the Meeting date approaches, shareholders of the Funds may receive a call from a representative of JPMIM or EQFS if the Funds have not yet received their vote. Authorization to permit JPMIM or EQFS to execute proxies may be obtained by telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions from Fund shareholders. Proxies that are obtained telephonically will be recorded in accordance with the procedures set forth below. Management of the Funds believes that these procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that the identity of the shareholder casting the vote is accurately determined and that the voting instructions of the shareholder are accurately determined. In all cases where a telephonic proxy is solicited, a JPMIM or EQFS representative is required to ask the shareholder for the shareholders full name, address, and confirmation that the shareholder has received this Proxy Statement.
If the shareholder information solicited agrees with the information provided to JPMIM or EQFS by the Funds, the JPMIM or EQFS representative has the responsibility to explain the process, read the Proposal listed on the Proxy Card, and ask for the shareholders instructions on the Proposal. The representative of JPMIM or EQFS, although permitted to answer questions about the process, is not permitted to recommend to the shareholder how to vote, other than to read any recommendation set forth in this Proxy Statement. EQFS will record the shareholders instructions on the card. Within 72 hours, JPMIM or EQFS will send the shareholder a letter or mailgram to confirm the shareholders vote and asking the shareholder to call JPMIM or EQFS immediately if the shareholders instructions are not correctly reflected in the confirmation.
Share Information
For a list of the number of shares of the Funds that are outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date, please refer to Appendix A.
Fund Shares Owned by Certain Beneficial Owners
For a list of persons or entities that owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a class of each of the Funds as of the Record Date, please refer to Appendix B.
ATTENDING THE MEETING
If you wish to attend the meeting in person you will be required to present proper identification and proof of share ownership as of the Record Date.
Identification
All shareholders and valid proxy holders must provide a valid form of government-issued photo identification, such as a valid drivers license or passport. In addition, if you are representing an entity that is a shareholder, you must provide evidence of your authority to represent that entity at the meeting.
Proof of Ownership
Holders of record (i.e., if you hold shares in your own name) The top half of the Proxy Card or your notice of internet availability of proxy materials indicating the holder of record (whose name and share ownership may be verified against our list of registered shareholders) can be used.
6
Holders in street name (i.e., if your shares are held through a broker, bank, or other nominee) A brokerage statement that demonstrates share ownership as of the Record Date or a letter from your bank or broker indicating that you held shares as of the Record Date are examples of proof of share ownership. If you want to vote your shares held in street name in person, you must also provide a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank, or other nominee that holds your shares.
Valid proxy holders for holders of record A written legal proxy to you signed by the holder of record (whose name and share ownership may be verified against our list of registered shareholders), and proof of ownership by the holder of record as of the Record Date (see Holders of record above).
Valid proxy holders for holders in street name A written legal proxy from the brokerage firm or bank holding the shares to the street name holder that is assignable and a written legal proxy to you signed by the street name holder, together with a brokerage statement or letter from the bank or broker indicating that the holder in street name held shares as of the Record Date.
Guests Admission of persons to the meeting who are not shareholders is subject to space limitations and to the sole discretion of Fund management.
OTHER MATTERS
No Other Matters. We know of no business other than the Proposal contained in this Proxy Statement to be considered at the meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their judgment.
Shareholders Sharing the Same Address. As permitted by law, only one copy of this Proxy Statement may be delivered to shareholders residing at the same address, unless such shareholders have notified the applicable Trust of their desire to receive multiple copies of the shareholder reports and proxy statements that the Trust sends. If you would like to receive an additional copy, please contact the applicable Trust by writing to the Trusts address, or by calling the telephone number shown on the front page of this Proxy Statement. The Trust will then promptly deliver, upon request, a separate copy of this Proxy Statement to any shareholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Shareholders wishing to receive separate copies of a Funds shareholder reports and proxy statements in the future, and shareholders sharing an address that wish to receive a single copy if they are receiving multiple copies, should also send a request as indicated.
Shareholder Proposals. Each Trust does not hold annual shareholder meetings. Any shareholder proposal intended to be presented at any future meeting of shareholders must be received by the Funds at their principal office a reasonable time before the solicitation of proxies for such meeting in order for such proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to such meeting.
