e497
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED APRIL 27, 2012
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FUND |
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CLASS A
SHARES |
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CLASS B
SHARES |
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CLASS C
SHARES |
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CLASS IR
SHARES |
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SERVICE
SHARES |
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INSTITUTIONAL
SHARES |
GOLDMAN
SACHS
U.S.
EQUITY
DIVIDEND
AND
PREMIUM
FUND
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GSPAX
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GSPQX
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GVIRX
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GSPKX |
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GOLDMAN
SACHS
INTERNATIONAL
EQUITY
DIVIDEND
AND
PREMIUM
FUND
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GIDAX
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GIDCX
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GIRVX
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GIDHX |
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GOLDMAN
SACHS
STRUCTURED
TAX-MANAGED
EQUITY
FUND
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GCTAX
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GCTBX
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GCTCX
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GQIRX
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GCTSX
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GCTIX |
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GOLDMAN
SACHS
STRUCTURED
INTERNATIONAL
TAX-MANAGED
EQUITY
FUND
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GATMX
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GCTMX
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GITRX
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GHTMX |
(Structured Tax-Advantaged Equity Funds of Goldman Sachs Trust)
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
This Statement of Additional Information (the SAI) is not a Prospectus. This SAI should be
read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium
Fund, Goldman Sachs International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund, Goldman Sachs Structured
Tax-Managed Equity Fund, and Goldman Sachs Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund, dated
April 27, 2012, as it may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time (the
Prospectus), and which may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the
telephone numbers or writing to one of the addresses listed below or from institutions (Authorized
Institutions) acting on behalf of their customers. As of November 2, 2009, Class B Shares are
generally no longer available for purchase by new on existing shareholders.
The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm for each Fund, contained in each Funds 2011 Annual Report, are
incorporated herein by reference in the section FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. No other portions of each
Funds Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. A Funds Annual Report may be obtained
upon request and without charge by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co. toll-free at 1-800-526-7384 (for
Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class IR Shareholders) or 1-800-621-2550 (for Institutional and
Service Shareholders).
GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The date of this SAI is April 27, 2012.
i
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Transfer Agent
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Toll-free (in U.S.) 800-621-2550 (for Institutional and Service Shareholders) or 800-526-7384 (for
Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class IR Shareholders)
ii
INTRODUCTION
Goldman Sachs Trust (the Trust) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is
organized as a Delaware statutory trust and was established by a Declaration of Trust dated January
28, 1997. The following series of the Trust are described in this SAI: Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity
Dividend and Premium Fund (U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund), Goldman Sachs International
Equity Dividend and Premium Fund (International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund), Goldman Sachs
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund (formerly, CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund) (Structured
Tax-Managed Equity Fund), and Goldman Sachs Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund
(Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund) (collectively referred to herein as the
Funds).
The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify
shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into
one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have
created the Funds and other series. Additional series may be added in the future from time to
time. The Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund currently offers six classes of shares: Class A
Shares, Class B Shares (subject to the limitations described herein), Class C Shares, Class IR
Shares, Institutional Shares and Service Shares. The U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund, the
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and the Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund currently offer four classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class IR Shares and
Institutional Shares. See SHARES OF THE TRUST.
As of November 2, 2009 (the Effective Date), Class B Shares are generally no longer
available for purchase by new or existing shareholders. Shareholders who invested in Class B Shares
prior to the Effective Date may continue to hold their Class B Shares until they convert
automatically to Class A Shares, as described in each Funds Prospectus. Class B shareholders may
continue to reinvest dividends and capital gains into their accounts. Class B shareholders who had automatic investment plans into
Class B Shares prior to the Effective Date
can no
longer make automatic investments into Class B Shares. Class B shareholders may continue to
exchange their Shares for Class B Shares of certain other Goldman Sachs Funds. Otherwise,
additional purchase requests for a Funds Class B Shares will be rejected.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM or the Investment Adviser), an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Goldman Sachs), serves as
the Investment Adviser to the Funds. In addition, Goldman Sachs serves as each Funds distributor
and transfer agent. Each Funds custodian is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorgan Chase).
The following information relates to and supplements the description of each Funds investment
policies contained in the Prospectus. See the Prospectus for a more complete description of the
Funds investment objectives and policies. Investing in the Funds entails certain risks and there
is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its objective. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Each Fund has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance
that a Funds investment objective will be achieved. Each of the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund,
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund, Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund and Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Fund is a diversified, open-end management company as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act). The investment objective and policies
of each Fund, and the associated risks of each Fund, are discussed in the Funds Prospectus, which
should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and investment
policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval.
However, to the extent required by U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) regulations including Rule 35d-1 of the
Act and the SECs interpretive positions thereunder,
shareholders will be
provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the
a
Funds policy to invest
at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of
purchase) (Net Assets) in the particular type of investment suggested by its name. Additional
information about the Funds, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold is
provided below.
Each Funds share price will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable,
foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in any of the Funds may be worth more or less
when redeemed than when purchased. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete
investment program.
B-1
The following discussion supplements the information in the Funds Prospectus.
General Information Regarding The Funds
The Investment Adviser may purchase for the Funds common stocks, preferred stocks, interests
in real estate investment trusts (REITs), convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred
stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and
similar enterprises, warrants and stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments
that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities (equity investments). The
Investment Adviser utilizes first-hand fundamental research, including visiting company facilities
to assess operations and to meet decision-makers, in choosing a Funds securities. The Investment
Adviser may also use macro analysis of numerous economic and valuation variables to anticipate
changes in company earnings and the overall investment climate. The Investment Adviser is able to
draw on the research and market expertise of the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Department and other affiliates of the Investment Adviser, as well as information provided by other
securities dealers. Equity investments in a Funds portfolio will generally be sold when the
Investment Adviser believes that the market price fully reflects or exceeds the investments
fundamental valuation or when other more attractive investments are identified. For the Structured
Tax-Managed Equity Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund, the Investment
Adviser utilizes advanced quantitative tools for both stock selection and portfolio construction.
For rebalancings, the computer optimizer calculates numerous security combinations and numerous
weightings to identify an efficient risk/return given the Funds benchmark.
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium and International Equity Dividend and Premium Funds
Stock Selection and Portfolio Construction. The U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund seeks
to maintain an equity portfolio that will produce a gross return similar to that of its equity
benchmark, the S&P 500® Index. The International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund seeks
to maintain an equity portfolio that will produce a gross return similar to that of its equity
benchmark, the MSCI EAFE® Index. However, because of the impact of call options written
by each Fund, the return of each Fund is not expected to closely track its benchmark, even if the
return of the portfolio securities held by each Fund resembles the return of the benchmark. In
addition, the return of each Fund may trail the return of its benchmark for short or extended
periods of time.
Generally, each Fund will seek to hold certain of the higher dividend paying stocks within
each industry and sector while still maintaining industry and sector weights that are similar to
those of its benchmark. The Investment Adviser will consider annualized dividend yields, scheduled
dividend record dates and any extraordinary dividends when evaluating securities. The Investment
Adviser will generally not seek to outperform the benchmark through active security selection.
The Investment Adviser will use proprietary quantitative techniques, including optimization
tools, a risk model, and a transactions cost model, in identifying a portfolio of stocks that it
believes may enhance expected dividend yield while limiting deviations when compared to the
benchmark. Deviations are constrained with regards to position sizes, industry weights, sector
weights, volatility as compared to the market (i.e., Beta) and estimated tracking error.
Call Writing. Each Fund will regularly write call options in order to generate additional
cash flow. It is anticipated that the calls will typically be written against the relevant Funds
benchmark or against exchange-traded funds linked to relevant benchmark (ETFs) or against other
national or regional indices. The goal of each Funds call writing is to generate an amount of
premium that, when annualized and added to each Funds expected dividend yield, provides an
attractive level of cash flow. Call writing, however, entails certain risks.
The Investment Adviser anticipates generally writing index call options, or call options on
ETFs, with expirations of three months or less. Outstanding call options will be rolled forward
upon expiration, so that there will generally be some options outstanding.
Structured Tax-Managed Equity and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Funds
Quantitative Style. The Structured Tax-Managed Equity and Structured International
Tax-Managed Equity Funds are managed using both quantitative and fundamental techniques. The Funds
investment process and the proprietary multifactor model used to implement it are discussed below.
B-2
Investment Process. The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of U.S. equity
investments for the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund, and international equity investments for
the Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund. As described more fully below, the
Investment Adviser uses a proprietary multifactor model (the Multifactor Model) to forecast the
returns of individual securities.
In building a diversified portfolio for the Structured Tax-Managed Equity and Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Funds, the Investment Adviser utilizes optimization techniques to
seek to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each Funds benchmark. Each
Funds portfolio is primarily composed of securities that the Investment Adviser believes maximizes
the portfolios risk/return tradeoff and has risk characteristics and industry weightings similar
to that of the Russell 3000 Index for the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund, and the
MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index (unhedged) for the
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund.
Multifactor Model. The Multifactor Model is a rigorous computerized rating system for
forecasting the returns of different equity markets, currencies and individual equity investments
according to fundamental investment characteristics. Each Fund uses one Multifactor Model to
forecast the returns of securities held in its portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates
common variables including measures of value, momentum, analyst sentiment, profitability, earnings
quality and management impact. All of the factors used in the Multifactor Model have been shown to
significantly impact the performance of the securities, currencies and markets they were designed
to forecast.
The weightings assigned to the factors in the Multifactor Model used by each Fund are derived
using a statistical formulation that considers each factors historical performance, volatility and
stability of ranking in different market environments. As such, the Multifactor Model is designed
to evaluate each security using the factors that are statistically related to returns over the long
run. Because they include many disparate factors, the Investment Adviser believes that the
Multifactor Model is broader in scope and provides a more thorough evaluation than traditional
investment processes. Securities and markets ranked highest by the Multifactor Model do not have
one dominant investment characteristic; rather, they possess an attractive combination of
investment characteristics. By using a variety of relevant factors to select securities or
markets, the Investment Adviser believes that each Fund will be better balanced and have more
consistent performance than an investment portfolio that uses only one or two factors to select
such investments.
The Investment Adviser will monitor, and may occasionally suggest and make changes to, the
method by which securities are selected for or weighted in each Fund. Such changes (which may be
the result of changes in the Multifactor Model or the method of applying the Multifactor Model) may
include: (i) evolutionary changes to the structure of the Multifactor Model (e.g., the addition of
new factors or a new means of weighting the factors); (ii) changes in trading procedures (e.g.,
trading frequency or the manner in which each Fund uses futures); or (iii) changes in the method by
which securities or markets are weighted in each Fund. Any such changes will preserve each Funds
basic investment philosophy of combining qualitative and quantitative methods of selecting
securities using a disciplined investment process.
Other Information. Because normal settlement for equity securities is three trading days (for
certain international markets settlement may be longer), the Funds will need to hold cash balances
to satisfy shareholder redemption requests. Such cash balances will normally range from 2% to 5%
of a Funds net assets. Additionally, the Funds may purchase futures contracts to manage their
cash position. For example, if cash balances are equal to 5% of the net assets, a Fund may enter
into long futures contracts covering an amount equal to 5% of the Funds net assets. As cash
balances fluctuate based on new contributions or withdrawals, a Fund may enter into additional
contracts or close out existing positions.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND PRACTICES
Corporate Debt Obligations
Each Fund may, under normal market conditions, invest in corporate debt obligations, including
obligations of industrial, utility and financial issuers. Corporate debt obligations include
bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal.
The Funds may only invest in debt securities that are cash equivalents. Corporate debt
obligations are subject to the risk of an issuers inability to meet principal and interest
payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as
market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market
liquidity.
B-3
Corporate debt obligations rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with
speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken
their issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal Medium to lower rated and comparable
non-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same
maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not
have been as strong as that of other issuers. The price of corporate debt obligations will
generally fluctuate in response to fluctuations in supply and demand for similarly rated
securities. In addition, the price of corporate debt obligations will generally fluctuate in
response to interest rate levels. Fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities subsequent to
their acquisition will not affect cash income from such securities but will be reflected in the
Funds NAV.
Because medium to lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and
principal than higher rated securities, investors should consider carefully the relative risks
associated with investment in securities which carry medium to lower ratings and in comparable
unrated securities. In addition to the risk of default, there are the related costs of recovery on
defaulted issues. The Investment Adviser will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio
diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income
and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments.
The Investment Adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a
study of
an issuers existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, the issuers
sensitivity to economic conditions, its operating history and the current earnings trend. The
Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in a Funds portfolio and evaluates
whether to dispose of or to retain corporate debt obligations whose credit ratings or credit
quality may have changed. If after its purchase, a portfolio security is assigned a lower rating or
ceases to be rated, a Fund may continue to hold the security if the Investment Adviser believes it
is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations
The Funds may invest in commercial paper and other short-term obligations issued or guaranteed
by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Commercial paper represents
short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies,
corporations and finance companies.
U.S. Government Securities
Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities which are obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government and its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (U.S.
Government Securities). Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds,
which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the
full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i)
the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the
U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the
issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations
of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the
U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises in the future.
U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for
which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government
Securities may also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to
foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for
certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary
market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.
Each Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements and may also
invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by
the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest
and principal of securities program (STRIPS). Each Fund may also invest in zero coupon U.S.
Treasury Securities and in zero coupon securities issued by financial institutions which represent
a proportionate interest in underlying U.S. Treasury Securities. A zero coupon security pays no
interest to its holder during its life and its value consists of the difference between its face
value at maturity and its cost. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more
volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.
B-4
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. The Funds may invest in U.S. Government
Securities, called Treasury inflation-protected securities or TIPS, which are 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.
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 the value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were
to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease
in the value of 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 the 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.
Any increase in principal value of TIPS caused by an increase in the consumer price index is
taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though the Fund holding TIPS will not receive cash
representing the increase at that time. As a result, a Fund could be required at times to
liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy
its distribution requirements as a regulated investment company.
If a Fund invests in TIPS, it will be required to treat as original issue discount any
increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable
year. If a Fund purchases such inflation protected securities that are issued in stripped form
either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt
instrument having original issue discount.
Because a Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
(including accrued original issue discount), the Funds investment in either zero coupon bonds or
TIPS may require it to distribute to shareholders an amount greater than the total cash income it
actually receives. Accordingly, in order to make the required distributions, a Fund may be
required to borrow or liquidate securities.
Bank Obligations
Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank
obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers acceptances and certificates of
deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by
the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation.
Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the
amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition,
the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of
funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions.
General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial
difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.
Certificates of deposit are certificates evidencing the obligation of a bank to repay
funds deposited with it for a specified period of time at a specified rate. Certificates of
deposit are negotiable instruments and are similar to saving deposits but have a definite maturity
and are evidenced by a certificate instead of a passbook entry. Banks are required to keep
reserves against all certificates of deposit. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at
a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn
on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending
upon market conditions and the
remaining maturity of the obligation. The Funds may invest in deposits in U.S. and European
banks satisfying the standards set forth above.
Zero Coupon Bonds
Each Funds investments in fixed income securities may include zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon
bonds are debt obligations issued or purchased at a discount from face value. The discount
approximates the total amount of interest the bonds would have accrued and compounded over the
period until maturity. Zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest. Such
investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service but also
require a higher rate of return to attract
B-5
investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash.
Such investments may experience greater volatility in market value than debt obligations which
provide for regular payments of interest. In addition, if an issuer of zero coupon bonds held by a
Fund defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. A Fund will accrue income
on such investments for each taxable year which (net of deductible expenses, if any) is
distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is generally received at the time of
accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to
satisfy the Funds distribution obligations.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The interest rates payable on
certain debt securities in which a Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates.
A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at pre-designated periods in response to changes in
the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based.
Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield.
Nevertheless, such obligations may flucutate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between
changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities
The Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund may invest in leveraged inverse floating rate debt
instruments (inverse floaters). The interest
rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse
floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies
by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage
inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration
of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be deemed to be illiquid
securities for purposes of the Funds 15% limitation on investments in such securities.
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates, which may be underwritten
by securities dealers or banks, representing interests in securities held by a custodian or
trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities, municipal securities or
other types of securities in which the Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust
certificates are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and may evidence ownership of future
interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the
payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other
arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial
receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. Government or other
issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. As a holder of custodial receipts and
trust certificates, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to
the custodial account or trust. Each Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in
custodial receipts and trust certificates.
Although under the terms of a custodial receipt or trust certificate a Fund would typically be
authorized to assert its rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, a Fund
could be required to assert through the custodian bank or trustee those rights
as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event an underlying issuer fails to
pay principal and/or interest when due, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that
are greater than those that would have been involved if a Fund had purchased a direct obligation of
the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or custodial account in which the underlying
securities have been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead
of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying securities would be reduced in recognition of
any taxes paid.
Certain custodial receipts and trust certificates may be synthetic or derivative instruments
that have interest rates that reset inversely to changing short-term rates and/or have embedded
interest rate floors and caps that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market
rates fall below or rise above a specified rate. Because some of these instruments represent
relatively recent innovations, and the trading market for these instruments is less developed than
the markets for traditional types of instruments, it is uncertain how these instruments will
perform under different economic and interest-rate scenarios. Also, because these instruments may
be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed income instruments
and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. The possibility of default by an
issuer or the issuers credit provider may be greater for these derivative instruments than for
other types of instruments. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine the fair value of a
derivative instrument because of a lack of reliable objective information and an established
secondary market for some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service
has not ruled on the tax treatment of the interest or payments received on the derivative
instruments and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the opinion of counsel to
the sponsors of the instruments.
B-6
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and may also purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts. The International Equity Dividend and Premium and Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts based on various
securities, securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices.
The U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund may engage in
transactions only with respect to U.S. equity indices. Each Fund may engage in futures and
related options transactions in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes
in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign
securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector
selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Each Fund may
also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options.
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term
commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to
registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.
Futures contracts entered into by a Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or
boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the
CFTC) or with respect to certain funds on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may
also be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction
execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed
and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow
based security index futures may be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as
contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities
that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign
exchanges.
Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates
activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and
clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange
or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally
linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a
transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the
foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these
reasons, a Funds investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be
provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular,
persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the
protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTCs regulations and the rules of
the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations
proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures
Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, those persons may not have the protection
of the United States securities laws.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement
between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a
designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating
to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, a Fund can seek through the
sale of futures contracts to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities.
When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, a Fund, through the purchase of
futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in
the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the International Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund can purchase and sell futures
contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect against
changes in currency exchange rates. For example, each Fund can purchase futures contracts on
foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security quoted or denominated in
such currency that such Fund has acquired or expects to acquire. As another example, the
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund
may enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Funds overall currency
exposures and the currency exposures of a Funds performance benchmark.
Positions taken in the futures market are not normally held to maturity, but are instead
liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While each Fund
will usually liquidate futures contracts on securities or currency in this manner, a Fund may
instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears
economically
B-7
advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the
exchange on which futures are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be
performed on the settlement date.
Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts,
seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price, rate
of return or currency exchange rate on portfolio securities or securities that a Fund owns or
proposes to acquire. A Fund may, for example, take a short position in the futures market by
selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a
decline in market prices or, except in the case of the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund, foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar
value of such Funds portfolio securities. Similarly, each Fund, other than the U.S. Equity
Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund, may sell futures contracts on a
currency in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, or sell futures contracts on
one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated
in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the
two currencies. If, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of
correlation between price trends for a Funds portfolio securities and futures contracts based on
other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, a Fund may also enter into such
futures contracts as part of a hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of
securities in a Funds portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures
contracts, the Investment Adviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference
based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having a Fund enter into a
greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge
against price changes affecting a Funds portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is
successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by
appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated
appreciation in the value of a Funds portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a
decline in the value of the futures position.
On other occasions, a Fund may take a long position by purchasing such futures contracts.
This may be done, for example, when a Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular
securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates
(except in the case of the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured Tax-Managed Equity
Fund) then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are
currently available.
Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options on futures
contracts will give a Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to
purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As
the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, a Fund obtains the benefit of the futures
position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an
unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially
offset a decline in the value of a Funds assets. By writing a call option, a Fund becomes
obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised,
which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures
contract generates a premium, which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities
that a Fund intends to purchase. However, a Fund becomes obligated (upon the exercise of the
option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower
than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by a Fund in writing options on futures is
potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. A Fund will incur
transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling
or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that
such closing transactions can be effected. A Funds ability to establish and close out positions
on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
Other Considerations. A Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and
related options transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) for maintaining its
qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Transactions in
futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in
certain cases, require the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets. A Fund may cover its
transactions in futures contracts and related options through the segregation of cash or liquid
assets or by other means, in any manner permitted by applicable law.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such
transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, unanticipated changes in interest rates,
securities prices or currency exchange rates (except in the case of the U.S. Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund and the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund) may result in a poorer overall performance
for a Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When
futures contracts and options are used for
B-8
hedging purposes, perfect correlation between a Funds
futures positions and portfolio positions may be impossible to achieve, particularly where futures
contracts based on individual equity or corporate fixed income securities are currently not
available. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio
position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund
may be exposed to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible for a Fund to hedge fully or
perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or denominated in
foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of
independent factors unrelated to currency fluctuations. The profitability
of a Funds trading in futures depends upon the ability of the Investment Adviser to analyze
correctly the futures markets.
Options on Securities and Securities Indices
Writing Covered Options. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on
any securities in which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent it invests in foreign
securities, write (sell) put and call options on foreign currencies. A call option written by a
Fund obligates that Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified
price if the option is exercised on or before the expiration date. Depending upon the type of call
option, the purchaser of the call option either (i) has the right to any appreciation in the value
of the security over a fixed price (the exercise price) on a certain date in the future (the
expiration date) or (ii) has the right to any appreciation in the value of the security over the
exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. If the purchaser does not
exercise the option, a Fund pays the purchaser the difference between the price of the security and
the exercise price of the option. The premium, the exercise price and the market value of the
security determine the gain or loss realized by a Fund as the seller of the call option. A Fund
can also repurchase the call option prior to the expiration date, ending its obligation. In this
case, the cost of entering into closing purchase transactions will determine the gain or loss
realized by a Fund. All call options written by a Fund are covered, which means that such Fund
will own the securities subject to the option as long as the option is outstanding or such Fund
will use the other methods described below. A Funds purpose in writing covered call options is to
realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However,
a Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying
security.
A put option written by a Fund would obligate such Fund to purchase specified securities from
the option holder at a specified price if, depending upon the type of put option, either (i) the
option is exercised at any time on or before the expiration date or (ii) the option is exercised on
the expiration date. All put options written by a Fund would be covered, which means that such
Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the
put option (less any margin on deposit) or will use the other methods described below. The purpose
of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the
option premium, each Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying
securities at a price in excess of the securities market value at the time of purchase.
In the case of a call option, the option is covered if a Fund owns the instrument underlying
the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash
consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are
segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call option is also
covered if a Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise
price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option written, or
(ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid
assets in the amount of the difference. A Fund may also cover options on securities by segregating
cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value, when added to any margin on
deposit, that is equal to the market value of the securities in the case of a call option. A put
option is also covered if a Fund holds a put on the same instrument as the option written where the
exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price
of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the
Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.
A Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index comprised of
securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on
securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does
not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are
designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security. The U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
expects that, under normal circumstances, it will sell call options on the S&P 500 Index or related
exchange traded funds in an amount that is between 25% and 75% of the value of the U.S. Equity
Dividend and Premium Funds portfolio.
A Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes
are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate
right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional
consideration which has been segregated by the Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other
securities in its portfolio. A Fund may also cover call and put options on a securities index by
segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by
B-9
applicable law, with a value, when added to any
margin on deposit, that is equal to the market value of the underlying securities in the case of a
call option or the exercise price in the case of a put option, or by owning offsetting options as
described above.
A Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing
an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be
terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option.
Such purchases are referred to as closing purchase transactions.
Purchasing Options. Each Fund may purchase put and call options on any
securities in which it may invest or any securities index comprised of securities in
which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities,
purchase put and call options on foreign currencies. A Fund may also enter into closing sale
transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.
A Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of
securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund,
in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the
option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during
the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium
paid and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the
purchase of the call option.
A Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities
in its portfolio (protective puts) or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a
put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at
a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset
or hedge against a decline in the market value of a Funds securities. Put
options may also be purchased by a Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a
decline in the price of securities which it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain
if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise
price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund
would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the
purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value
of the underlying portfolio securities.
A Fund would purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it
would purchase options on individual securities. For a description of options on securities
indices, see Writing Covered Options above.
Risks Associated with Options Transactions. There is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at
any particular time. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to
covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or
dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if a Fund is
unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have
to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the
purchase or sale of underlying securities.
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 or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or
other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv)
unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the
facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation 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.
There can be no assurance that higher trading activity, order flow or other unforeseen events
might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation or
various exchanges inadequate. Such events have, in the past, resulted in the institution by an
exchange of special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of order
or trading halts or suspensions with respect to one or more options. These special procedures may
limit liquidity.
Each Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and
options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability
to terminate over-the-counter options is more
B-10
limited than with exchange-traded options and may
involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their
obligations.
Transactions by each Fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations
established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such
options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or
purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the
options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other
trading facility or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the
number of options which a Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or
purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Investment Adviser. An exchange, board of
trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of
these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities
transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if the
Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest
rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of
the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between
the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its
expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation between the
securities or securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the securities in a
Funds investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The
writing of options could increase a Funds portfolio turnover rate and, therefore, associated
brokerage commissions or spreads.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Each Fund may invest in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest
primarily in real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity
REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the
majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection
of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated
in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive
income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as the
Funds, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain
requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses
paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by a Fund.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in
the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by
the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not
diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risks of financing
projects. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation,
and the possibilities of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax for distributed income under
the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from the Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs)
are also subject to interest rate risks.
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
Each Fund may invest in warrants or stock purchase
rights (rights) (in addition to those
acquired in units or attached to other securities) which entitle the holder to buy equity
securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. A Fund will invest in warrants and rights
only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the
Investment Advisor for investment by the fund. The Structured Tax-Managed Equity and
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Funds have no present intention of acquiring warrants
or rights. Warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with
respect to the assets of the issuer.
B-11
Foreign Securities
The Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund and International Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund may invest a substantial portion of their assets in foreign securities. Each of the
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund may invest in equity
securities of foreign issuers which are traded in the United States.
Investments in foreign securities may offer potential benefits not available from investments
solely in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of domestic issuers. Such benefits may
include the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear, in the opinion of the Investment
Adviser, to offer the potential for better long term growth of capital and income than investments
in U.S. securities, the opportunity to invest in foreign countries with economic policies or
business cycles different from those of the United States and the opportunity to reduce
fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign securities markets that do not
necessarily move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets. Investing in the securities of foreign
issuers also involves, however, certain special risks, including those discussed in the Funds
Prospectus and those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S.
dollar-denominated securities or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Many of these risks are more
pronounced for investments in emerging countries.
With respect to investments in certain foreign countries, there exist certain economic,
political and social risks, including the risk of adverse political developments, nationalization,
military unrest, social instability, war and terrorism, confiscation without fair compensation,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movement of funds and other assets
between different countries, or diplomatic developments, any of which could adversely affect a
Funds investment in those countries. Individual foreign economies may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Governments in
certain foreign countries continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could
have a significant effect on market prices of securities and dividend payments.
Many countries throughout the world are
dependent on a healthy U.S. economy and are adversely affected when the U.S. economy weakens or its markets
decline. Additionally, many foreign country economies are heavily dependent on international trade
and are adversely affected by protective trade barriers
and economic conditions of their trading partners. Protectionist trade legislation enacted by those trading
partners could have a significant adverse affect on the securities markets of those countries.
Investments in foreign securities often involve currencies of foreign countries. Accordingly,
a Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange
control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
The Funds may be subject to currency exposure independent of their securities positions. To the
extent that a Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining net currency
positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.
Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They
generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the
relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest
rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange
rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention (or failure to intervene) by U.S. or
foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or
political developments in the United States or abroad.
Because foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a
U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United
States and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. companies. The securities of foreign issuers may be listed on foreign
securities exchanges or traded in foreign over-the-counter markets. Fixed commissions on foreign
securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although
each Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There
is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers,
dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States, and the legal remedies for
investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain
markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in
settlement could result in temporary periods when some of a Funds assets are uninvested and no
return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due
to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability
to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the
Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered
into a contract to sell the securities, in possible liability to the purchaser.
B-12
Custodial and/or settlement systems in emerging markets countries may not be fully developed.
To the extent a Fund invests in emerging markets, Fund assets that are traded in such
markets and which have been entrusted to such sub-custodians in those markets may be exposed
to risks for which the sub-custodian will have no liability.
Each Fund may invest in foreign securities which take the form of sponsored and unsponsored
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). The Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Fund and International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund may also
invest in European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) or other similar instruments representing
securities of foreign issuers (together, Depositary Receipts). ADRs represent the right to
receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs
are traded on domestic exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market and, generally, are in
registered form. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank similar
to that for ADRs and are designed for use in the non-U.S. securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not
necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.
To the extent a Fund acquires Depositary Receipts through banks which do not have a
contractual relationship with the foreign issuer of the security underlying the Depositary Receipts
to issue and service such unsponsored Depositary Receipts, there may
be an increased possibility that
the Fund would not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits
or rights offerings involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. In addition, the lack of
information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in
Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of
non-U.S. issuers. The market value of Depositary Receipts is dependent upon the market value of
the underlying securities and fluctuations in the relative value of the currencies in which the
Depositary Receipts and the underlying securities are quoted. However, by investing in Depositary
Receipts, such as ADRs, that are quoted in U.S. dollars, a Fund may avoid currency risks during the
settlement period for purchases and sales.
As described more fully below, each Fund, other than the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium
Fund and Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund, may invest in countries with emerging economies or
securities markets. Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing
significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and
economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Certain of such countries have in
the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated
the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of
nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. See Investing in Emerging
Countries below.
Investing
in Europe. Certain of the Funds may operate in euros and/ or may hold euros and/or
euro-denominated bonds and other obligations. The euro requires participation of multiple
sovereign states forming the Euro zone and is therefore sensitive to the credit, general economic
and political position of each such state, including each states actual and intended ongoing
engagement with and/or support for the other sovereign states then forming the European Union,
in particular those within the Euro zone. Changes in these factors might materially adversely
impact the value of securities that a Fund has invested in.
European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the
European Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU") imposes for membership. Europes
economies are diverse, its governments are decentralized, and its cultures vary widely. Several
EU countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal have faced budget issues,
some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and
other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the euro and the
accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among EMU member countries. Member
countries are required to maintain tight control over inflation, public debt, and budget deficit to
qualify for membership in the EMU. These requirements can severely limit the ability of EMU
member countries to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions.
Foreign Government Obligations. Foreign government obligations include securities, instruments
and obligations issued or guaranteed by a foreign government, its agencies, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises. Investment in foreign government obligations can involve a high degree of
risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of foreign government obligations may not
be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of
such debt. A governmental entitys willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a
timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its
foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the
relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entitys
policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a
governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities may also be dependent on expected
disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal
and interest on their debt. The
commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements
may be conditioned on a governmental entitys implementation of economic reforms and/or economic
performance and the timely service of such debtors obligations. Failure to implement such reforms,
achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in
the cancellation of such third parties commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which
may further impair such debtors ability or willingness to services its debts in a timely manner.
Consequently, governmental entities may default on their debt. Holders of foreign government
obligations (including the Funds) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt
and to extend further loans to governmental agencies.
Investing in Emerging Countries. The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid
and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S.
securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the
market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such
countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting
requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in
the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging
country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same
manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly
available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.
B-13
Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market
capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of
industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of
investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of
their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries
may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or
trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of
developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be
erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the
securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large
positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally
less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity
of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect a Funds
ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the
price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.
With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may
have an adverse impact on the Funds. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder
in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of
the shareholders investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging
market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more
limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.
Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries
may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In addition,
existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in
emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws
and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain
swift and equitable enforcement of the law.
Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or
controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit a Funds investment in certain
emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require
governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign
persons to only a specified percentage of an issuers outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company
available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and
capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents
or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright
restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of
the operation of a Fund. A Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other
arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.
Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and
social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western
European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i)
authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making,
including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii)
popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii)
internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and
racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing
foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability
could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Funds may invest and adversely affect
the value of the Funds assets. A Funds investments can also be adversely affected by any
increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.
The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such
respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources,
self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past,
and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times
accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and
sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging
countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic
recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international
trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of
their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to
weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.
A Funds income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be
subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties
between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise
applicable tax rates. See TAXATION.
B-14
From time to time, certain of the companies in which a Fund may invest may operate in, or have
dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargos imposed by the U.S. government and the
United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. A
company may suffer damage to its reputation if it is identified as a company which operates in, or
has dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government as
state sponsors of terrorism. As an investor in such companies, the Fund will be indirectly subject
to those risks. Iran is subject to several United Nations sanctions and is an embargoed country by
the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Investing in Australia. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on the economies of Asia,
Europe and the U.S. as key trading partners, and in particular, on the price and demand for
agricultural products and natural resources. By total market capitalization, the Australian stock
market is small relative to the U.S. stock market and issues may trade with lesser liquidity,
although Australias stock market is the largest and most liquid in the Asia-Pacific region
(ex-Japan). Australian reporting, accounting and auditing standards differ substantially from U.S.
standards. In general, Australian corporations do not provide all of the disclosure required by
U.S. law and accounting practice, and such disclosure may be less timely and less frequent than
that required of U.S. companies.
Investing in Eastern Europe. Certain of the Funds may seek investment opportunities within
Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a
substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently
been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to
decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However,
business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating
in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries attempts to
move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the
leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the
liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing
investment opportunities.
Where a Fund invests in securities issued by companies incorporated in or whose principal
operations are located in Eastern Europe, other risks may also be encountered. Legal, political,
economic and fiscal uncertainties in Eastern European markets may affect the value of the Funds
investment in such securities. The currencies in which these investments may be denominated may be
unstable, may be subject to significant depreciation and may not be freely convertible. Existing
laws and regulations may not be consistently applied. The markets of the countries of Eastern
Europe are still in the early stages of their development, have less volume, are less highly
regulated, are less liquid and experience greater volatility than more established markets.
Settlement of transactions may be subject to delay and administrative uncertainties. Custodians
are not able to offer the level of service and safekeeping, settlement and administration services
that is customary in more developed markets, and there is a risk that the Fund will not be
recognized as the owner of securities held on its behalf by a sub-custodian.
Investing in Asia. Although many countries in Asia have experienced a relatively stable
political environment over the last decade, there is no guarantee that such stability will be
maintained in the future. As an emerging region, many factors may affect such stability on a
country-by-country as well as on a regional basis increasing gaps between the rich and poor,
agrarian unrest and stability of existing coalitions in politically-fractionated countries and
may result in adverse consequences to a Fund.
The legal infrastructure in each of the countries in Asia is unique and often undeveloped. In
most cases, securities laws are evolving and far from adequate for the protection of the public
from serious fraud. Investment in Asian securities involves considerations and possible risks not
typically involved with investment in other issuers, including changes in governmental
administration or economic or monetary policy or changed circumstances in dealings between nations.
The application of tax laws (e.g., the imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest
payments) or confiscatory taxation may also affect investment in Asian securities. Higher expenses
may result from investments in Asian securities than would from investments in other securities
because of the costs that must be incurred in connection with conversions between various
currencies and brokerage commissions that may be higher than more established markets. Asian
securities markets also may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental
supervision than elsewhere. Investments in countries in the region could be affected by other
factors not present elsewhere, including lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards, inadequate settlement procedures and potential difficulties in enforcing
contractual obligations.
Certain countries in Asia are especially prone to natural disasters, such as flooding, drought
and earthquakes. Combined with the possibility of man-made disasters, the occurrence of such
disasters may adversely affect companies in which a Fund is invested and, as a result, may result
in adverse consequences to the Fund.
B-15
Many of the countries in Asia have experienced rising inflation. Should the governments and
central banks of the countries in Asia fail to control inflation, this may have an adverse effect
on the performance of a Funds investments in Asian securities.
Several of the countries in Asia remain dependent on the U.S. economy as their largest export
customer, and future barriers to entry into the U.S. market could adversely affect a Funds
performance. Intraregional trade is becoming an increasingly significant percentage of total trade
for the countries in Asia. Consequently, the intertwined economies are becoming increasingly
dependent on each other, and any barriers to entry to markets in Asia in the future may adversely
affect a Funds performance.
Although the Funds will generally attempt to invest in those markets which provide the
greatest freedom of movement of foreign capital, there is no assurance that this will be possible
or that certain countries in Asia will not restrict the movement of foreign capital in the future.
Changes in securities laws and foreign ownership laws may have an adverse effect on a Fund.
Investing
in Greater China. In
addition to the risks listed above under Foreign
Securities and Investing in Emerging
Countries investing in Greater China (the Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan)
presents additional risks.
Investing in Greater China involves risks and special considerations not typically associated with
investing in other more established economies or securities markets. Such risks may include: (a)
greater social, economic and political uncertainty (including the risk of war); (b) nationalization
or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; (c) dependency on exports and the
corresponding importance of international trade; (d) increasing competition from Asias other
low-cost emerging economies; (e) greater price volatility and significantly smaller market
capitalization of securities markets; (f) substantially less liquidity, particularly of certain share
classes of Chinese securities; (g) currency exchange rate fluctuations and the lack of available
currency hedging instruments; (h) higher rates of inflation; (i) controls on foreign investment and
limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on the Funds ability to exchange local
currencies for U.S. dollars; (j) greater governmental involvement in and control over the
economy; (k) uncertainty regarding the Peoples Republic of Chinas commitment to economic
reforms; (l) the fact that Chinese companies, particularly those located in the China region, may
be smaller, less seasoned and newly-organized companies; (m) the difference in, or lack of,
auditing and financial reporting standards which may result in unavailability of material
information about issuers; (n) the fact that statistical information regarding the economy of
Greater China may be inaccurate or not comparable to statistical information regarding the U.S.
or other economies; (o) the less extensive, and still developing, regulation of the securities
markets, business entities and commercial transactions; (p) the fact that the settlement period of
securities transactions in foreign markets may be longer; (q) the fact that it may be more
difficult, or impossible, to obtain and/or enforce a judgment than in other countries; (r) the rapid
and erratic nature of growth, particularly in the Peoples Republic of China, resulting in
inefficiencies and dislocations; and (s) economic sensitivity to environmental events, including
natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts, floods and tsunamis.
Although the government of the Peoples Republic of China has more recently been
implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to
decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy,
governmental involvement in the economy remains significant. Chinese markets generally
continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies that may be connected to
governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social
instability. Also, because Greater China had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a
substantial period of time, business entities in Greater China do not have an extended history of
operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of the Peoples Republic of
Chinas attempts to move toward a more market-oriented economy is currently unclear. Any
change in leadership or policies may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign
investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.
Following the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China by the Communist Party in 1949,
the Chinese government renounced various debt obligations incurred by the Peoples Republic of
Chinas predecessor governments, which obligations remain in default, and expropriated assets
without compensation. There can be no assurance that the government will not take similar
action in the future.
Greater Chinas economy, particularly its export-oriented industries, may be adversely impacted
by trade or political disputes with major trading partners, including the U.S. In particular, the
growing trade surplus with the U.S. has increased the risk of trade disputes, which could
potentially have adverse effects on the countrys management of its currency, as well as on some
export dependent sectors. Greater Chinas aging infrastructure, growing income inequality and
worsening environmental conditions also are factors that may affect the Chinese economy.
Social cohesion in Greater China is being tested by growing income inequality and larger scale
environmental degradation. Social instability could threaten Greater Chinas political systems
and economic growth, which could decrease the value of a Funds investments.
Additionally, internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries, including military conflicts
in response to such events, could disrupt economic development in Greater China. A state of
hostility continues to exist between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan, and territorial
border disputes persist with certain neighboring countries. Chinese economic development is
also vulnerable to developments on the Korean peninsula, including political tension or military
actions.
Investing in Japan. Japans economy is heavily dependent upon international trade and is
especially sensitive to any adverse effects arising from trade tariffs and other protectionist
measures, as well as the economic condition of its trading partners. Japans high volume of exports
has caused trade tensions with Japans primary trading partners, particularly with the United
States. The relaxing of official and de facto barriers to imports, or hardships created by the
actions of trading partners, could adversely affect
B-16
Japans economy. Because the Japanese economy
is so dependent on exports, any fall-off in exports may be seen as a sign of economic weakness,
which may adversely affect Japanese markets. In addition, Japans export industry, its most
important economic sector, depends heavily on imported raw materials and fuels, including iron ore,
copper, oil and many forest products. As a result, Japan is sensitive to fluctuations in commodity
prices, and a substantial rise in world oil or commodity prices could have a negative effect on its
economy.
The Japanese yen has fluctuated widely during recent periods and may be affected by currency
volatility elsewhere in Asia, especially Southeast Asia. A weak yen is disadvantageous to U.S.
shareholders investing in yen-denominated securities. A strong yen, however, could be an impediment
to strong continued exports and economic recovery, because it makes Japanese goods sold in other
countries more expensive and reduces the value of foreign earnings repatriated to Japan.
Performance of the global economy could have a major impact upon equity returns in Japan. As a
result of the strong correlation with the economy of the U.S., Japans economy and its stock market
are vulnerable to any unfavorable economic conditions in the U.S. and poor performance of U.S.
stock markets. The growing economic relationship between Japan and its other neighboring countries
in the Southeast Asia region, especially China, also exposes Japans economy to changes to the
economic climates in those countries.
Like many European countries, Japan is experiencing a deterioration of its competitiveness.
Japan is reforming its political process and deregulating its economy to address this situation.
However, there is no guarantee that these efforts will succeed in making the performance of the
Japanese economy more competitive.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The International Equity Dividend and
Premium and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Funds may enter into forward foreign
currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes
in future foreign currency exchange rates. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves
an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time
of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit
requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.
At the maturity of a forward contract a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the
currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction
involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to
forward contracts are often, but not always, effected with the currency trader who is a party to
the original forward contract.
A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in several circumstances.
First, when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated or
quoted in a foreign currency, or when a Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of
dividend or interest payments on such a security which it holds, the Fund may desire to lock in
the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest
payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a
fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions,
the Fund will attempt to protect itself against an adverse change in the relationship between the
U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the
security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the
date on which such payments are made or received.
Additionally, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign
country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward
contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating
the value of some or all of such Funds portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign
currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities
involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities
between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward
contracts to protect the value of a Funds portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a
currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It
simply establishes a rate of exchange which a Fund can achieve at some future point in time.
The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term
hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of a Funds foreign
assets.
The Funds may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge
against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency. In
addition, the International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and
B-17
Structured International
Tax-Managed Equity Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation
between a Funds overall currency exposures and the currency
exposures of a Funds performance
benchmark.