Shareholder Communications with Board. Shareholders wishing to send communications to the Board of Trustees or specific members of the Board should submit the communication in writing to the attention of the Secretary of the Trust, at 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172, identifying the correspondence as intended for the Board of Trustees or for a specified member of the Board. The Secretary will maintain a copy of any such communication and promptly forward it to the Governance Committee no less frequently than monthly. The Governance Committee will periodically review such communications and determine how to respond, if at all. Other members of the Board will receive, no less frequently than quarterly, a summary of all shareholders communications received during the prior quarter, which summary shall identify the substance of such communications.
7
APPENDIX A
SHARE INFORMATION
The chart below lists the number of shares of the Funds that are outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date:
Fund Name |
[Class] |
[Class] |
[Class] |
[Class] |
[Class] |
[Class] | ||||||
[ ] |
APPENDIX B
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUNDS
As of [ ], 2024, the following persons were the owners of more than 5% of the outstanding classes of shares of the following class of shares of the following Funds. Shareholders indicated with an (*) below are a subsidiary or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Shareholders indicated with an (**) below holding greater than 25% or more of a Fund are controlling persons under the 1940 Act.
JPMorgan Trust I JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund |
Shareholder and Address |
Percentage | ||
JPMorgan Trust II JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund |
Shareholder and Address |
Percentage | ||
J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund |
Shareholder and Address |
Percentage | ||
FORM OF PROXY CARD FOR SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUNDS
J.P. Morgan Asset Management YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE CAST YOUR PROXY VOTE TODAY! SHAREHOLDERS REGISTRATION PRINTED HERE ***BOXES FOR TYPSETTING PURPOSES ONLY*** THIS BOX AND BOX ABOVE ARE NOT PRINTED ON ACTUAL PROXY BALLOTS. THEY IDENTIFY LOCATION OF WINDOWS ON OUTBOUND 6x9 ENVELOPES. PROXY CARD SIGN, DATE AND VOTE ON THE REVERSE SIDE PROXY VOTING OPTIONS 1. MAIL your signed and voted proxy back in the postage paid envelope provided 2. ONLINE at vote.proxyonline.com using your proxy control number found below 3. By PHONE when you dial toll-free 1-888-227-9349 to reach an automated touchtone voting line 4. By PHONE with a live operator when you call toll-free 1-888-628-1041 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time CONTROL NUMBER 12345678910 JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund A SERIES OF JPMORGAN TRUST I JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund A SERIES OF JPMORGAN TRUST II JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund A SERIES OF J.P. MORGAN MUTUTAL FUND INVESTMENT TRUST PROXY FOR A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 2, 2024 The undersigned, revoking prior proxies, hereby appoints [Tim Clemens, Kiesha Astwood-Smith and Joseph Parascondola], and each of them, as attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, granted in connection with the voting of the shares subject hereto with full power of substitution, to vote shares held in the name of the undersigned on the record date at the Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders of the above named Funds (the Funds) to be held at 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, 17th Floor, on October 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, or at any adjournment thereof, upon the Proposal described in the Notice of Meeting and accompanying Proxy Statement, which have been received by the undersigned. [PROXY ID NUMBER HERE] [BAR CODE HERE] [CUSIP HERE]
Do you have questions? If you have any questions about how to vote your proxy or about the meeting in general, please call toll-free 1-888-628-1041. Representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for this Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on October 2, 2024. The proxy statement for this meeting is available at: vote.proxyonline.com/jpmorgan/docs/2024mtg.pdf PROXY CARD JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED. The signer(s) acknowledges receipt with this Proxy Statement of the Board of Trustees. Your signature(s) on this should be exactly as your name(s) appear on this Proxy (reverse side). If the shares are held jointly, each holder should sign this Proxy. Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians should indicate the full title and capacity in which they are signing. SIGNATURE (AND TITLE IF APPLICABLE) DATE SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY) DATE This proxy is solicited on behalf of each Funds Board of Trustees, and the Proposal has been unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees and recommended for approval by shareholders. When properly executed, this proxy will be voted as indicated or FOR the proposals if no choice is indicated. The proxy will be voted in accordance with the proxy holders best judgment as to any other matters that may arise at the Special Joint Meeting. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL. TO VOTE, MARK CIRCLES BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS. Example: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 1. To change each Fund from a diversified company to a non-diversified company by eliminating the related fundamental investment policy. THANK YOU FOR VOTING [PROXY ID NUMBER HERE] [BAR CODE HERE] [CUSIP HERE]
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