Unless otherwise covered in accordance with applicable regulations, cash or liquid assets of a
Fund will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Funds total assets committed to the
consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts. If the value of the segregated assets
declines, additional cash or liquid assets will be segregated so that the value of the assets will
equal the amount of a Funds commitments with respect to such contracts.
While a Fund may enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks,
transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from
such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall
performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may
be imperfect correlation between a Funds portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in
a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by such Fund. Such imperfect correlation
may cause a Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge or
expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.
Markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults
than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are
subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations.
Because a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or
clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction
costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale
commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in
forward currency contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they
trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. A Fund will not enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps or other privately negotiated currency
instruments unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of
the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. To the extent
that a portion of a Funds total assets, adjusted to reflect the Funds net position after giving
effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries,
the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within
those countries.
Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options. The International Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund may, to the extent that they
invest in foreign securities, write and purchase put and call options on foreign
currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign
portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be
acquired. As with other kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign
currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If and
when a Fund seeks to close out an option, the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign
currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option
on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however,
in the event of exchange rate movements adverse to a Funds position, the Fund may forfeit the
entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be
traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.
Options on currency may also be used for cross-hedging purposes, which involves writing or
purchasing options on one currency to seek to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a
different currency with a pattern of correlation, or to seek to increase total return when the
Investment Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but the
securities quoted or denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment
opportunities and are not included in the Funds portfolio.
A call option written by a Fund obligates the Fund to sell a specified currency to the holder
of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. A put
option written by a Fund would obligate a Fund to purchase a specified currency from the option holder
at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. The writing of
currency options involves a risk that a Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to sell
currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currencys market value or be required
to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currencys market value. Written
put and call options on foreign currencies may be covered in a manner similar to written put and
call options on securities and securities indices described under Options on Securities and
Securities Indices Writing Covered Options above.
A Fund may terminate its obligations under a call or put option by purchasing an option
identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to as closing purchase
transactions. A Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or
minimize losses on options purchased by the Fund.
B-18
A Fund may purchase call options on foreign currency in anticipation of an increase in the
U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by a Fund are quoted or
denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid,
to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would
ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum
of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize
either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
A Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of
currency in which securities in its portfolio are quoted or denominated (protective puts). The
purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified
currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is usually
designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the dollar value of a Funds portfolio securities
due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during
the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price
sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize
either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of
protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying
currency or portfolio securities.
As
noted, in addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, the Funds may use
options on currency to seek to increase total return. The Funds may write (sell) covered put and
call options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio
securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, the
Funds may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying
currency. Also, when writing put options, the Funds accept, in return for the option premium, the
risk that they may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the
currencys market value at the time of purchase.
Special Risks Associated with Options on Currency. An exchange traded options position may be
closed out only on an options exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same
series. Although a Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there
appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on
an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no
secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect
closing transactions in particular options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise its
options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of
underlying securities pursuant to the exercise of put options. If a Fund as a covered call option
writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be
able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) or
dispose of the segregated assets, until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency
upon exercise.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events
might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation
inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures which may
interfere with the timely execution of customers orders.
A Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its
limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject
to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or
written by a Fund.
The amount of the premiums which a Fund may pay or receive may be adversely affected as new or
existing institutions, including other investment companies, engage in or increase their option
purchasing and writing activities.
Currency
Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Index Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Options on
Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars
The International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed
Equity Fund may enter into mortgage, credit, total return, index and interest rate swaps for
hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The International Equity Dividend and Premium
Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund may also enter into currency swaps for
both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. The Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund
may enter into other interest rate swap arrangements such as rate caps, floors and collars, for
hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund may
also purchase and write (sell) options on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. 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 are generally
calculated with respect to a notional amount, i.e., the return on or increase in value of a
particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or
security, or in a basket of securities representing a particular index.
B-19
Currency swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective rights
to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a
Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an
exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest
rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal
amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Index swaps involve the
exchange by a Fund with another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to a notional
principal amount at interest rates equal to two specified indices.
Written credit swaps involve
the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of
an underlying security, or pool of securities. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the
right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive from or make
a payment to the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Total return swaps
are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for the payment by the
other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index or an
index component. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of
options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the
right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller
of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter
into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the
purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive
payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap.
The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index
falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal
amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination
of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest
rates.
A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However,
generally a Fund will enter into interest rate, total return, credit, mortgage and index swaps
only on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or
paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate, total return,
credit, index and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of
securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect
to interest rate, total return, credit, index and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net
amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party
to an interest rate, total return, credit, index or mortgage swap defaults, the Funds risk of loss
consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive.
In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of a gross payment stream in one
designated currency in exchange for the gross payment stream in another designated currency.
Therefore, the entire payment stream under a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other
party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. A credit swap may have as
reference obligations one or more securities that may, or may not, be currently held by a Fund. The
protection buyer in a credit swap is generally obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront
or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event, such as a
default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay
the buyer the par value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable
obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the
related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction.
If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its
termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional
value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose
value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a rate of
income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively
add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment
exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If a credit event occurs, the value of any deliverable obligation received
by the Fund as seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full
notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund.
To the extent that
the Funds exposure in a transaction involving a swap, a swaption, or an interest rate floor, cap
or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or
covered by other means in accordance with SEC guidance or otherwise, the Funds and the Investment Adviser believe
that swaps
do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being
subject to a Funds borrowing restrictions.
A Fund will not enter into
transactions involving swaps, caps, floors or collars unless the
unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is
considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser.
The use of swaps, swaptions
and interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly
specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referred asset, reference rate, or index but
also of the swap itself, without the benefit of assuming the performance of the swap under all possible market
conditions. If the
Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates
and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it
would have been if this investment technique were not used.
B-20
In addition, these transactions can involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference
obligation directly because, in addition to general market risks, swaps are subject to illiquidity risk,
counterparty risk, credit risk and pricing risk. Because they are two party contracts and because they may
have terms of greater than seven days, swap transactions may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, a Fund
bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default
or bankruptcy of a swap counterparty. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively. Swaps may be
subject to pricing or basis risk, which exists when a particular swap becomes extraordinarily expensive
relative to historical prices or the price of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market
conditions it may not be economically feasible to imitate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to
avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant
market is illiquid, 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 swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment
banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result,
the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments which
are traded in the interbank market.
The Investment
Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and
monitoring the liquidity of the Funds transactions in swaps, swaptions, caps, floors and collars.
Convertible Securities
Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures,
notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified
amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a
specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is
generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until
the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities
have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common
stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to
fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and
(iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common
stock increases.
The value of a convertible security is a function of its investment value (determined by its
yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do
not have a conversion privilege) and its conversion value (the securitys worth, at market value,
if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is
influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value normally declining as interest rates
increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other
factors may also have an effect on the convertible securitys investment value. The conversion
value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock.
If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible
security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the
underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible
security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally
will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on
the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.
A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price
established in the convertible securitys governing instrument. If a convertible security held by
a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the
security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these
actions could have an adverse effect on a Funds ability to achieve its investment objective,
which, in turn, could result in losses to the Fund.
In evaluating a convertible security, the Investment Adviser will give primary emphasis to the
attractiveness of the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities are equity investments
for purposes of each Funds investment policies.
Preferred
Securities
Each Fund may invest in preferred securities. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer
of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be
accelerated by the holders of preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default (such as a
covenant default or filing of a bankruptcy petition) or other non-compliance by the issuer with
the terms of the preferred stock. Often, however, on the occurrence of any such event of default
or non-compliance by the issuer, preferred stockholders will be entitled to gain representation on
the issuers board of directors or increase their existing board representation. In addition,
preferred stockholders may be granted voting rights with respect to certain issues on the
occurrence of any event of default.
Equity Swaps
Each Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking
physical custody of securities in various circumstances, including circumstances where direct
investment in the securities is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Equity
swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The counterparty
to an equity swap contract will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.
Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, a counterparty may agree
to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would
have increased in value had it been invested in particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus
the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to
pay to the counterparty a floating rate
B-21
of interest on the notional amount of the equity swap
contract plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had
it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on the equity swap contract
should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest
paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may each
agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have
been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different
stocks (or indices of stocks).
A Fund will generally enter into equity swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment
streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount
of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or
periodically during its term. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or
other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is normally
limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other
party to an equity swap defaults, a Funds risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that
such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered
into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover the Funds
exposure, the Funds and their Investment Adviser believe that transactions do not constitute senior
securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Funds
borrowing restrictions.
A Fund will not enter into swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior
debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by
the Investment Adviser. A Funds ability to enter into certain swap transactions may be limited by
tax considerations.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other institutions,
including Goldman Sachs. By lending its securities, a Fund attempts to increase its net investment
income.
Securities loans are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash
equivalents, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities equal to at least 100% of the value of
the loaned securities. This collateral must be valued, or marked to market, daily. Borrowers
are required to furnish additional collateral to the Fund as necessary to fully cover their
obligations.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the Fund may reinvest that cash in
short-term investments and pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or rebate from any return earned
on the investment. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation,
and a Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed
collateral. Cash collateral may be invested in, among other things, other registered or
unregistered funds, including private investing funds or money market funds that are managed by the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates, and which pay the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for
their services. If the Fund would receive non-cash collateral, the Fund receives a fee from the
borrower equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities.
For the duration of any securities loan, the Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of
the interest, dividends or other distributions paid by the issuer on the loaned securities. The
Fund will not have the right to vote its loaned securities during the period of the loan, but a
Fund may attempt to recall a loaned security in anticipation of a material vote if it desires to do
so. A Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities
within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions.
Securities lending involves certain risks. The Fund may lose money on its investment of cash
collateral, resulting in a loss of principal, or may fail to earn sufficient income on its
investment to cover the fee or rebate it has agreed to pay the borrower. A Fund may incur losses
in connection with its securities lending activities that exceed the value of the interest income
and fees received in connection with such transactions. Securities lending subjects a Fund to the
risk of loss resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process, and to additional
credit, counterparty and market risk. These risks could be greater with respect to non-U.S.
securities. Engaging in securities lending could have a leveraging effect, which may intensify the
other risks associated with investments in the Fund. In addition, a Fund bears the risk that the
price of the securities on loan will increase while they are on loan, or that the price of the
collateral will decline in value during the period of the loan, and that the counterparty will not
provide, or will delay in providing, additional collateral. A Fund also bears the risk that a
borrower may fail to return securities in a timely manner or at all, either because the borrower
fails financially or for other reasons. If a borrower of securities fails financially, a Fund may
also lose its rights in the collateral. A Fund could experience delays and costs in recovering
loaned securities or in gaining access to and
B-22
liquidating the collateral, which could result in
actual financial loss and which could interfere with portfolio management decisions or the exercise
of ownership rights in the loaned securities. If a Fund is not able to recover the securities
lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase replacement securities in the market. However,
the Fund will incur transaction costs on the purchase of replacement securities. These events
could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. In determining whether to lend securities to
a particular borrower, and throughout the period of the loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower
will be considered and monitored. Loans will only be made to firms deemed to be of good standing,
and where the consideration that can be earned currently from securities loans of this type is
deemed to justify the attendant risk. It is intended that the value of securities loaned by a Fund
will not exceed one-third of the value of a Funds total assets (including the loan collateral).
The Fund will consider the loaned securities as assets of the Fund, but will not consider any
collateral as a Fund asset except when determining total assets for the purpose of the above
one-third limitation. Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject
to the percentage limitations stated elsewhere in this SAI or in the Prospectus regarding investing
in fixed income securities and cash equivalents.
The Funds Board of Trustees has approved each Funds participation in a securities lending
program and has adopted policies and procedures relating thereto. Under the current securities
lending program, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as their
securities lending agent.
For its services, the securities lending agent may receive a fee from a Fund, including a
fee based on the returns earned on the Funds investment of cash received as collateral for the
loaned securities. In addition, a Fund may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs
and its affiliates in connection with the Funds portfolio
investment transactions. Each Funds
Board of Trustees periodically reviews securities loan transactions for which a Goldman Sachs
affiliate has acted as lending agent for compliance with the Funds securities lending procedures.
Goldman Sachs also has been approved as a borrower under each Funds securities lending program,
subject to certain conditions.
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a
forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a
commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying
securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered
and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated.
When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other
party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. A Fund will generally purchase securities
on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the
intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If
deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or negotiate a
commitment after entering into it. A Fund may also sell securities it has committed to purchase
before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. A Fund may realize a
capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining a Funds
duration, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities will be calculated from the
commitment date. A Fund is generally required to segregate until three days prior to the
settlement date, cash and liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price unless
the Funds obligations are otherwise covered. Alternatively, a Fund may enter into offsetting
contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns. Securities purchased or sold on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be
purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold
increases prior to the settlement date.
Investment in Unseasoned Companies
Each Fund may invest in companies (including predecessors) which have operated less than three
years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their
being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in
unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies
with an established operating record.
Other Investment Companies
Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including ETFs. A Fund will
indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by
investment companies in which it invests, in addition to the management fees (and other expenses)
paid by the Fund. A Funds investments in other investment companies are subject to statutory
limitations prescribed by the Act, including in certain circumstances a prohibition on the Fund
acquiring more that 3% of the voting
B-23
shares of any other investment company, and a
prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Funds total assets in securities of any one
investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of all investment
companies. Many ETFs, however, have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated
funds (such as the Funds) to invest in their shares beyond these statutory limits, subject to
certain conditions and pursuant to contractual arrangements between the ETFs and the investing
funds. A Fund may rely on these exemptive orders in investing in ETFs. Moreover, pursuant to an
exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, the Funds may
invest in investment companies and money market funds for which an Investment Adviser, or any of
its affiliates, serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. However, to the
extent that a Fund invests in a money market fund for which an Investment Adviser or any of its
affiliates acts as investment adviser, the management fees payable by the Fund to the Investment
Adviser will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Funds
proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to its investment
adviser. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is
authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or
series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental
restrictions as the Fund. Additionally, to the extent that any Fund serves as an underlying Fund
to another Goldman Sachs Fund, that Fund may invest a percentage of its assets in other investment
companies if those investments are consistent with applicable law and/or exemptive relief obtained
from the SEC.
Each Fund (other than the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund) may purchase shares of
investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including country funds. Country
funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign
countries or regions.
ETFs are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like
traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange. An ETF represents a portfolio of
securities, which is often designed to track a particular market segment or index. An investment
in an ETF, like one in any investment company, carries the same risks as those of its underlying
securities. An ETF may fail to accurately track the returns of the market segment or index that it
is designed to track, and the price of an ETFs shares may fluctuate or lose money. In addition,
because they, unlike other investment companies, are traded on an exchange, ETFs are subject to the
following risks: (i) the market price of the ETFs shares may trade at a premium or discount to the
ETFs net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF may not develop or be maintained;
and (iii) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the
listing of the ETF will continue to be met or remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or
other disruptions affecting ETFs should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Funds
shares could also be substantially and adversely affected.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers and securities dealers
which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase
obligations. The International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured International
Tax-Managed Equity Fund may also enter into repurchase agreements involving certain foreign
government securities. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which a
Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a
particular time and at a specified price. Custody of the securities is maintained by a Funds
custodian (or sub-custodian). The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the
difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with
interest at a stated rate due to a Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In
either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the
repurchase agreement.
For purposes of the Act and generally for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be
a loan from a Fund to the seller of the security. For other purposes, it is not always clear
whether a court would consider the security purchased by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement
as being owned by a Fund or as being collateral for a loan by a Fund to the seller. In the event
of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security
before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, a Fund may encounter delay and
incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a
decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and a Fund
has not perfected a security interest in the security, a Fund may be required to return the
security to the sellers estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an
unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest
involved in the transaction.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the
seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject
to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), a
Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market
value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Certain repurchase agreements which provide
B-24
for settlement in more than seven days can be
liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements
will be regarded as liquid instruments.
The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with
the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint
account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase
agreements.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Funds may borrow money by entering into transactions called reverse repurchase
agreements. Under these arrangements, a Fund may sell portfolio securities to dealers in U.S.
Government Securities or members of the Federal Reserve System, with an agreement to repurchase the
security on an agreed date, price and interest payment. For certain Funds, these reverse repurchase
agreements may involve foreign government securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the
possible risk that the value of portfolio securities the Fund relinquishes may decline below the
price the Fund must pay when the transaction closes. Borrowings may magnify the potential for gain
or loss on amounts invested resulting in an increase in the speculative character of a Funds
outstanding shares.
When a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it places in a separate custodial
account either liquid assets or other high grade debt securities that have a value equal to or
greater than the repurchase price. The account is thereafter monitored to make sure that an appropriate value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements are
considered to be borrowings under the Act.
Short Sales Against the Box
The International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed
Fund may engage in short sales against the box. A short sale is made by selling a security the
seller does not own. A short sale is against the box to the extent that the seller
contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, securities identical to those
sold short. It may be entered into by a Fund, for example, to lock in a sales price for a security
the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If a Fund sells securities short against the box, it
may protect itself from loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose
the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises.
If a Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the
securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as
a constructive sale) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale
treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the
appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are
satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the
extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.
Temporary Investments
Each Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes (and to the extent it is permitted to invest
in the following), invest a certain percentage of its total assets in: U.S. Government Securities;
commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poors, P-2 by Moodys or having a comparable
rating by another NRSRO (or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable
credit quality); certificates of deposit; bankers acceptances; repurchase agreements;
non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of
less than one year; ETFs; other investment companies; and cash items. When a Funds assets are
invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.
Portfolio Turnover
Each Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from price disparities among
different issues of securities or among the markets for equity securities, or for other reasons.
As a result of active management, it is anticipated that the portfolio turnover rate may vary
greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in
the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for
redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Funds to receive favorable tax treatment.
The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover
and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic
conditions as well as market prices may dictate.
B-25
Special Note Regarding Recent Market Events
Events in the financial sector over the past several years have resulted in reduced liquidity
in credit and fixed income markets and in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial
markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers
that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected.
These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the
Funds investments. It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.
The instability in the financial markets led the U.S. government to take a number of
unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of
the financial markets. Federal, state, and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self
-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which
the Funds invest, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such
legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Funds ability to achieve their investment
objectives.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions
and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and
disposition of these assets are unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or
negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Funds portfolio holdings.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental
policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of the affected Fund.
The investment objective of each Fund and all other investment policies or practices of each Fund
are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without
shareholder approval. For purposes of the Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities
means the lesser of the vote of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust or a Fund present at a meeting, if
the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or a Fund are present or
represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the shares of the Trust or a Fund.
For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage
shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and
is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund.
With respect to the Funds fundamental investment restriction number (3) below, asset coverage of
at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all
times.
U.S.
Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
As
a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Make any investment inconsistent with the Funds classification as a diversified
company under the Act. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Invest 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting
their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government
or any of its agencies or instrumentalities). |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Borrow money, except (a) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund may borrow from
banks (as defined in the Act), other affiliated investment companies
and other persons or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts
up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b)
the Fund may, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and
(d) the Fund may
purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable
law. |
|
|
|
|
The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this
fundamental policy: In determining whether a particular investment in
portfolio instruments or participation in portfolio transactions is subject
to this borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of such instrument or
participation shall be considered, but |
|
B-26
shall not by itself be determinative. Whether a particular instrument or
transaction constitutes a borrowing shall be determined by the Board, after
consideration of all of the relevant circumstances.
|
|
(4) |
|
Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance
with the Funds investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks,
brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, (c) loans of securities as permitted
by applicable law and (d) loans to affiliates of the Fund to the extent permitted by law. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of
portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting. |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Fund may purchase and sell
securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real
estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real
estate acquired by a Fund as a result of the ownership of securities. |
|
|
|
|
(7) |
|
Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in
currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts. |
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law. |
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund
As a matter of fundamental policy, each Fund may not:
|
(1) |
|
Make any investment inconsistent with the Funds classification as a diversified company
under the Act. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Invest 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their
principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or any of
its agencies or instrumentalities). |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Borrow money, except (a) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund may borrow from
banks (as defined in the Act), other affiliated investment companies and other persons or
through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including
the amount borrowed); (b) the Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up
to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the Fund may obtain such
short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, (d) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by
applicable law and (e) the Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are
accounted for as financings. |
|
|
|
|
|
The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this fundamental policy: In
determining whether a particular investment in portfolio instruments or participation in
portfolio transactions is subject to this borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of
such instrument or participation shall be considered, but shall not by itself be
determinative. Whether a particular instrument or transaction constitutes a borrowing
shall be determined by the Board, after consideration of all of the relevant circumstances. |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Funds
investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and
other financial institutions, (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law and (d)
loans to affiliates of the Fund to the extent permitted by law. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio
securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting. |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Fund may purchase and sell securities
that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment
trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund
as a result of the ownership of securities. |
|
|
|
(7) |
|
Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and
financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts. |
|
|
(8) |
|
Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law. |
Structured
Tax-Managed Equity Fund
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
|
(1) |
|
Make any investment inconsistent with the Funds classification as a diversified company
under the Act. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Invest 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their
principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or any of
its agencies or instrumentalities). |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Borrow money, except (a) the Fund may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act), or through
reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the
amount borrowed), (b) the Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an
additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the Fund may obtain such
short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, and (d) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by
applicable law. |
|
|
|
|
|
The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this fundamental policy: In
determining whether a particular investment in portfolio instruments or participation in
portfolio transactions is subject to this borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of
such instrument or participation shall be considered, but shall not by itself be
determinative. Whether a particular instrument or transaction constitutes a borrowing
shall be determined by the Board, after consideration of all of the relevant circumstances. |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Funds
investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and
other financial institutions, and (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio
securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting. |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Fund may purchase and sell securities
that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment
trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund
as a result of the ownership of securities. |
|
|
|
(7) |
|
Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and
financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts. |
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law. |
|
Each Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest
some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.
In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the
following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees
without approval of shareholders. Again, for purposes of the following limitations, any limitation
which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the
percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition of securities by a Fund.
U.S.
Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured Tax-Managed Equity
Fund
Each Fund may not:
|
(a) |
|
Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management. |
|
|
(b) |
|
Invest more than 15% of the Funds net assets in illiquid investments including
illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days,
securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Purchase additional securities if the Funds borrowings, as permitted by the
Funds borrowing policy, exceed 5% of its net assets. |
|
|
|
|
(d) |
|
Make short sales of securities. |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund
Each Fund may not:
|
(a) |
|
Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Invest more than 15% of the Funds net assets in illiquid investments including illiquid
repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which
are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the 1933 Act. |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Purchase additional securities if the Funds borrowings, as permitted by the Funds borrowing
policy, exceed 5% of its net assets. (Mortgage dollar rolls are not subject to this
limitation.) |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
Make short sales of securities, except that the Fund may make short sales against the box. |
|
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trusts Leadership Structure
The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees
(the Board), subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and reviewing the actions of
the Trusts service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each Funds daily
business operations. Trustees who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as
defined in the Act are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be
interested persons of the Trust are referred to as Interested Trustees. The Board is currently
composed of seven Independent Trustees and two Interested Trustees. The Board has selected an
Independent Trustee to act as Chairman, whose duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and
acting as a focal point to address significant issues that may
B-27
arise between regularly scheduled
Board and Committee meetings. In the performance of the Chairmans duties, the Chairman will
consult with the other Independent Trustees and the Funds officers and legal counsel, as
appropriate. The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.
The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities. Currently, the Board
conducts regular, in-person meetings at least six times a year, and holds special in-person or
telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the
next regularly scheduled meeting. In addition, the Independent Trustees meet at least annually to
review, among other things, investment management agreements, distribution (Rule 12b-1) and/or
service plans and related agreements, transfer agency agreements and certain other agreements
providing for the compensation of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates by the Funds, and to consider
such other matters as they deem appropriate.
The Board has established six standing committees Audit, Governance and Nominating,
Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Contract Review Committees. The Board may establish other
committees, or nominate one or more Trustees to examine particular issues related to the Boards
oversight responsibilities, from time to time. Each Committee meets periodically to perform its
delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. For more
information on the Committees, see the section STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES, below.
The Trustees have determined that the Trusts leadership structure is appropriate because it
allows the Trustees to effectively perform their oversight responsibilities.
Trustees of the Trust
Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust as of April 27, 2012 is set forth below.
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Position(s) |
|
Length of |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other |
Name, Address and |
|
Held with the |
|
Time |
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
|
Overseen by |
|
Directorships Held |
Age1 |
|
Trust |
|
Served2 |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Trustee3 |
|
by Trustee4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 70
|
|
Chairman of the
Board of Trustees
|
|
Since 1996 (Trustee
since 1991)
|
|
Mr. Bakhru is retired. He is
President, ABN Associates
(19941996 and 1998Present);
Director, Apollo Investment
Corporation (a business
development company)
(2008-Present); Member of
Cornell University Council
(19922004 and 2006Present);
and was formerly Trustee, Scholarship America
(19982005); Trustee, Institute
for Higher Education Policy
(20032008); Director, Private
Equity InvestorsIII and IV
(19982007), and Equity-Linked
Investors II (April 20022007).
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
Apollo Investment
Corporation (a
business development
company) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of
TrusteesGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald C. Burke
Age: 51
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2010
|
|
Mr. Burke is retired. He is
Director, Avista Corp.
(2011-Present); and was formerly
a Director, BlackRock Luxembourg
and Cayman Funds (20062010);
President and Chief Executive
Officer, BlackRock U.S. Funds
(20072009); Managing Director,
BlackRock, Inc. (20062009);
Managing Director, Merrill Lynch
Investment Managers, L.P.
(MLIM) (2006); First Vice
President, MLIM (19972005);
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer, MLIM U.S. Funds
(19992006).
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
Avista Corp. (an
energy company) |
B-28
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Position(s) |
|
Length of |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other |
Name, Address and |
|
Held with the |
|
Time |
|
Principal Organization(s) |
|
Overseen by |
|
Directorships Held |
Age1 |
|
Trust |
|
Served2 |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Trustee3 |
|
by Trustee4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 71
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2003
|
|
Mr. Coblentz is retired.
Formerly, he was Partner,
Deloitte & Touche LLP
(19752003); Director, Emerging
Markets Group, Ltd. (20042006);
and Director, Elderhostel, Inc.
(2006 Present).
Trustee
Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex.
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diana M. Daniels
Age: 62
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Ms. Daniels is retired.
Formerly, she was Vice
President, General Counsel and
Secretary, The Washington Post
Company (19912006). Ms. Daniels
is a Vice Chairman of the Board
of Trustees, Cornell University
(2009Present); Member, Advisory
Board, Psychology Without
Borders (international
humanitarian aid organization)
(since 2007), and former Member
of the Legal Advisory Board, New
York Stock Exchange (20032006)
and of the Corporate Advisory
Board, Standish Mellon
Management Advisors (20062007).
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex.
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph P. LoRusso
Age: 54
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2010
|
|
Mr. LoRusso is retired.
Formerly, he was President,
Fidelity Investments
Institutional Services Co.
(FIIS) (20022008); Director,
FIIS (20022008); Director,
Fidelity Investments
Institutional Operations Company
(20032007); Executive Officer,
Fidelity Distributors
Corporation (20072008).
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex.
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jessica Palmer
Age: 63
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Ms. Palmer is retired. She is
Director, Emerson Center for the
Arts and Culture (2011Present);
and was formerly a Consultant,
Citigroup Human Resources
Department (2007-2008); Managing
Director, Citigroup Corporate
and Investment Banking
(previously, Salomon Smith
Barney/Salomon Brothers)
(19842006). Ms. Palmer was a
Member of the Board of Trustees
of Indian Mountain School
(private elementary and
secondary school) (20042009).
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex.
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 72
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 1987
|
|
Mr. Strubel is retired.
Formerly, he was Director,
Cardean Learning Group (provider
of educational services via the
internet) (20032008); Trustee
Emeritus, The University of
Chicago (1987-Present).
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex.
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
The Northern Trust
Mutual Fund Complex
(64 Portfolios)
(Chairman of the
Board of Trustees);
Gildan Activewear
Inc. (a clothing
marketing and
manufacturing
company) |
B-29
Interested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Position(s) |
|
Length of |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other |
Name, Address and |
|
Held with the |
|
Time |
|
Principal Organization(s) |
|
Overseen by |
|
Directorships Held |
Age1 |
|
Trust |
|
Served2 |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Trustee3 |
|
by Trustee4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James A. McNamara*
Age: 49
|
|
President and Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
(December 1998Present);
Director of Institutional Fund
Sales, GSAM (April 1998December
2000); and Senior Vice President
and Manager, Dreyfus
Institutional Service
Corporation (January 1993April
1998).
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual
Fund Complex (November 2007
Present); Senior Vice President
Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(May 2007November 2007); and
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (20012007).
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (November 2007 and
December 2002May 2004). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan A. Shuch*
Age: 62
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 1990
|
|
Advisory DirectorGSAM (May 1999
Present); Consultant to GSAM
(December 1994May 1999); and
Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs
(December 1994May 1999).
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
These persons are considered to be Interested Trustees because they hold positions with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested
Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Peter V. Bonanno. |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of
Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Funds Declaration of Trust; (c) the conclusion of the first Board meeting held subsequent to the day the Trustee attains the age of
74 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Funds. |
|
|
|
3 |
|
The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust, Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund, Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust. As of April 27, 2012, the Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (87 of which currently offer shares to the public), Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted
of 12 portfolios, and the Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public. |
|
|
|
4 |
|
This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies
registered under the Act. |
|
The significance or relevance of a Trustees particular experience, qualifications,
attributes and/or skills is considered by the Board on an individual basis. Experience,
qualifications, attributes and/or skills common to all Trustees include the ability to critically
review, evaluate and discuss information provided to them and to interact effectively with the
other Trustees and with representatives of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, other service
providers, legal counsel and the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, the capacity
to address financial and legal issues and exercise reasonable business judgment, and a commitment
to the representation of the interests of the Funds and their shareholders. The Governance and
Nominating Committees charter contains certain other factors that are considered by the Governance
and Nominating Committee in identifying and evaluating potential
B-30
nominees to serve as Independent
Trustees. Based on each Trustees experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, considered
individually and with respect to the experience, qualifications attributes and/or skills of other
Trustees, the Board has concluded that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee. Below is a brief
discussion of the experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills of each individual Trustee
as of April 27, 2012 that led the Board to conclude that such individual should serve as a Trustee.
Ashok N. Bakhru. Mr. Bakhru has served as a Trustee since 1991 and Chairman of the Board since
1996. Mr. Bakhru serves as President of ABN Associates, a management and financial consulting firm,
and is a Director of Apollo Investment Corporation, a business development company. Previously, Mr.
Bakhru was the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Coty Inc., a
multinational cosmetics, fragrance and personal care company. Previously, Mr. Bakhru held several
senior management positions at Scott Paper Company, a major manufacturer of paper products,
including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bakhru also serves on the
Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council and the Board of Governors of the Investment
Company Institute. He also serves on the Advisory Board of BoardIQ, an investment publication. In
addition, Mr. Bakhru has served as Director of Equity-Linked Investments II and Private Equity
Investors III and IV, which are private equity partnerships based in New York City. Mr. Bakhru was
also a Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Bakhru is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Donald C. Burke. Mr. Burke has served as Trustee since 2010. Mr. Burke serves as a Director of
Avista Corp., an energy company. Mr. Burke was a Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc., where he was
President and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRocks U.S. funds and a director and chairman of
several offshore funds advised by BlackRock. As President and Chief Executive Officer of
BlackRocks U.S. funds, he was responsible for all accounting, tax and regulatory reporting
requirements for over 300 open-end and closed-end BlackRock funds. Previously, he was a Managing
Director, First Vice President and Vice President of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P.
(MLIM), where he worked for 16 years prior to MLIMs merger with BlackRock, and was instrumental
in the integration of BlackRocks and MLIMs operating infrastructure following the merger. While
at MLIM, he was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of MLIMs U.S. funds and Head of Global
Operations and Client Services, where he was responsible for the development and maintenance of
MLIMs operating infrastructure across the Americas, Europe and the Pacific Rim. He also developed
controls for the MLIM U.S. funds financial statement certification process to comply with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, worked with fund auditors in connection with the funds annual audits
and established the department responsible for all tax issues impacting the MLIM U.S. funds.
Previously, Mr. Burke was Tax Manager at Deloitte & Touche, where he was designated as one of the
firms lead specialists in the investment company industry, and advised multinational corporations,
partnerships, universities and high net worth individuals in tax matters. Mr. Burke is a certified
public accountant. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Burke is experienced with accounting, financial and
investment matters.
John P. Coblentz, Jr. Mr. Coblentz has served as Trustee since 2003. Mr. Coblentz has been
designated as the Boards audit committee financial expert given his extensive accounting and
finance experience. Mr. Coblentz was a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP for 28 years. While at
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Mr. Coblentz was lead partner responsible for all auditing and accounting
services to a variety of large, global companies, a significant portion of which operated in the
financial services industry. Mr. Coblentz was also the national managing partner for the firms
risk management function, a member of the firms Management Committee and the first managing
partner of the firms Financial Advisory Services practice, which brought together the firms
mergers and acquisition services, forensic and dispute services, corporate finance, asset valuation
and reorganization businesses under one management structure. He served as a member of the firms
Board of Directors. Mr. Coblentz also currently serves as a Director of Elderhostel, Inc., a
not-for-profit organization. Mr. Coblentz is a certified public accountant. Based on the foregoing,
Mr. Coblentz is experienced with accounting, financial and investment matters.
Diana M. Daniels. Ms. Daniels has served as Trustee since 2007. Ms. Daniels also serves as Vice
Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University. Ms. Daniels held several senior management
positions at The Washington Post Company and its subsidiaries, where she worked for 29 years. While
at The Washington Post Company, Ms. Daniels served as Vice Present, General Counsel, Secretary to
the Board of Directors and Secretary to the Audit Committee. Previously, Ms. Daniels served as Vice
President and General Counsel of Newsweek, Inc. Ms. Daniels has also served as a member of the
Corporate Advisory Board of Standish Mellon Management Advisors and of the Legal Advisory Board of
New York Stock Exchange. Ms. Daniels is also a member of the American Law Institute and of the
Advisory Council of the Inter-American Press Association. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Daniels is
experienced with legal, financial and investment matters.
Joseph P. LoRusso. Mr. LoRusso has served as Trustee since 2010. Mr. LoRusso held a number of
senior management positions at Fidelity Investments for over 15 years, where he was most recently
President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Co. (FIIS). As President of FIIS, Mr.
LoRusso oversaw the development, distribution and servicing of Fidelitys investment and retirement
products through various financial intermediaries. Previously, he served as President, Executive
Vice President and Senior
B-31
Vice President of Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., where
he helped establish Fidelitys 401(k) business and built it into the largest in the U.S. In these
positions, he oversaw sales, marketing, implementation, client services, operations and technology.
Mr. LoRusso also served on Fidelitys Executive Management Committee. Prior to his experience
with Fidelity, he was Second Vice President in the Investment and Pension Group of John Hancock
Mutual Life Insurance, where he had responsibility for developing and running the companys 401(k)
business. Previously, he worked at The Equitable (now a subsidiary of AXA Financial), where he was
Product Manager of the companys then-nascent 401(k) business, and at Arthur Andersen & Co. (now
Accenture), as a Senior Consultant within the firms consulting practice. Based on the foregoing,
Mr. LoRusso is experienced with financial and investment matters.
Jessica Palmer. Ms. Palmer has served as Trustee since 2007. Ms. Palmer serves as a Director of
Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture, a not-for-profit organization. Ms. Palmer worked at
Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) for
over 20 years, where she was a Managing Director. While at Citigroup Corporate and Investment
Banking, Ms. Palmer was Head of Global Risk Management, Chair of the Global Commitment Committee,
Co-Chair of International Investment Banking (New York) and Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets.
Ms. Palmer was also a member of the Management Committee and Risk Management Operating Committee of
Citigroup, Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Palmer was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs in its
international corporate finance department. Ms. Palmer was also Assistant Vice President of the
International Division at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Ms. Palmer was also a member of the Board of
Trustees of a private elementary and secondary school. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Palmer is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Richard P. Strubel. Mr. Strubel has served as Trustee since 1987. Mr. Strubel also serves as
Chairman of the Northern Funds, a family of retail and institutional mutual funds managed by The
Northern Trust Company. He also serves on the board of Gildan Activewear Inc., which is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Mr. Strubel was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Cardean
Learning Group (formerly known as Unext), and previously served as Unexts President and Chief
Operating Officer. Mr. Strubel was Managing Director of Tandem Partners, Inc., a privately-held
management services firm, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Microdot, Inc.
Previously, Mr. Strubel served as President of Northwest Industries, then a NYSE-listed company, a
conglomerate with various operating entities located around the country. Before joining Northwest,
Mr. Strubel was an associate and later managing principal of Fry Consultants, a management
consulting firm based in Chicago. Mr. Strubel is also a Trustee Emeritus of the University of
Chicago and is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Based on
the foregoing, Mr. Strubel is experienced with financial and investment matters.
James A. McNamara. Mr. McNamara has served as Trustee and President of the Trust since 2007 and has
served as an officer of the Trust since 2001. Mr. McNamara is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs.
Mr. McNamara is currently head of Global Third Party Distribution at GSAM, where he was previously
head of U.S. Third Party Distribution. Prior to that role, Mr. McNamara served as Director of
Institutional Fund Sales. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. McNamara was Vice President and
Manager at Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation. Based on the foregoing, Mr. McNamara is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Alan A. Shuch. Mr. Shuch has served as a Trustee since 1990. Mr. Shuch is an Advisory Director to
Goldman Sachs. Mr. Shuch serves on the Board of Trustees of a number of offshore funds managed by
GSAM. He serves on GSAMs Valuation and Brokerage Allocation Committees. Prior to retiring as a
general partner of Goldman Sachs in 1994, Mr. Shuch was president and chief operating officer of
GSAM which he founded in 1988. Mr. Shuch joined the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Division in 1976. He
was instrumental in building Goldman Sachs Corporate Bond Department and served as co-head of the
Global Fixed Income Sales and the High Yield Bond and Preferred Stock Departments. He headed the
Portfolio Restructuring and Fixed Income Quantitative and Credit Research Departments. Mr. Shuch
also served on a variety of firm-wide committees including the International Executive, New Product
and Strategic Planning Committees and was a member of the Stone Street/Bridge Street Private Equity
Board. Mr. Shuch serves on Whartons Graduate Executive Board. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Shuch is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
B-32
Officers of the Trust
Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust as of April 27, 2012 is set forth below.
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Term of |
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Office and |
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Length of |
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Name, Age And |
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Position(s) Held |
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Time |
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Address |
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With the Trust |
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Served1 |
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
James A. McNamara
200 West Street
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Trustee and
President
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Since 2007
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
1998-Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales,
GSAM (April 1998 |
New York, NY 10282
Age: 49
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December 2000); and Senior Vice
President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service
Corporation (January 1993 April 1998).
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (November
2007 Present); Senior Vice President Goldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (May 2007 November 2007); and
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2001
2007).
Trustee Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (November 2007-Present and December 2002 May 2004). |
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Scott McHugh
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 40
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Treasurer and
Senior Vice
President
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Since 2009
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007Present);
Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds
administered by DWS Scudder (20052007); and Director
(20052007), Vice President (20002005), Assistant Vice
President (19982000), Deutsche Asset Management or its
predecessor (19982007).
TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (October
2009-Present); Senior Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (November 2009-Present); and
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(May 2007-October 2009). |
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George F. Travers
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 44
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Senior Vice
President and
Principal Financial
Officer
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Since 2009
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2007-Present);
Managing Director, UBS Ag (2005-2007); and Partner,
Deloitte & Touche LLP (1990-2005, partner from
2000-2005).
Senior Vice President and Principal Financial
OfficerGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 50
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Assistant Treasurer
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Since 1997
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992Present).
Assistant Treasurer Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Peter Fortner
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 54
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Assistant Treasurer
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Since 2000
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000Present);
Principal Financial Officer, Commerce Bank Mutual Fund
Complex (2008-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance
Company of America (November 1985June 2000); and
Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds
administered by Prudential (19992000).
Assistant Treasurer Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Kenneth G. Curran
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 48
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Assistant Treasurer
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Since 2001
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998Present);
and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants)
(August 1995October 1998).
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Jesse Cole
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 48
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Vice President
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Since 1998
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
2006Present); Vice President, GSAM (June
1998Present); and Vice President, AIM Management
Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996June
1998).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Kerry K. Daniels
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Vice President
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Since 2000
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Manager, Financial Control Shareholder Services,
Goldman |
B-33
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Officers of the Trust |
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Office and |
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Position(s) Held |
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Time |
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Address |
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With the Trust |
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Served1 |
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 49
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Sachs (1986 Present).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Mark Hancock
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 44
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Vice President
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Since 2007
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November
2005Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(August 2000November 2005); Senior Vice
PresidentDreyfus Service Corp (19992000); and Vice
PresidentDreyfus Service Corp (19961999).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Jeffrey D. Matthes
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ
07302
Age: 42
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Vice President
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Since 2007
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (December 2004Present);
and Associate, Goldman Sachs (December 2002December
2004).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Carlos W. Samuels
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 37
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Vice President
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Since 2007
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (December 2007Present);
Associate, Goldman Sachs (December 2005December 2007);
Analyst, Goldman Sachs (January 2004December 2005).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Miriam Cytryn
200 West Street
New York, NY
10282
Age: 53
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Vice President
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Since 2008
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Vice President, GSAM (2008-Present); Vice President of
Divisional Management, Investment Management Division
(2007-2008); Vice President and Chief of Staff, GSAM US
Distribution (2003-2007); and Vice President of
Employee Relations, Goldman Sachs (1996-2003).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Glen Casey
200 West Street
New York, NY
10282
Age: 47
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Vice President
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Since 2008
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2007-Present) and
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-2007).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex |
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Mark Heaney
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, EC1A 7HD, UK
Age: 44
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Vice President
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Since 2010
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Executive Director, GSAM (May 2005-Present); Director
of Operations (UK and Ireland), Invesco Asset
Management (May 2004-March 2005); Global Head of
Investment Administration, Invesco Asset Management
(September 2001-May 2004); Managing Director (Ireland),
Invesco Asset Management (March 2000-September 2001);
Director of Investment Administration, Invesco Asset
Management (December 1998-March 2000).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex |
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Peter V. Bonanno
200 West Street
New York, NY
10282
Age: 44
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Secretary
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Since 2003
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
2006Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs
(2002Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(19992006); and Assistant General Counsel, Goldman
Sachs (1999-2002).
SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(2006Present); and Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (2003 2006). |
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Dave Fishman
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2001
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
2001Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(1997December 2001).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
B-34
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Officers of the Trust |
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Term of |
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Office and |
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Position(s) Held |
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Time |
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Address |
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With the Trust |
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Served1 |
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Danny Burke
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 49
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2001
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987Present).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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George Djurasovic
200 West Street
New York, NY
10282
Age: 41
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2007
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005Present); Associate
General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2006Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (20052006);
Senior Counsel, TIAA CREF (2004 2005); and Counsel,
TIAA CREF (20002004).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Patricia Meyer
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 38
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2007
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (September 2006Present);
Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs
(2009Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman
Sachs (September 2006December 2008); and Associate,
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (20002006).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Deborah Farrell
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ
07302
Age: 40
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2007
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005-Present); Associate,
Goldman Sachs (2001-2005); and Analyst, Goldman Sachs
(1994-2005).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Patrick T. OCallaghan
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 40
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2009
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present);
Associate, Goldman Sachs (1998-2000); Analyst, Goldman
Sachs (1995-1998).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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James A. McCarthy
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2009
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Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2003-Present); Vice
President, Goldman Sachs (1996-2003); Portfolio
Manager, Goldman Sachs (1995-1996).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Andrew Murphy
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 39
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2010
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 2009-Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (April
2009-Present); Attorney, Axiom Legal (2007-2009); Vice
President and Counsel, AllianceBernstein, L.P.
(2001-2007).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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Robert Griffith
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 37
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Assistant Secretary
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Since 2011
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Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2011Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August
2011Present); Vice President and Counsel, Nomura
Holding America, Inc. (20102011); Associate, Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP (20052010).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
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1 |
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Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the
investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. |
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Standing Board Committees
B-35
The
Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to
the full Board of Trustees with
respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its
responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the Board an independent
registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year,
and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees
serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held 4 meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2011.
The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (i) assist the Board in
matters involving mutual fund governance, which includes making recommendations to the Board with
respect to the effectiveness of the Board in carrying out its responsibilities in governing the
Funds and overseeing their management; (ii) select and nominate candidates for appointment or
election to serve as Independent Trustees; and (iii) advise the
Board of Trustees on ways to improve its
effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee.
The Governance and Nominating Committee held 3 meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2011. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of
certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider
nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at
its mailing address stated in the Funds Prospectus and should be directed to the attention of the
Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.
The Compliance Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the compliance
processes: (i) of the Funds; and (ii) insofar as they relate to services provided to the Funds, of
the Funds investment adviser, distributor, administrator (if any), and transfer agent, except that
compliance processes relating to the accounting and financial reporting processes, and certain
related matters, are overseen by the Audit Committee. In addition, the Compliance Committee
provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to compliance matters. The Compliance Committee
met 3 times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. All of the Independent Trustees serve
on the Compliance Committee.
The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board in connection with the valuation of
portfolio securities held by the Funds in accordance with the Trusts Valuation Procedures. Messrs.
McNamara and Shuch serve on the Valuation Committee, together with certain employees of GSAM who
are not Trustees. The Valuation Committee met 12 times during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2011. The Valuation Committee reports periodically to the Board.
The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not
members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each
Funds Prospectus. Messrs. McNamara and McHugh serve on the Dividend Committee. The Dividend
Committee met 12 times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
The Contract Review Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the processes
of the Board for reviewing and monitoring performance under the Funds investment management,
distribution, transfer agency and certain other agreements with the Funds Investment Advisers and
their affiliates. The Contract Review Committee is also responsible for overseeing the Boards
processes for considering and reviewing performance under the operation of the Funds distribution,
service, shareholder administration and other plans, and any agreements related to the plans,
whether or not such plans and agreements are adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The
Contract Review Committee also provides appropriate assistance to the Board in connection with the
Boards approval, oversight and review of the Funds other service providers including, without
limitation, the Funds custodian/accounting agent, sub-transfer agents, professional (legal and
accounting) firms and printing firms. The Contract Review Committee met 3 times during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2011. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Contract Review
Committee.
Risk Oversight
The Board is responsible for the oversight of the activities of the Funds, including oversight
of risk management. Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Funds is the responsibility of
GSAM or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), subject to supervision by
GSAM. The risks of the Funds include, but are not limited to, investment risk, compliance risk,
operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk. Each of GSAM and the other
service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and
methods of risk management may differ from the Funds and each others in the setting of priorities,
the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result, the Board
recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Funds or to
develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects, and that some
risks are simply beyond the control of the Funds or GSAM, its affiliates or other service
providers.
B-36
The Board effectuates its oversight role primarily through regular and special meetings of the
Board and Board committees. In certain cases, risk management issues are specifically addressed in
presentations and discussions. For example, GSAM has an independent dedicated Market Risk Group
that assists GSAM in managing investment risk. Representatives from the Market Risk Group
regularly meet with the Board to discuss their analysis and methodologies. In addition, investment
risk is discussed in the context of regular presentations to the Board on Fund strategy and
performance. Other types of risk are addressed as part of presentations on related topics (e.g.
compliance policies) or in the context of presentations focused specifically on one or more risks.
The Board also receives reports from GSAM management on operational risks, reputational risks and
counterparty risks relating to the Funds.
Board oversight of risk management is also performed by various Board committees. For
example, the Audit Committee meets with both the Funds independent registered public accounting
firm and the GSAMs internal audit group to review risk controls in place that support the Funds as
well as test results, and the Compliance Committee meets with the CCO and representatives of GSAMs
compliance group to review testing results of the Funds compliance policies and procedures and
other compliance issues. Board oversight of risk is also performed as needed between meetings
through communications between the GSAM and the Board. The Board may, at any time and in its
discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight. The Boards oversight role does
not make the Board a guarantor of the Funds investments or activities.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the
Funds and other portfolios of Goldman Sachs Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Goldman Sachs
Credit Strategies Fund as of December 31, 2011.
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Aggregate Dollar Range of |
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Equity Securities in All |
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Dollar Range of |
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Portfolios in Fund Complex |
Name of Trustee |
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Equity Securities in the Funds1 |
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Overseen By Trustee2 |
Ashok N. Bakhru
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None
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Over $100,000 |
Donald C. Burke
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Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund: $1 $10,000
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund: $1 -
$10,000
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund: $1 $10,000
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund: $1 $10,000
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|
Over $100,000 |
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
Joseph P. LoRusso
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
James A. McNamara
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
Jessica Palmer
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
Alan A. Shuch
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Fund described in this SAI. |
|
|
|
2 |
|
As of December 31, 2011, the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consisted of the Trust,
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs
Municipal Opportunity Fund. As of December 31, 2011, the Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (93
of which offered shares to the public), the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted
of 12 portfolios (11 of which offered shares to the public), and the Goldman Sachs Municipal
Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public. |
|
As of April 10, 2012, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned less than
1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.
Board Compensation
As of January 1, 2011, each Independent Trustee is compensated with a unitary annual fee for
his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust and as a member of the Governance and Nominating
Committee, Compliance Committee, Contract Review Committee, and Audit Committee in lieu of each
Independent Trustee receiving an annual fee plus additional fees for each meeting attended. Under
this new compensation structure, the Chairman and audit committee financial expert will continue
to receive additional compensation for their services. The Independent Trustees are also
reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may
also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences
relating to the investment company industry.
B-37
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each
Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011:
Trustee Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension or |
|
|
From Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Complex for the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structured |
|
|
Benefits Accrued |
|
|
fiscal year 1/1/11 |
|
|
|
U.S. Equity |
|
|
International |
|
|
Structured |
|
|
International |
|
|
as Part |
|
|
to 12/31/11 |
|
|
|
Dividend and |
|
|
Equity Dividend |
|
|
Tax-Managed |
|
|
Tax-Managed |
|
|
Of the Trusts |
|
|
(including the |
|
Name of Trustee |
|
Premium |
|
|
and Premium |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
Funds)** |
|
Ashok N. Bakhru1 |
|
$ |
3,477 |
|
|
$ |
3,327 |
|
|
$ |
3,324 |
|
|
$ |
3,247 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
395,000 |
|
Donald C. Burke |
|
|
2,245 |
|
|
|
2,148 |
|
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
2,096 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.2 |
|
|
2,597 |
|
|
|
2,485 |
|
|
|
2,482 |
|
|
|
2,425 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
295,000 |
|
Diana M. Daniels |
|
|
2,245 |
|
|
|
2,148 |
|
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
2,096 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
Joseph P. LoRusso |
|
|
2,245 |
|
|
|
2,148 |
|
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
2,096 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
James A. McNamara3 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jessica Palmer |
|
|
2,245 |
|
|
|
2,148 |
|
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
2,096 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
Alan A. Shuch3 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Richard P. Strubel |
|
|
2,245 |
|
|
|
2,148 |
|
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
2,096 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Represents fees paid to each Trustee from the Funds during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
from the
Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. As of December 31, 2011,
Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consisted of the Trust, Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust,
Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund. As of December 31, 2011, the Trust consisted of 90
portfolios (83 of which offered shares to the public), the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust consisted of 12 portfolios (11 of which offered shares to the public), and the Goldman
Sachs Municipal Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public. |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
2 Includes compensation as audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
3 Messrs. McNamara and Shuch are Interested Trustees, and as such, receive no compensation from the Funds or the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. |
|
Miscellaneous
Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to Goldman
Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including
retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general
partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above
individuals. These and the Funds other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors
and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.
The Trust, its Investment Adviser and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under
Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest
in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
As stated in the Funds Prospectus, GSAM, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, serves as
Investment Adviser to the Funds. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to
the end of April 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management
Division of Goldman Sachs served as the Funds investment adviser. In April 2003, GSAM assumed
investment advisory responsibilities for those Funds in operation. See Service
Providers in the Funds Prospectus for a description of the Investment Advisers duties to the
Funds.
Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a financial holding company and a leading global
investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Goldman Sachs is a leader in
developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in
financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments.
Goldman Sachs is also among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on
companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a
wide range of equity and debt securities 24 hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York with
offices in countries throughout the world. It has trading professionals throughout the United
States, as well as in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Seoul, Sao Paulo and other major financial centers
around the
B-38
world. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the worlds financial markets
enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the
Funds to use the name Goldman Sachs or a derivative thereof as part of each Funds name for as
long as each Funds Management Agreement is in effect.
The Investment Advisers are able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of
Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Global
Investment Research division provides original fundamental insights and analysis for clients in the
equity, fixed income and currency and commodities markets. The group covers areas such as
economics, portfolio strategy, derivatives and equity and credit securities in more than 25 stock
markets and 50 economies and regions around the world. The in depth information and analyses
generated by Goldman Sachs research analysts are available to the Investment Advisers subject to
Chinese Wall restrictions.
In addition, many of Goldman Sachs economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and
credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the
United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using
quantitative analytics (now used by a growing number of investors) to structure and evaluate
portfolios. For example, Goldman Sachs options evaluation model analyzes a securitys term,
coupon and call option, providing an overall analysis of the securitys value relative to its
interest risk.
In managing the Funds, the Investment Adviser has access to Goldman Sachs economics research.
The Economics Research Department, based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency
markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements worldwide.
The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures,
balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and
political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman
Sachs international research team has brought wide recognition to its members. The team has
earned top rankings in various external surveys such as Pensions and Investments, Forbes and
Dalbar. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the firms economists, strategists and
equity analysts.
In allocating assets among foreign countries and currencies for the Funds, the Investment
Adviser will have access to the Global Asset Allocation Model. The model is based on the
observation that the prices of all financial assets, including foreign currencies, will adjust
until investors globally are comfortable holding the pool of outstanding assets. Using the model,
the Investment Adviser will estimate the total returns from each currency sector which are
consistent with the average investor holding a portfolio equal to the market capitalization of the
financial assets among those currency sectors. These estimated equilibrium returns are then
combined with the expectations of Goldman Sachs research professionals to produce an optimal
currency and asset allocation for the level of risk suitable for a Fund given its investment
objectives and criteria.
The Management Agreement provides that GSAM, in its capacity as Investment Adviser, may render
similar services to others so long as the services under the Management Agreement are not impaired
thereby. The Funds Management Agreement was approved by the Trustees of the Trust,
including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to such agreement or
interested persons (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the non-interested
Trustees), on June 16, 2011. A discussion regarding the Trustees basis for approving the Management
Agreement on behalf of each Fund in 2011 in available in the
Funds semi-annual report for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2011. These management arrangements were last
approved by the shareholders of the Funds then in existence on April 21, 1997. The management
arrangements for those Funds that commenced investment operations
after April 21, 1997 were last
approved by the initial sole shareholder of each such Fund prior to the Funds commencement of
operations.
The Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2012 and will continue in effect
with respect to each Fund from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of such Funds outstanding voting
securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the
non-interested Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
The Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act).
The Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the
Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the particular Fund on 60
days written notice to the Investment Adviser or by the Investment Adviser on 60 days written
notice to the Trust.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Adviser is entitled to receive the fees
set forth below, payable monthly based on each respective Funds average daily net assets. Also
included below are the actual management fee rates paid by each Fund (after reflection of any
voluntary management fee waivers, as indicated) for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2011.
B-39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Rate for the Fiscal Year Ended |
Fund |
|
Contractual Rate |
|
December 31, 2011 |
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
|
|
0.75% on the first $1 billion
0.68% on the next $1 billion
0.65% on the next $3 billion
0.64% on the next $3 billion
0.63% over $8 billion
|
|
|
0.75 |
% |
International Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund
|
|
0.81% on the first $1 billion
0.73% on the next $1 billion
0.69% on the next $3 billion
0.68% on the next $3 billion
0.67% over $8 billion
|
|
|
0.81 |
% |
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund
|
|
0.70% on the first $1 billion
0.63% on the next $1 billion
0.60% on the next $3 billion
0.59% on the next $3 billion
0.58% over $8 billion
|
|
|
0.65%* |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed
Equity Fund
|
|
0.85% on the first $1 billion
0.77% on the next $1 billion
0.73% on the next $3 billion
0.72% on the next $3 billion
0.71% over $8 billion
|
|
|
0.81%* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
The Investment Adviser is currently waiving a portion of its management fee equal to 0.05%
and 0.04% based on the average daily net assets of the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund and
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund, respectively. These waiver arrangements
will remain in effect through at least April 27, 2013, and prior to such date the Investment
Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees. |
|
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the amount of fees incurred by each
of the following Funds (before any fee waivers) pursuant to the Management Agreement were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
4,446,074 |
|
|
$ |
2,550,715 |
|
|
$ |
1,764,890 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
2,623,950 |
|
|
|
1,351,803 |
|
|
|
411,787 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund1 |
|
|
2,263,409 |
|
|
|
1,806,971 |
|
|
|
1,426,098 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund2 |
|
|
1,360,114 |
|
|
|
1,132,738 |
|
|
|
856,293 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
The Investment Adviser waived approximately $161,675, 128,978, and 101,916 of its
management fee for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
The Investment Adviser waived approximately $64,008, 53,304, and 40,341 of its
management fee for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. |
|
In addition to providing advisory services, under its Management Agreement, the
Investment Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of each Fund that it advises;
(ii) provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are
reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of each Fund; (iii) arranges for at each
Funds expense: (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission
of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of
additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other
regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains each Funds records; and (v) provides office space and all
necessary office equipment and services.
B-40
Portfolio Managers Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
The following table discloses accounts within each type of category listed below for which the
portfolio managers are jointly and primarily responsible for day to day portfolio management as of
December 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted.
For each portfolio manager listed below, the total number of accounts managed is a reflection of
accounts within the strategy they oversee or manage, as well as accounts which participate in the
sector they manage. There are multiple portfolio managers involved with each account.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Account Type |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Accounts and Total Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance Based |
|
|
|
Registered |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of |
|
Investment |
|
|
Other Pooled |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Investment |
|
|
Other Pooled |
|
|
Other |
|
Portfolio Manager |
|
Companies |
|
|
Investment Vehicles |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Companies |
|
|
Investment Vehicles |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Managed |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Managed |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Managed |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Managed |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Managed |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Managed |
|
U.S. Equity
Dividend and
Premium Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantitative
Investment
Strategies Team |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don Mulvihill |
|
|
36 |
|
|
$ |
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
$ |
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
$ |
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
$ |
7,600 |
|
Monali Vora |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International
Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantitative
Investment
Strategies Team |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don Mulvihill |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
Monali Vora |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structured
Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantitative
Investment
Strategies Team |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don Mulvihill |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
Monali Vora |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
Ron Hua |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structured
International
Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantitative
Investment
Strategies Team |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don Mulvihill |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
Monali Vora |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
Ron Hua |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
Assets are preliminary, in millions of USD, as of December 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
|
|
Includes wrap as a single account. |
B-41
Conflicts of Interest. The Investment Advisers portfolio managers are often
responsible for managing one or more of the Funds as well as other accounts, including proprietary
accounts, separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles, such as unregistered hedge funds.
A portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle which may
have materially higher fee arrangements than the Fund and may also have a performance-based fee.
The side-by-side management of these funds may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to
cross trading, the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of
trades.
The Investment Adviser has a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair
and equitable manner. It seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and
aggregate and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. To this
end, the Investment Adviser has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage
the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management. In addition, the
Investment Adviser and the Funds have adopted policies limiting the circumstances under which
cross-trades may be effected between a Fund and another client account. The Investment Adviser
conducts periodic reviews of trades for consistency with these policies. For more information
about conflicts of interests that may arise in connection with the portfolio managers management
of the Funds investments and the investments of other accounts, see POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST Potential Conflicts Relating to the Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the
Funds and Other Goldman Sachs Accounts and Potential Conflicts Relating to Goldman Sachs and the
Investment Advisers Proprietary Activities and Activities on Behalf of Other Accounts.
Portfolio Managers Compensation
Compensation for portfolio managers of the Investment Adviser is comprised of a base salary
and discretionary variable compensation. The base salary is fixed from year to year. Year-end
discretionary variable compensation is primarily a function of each portfolio managers individual
performance and his or her contribution to overall team performance; the performance of the
Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs; the teams net revenues for the past year which in part is
derived from advisory fees, and for certain accounts, performance-based fees; and anticipated
compensation levels among competitor firms. Portfolio managers are rewarded, in part, for their
delivery of investment performance, measured on a pre-tax basis, which is reasonably expected to
meet or exceed the expectations of clients and fund shareholders in terms of: excess return over an
applicable benchmark, peer group ranking, risk management and factors specific to certain funds
such as yield or regional focus. Performance is judged over 1-, 3- and 5-year time horizons.
The benchmarks for these Funds are:
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund: Russell 3000® Index
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund: S&P 500® Index and Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund: MSCI EAFE® Index (unhedged)
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund: MSCI EAFE® Index and Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
The discretionary variable compensation for portfolio managers is also significantly
influenced by: (1) effective participation in team research discussions and process; and (2)
management of risk in alignment with the targeted risk parameter and investment objective of the
fund. Other factors may also be considered including: (1) general client/shareholder orientation
and (2) teamwork and leadership. Portfolio managers may receive equity-based awards as part of
their discretionary variable compensation.
Other CompensationIn addition to base salary and discretionary variable compensation, the
Investment Adviser has a number of additional benefits in place including (1) a 401k program that
enables employees to direct a percentage of their pretax salary and bonus income into a
tax-qualified retirement plan; and (2) investment opportunity programs in which certain
professionals may participate subject to certain eligibility requirements.
B-42
Portfolio Managers Portfolio Managers Ownership of Securities in the Funds They Manage
The following table shows the portfolio managers ownership of securities in the Funds they
manage as of December 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted:
|
|
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity |
|
|
Securities Beneficially |
Name of Portfolio Manager |
|
Owned by Portfolio Manager |
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
Don Mulvihill
|
|
$100,001 $500,000 |
Monali Vora
|
|
None |
International Equity Dividend and Premium
Fund |
|
|
Don Mulvihill
|
|
$10,001 $50,000 |
Monali Vora
|
|
None |
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
Don Mulvihill
|
|
None |
Monali Vora
|
|
None |
Ron Hua
|
|
None |
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
Don Mulvihill
|
|
$10,001 $50,000 |
Monali Vora
|
|
None |
Ron Hua
|
|
None |
Distributor and Transfer Agent
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, serves as the exclusive distributor
of shares of the Funds pursuant to a best efforts arrangement as provided by a distribution
agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Shares of the Funds are offered and sold on a
continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after
the Prospectus and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders,
Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with
the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales
literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain
investment dealers and other financial service firms (the Authorized Institutions) to solicit
subscriptions for Class A, Class B (subject to the limitations described herein), Class C, and Class IR Shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs
receives a portion of the sales charge imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or
redemption in the case of Class B and Class C Shares (and in certain cases, Class A Shares), of
such Fund shares.
Goldman Sachs retained approximately the following combined commissions on sales of Class A,
Class B and Class C Shares during the following periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
24,505 |
|
|
$ |
9,685 |
|
|
$ |
2,153 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
2,189 |
|
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
1,802 |
|
|
|
2,310 |
|
|
|
4,995 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
511 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
B-43
Dealer Reallowances. Class A Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a front-end sales
charge, as described in the prospectuses and in this SAI in the section SHARES OF THE TRUST.
Goldman Sachs pays commissions to Authorized Institutions who sell Class A shares of the Funds in
the form of a reallowance of all or a portion of the sales charge paid on the purchase of those
shares. Goldman Sachs reallows the following amounts, expressed as a percentage of each Funds
offering price with respect to purchases under $50,000:
|
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Dealer Reallowance as Percentage of Offering Price |
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
4.86 |
% |
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
4.66 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
4.76 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
4.74 |
|
Dealer allowances may be changed periodically. During special promotions, the entire
sales charge may be reallowed to Authorized Institutions. Authorized Institutions to whom
substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters under the
Securities Act of 1933.
Goldman Sachs, 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trusts transfer agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has
undertaken with the Trust to: (i) record the issuance, transfer and
redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements,
as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain information to the Trusts custodian and
the relevant sub-custodian in connection with redemptions, (iv) provide dividend crediting and
certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder accounts, (vi) provide certain state
Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with
tax related information, (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries, and (ix) render certain other
miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a
transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with
respect to each Funds Institutional and Service Shares (as applicable) and 0.19% of average daily
net assets with respect to each Funds Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class IR Shares (as
applicable). Goldman Sachs may pay to certain intermediaries who perform transfer agent services to
shareholders a networking or sub-transfer agent fee. These payments will be made from the transfer
agency fees noted above and in the Funds Prospectus.
As compensation for the services rendered to the Trust by Goldman Sachs as transfer and the assumption by Goldman Sachs of the expenses related thereto,
Goldman Sachs received fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 from each
of the following Funds as follows under the fee schedules then in effect:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
$ |
85,772 |
|
|
$ |
177,915 |
|
|
$ |
232,429 |
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
25,756 |
|
|
|
18,081 |
|
|
|
15,763 |
|
Institutional Shares |
|
|
213,484 |
|
|
|
94,776 |
|
|
|
41,877 |
|
Class IR Shares |
|
|
773 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
377,279 |
|
|
|
204,553 |
|
|
|
52,542 |
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
2,773 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
742 |
|
Institutional Shares |
|
|
49,543 |
|
|
|
23,256 |
|
|
|
9,118 |
|
Class IR Shares |
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
158,270 |
|
|
|
165,065 |
|
|
|
177,812 |
|
Class B Shares |
|
|
2,409 |
|
|
|
3,286 |
|
|
|
6,533 |
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
16,684 |
|
|
|
18,459 |
|
|
|
22,069 |
|
Institutional Shares |
|
|
91,968 |
|
|
|
63,915 |
|
|
|
38,019 |
|
Service Shares |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Class IR Shares |
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
B-44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
377,279 |
|
|
|
125,538 |
|
|
|
128,089 |
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
2,773 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Institutional Shares |
|
|
49,543 |
|
|
|
26,868 |
|
|
|
13,327 |
|
Class IR Shares |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class IR Shares of the Funds commenced operations on August 31, 2010. |
|
The Trusts distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may
render similar services to others so long as the services Goldman Sachs provides thereunder are not
impaired thereby. Such agreements also provide that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against
certain liabilities.
Expenses
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, is responsible for the payment of each Funds respective
expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Adviser,
service fees and shareholder administration fees paid to Authorized Institutions, the fees and
expenses of the Trusts custodian and sub-custodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, pricing
service fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or
qualification of the Trusts shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the
organization of the Funds, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in
investment company organizations including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute,
taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs,
expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted
against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including
the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs or its
affiliates with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectus, SAIs,
proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trusts
shareholders and regulatory authorities, any expenses assumed by a Fund pursuant to its
Distribution and Service Plans, compensation and expenses of its non-interested Trustees, the
fees and expenses of pricing services, dividend expenses on short sales and extraordinary expenses,
if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, shareholder
administration plan or distribution and service plan applicable to a particular class and transfer
agency fees and expenses, all Fund expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.
The imposition of the Investment Advisers fees, as well as other operating expenses, will
have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment
Adviser may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Fund, which
would have the effect of lowering that Funds overall expense ratio and increasing total return to
investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit Other Expenses of the Funds (excluding
acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage
fees, litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expense) to the
following annual percentage rates of each Funds average daily net assets through at least April
27, 2013, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without
the approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense limitation may be modified or terminated by the
Investment Adviser at its discretion and without shareholder approval after such date, although the
Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do so. Each Funds Other Expenses may be further
reduced by any custody and transfer agency fee credits received by the Funds.
|
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Other Expenses |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
0.054 |
% |
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
0.054 |
% |
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
0.004 |
% |
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
0.014 |
% |
Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis during each
Funds fiscal year.
B-45
Fees and expenses borne by the Funds relating to legal counsel, registering shares of a Fund,
holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost
of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Fund may also bear an allocable portion of the Investment Advisers costs of
performing certain accounting services not being provided by a Funds custodian.
Reimbursement
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the amounts of certain Other
Expenses of each Fund then in existence were reduced or otherwise limited by the Investment
Adviser in the following amounts under expense limitations that were then in effect:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
38,467 |
|
|
$ |
86,846 |
|
|
$ |
131,307 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
260,378 |
|
|
|
243,123 |
|
|
|
405,868 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
478,312 |
|
|
|
276,363 |
|
|
|
291,330 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
488,865 |
|
|
|
347,346 |
|
|
|
368,840 |
|
In addition, the Funds have entered into certain expense offset arrangements with the
custodian resulting in a reduction of each Funds expenses. For the fiscal years ended December
31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, each Funds custody fees were reduced by the following approximate amounts
under such arrangements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
12,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
1,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
2,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Funds have also entered into certain expense offset arrangements with the transfer agent
resulting in a reduction of each Funds expenses. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011,
2010 and 2009, each Funds transfer agency fees were reduced by the following approximate amounts
under such arrangement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
868 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
|
Custodian and Sub-Custodians
JPMorgan Chase, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is the custodian of the Trusts
portfolio securities and cash. JPMorgan Chase also maintains the Trusts accounting records.
JPMorgan Chase may appoint domestic and foreign sub-custodians and use depositories from time to
time to hold securities and other instruments purchased by the Trust in foreign countries and to
hold cash and currencies for the Trust.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the Funds independent
registered public accounting firm. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
prepares the Funds federal and state tax returns, and provides assistance on certain non-audit
matters.
B-46
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
General Categories of Conflicts Associated with the Funds
Goldman Sachs (which, for purposes of this POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST section, shall
mean, collectively, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the Investment Adviser and their affiliates,
directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees) is a worldwide,
full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management
and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As
such, Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified
client base. In those and other capacities, Goldman Sachs advises clients in all markets and
transactions and purchases, sells, holds and recommends a broad array of investments for its own
accounts and for the accounts of clients and of its personnel, through client accounts and the
relationships and products it sponsors, manages and advises (such Goldman Sachs or other client
accounts (including the Funds), relationships and products collectively, the Accounts). Goldman
Sachs has direct and indirect interests in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equities,
bank loan and other markets, and the securities and issuers, in which the Funds may directly and
indirectly invest. As a result, Goldman Sachs activities and dealings, including on behalf of the
Funds, may affect the Funds in ways that may disadvantage or restrict the Funds and/or benefit
Goldman Sachs or other Accounts. For purposes of this POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST section,
Funds shall mean, collectively, the Funds and any of the other Goldman Sachs Funds.
The following are descriptions of certain conflicts and potential conflicts that may be
associated with the financial or other interests that the Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs may
have in transactions effected by, with, and on behalf of the Funds. They are not, and are not
intended to be, a complete enumeration or explanation of all of the potential conflicts of interest
that may arise. Additional information about potential conflicts of interest regarding the
Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs is set forth in the Investment Advisers Form ADV, which
prospective shareholders should review prior to purchasing Fund shares. A copy of Part 1 and Part
2 of the Investment Advisers Form ADV is available on the SECs website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
A copy of Part 2 of the Investment Advisers Form ADV will be provided to shareholders or
prospective shareholders upon request.
Other Activities of Goldman Sachs, the Sale of Fund Shares and the Allocation of Investment
Opportunities
Sales Incentives and Related Conflicts Arising from Goldman Sachs Financial and Other Relationships with Intermediaries
Goldman Sachs and its personnel, including employees of the Investment Adviser, may have
relationships (both involving and not involving the Funds, and including without limitation
placement, brokerage, advisory and board relationships) with distributors, consultants and others
who recommend, or engage in transactions with or for, the Funds. Such distributors, consultants
and other parties may receive compensation from Goldman Sachs or the Funds in connection with such
relationships. As a result of these relationships, distributors, consultants and other parties may
have conflicts that create incentives for them to promote the Funds.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs and the Funds may make payments to
Authorized Institutions and other financial intermediaries and to salespersons (collectively,
Intermediaries) from time to time to promote the Funds. These payments may be made out of
Goldman Sachs assets, or amounts payable to Goldman Sachs. These payments may create an incentive
for a particular Intermediary to highlight, feature or recommend the Funds.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the Funds and Other Accounts
The Investment Adviser may manage or advise multiple Accounts (including Accounts in which
Goldman Sachs and its personnel have an interest) that have investment objectives that are similar
to the Funds and may seek to make investments or sell investments in the same securities or other
instruments, sectors or strategies as the Funds. This may create potential conflicts, particularly
in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited (e.g., in local
and emerging markets, high yield securities, fixed income securities, regulated industries, small
capitalization and initial public offerings/new issues) or where the liquidity of such investment
opportunities is limited.
The Investment Adviser does not receive performance-based compensation in respect of its
investment management activities on behalf of the Funds, but may simultaneously manage Accounts for
which the Investment Adviser receives greater fees or other compensation (including
performance-based fees or allocations) than it receives in respect of the Funds. The
B-47
simultaneous management of Accounts that pay greater fees or other compensation and the Funds may create a
conflict of interest as the Investment Adviser may have an incentive to favor Accounts with the
potential to receive greater fees. For instance, the Investment Adviser may be faced with a
conflict of interest when allocating scarce investment opportunities given the possibly greater
fees from Accounts that pay performance-based fees. To address these types of conflicts, the
Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures under which it will allocate investment
opportunities in a manner that it believes is consistent with its obligations as an investment
adviser. However, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Funds may
differ from, and performance may be lower than, the investments and performance of other Accounts.
To address these potential conflicts, the Investment Adviser has developed allocation policies
and procedures that provide that personnel of the Investment Adviser making portfolio decisions for
Accounts will make purchase and sale decisions and allocate investment opportunities among Accounts
consistent with its fiduciary obligations. These policies and procedures may result in the pro
rata allocation of limited opportunities across eligible Accounts managed by a particular portfolio
management team, but in many other cases the allocations reflect numerous other factors as
described below. Accounts managed by different portfolio management teams are generally viewed
separately for allocation purposes. There will be cases where certain Accounts receive an
allocation of an investment opportunity when the Funds do not.
Personnel of the Investment Adviser involved in decision-making for Accounts may make
allocation related decisions for the Funds and other Accounts by reference to one or more factors,
including without limitation: the Accounts portfolio and its investment horizons, objectives,
guidelines and restrictions (including legal and regulatory restrictions); strategic fit and other
portfolio management considerations, including different desired levels of investment for different
strategies; the expected future capacity of the applicable Accounts; limits on the Investment
Advisers brokerage discretion; cash and liquidity considerations; and the availability of other
appropriate investment opportunities. Suitability considerations, reputational matters and other
considerations may also be considered. The application of these considerations may cause
differences in the performance of different Accounts that have similar strategies. In addition, in
some cases the Investment Adviser may make investment recommendations to Accounts where the
Accounts make the investment independently of the Investment Adviser, which may result in a
reduction in the availability of the investment opportunity for other Accounts (including the
Funds) irrespective of the Investment Advisers policies regarding allocation of investments.
Additional information about the Investment Advisers allocation policies is set forth in Item 6
(PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENTSide-by-Side Management) of the Investment
Advisers Form ADV.
The Investment Adviser may, from time to time, develop and implement new trading strategies or
seek to participate in new investment opportunities and trading strategies. These opportunities
and strategies may not be employed in all Accounts or pro rata among Accounts where they are
employed, even if the opportunity or strategy is consistent with the objectives of such Accounts.
During periods of unusual market conditions, the Investment Adviser may deviate from its
normal trade allocation practices. For example, this may occur with respect to the management of
unlevered and/or long-only Accounts that are typically managed on a side-by-side basis with levered
and/or long-short Accounts.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, the Funds may or may not receive, but in any event
will have no rights with respect to, opportunities sourced by Goldman Sachs businesses and
affiliates. Such opportunities or any portion thereof may be offered to other Accounts, Goldman
Sachs, all or certain investors in the Funds, or such other persons or entities as determined by
Goldman Sachs in its sole discretion. The Funds will have no rights and will not receive any
compensation related to such opportunities.
Goldman Sachs Financial and Other Interests May Incentivize Goldman Sachs to Promote the Sale of Fund Shares
Goldman Sachs and its personnel have interests in promoting sales of Fund shares, and the
compensation from such sales may be greater than the compensation relating to sales of interests in
other Accounts. Therefore, Goldman Sachs and its personnel may have a financial interest in
promoting Fund shares over interests in other Accounts.
Management of the Funds by the Investment Adviser
Potential Restrictions and Issues Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs has established certain information barriers and other policies to address the
sharing of information between different businesses within Goldman Sachs. As a result of
information barriers, the Investment Adviser generally will
B-48
not have access, or will have limited
access, to information and personnel in other areas of Goldman Sachs, and generally will not be
able to manage the Funds with the benefit of information held by such other areas. Such other
areas, including without limitation, Goldman Sachs prime brokerage and administration businesses,
will have broad access to detailed information that is not available to the Investment Adviser,
including information in respect of markets and investments, which, if known to the Investment
Adviser, might cause the Investment Adviser to seek to dispose of, retain or increase interests in
investments held by the Funds or acquire certain positions on behalf of the Funds, or take other
actions. Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation or fiduciary or other duty to make any such
information available to the Investment Adviser or personnel of the Investment Adviser involved in
decision-making for the Funds. In addition, Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation to
make available any information regarding its trading activities, strategies or views, or the
activities, strategies or views used for other Accounts, for the benefit of the Funds.
Valuation of the Funds Investments
The Investment Adviser, while not the primary valuation agent of the Funds, performs certain
valuation services related to securities and assets in the Funds. The Investment Adviser values
securities and assets in the Funds according to its valuation policies and may value an identical
asset differently than another division or unit within Goldman Sachs or another Account values the
asset, including because such other division or unit or Account has information regarding valuation
techniques and models or other information that it does not share with the Investment Adviser.
This is particularly the case in respect of difficult-to-value assets. The Investment Adviser may
face a conflict with respect to such valuations as they affect the Investment Advisers
compensation.
Goldman Sachs and the Investment Advisers Activities on Behalf of Other Accounts
The Investment Advisers decisions and actions on behalf of the Funds may differ from those on
behalf of other Accounts. Advice given to, or investment or voting decisions made for, one or more
Accounts may compete with, affect, differ from, conflict with, or involve timing different from,
advice given to or investment decisions made for the Funds.
The extent of Goldman Sachs activities in the global financial markets may have potential
adverse effects on the Funds. Goldman Sachs, the clients it advises, and its personnel have
interests in and advise Accounts which have investment objectives or portfolios similar to or
opposed to those of the Funds, and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same
types of securities and other instruments as the Funds. Transactions by such Accounts may involve
the same or related securities or other instruments as those in which the Funds invest, and may
negatively affect the Funds or the prices or terms at which the Funds transactions may be
effected. For example, Accounts may engage in a strategy while the Funds are undertaking the same
or a differing strategy, any of which could directly or indirectly disadvantage the Funds. The
Funds and Goldman Sachs may also vote differently on or take or refrain from taking different
actions with respect to the same security, which may be disadvantageous to the Funds. Accounts may
also invest in or extend credit to different classes of securities or different parts of the
capital structure of the same issuer and classes of securities that are subordinate or senior to,
securities in which the Funds invest. As a result, Goldman Sachs and the Accounts may pursue or
enforce rights or activities, or refrain from pursuing or enforcing rights or activities, with
respect to a particular issuer in which the Funds have invested. The Funds could sustain losses
during periods in which Goldman Sachs and other Accounts achieve profits. The negative effects
described above may be more pronounced in connection with transactions in, or the Funds use of,
small capitalization, emerging market, distressed or less liquid strategies.
Goldman Sachs and its personnel may make investment decisions or recommendations, provide
differing investment views or have views with respect to research or valuations that are
inconsistent with, or adverse to, the interests and activities of the Funds. Research, analyses or
viewpoints may be available to clients or potential clients at different times. Goldman Sachs will
not have any obligation to make available to the Funds any research or analysis prior to its public
dissemination. The Investment Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions on behalf of
the Funds and such investment decisions can differ from investment decisions or recommendations by
Goldman Sachs on behalf of other Accounts. Goldman Sachs may, on behalf of other Accounts and in
accordance with its management of such Accounts, implement an investment decision or strategy ahead
of, or contemporaneously with, or behind similar investment decisions or strategies made for the
Funds. The relative timing for the implementation of investment decisions or strategies among
Accounts and the Funds may disadvantage the Funds. Certain factors, for example, market impact,
liquidity constraints, or other circumstances, could result in the Funds receiving less favorable
trading results or incurring increased costs associated with implementing such investment decisions
or strategies, or being otherwise disadvantaged.
B-49
Subject to applicable law, the Investment Adviser may cause the Funds to invest in securities,
bank loans or other obligations of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman
Sachs or Accounts have an equity, debt or other interest, or to engage in investment transactions
that may result in other Accounts being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of
investments, which may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs or other Accounts investments
in and activities with respect to such companies.
When the Investment Adviser wishes to place an order for different types of Accounts
(including the Funds) for which aggregation is not practicable, the Investment Adviser may use a
trade sequencing and rotation policy to determine which type of Account is to be traded first.
Under this policy, each portfolio management team may determine the length of its trade rotation
period and the sequencing schedule for different categories of clients within this period provided
that the trading
periods and these sequencing schedules are designed to be fair and equitable over time. The
portfolio management teams currently base their trading periods and rotation schedules on the
relative amounts of assets managed for different client categories (e.g., unconstrained client
accounts, wrap program accounts, etc.) and, as a result, the Funds may trade behind other
Accounts. Within a given trading period, the sequencing schedule establishes when and how
frequently a given client category will trade first in the order of rotation. The Investment
Adviser may deviate from the predetermined sequencing schedule under certain circumstances, and the
Investment Advisers trade sequencing and rotation policy may be amended, modified or supplemented
at any time without prior notice to clients.
Investments in Goldman Sachs Funds
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may invest in money market and other
funds sponsored, managed or advised by Goldman Sachs. In connection with any such investments, a
Fund, to the extent permitted by the Act, will pay all advisory, administrative or Rule 12b-1 fees
applicable to the investment, and fees to the Investment Adviser in its capacity as manager of the
Funds will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be double fees involved in making any such
investment because Goldman Sachs could receive fees with respect to both the management of the
Funds and such money market fund). In such circumstances, as well as in all other circumstances in
which Goldman Sachs receives any fees or other compensation in any form relating to the provision
of services, no accounting or repayment to the Funds will be required.
Goldman Sachs May In-Source or Outsource
Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, may from time to
time and without notice to investors in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in
connection with a variety of services that it provides to the Funds in its administrative or other
capacities. Such in-sourcing or outsourcing may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.
Distributions of Assets Other Than Cash
With respect to redemptions from the Funds, the Funds may, in certain circumstances, have
discretion to decide whether to permit or limit redemptions and whether to make distributions in
connection with redemptions in the form of securities or other assets, and in such case, the
composition of such distributions. In making such decisions, the Investment Adviser may have a
potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities with respect to redeeming
investors and remaining investors.
Goldman Sachs May Act in a Capacity Other Than Investment Adviser to the Funds
Principal and Cross Transactions
When permitted by applicable law and the Investment Advisers policies, the Investment
Adviser, acting on behalf of the Funds, may enter into transactions in securities and other
instruments with or through Goldman Sachs, and may cause the Funds to engage in transactions in
which the Investment Adviser acts as principal on its own behalf (principal transactions), advises
both sides of a transaction (cross transactions) and acts as broker for, and receives a commission
from, the Funds on one side of a transaction and a brokerage account on the other side of the
transaction (agency cross transactions). There may be potential conflicts of interest or
regulatory issues relating to these transactions which could limit the Investment Advisers
decision to engage in these transactions for the Funds. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially
conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities to the parties in such transactions, and has
developed policies and procedures in relation to such transactions and conflicts. Any principal,
cross or agency cross transactions will be effected in accordance with fiduciary requirements and
applicable law (which may include disclosure and consent).
B-50
Goldman Sachs May Act in Multiple Commercial Capacities
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent,
lender or advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds or issuers of securities held by
the Funds. Goldman Sachs may be entitled to compensation in connection with the provision of such
services, and the Funds will not be entitled to any such compensation. Goldman Sachs will have an
interest in obtaining fees and other compensation in connection with such services that are
favorable to Goldman Sachs, and may take commercial steps in its own interests in connection with
providing such services that negatively affect the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs may require
repayment of all or part of a loan at any time and from time to time or cause the Funds to default,
liquidate its assets or redeem positions more rapidly (and at significantly lower prices) than
might otherwise be desirable. In addition, due to its access to and knowledge of funds, markets
and securities
based on its other businesses, Goldman Sachs may make decisions based on information or take
(or refrain from taking) actions with respect to interests in investments of the kind held directly
or indirectly by the Funds in a manner that may be adverse to the Funds. Goldman Sachs may also
derive benefits from providing services to the Funds, which may enhance Goldman Sachs
relationships with various parties, facilitate additional business development and enable Goldman
Sachs to obtain additional business and generate additional revenue.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell, issue,
invest in or act as placement agent or distributor of derivative instruments related to the Funds,
or with respect to underlying securities or assets of the Funds, or which may be otherwise based on
or seek to replicate or hedge the performance of the Funds. Such derivative transactions, and any
associated hedging activity, may differ from and be adverse to the interests of the Funds.
Goldman Sachs may make loans or enter into asset-based or other credit facilities or similar
transactions that are secured by a clients assets or interests, including Fund shares, interests
in an Account or assets in which the Funds or an Account has an interest. In connection with its
rights as lender, Goldman Sachs may take actions that adversely affect the Account and which may in
turn adversely affect the Funds (e.g., a Fund holding the same type of security that is providing
the credit support to the borrower Account may be disadvantaged when the borrower Account
liquidates assets in response to an action taken by Goldman Sachs).
Code of Ethics and Personal Trading
Each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as each Funds Investment Adviser and distributor, has
adopted a Code of Ethics (the Code of Ethics) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Act
designed to provide that personnel of the Investment Adviser, and certain additional Goldman Sachs
personnel who support the Investment Adviser, comply with applicable federal securities laws and
place the interests of clients first in conducting personal securities transactions. The Code of
Ethics imposes certain restrictions on securities transactions in the personal accounts of covered
persons to help avoid conflicts of interest. Subject to the limitations of the Code of Ethics,
covered persons may buy and sell securities or other investments for their personal accounts,
including investments in the Funds, and may also take positions that are the same as, different
from, or made at different times than, positions taken by the Funds. The Codes of Ethics can be
reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The
Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SECs
Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to
publicinfo@sec.gov. Additionally, Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment
Adviser, are subject to firm-wide policies and procedures regarding confidential and proprietary
information, information barriers, private investments, outside business activities and personal
trading.
Proxy Voting by the Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of
interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients,
including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with its
fiduciary obligations to its clients. Notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures,
proxy voting decisions made by the Investment Adviser with respect to securities held by the Funds
may benefit the interests of Goldman Sachs and Accounts other than the Funds. For a more detailed
discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this SAI entitled PROXY VOTING.
B-51
Potential Limitations and Restrictions on Investment Opportunities and Activities of the
Investment Adviser and the Funds
The Investment Adviser may restrict its investment decisions and activities on behalf of the
Funds in various circumstances, including as a result of applicable regulatory requirements,
information held by Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs internal policies and/or potential reputational
risk or disadvantage to Accounts, including the Funds, and Goldman Sachs. As a result, the
Investment Adviser might not engage in transactions for the Funds in consideration of Goldman
Sachs activities outside the Funds (e.g., the Investment Adviser may refrain from making
investments for the Funds that would cause Goldman Sachs to exceed position limits or cause Goldman
Sachs to have additional disclosure obligations and may limit purchases or sales of securities in
respect of which Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution). In addition,
the Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information in
effecting purchases and sales in public securities transactions for the Funds. The Investment
Adviser may also limit the activities and transactions engaged in by the Funds, and may limit its
exercise of rights on behalf of or in respect of the Funds, for reputational or other
reasons, including where Goldman Sachs is providing (or may provide) advice or services to an
entity involved in such activity or transaction, where Goldman Sachs or an Account is or may be
engaged in the same or a related transaction to that being considered on behalf of the Funds, where
Goldman Sachs or an Account has an interest in an entity involved in such activity or transaction,
or where such activity or transaction or the exercise of such rights on behalf of or in respect of
the Funds could affect Goldman Sachs, the Investment Adviser or their activities.
Brokerage Transactions
The Investment Adviser may select broker-dealers (including affiliates of the Investment
Adviser) that furnish the Investment Adviser, the Funds, their affiliates and other Goldman Sachs
personnel with proprietary or third party brokerage and research services (collectively, brokerage
and research services) that provide, in the Investment Advisers view, appropriate assistance to
the Investment Adviser in the investment decision-making process. As a result, the Investment
Adviser may pay for such brokerage and research services with soft or commission dollars.
Brokerage and research services may be used to service the Funds and any or all other
Accounts, including in connection with Accounts other than those that pay commissions to the
broker-dealer relating to the brokerage and research service arrangements. As a result, the
brokerage and research services (including soft dollar benefits) may disproportionately benefit
other Accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of commissions paid by the Funds in
comparison to such other Accounts. The Investment Adviser does not attempt to allocate soft dollar
benefits proportionately among clients or to track the benefits of brokerage and research services
to the commissions associated with a particular Account or group of Accounts.
Aggregation of Trades by the Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser follows policies and procedures pursuant to which it may combine or
aggregate purchase or sale orders for the same security for multiple clients (sometimes called
bunching) (including Accounts that are proprietary to Goldman Sachs), so that the orders can be
executed at the same time. The Investment Adviser aggregates orders when the Investment Adviser
considers doing so appropriate and in the interests of its clients generally. In addition, under
certain circumstances trades for the Funds may be aggregated with Accounts that contain Goldman
Sachs assets.
When a bunched order is completely filled, the Investment Adviser generally will allocate the
securities purchased or proceeds of sale pro rata among the participating Accounts, based on the
purchase or sale order. If an order is filled at several different prices, through multiple trades
(whether at a particular broker-dealer or among multiple broker-dealers), generally all
participating Accounts will receive the average price and pay the average commission, however, this
may not always be the case (due to, e.g., odd lots, rounding, market practice or constraints
applicable to particular Accounts).
B-52
The Investment Adviser does not bunch or aggregate orders for different Funds, or net buy and
sell orders for the same Fund, if portfolio management decisions relating to the orders are made
separately, or if bunching, aggregating or netting is not appropriate or practicable from the
Investment Advisers operational or other perspective. The Investment Adviser may be able to
negotiate a better price and lower commission rate on aggregated trades than on trades for Funds
that are not aggregated, and incur lower transaction costs on netted trades than trades that are
not netted. Where transactions for a Fund are not aggregated with other orders, or not netted
against orders for the Fund, the Fund may not benefit from a better price and lower commission rate
or lower transaction cost.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Investment Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds,
the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage
commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected
through brokers who charge a negotiated commission for their services. Increasingly, securities
traded over-the-counter also involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Orders may
be directed to any broker including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law,
Goldman Sachs.
In the over-the-counter market, most securities have historically traded on a net basis with
dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price
of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are
purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally
referred to as the underwriters concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market
instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are
paid.
In placing orders for portfolio securities of a Fund, the Investment Adviser is generally
required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable execution and net price
available. This means that the Investment Adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price
and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably
attainable in the circumstances. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (Section 28(e)), a Fund may pay a broker which provides brokerage and research services to
the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would
have charged for effecting that transaction. Such practice is subject to a good faith
determination that such commission is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such
policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks
reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, a Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest
spread or commission available. Within the framework of this policy, the Investment Adviser will
consider research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect or are parties
to portfolio transactions of a Fund, the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, or their other
clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily
provide to institutional investors and include research reports on particular industries and
companies; economic surveys and analyses; recommendations as to specific securities; research
products including quotation equipment and computer related programs; advice concerning the value
of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the
availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and
performance of accounts; services relating to effecting securities transactions and functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and other lawful and appropriate assistance
to the Investment Adviser in the performance of their decision-making responsibilities.
Such services are used by the Investment Adviser in connection with all of its investment
activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for
a Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such
services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate
assets may be larger than those of a Funds, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used
by the Investment Adviser in providing management services for the Trust. The Investment Adviser
may also participate in so-called commission sharing arrangements and client commission
arrangements under which the Investment Adviser may execute transactions through a broker-dealer
and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions or commission credits to
another firm that provides research to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser excludes
from use under these arrangements those products and services that are not fully eligible under
applicable law and regulatory interpretationseven as to the portion that would be eligible if
accounted for separately.
The research services received as part of commission sharing and client commission
arrangements will comply with Section 28(e) and may be subject to different legal requirements in
the jurisdictions in which the Investment Adviser does business. Participating in commission
sharing and client commission arrangements may enable the Investment Adviser to consolidate
payments for research through one or more channels using accumulated client commissions or credits
from
B-53
transactions executed through a particular broker-dealer to obtain research provided by other
firms. Such arrangements also help to ensure the continued receipt of research services while
facilitating best execution in the trading process. The Investment Adviser believes such research
services are useful in its investment decision-making process by, among other things, ensuring
access to a variety of high quality research, access to individual analysts and availability of
resources that the Investment Adviser might not be provided access to absent such arrangements.
On occasions when the Investment Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the
best interest of a Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other
investment company or advisory account for which the Investment Adviser acts as investment adviser
or sub-investment adviser), the Investment Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be
sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable
execution under the circumstances. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or
sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Investment Adviser
in the manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to such
Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price
and size of the position obtainable for a Fund.
Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on
the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally
prevailing rates. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are
reviewed periodically by the Trustees.
Certain Funds may participate in a commission recapture program. Under the program,
participating broker-dealers rebate a percentage of commissions earned on Fund portfolio
transactions to the particular Fund from which they were generated. The rebated
commissions are expected to be treated as realized capital gains of the Funds.
Subject to the above considerations, the Investment Adviser may use Goldman Sachs or an
affiliate as a broker for a Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs or an affiliate, acting as agent, to
effect any portfolio transactions for each Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration
received by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions,
fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions
involving similar securities or futures contracts. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority
of the Trustees who are not interested Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably
designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are
consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject
to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, each of the following Funds paid
brokerage commissions as follows. The amount of brokerage commissions
paid by a Fund may vary substantially from year to year because of differences in shareholder
purchase and redemption activity, portfolio turnover rates and other factors.
B-54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Amount of |
|
|
Amount of Transactions |
|
|
Brokerage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Brokerage |
|
|
Transactions on |
|
|
Effected through |
|
|
Commissions Paid to |
|
|
|
Total Brokerage |
|
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
which |
|
|
Brokers Providing |
|
|
Brokers Providing |
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011: |
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
to Goldman Sachs1 |
|
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
Research2 |
|
|
Research2 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
83,984 |
|
|
$ |
17,334 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
2,167,897,034 (0%4 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
167,263 |
|
|
|
54,207 (21%3 |
) |
|
|
940,059,159 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
31,409 |
|
|
|
3,929 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
881,217,880 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
69,336 |
|
|
|
6,300 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
438,302,208 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
The figures in the table report brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions. |
|
|
|
2 |
|
The information above
reflects the full commission amounts paid to brokers that provide their own execution services, commitment
of capital and other services related to the execution of brokerage transactions. |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Percentage of total commissions paid to Goldman Sachs. |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Percentage of total amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions
effected through Goldman Sachs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokerage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of Transactions |
|
|
Commissions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Brokerage |
|
|
Total Amount of |
|
|
Effected through |
|
|
Paid to |
|
|
|
Total Brokerage |
|
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
Transactions on |
|
|
Brokers Providing |
|
|
Brokers Providing |
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010: |
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
to Goldman Sachs1 |
|
|
which Commissions Paid |
|
|
Research2 |
|
|
Research2 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
64,689 |
|
|
$ |
11,302 (0%3 |
) |
|
$ |
1,360,278,227 (0%4 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
91,389 |
|
|
|
18,438 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
598,499,687 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
50,928 |
|
|
|
4,439 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
1,153,176,858 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
50,005 |
|
|
|
6,091 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
309,579,460 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
The figures in the table report brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions. |
|
|
|
2 |
|
The information above
reflects the full commission amounts paid to brokers that provide their own execution services, commitment
of capital and other services related to the execution of brokerage transactions. |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Percentage of total commissions paid to Goldman Sachs. |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Percentage of total amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions
effected through Goldman Sachs. |
|
B-55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Brokerage |
|
|
Total Amount |
|
|
Transactions |
|
|
Brokerage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions Paid to |
|
|
of Transactions |
|
|
Effected through |
|
|
Commissions Paid to |
|
|
|
Total Brokerage |
|
|
Goldman |
|
|
on which |
|
|
Brokers Providing |
|
|
Brokers Providing |
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009: |
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
Sachs1 |
|
|
Commissions Paid |
|
|
Research2 |
|
|
Research2 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
50,271 |
|
|
$ |
0 (0%3 |
) |
|
$ |
840,529,168 (0%4 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
55,148 |
|
|
|
4,718 (9%3 |
) |
|
|
351,474,042 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
113,151 |
|
|
|
0 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
1,582,100,780 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
56,875 |
|
|
|
0 (0%3 |
) |
|
|
311,178,066 (0%4 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
The figures in the table report brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions. |
|
|
|
2 |
|
The information above
reflects the full commission amounts paid to brokers that provide their own execution services, commitment
of capital and other services related to the execution of brokerage transactions. |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Percentage of total commissions paid to Goldman Sachs. |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Percentage of total amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions
effected through Goldman Sachs. |
|
B-56
Funds Investments in Regular Broker-Dealers
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Funds regular broker-dealers, as defined
in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, were Barclays Capital, Inc., Bank of America Securities LLC, JPMorgan
Chase & Co., Credit Suisse Group AG, Morgan Stanley Co., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Citigroup
Inc., UBS PaineWebber Warburg Dillon Reed, State Street Corp. and Liquidnet, Inc.
As of December 31, 2011, the Funds held the following amounts of securities of their regular
broker-dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, or their parents ($ in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Broker/Dealer |
|
Amount |
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund
|
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Citigroup Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank
|
|
517
210
1,075 |
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund
|
|
Deutsche Bank AG
Credit Suisse Group AG
UBS AG
Barclays PLC
BNP Paribas
Société Générale
|
|
611
365
113
587
1,517
159 |
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
|
|
Bank of America Securities LLC
Citigroup Inc.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Morgan Stanley
Wells Fargo Bank
|
|
3,920
4,231
10,863
1,813
8,808 |
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
|
|
Barclays PLC
Credit Suisse Group AG
Société Générale
|
|
2,100
3,299
275 |
NET ASSET VALUE
In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each
class of each Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to each
class of that Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities
are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time), or such other time as the New York Stock
Exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) market may
officially close. The term Business Day means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed
on the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washingtons Birthday
(observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be
received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to
reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net
asset value other than the Funds official closing net asset value that is subsequently adjusted, and
to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing net
asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption
orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In
addition, each Fund may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any
exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.
B-57
Portfolio securities of a Fund for which accurate market quotations are readily available are valued as
follows: (i) securities listed on any U.S. or foreign stock exchange or on the NASDAQ will be
valued at the last sale price, or the official closing price, on the exchange or system in which
they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there is no sale on the valuation day,
securities traded will be valued at the closing bid price, or if a closing bid price is not
available, at either the exchange or system-defined close price on the exchange or system in which
such securities are principally traded. If the relevant exchange or system has not closed by the
above-mentioned time for determining a Funds net asset value, the securities will be valued at the
last sale price or official closing price, or if not available at the bid price at the time the net
asset value is determined; (ii) over-the-counter securities not quoted on NASDAQ will be valued at
the last sale price on the valuation day or, if no sale occurs, at the last bid price at the time
net asset value is determined; (iii) equity securities for which no prices are obtained under
sections (i) or (ii) including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or
a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at
their fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees; (iv) fixed income
securities, with the exception of short term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or
less, will be valued using evaluated prices provided by a recognized pricing service (e.g.,
Interactive Data Corp., Reuters, etc.) or dealer-supplied bid quotations; (v) fixed income securities
for which accurate market quotations are not readily available are valued by the Investment Adviser
based on valuation models that take into account various factors such as spread and daily yield
changes on government or other securities in the appropriate market (i.e. matrix pricing); (vi)
short term fixed income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which the Trustees have determined to approximate fair value; and (vii) all other
instruments, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a
quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued in
accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into
U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by
any major bank or pricing service. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange
will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and
on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to
the close of business on each Business Day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading
generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New
York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business
Days in New York and days on which the Funds net asset values are not calculated. Such
calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the
majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. For Funds that invest a significant
portion of assets in foreign equity securities, fair value prices are provided by an independent
fair value service (if available), in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the
Trustees, and are intended to reflect more accurately the value of those securities at the time the
Funds NAV is calculated. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times
that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of
foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of
determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair
value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet
the established criteria for the Funds, the most recent closing price for such a security on its
principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
The Investment Adviser, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may
determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or
foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value
of the securities at the time of determining a Funds NAV. Significant events that could affect a
large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations
relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or
foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures;
natural or man-made disasters or act of God; armed conflicts; governmental actions or other
developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the
securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant
events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions
such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to
earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; trading limits;
or suspensions.
The proceeds received by each Fund and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale
of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof,
subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Fund or particular
series and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund or series. The
B-58
underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged
with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the
Trust. Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Funds and the other series of the Trust are
generally allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Funds or series except
where allocations of expenses can otherwise be fairly made.
Errors and Corrective Actions
The Investment Adviser will report to the Board of Trustees any material breaches of
investment objective, policies or restrictions and any material errors in the calculation of the
NAV of a Fund or the processing of purchases and redemptions. Depending on the nature and size of
an error, corrective action may or may not be required. Corrective action may involve a
prospective correction of the NAV only, correction of any erroneous NAV and compensation to a Fund,
or correction of any erroneous NAV, compensation to a Fund and reprocessing of individual
shareholder transactions. The Trusts policies on errors and corrective action limit or restrict
when corrective action will be taken or when compensation to a Fund or its shareholders will be
paid, and not all mistakes will result in compensable errors. As a result, neither a Fund nor its
shareholders who purchase or redeem shares during periods in which errors accrue or occur may be
compensated in connection with the resolution of an error. Shareholders will generally not be
notified of the occurrence of a compensable error or the resolution thereof absent unusual
circumstances.
As discussed in more detail under NET ASSET VALUE, a Funds portfolio securities may be
priced based on quotations for those securities provided by pricing services. There can be no
guarantee that a quotation provided by a pricing service will be accurate.
SHARES OF THE TRUST
Each Fund is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust established by an
Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The fiscal year end for each Fund is December 31.
The Trustees have authority under the Trusts Declaration of Trust to create and classify
shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The
Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more
classes of shares. As of April 27, 2012, the Trustees have classified the shares of the
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund into six classes: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C
Shares, Class IR Shares, Institutional Shares and Service Shares. The Trustees have classified the shares
of each of the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium, Structured International Tax-Managed Equity and
International Equity Dividend and Premium Funds into four classes: Class A Shares, Class C Shares,
Class IR Shares, and Institutional Shares. Additional series and classes may be added in the
future.
Each Class A Share, Class B Share, Class C Share, Institutional Share, Class IR Share and
Service Share of a Fund represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the
applicable class of the Fund. All expenses of a Fund are borne at the same rate by each class of
shares, except that fees under the Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan are borne
exclusively by Service Shares, fees under Distribution and Service Plans (together with the Service
Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan, the Plans) are borne exclusively by Class A, Class B,
or Class C Shares and transfer agency fees and expenses are borne at different rates by different
share classes. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other
expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to the extent consistent with the rules
of the SEC and positions of the IRS. Each class of shares may have different minimum investment
requirements and be entitled to different shareholder services. With limited exceptions, shares of
a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same or an equivalent class of another fund. See
Shareholder Guide in the Prospectus and OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE,
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS below. In addition, the fees and expenses set
forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements, as discussed
more fully in the Funds Prospectus.
Class A Shares are sold with an initial sales charge of up to 5.5%, through brokers and
dealers who are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (the FINRA) and certain
other financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares bear
the cost of distribution fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets
of such Class A Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the distributor at its discretion may use
compensation for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Service Plan for personal
and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan
does not exceed the maximum cap on service fees imposed by FINRA.
B-59
Prior to November 2, 2009, Class B Shares of the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Funds were sold
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of up to 5.0% through brokers and dealers
who are members of FINRA and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements
with Goldman Sachs. Class B Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the
aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares.
Class B Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average
daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares.
Class C Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 1.0% through brokers and
dealers who are members of FINRA and certain other financial services firms that have sales
arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at
the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.
Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average
daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.
Class IR Shares are sold at net asset value without a sales charge. As noted in the
Prospectus, Class IR Shares are not sold directly to the public. Instead, Class IR Shares
generally are available only to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit
sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred
compensation plans (the Retirement Plans). Class IR Shares are also generally available only to
Retirement Plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the Funds. Class IR
Shares may also be sold to accounts established under a fee-based program that is sponsored and
maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial intermediary that is approved by
Goldman Sachs (Eligible Fee-Based Program). Class IR Shares are not available to traditional and
Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and individual 403(b) plans,
except that Class IR Shares are available to such accounts or plans to the extent they are
purchased through an Eligible Fee-Based Program. Participant in a Retirement Plan should contact
their Retirement Plan service provider for information regarding purchases, sales and exchanges of
Class IR Shares.
Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts
in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Fund under a Plan for
services provided to the institutions customers.
Service Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in
the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain shareholder
administration services and shareholder liaison services to its customers, including maintenance of
account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares. Service
Shares bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up
to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to
Service Shares.
It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares
(i.e., Class A, Class B, Class C, Class IR, Institutional or Service Shares) to its customers and
thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of each Fund.
Dividends paid by each Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the
same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be the same amount, except for differences
caused by the fact that the respective transfer agency and Plan fees relating to a particular class
will be borne exclusively by that class. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ
depending upon the class of shares purchased.
Certain aspects of the shares may be altered after advance notice to shareholders if it is
deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.
When issued for the consideration described in the Funds Prospectus, shares are fully paid
and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular
series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer agency, servicing or similar charges by setting
off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both
means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets
of the applicable class of the relevant Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. All
shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The
Trustees may require Shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.
The Act requires that where more than one series of shares exists, each series must be
preferred over all other series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such series. In
addition, Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the
provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding
voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been
effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a
B-60
series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each series in the matter
are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such series. However,
Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal
distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule
18f-2.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold
such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be
entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to
one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such share
on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting
being referred to as dollar based voting). However, to the extent required by the Act or
otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from
each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of
Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by
the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares
entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for
the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office
at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights
only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such
other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and
agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of such persons office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that such persons actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust
provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable
solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholders acts or
omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholders
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held
harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust,
acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense
of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any
judgment thereon from the assets of the series.
The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the
Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust,
series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees
determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such
series, such class or their respective shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as
they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the
inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii)
changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, series or class or affecting assets of the type
in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact
on the business or operations of the Trust or series.
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the
Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or
other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the
Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a
master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the
securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective,
restrictions and policies.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a
shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i)
that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be
approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust
regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to
shareholders.
The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of
the Trusts shares (the Series Trustees). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as
Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the
Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of
any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration
of Trust with respect to such Series or Class, but may have no power or authority with respect to
any other series or class.
B-61
Shareholder and Trustee Liability
Under Delaware Law, the shareholders of the Funds are not generally subject to liability for
the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust
will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no
similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other
states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to
the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may
thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this
risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of a series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series of the Trust. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as
a result of an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series
shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of
personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.
In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that
shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the
following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under
Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the
outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the
Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time
to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will
be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may
require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the series for the
expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee
against liability to which 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.
Principal Holders of Securities
As of April 10, 2012, the following shareholders were shown in the Trusts records as owning
of record or beneficially more than 5% of any class of a Funds shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS |
|
NAME/ADDRESS |
|
% SHARE CLASS |
A
|
|
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
PO Box 9446, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446
|
|
|
6.4468 |
% |
A
|
|
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING INC
PO BOX 2226, OMAHA NE 68103-2226
|
|
|
10.2463 |
% |
A
|
|
FIRST CLEARING LLC
2801 MARKET ST, SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
|
|
|
5.8596 |
% |
A
|
|
PERSHING LLC
PO BOX 2052, JERSEY CITY NJ 07303-2052
|
|
|
19.9167 |
% |
A
|
|
EDWARD JONES
201 PROGRESS PKWY, MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3003
|
|
|
12.5341 |
% |
A
|
|
GENWORTH FINANCIAL TRUST COMPANY
3200 N CENTRAL AVE FL 7, PHOENIX AZ 85012-2468
|
|
|
16.8403 |
% |
B
|
|
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER, PLAZA II 3RD FL, JERSEY CITY
NJ 07311
|
|
|
5.0530 |
% |
B
|
|
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
ATTN: SERVICE TEAM SEC #97PR8
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FL, JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
|
|
|
32.4364 |
% |
B
|
|
EDWARD JONES
201 PROGRESS PKWY, MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3003
|
|
|
15.4921 |
% |
B
|
|
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
PO BOX 9446, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446
|
|
|
15.3951 |
% |
B
|
|
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS CORPORATION
ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER,
510 MARQUETTE AVE S, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-1110
|
|
|
5.2455 |
% |
B-62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS |
|
NAME/ADDRESS |
|
% SHARE CLASS |
C
|
|
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
PO BOX 9446, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446
|
|
|
7.9332 |
% |
C
|
|
STIFEL NICOLAUS
501 N BROADWAY, SAINT LOUIS MO 63102-2188
|
|
|
5.7010 |
% |
C
|
|
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
ATTN: SERVICE TEAM SEC #97PR8,
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FL, JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
|
|
|
9.1900 |
% |
C
|
|
FIRST CLEARING LLC
2801 MARKET ST, SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
|
|
|
23.8824 |
% |
C
|
|
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PARKWAY, ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1102
|
|
|
17.3653 |
% |
C
|
|
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER, PLAZA II 3RD FL, JERSEY CITY
NJ 07311
|
|
|
6.4397 |
% |
C
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
ONE BEACON ST 18TH FL, BOSTON MA 02108-3107
|
|
|
95.8525 |
% |
C
|
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
4251 CASTLE PINES CT, TUCKER GA 30084-2604
|
|
|
78.7321 |
% |
C
|
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
1751 18TH ST NW, WASHINGTON DC 20009-6102
|
|
|
15.0750 |
% |
C
|
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
1751 18TH ST NW, WASHINGTON DC 20009-6102
|
|
|
6.1643 |
% |
A
|
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
PO BOX 15203, ALBANY NY 12212-5203
|
|
|
5.8162 |
% |
A
|
|
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
PO BOX 9446, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446
|
|
|
21.0812 |
% |
A
|
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
|
|
|
16.2279 |
% |
A
|
|
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT
702 2ND AVE SOUTH, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402
|
|
|
6.5239 |
% |
A
|
|
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING INC
PO BOX 2226, OMAHA NE 68103-2226
|
|
|
6.9692 |
% |
A
|
|
LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE, SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
|
|
|
6.4994 |
% |
A
|
|
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
ATTN DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD 5TH FL, WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
|
|
|
9.5096 |
% |
C
|
|
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
ATTN DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD 5TH FL, WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
|
|
|
10.7694 |
% |
C
|
|
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
PO BOX 9446, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446
|
|
|
13.6561 |
% |
C
|
|
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA II 3RD FL, JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
|
|
|
9.9636 |
% |
C
|
|
FIRST CLEARING LLC
2801 MARKET ST, SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
|
|
|
13.1600 |
% |
C
|
|
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
ATTN: SERVICE TEAM SEC #97PR8,
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FL, JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
|
|
|
24.4277 |
% |
Institutional
|
|
SAXON & CO.
PO BOX 7780-1888, PHILADELPHIA PA 19182-0001
|
|
|
7.1175 |
% |
Institutional
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
1 BEACON ST FL 18, BOSTON MA 02108-3107
|
|
|
10.7587 |
% |
B-63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS |
|
NAME/ADDRESS |
|
% SHARE CLASS |
Institutional
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
295 CHIPETA WAY, SALT LAKE CITY UT 84108-1285
|
|
|
65.1680 |
% |
A
|
|
GENWORTH FINANCIAL TRUST COMPANY
3200 N CENTRAL AVE FL 7, PHOENIX AZ 85012-2468
|
|
|
29.5155 |
% |
A
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
295 CHIPETA WAY, SALT LAKE CTY UT 84108-1285
|
|
|
19.2995 |
% |
A
|
|
PERSHING LLC
PO BOX 2052, JERSEY CITY NJ 07303-2052
|
|
|
31.2359 |
% |
A
|
|
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING INC
PO BOX 2226, OMAHA NE 68103-2226
|
|
|
15.7016 |
% |
C
|
|
EDWARD JONES
201 PROGRESS PKWY, MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3003
|
|
|
10.0372 |
% |
C
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, SEED ACCOUNTS
ATTN IMD-INDIA-SAOS
CRYSTAL DOWNS FL 3, EMBASSY GOLF LINKS BUSINESS PARK,
BANGALORE 560071 INDIA
|
|
|
37.8449 |
% |
C
|
|
MICHIGAN SECURITIES
6015 LAHRING RD, HOLLY MI 48442-9616
|
|
|
52.0564 |
% |
Institutional
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
295 CHIPETA WAY, SALT LAKE CTY UT 84108-1285
|
|
|
7.4758 |
% |
Institutional
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
ONE BEACON ST 18TH FL, BOSTON MA 02108-3107
|
|
|
92.3756 |
% |
A
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
295 CHIPETA WAY, SALT LAKE CTY UT 84108-1285
|
|
|
95.3248 |
% |
C
|
|
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
PO BOX 9446, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446
|
|
|
45.4776 |
% |
C
|
|
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC,
ATTN DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD 5TH FL, WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
|
|
|
16.0158 |
% |
Institutional
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
295 CHIPETA WAY, SALT LAKE CTY UT 84108-1285
|
|
|
55.1402 |
% |
Institutional
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
1 BEACON ST FL 18, BOSTON MA 02108-3107
|
|
|
33.0531 |
% |
IR
|
|
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PARKWAY, ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1102
|
|
|
99.7547 |
% |
IR
|
|
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PARKWAY, ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1102
|
|
|
93.2432 |
% |
IR
|
|
GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, SEED ACCOUNTS
ATTN IMD-INDIA-SAOS
CRYSTAL DOWNS FL 3, EMBASSY GOLF LINKS BUSINESS PARK,
BANGALORE 560071 INDIA
|
|
|
6.7568 |
% |
IR
|
|
LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE, SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
|
|
|
84.5449 |
% |
IR
|
|
PERSHING LLC
PO BOX 2052, JERSEY CITY NJ 07303-2052
|
|
|
6.6479 |
% |
IR
|
|
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PARKWAY, ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1102
|
|
|
8.7950 |
% |
IR
|
|
LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE, SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
|
|
|
90.5484 |
% |
IR
|
|
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PARKWAY, ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1102
|
|
|
9.4240 |
% |
B-64
As of April 10, 2012, the Goldman Sachs Tax-Advantaged Global Equity Portfolio (TAG Fund)
owned 77.78% of the outstanding shares of the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund. For so long as
this investment represents a greater than 25% interest in the Fund, TAG Fund will be considered a
control person of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act. For so long as TAG Fund is a control
person, in the event of a proxy affecting the Fund, the TAG Fund will either mirror vote its shares
or seek the advice of an independent proxy voting agent. Redemptions by TAG Fund of its holdings
in the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund may impact the Funds liquidity and NAV, and may also
force the Fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact the Funds brokerage and tax costs.
As of April 10, 2012, the TAG Fund owned 57.85% of the outstanding shares of the International
Tax-Managed Equity Fund. For so long as this investment represents a greater than 25% interest in
the Fund, TAG Fund will be considered a control person of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.
For so long as TAG Fund is a control person, in the event of a proxy affecting the Fund, the TAG
Fund will either mirror vote its shares or seek the advice of an independent proxy voting agent.
Redemptions by TAG Fund of its holdings in the International Tax-Managed Equity Fun]d may impact
the Funds liquidity and NAV, and may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may negatively
impact the Funds brokerage and tax costs.
TAXATION
The following is a summary of
the principal U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting the funds and the purchase,
ownership and disposition of shares of the Funds that are not
described in the Prospectus. The discussions below and in the Prospectus are only summaries and are not intended to
substitute for careful tax planning. They do not address special tax rules
applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and
financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his or her own tax
adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of
investing in each Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on April 27, 2012, which are
subject to change.
Fund Taxation
Each
Fund is treated as a separate taxable entity and has elected to be treated and intends to
qualify for each taxable year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A,
Chapter 1, of the Code. To qualify as such, a Fund must satisfy certain requirements relating to
the sources of its income, diversification of its assets and distribution of its income to shareholders.
As a regulated investment company, a Fund will not be subject to federal income or excise tax on any net
investment income and net realized capital gains that are distributed to its shareholders in accordance with
certain timing requirements of the Code.
There are certain tax
requirements that each Fund must follow if it is to avoid federal
taxation. In their efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Funds may have to limit their
investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment
company under the Code requires, among other things, that (i) the Fund derive at least 90% of its
gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or
securities or foreign currencies, net income from qualified publically traded partnerships or other income
(including but not limited to
gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived with respect to the Funds business of
investing in stocks, securities or currencies (the 90% gross income test); and (ii) the Fund
diversify its holdings so that, in general, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a)
at least 50% of the fair market value of the Funds total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash
items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the
value of such Funds total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities and securities of other
regulated investment companies), two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the
same, similar or related trades or businesses, or certain publicly traded partnerships.
For purposes of the
90% gross income test, income that a Fund earns from equity interests in
certain entities that are not treated as corporations or as qualified
publicly traded partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes
(e.g., partnerships or trusts) will generally have the same
character for the Fund as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, a Fund may be required to
limit its equity investments in any such entities that earn fee income, rental income, or other
nonqualifying income. In addition, future Treasury regulations could provide that qualifying
income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign currency transactions
that are not directly related to a Funds principal business of investing in stock or securities or
options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign currency positions or
entering into foreign currency options, futures and
B-65
forward or swap contracts for purposes other than hedging currency risk with respect to
securities in a Funds portfolio or anticipated to be acquired may not qualify as
directly-related under these tests.
If a Fund complies with the provisions discussed above, then in any taxable
year in which the Fund distributes, in compliance with the Codes timing and other requirements, an amount
at least equal to the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable accrued original issue
discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, any net short-term capital gain in excess if net long-term capital loss, certain
net realized foreign exchange gains and any other taxable income other than net capital gain, as defined below, and is reduced by deductible expenses),
plus 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income (if any) over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund
(but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders.
However, if a Fund retains any investment company taxable income or net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. Because there are some uncertainties regarding
the computation of the amounts deemed distributed to Fund shareholders for these purposes including, in particular,
uncertainties regarding the portion, if any, of amounts paid in redemption of Fund shares that should be treated as such distributions
there can be no assurance that each Fund will avoid corporate-level tax in each year.
Each Fund generally intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or
substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any tax-exempt
interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors
such as the International Equity Dividend and Premium and Structured International Tax-Managed
Equity Funds and may therefore make it more difficult for such a Fund to satisfy the distribution
requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below.
Each Fund generally expects, however, to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy those
requirements, from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year
a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its taxable
income and net capital gain at corporate rates, without any deductions for dividends paid, and its distributions to shareholders will
generally be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings
and profits.
If a Fund retains any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as
undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (1) if subject to U.S. federal
income tax on long-term capital gains, will be required to include in income for federal income tax
purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of that undistributed amount, and (2) will be
entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund against their U.S.
federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds those
liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder
of the Fund will be increased by the amount of any such undistributed net capital gain included in
the shareholders gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Fund on that
amount of net capital gain.
To avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed)
by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for the calendar
year, at least 98.2% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed
on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary
income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for all previous years that were not
distributed for those years and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. For federal income
tax purposes, dividends declared by a Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of
record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following year are
taxable to such shareholders, and deductible by the Fund, as if paid on December 31 of the year
declared. Each Fund anticipates that it will generally make timely distributions of income and
capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that it will generally not be required to
pay the excise tax.
For federal income tax
purposes, each Fund is generally permitted to carry forward a net
capital loss in any taxable year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight taxable years
following the year of the loss. Capital loss carryforwards arising on taxable years of a Fund beginning after
December 22, 2010 will generally be able to be carried forward indefinitely. These
amounts are available to be carried forward to offset future capital gains to the extent permitted
by the Code and applicable tax regulations. As of December 31, 2011, the following Funds had
capital loss carryforwards approximating the amounts indicated, expiring in the years indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of |
|
Fund |
|
Amount |
|
|
Expiration |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
47,243,753 |
|
|
|
2016 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
18,938,160 |
|
|
|
2016 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
31,387,420 |
|
|
|
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Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts,
options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward
contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of
the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by a Fund will be required to be
marked-to-market for federal income tax purposes that is, treated as having been sold at their fair
market value on the last day of the Funds taxable year (or, for excise tax purposes, on the last
day of the relevant period). These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains
without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of
these futures contracts, forward contracts, or options will (except for certain foreign currency
options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss
and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into
by a Fund, it may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, forward
contracts, and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any
unrecognized gains on related positions held by the Fund, and the characterization of gains or
losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions
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described in this paragraph
may affect the amount, timing and character of a Funds distributions to shareholders. The
application of certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and the
application of certain other tax rules may be unclear in some respects in connection with certain
investment practices such as dollar rolls, or investments in certain derivatives, including
interest rate swaps, floors, caps and collars, currency swaps, total return swaps, mortgage swaps,
index swaps, forward contracts and structured notes. As a result, a Fund may therefore be required
to limit its investments in such transactions and it is also possible that the IRS may not agree
with a Funds tax treatment of such transactions. In addition, the tax treatment of derivatives,
and certain other investments, may be affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and
guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the timing, character and amount of a Funds income
and gains and distributions to shareholders. Certain tax elections may be available to a Fund to
mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.
Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency
transactions and instruments, which may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or
loss recognized by a Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized with respect
to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and
receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections
may be available that would alter this treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as
ordinary loss under Section 988 of the Code were to exceed a Funds investment company taxable
income (computed without regard to that loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be
deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain foreign
currency transactions or instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for
accounting purposes, with the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion of a Funds
dividends being treated as a return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a
shareholders tax basis in his shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to
capital gains.
A
Funds investment, if any, in
zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, certain
structured securities or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if a Fund elects to
include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any marked-to-market
gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will in many cases
cause the Fund to realize income or gain before the receipt of cash payments with respect to these
securities or contracts. For a Fund to obtain cash to enable the Fund to distribute any such
income or gain, to maintain its qualification as a regulated
investment company and to avoid
federal income and excise taxes, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio investments sooner
than it might otherwise have done.
Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for a Fund to the extent
actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to
those kinds of securities. Tax
rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when an investor in
such securities may cease to
accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions
may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in default
should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a
workout context are taxable. These and other issues will generally need to be addressed by a Fund,
in the event it invests in such securities, so as to seek to eliminate or to minimize any adverse
tax consequences.
Each Fund anticipates that it may be subject to foreign taxes on its income (possibly
including, in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Except for the
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund and International Equity Dividend and Premium
Fund, the Funds will not be eligible to elect to pass through foreign taxes to the shareholders but
will be entitled to deduct such taxes in computing the amounts they are required to distribute.
If a Fund acquires stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire stock
such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least
75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents,
royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such
passive income (passive foreign investment companies), the Fund could be subject to federal
income tax and additional interest charges on excess distributions received from such companies
or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by
the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund will not be able to pass through to
its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. In some cases, elections may be available
that will ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but those
elections will require the Fund to
include each year certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements
described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash. Each Fund may attempt to limit and/or to
manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability or
maximize its return from these investments.
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If a Fund invests in certain REITs or in REMIC residual interests, a portion of the Funds
income may be classified as excess inclusion income. A shareholder that is otherwise not subject
to tax may be taxable on their share of any such excess inclusion income as unrelated business
taxable income. In addition, tax may be imposed on a Fund on the portion of any excess inclusion
income allocable to any shareholders that are classified as disqualified organizations.
Medicare Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be
imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain
distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of
Fund shares) of US individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such persons modified
adjusted gross income (in the case of an individual) or adjusted gross income (in the case of an
estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
Foreign Taxes
Each Fund anticipates that it may be subject to foreign taxes on income (possibly including,
in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries
and the United States may reduce or eliminate those foreign taxes in some cases. If, as may occur
for the International Equity Dividend and Premium and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Funds, more than 50% of a Funds total assets at the close of a taxable year consists of stock or
securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may file an election with the IRS pursuant to which
the shareholders of the Fund will be required (1) to report as dividend income (in addition to
taxable dividends actually received) their pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund
that are treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations (which excludes, for example, stamp
taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes) even though not actually received by those
shareholders, and (2) to treat those respective pro rata shares as foreign income taxes paid by
them, which they can claim either as a foreign tax credit, subject to applicable limitations,
against their U.S. federal income tax liability or as an itemized deduction. (Shareholders who do
not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their
pro rata portion of foreign taxes paid by a Fund, although those shareholders will be required to
include their share of such taxes in gross income if the foregoing election is made by the Fund.)
If a shareholder chooses to take credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder
as a result of any such election by the International Equity Dividend and Premium or Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Funds, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year
may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken which the
shareholders taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholders entire
taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, distributions from long-term
and short-term capital gains or foreign currency gains by a Fund will generally not be treated as
income from foreign sources. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to
certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of
these rules, which have different effects depending upon each shareholders particular tax
situation, certain shareholders of the International Equity Dividend and Premium and Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Funds may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of
their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by such Fund even if the election is made by
that Fund.
Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including retirement plans,
other tax-exempt shareholders and non-U.S. shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from the
foregoing Fund election with respect to foreign taxes. Each year, if any, that one of the
International Equity Dividend and Premium or Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Funds file
the election described above, shareholders will be notified of the amount of (1) each shareholders
pro rata share of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund and (2) the portion of Fund dividends
that represents income from foreign sources. The other Funds will not be entitled to elect to pass
foreign taxes and associated credits or deductions through to their shareholders because they will
not satisfy the 50% requirement described above. If a Fund cannot or does not make this election,
it may deduct its foreign taxes in computing the amount it is required to distribute.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to U.S.
persons subject to tax under such law.
Except as discussed below, distributions to shareholders who, as to the United States, are not
U.S. persons, (i.e., are nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, fiduciaries of foreign trusts
or estates, foreign partnerships or other non-U.S. investors) generally will be subject to U.S.
federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on distributions treated as ordinary
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income unless the
tax is reduced or eliminated pursuant to a tax treaty or the distributions are effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder; but distributions of net capital gain
(the excess of any net long-term capital gains over any net short-term capital losses) including
amounts retained by a Fund which are reported as undistributed capital gains, to such a non-U.S.
shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the distributions
are effectively connected with the shareholders trade or business in the United States or, in the
case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the
United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
Any capital gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of a
Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively
connected with the shareholders trade or business in the U.S., or in the case of a shareholder who
is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more
during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Fund with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8BEN,
W-8ECI, W-8IMY or W-8EXP), or an acceptable substitute, may be subject to backup withholding at a
28% (scheduled to increase to 31% after 2012) rate on dividends (including capital gain dividends)
and on the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges.
Also, non-U.S. shareholders of a Fund may be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their
Fund shares.
Effective January 1, 2013, the Funds will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on
payments of dividends and redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply
with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of
the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide
additional information to the Funds to enable the Funds to determine whether withholding is
required.
Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the
U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from,
the Funds.
State and Local Taxes
Each Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which the Fund is deemed
to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities that impose income taxes, the
treatment of such a Fund and its shareholders under those jurisdictions tax laws may differ from
the treatment under federal income tax laws, and an investment in such a Fund may have tax
consequences for shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in such Funds
portfolio securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning state and
local tax matters.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements
and related reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds, contained in the Funds 2011 Annual
Reports are hereby incorporated by reference. The financial statements in each Funds Annual
Report have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. No other parts of any Annual Report
are incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Annual Report of each Fund may be obtained
upon request and without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, Illinois
60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of each Funds
Prospectus.
PROXY VOTING
The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the
Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the Policy) for
the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting
discretion, including the Funds. Under the Policy, the Investment Advisers guiding principles in
performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that in the Investment
Advisers view tend to maximize a companys shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by
conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Advisers belief that sound
corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests
of its shareholders.
The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment
Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. The Investment
Adviser periodically reviews the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the
Investment Advisers guiding principles.
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Public Equity Investments. To implement these guiding principles for investments in
publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser has developed customized proxy voting guidelines
(the Guidelines). The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser
generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual
topics, including, among other matters, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board
structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations,
mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and various shareholder proposals. Attached as
Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.
The Investment Adviser has retained a third-party proxy voting service (Proxy Service) to
assist in the implementation of certain proxy voting-related functions. Among its
responsibilities, the Proxy Service prepares a written analysis and recommendation (a
Recommendation) of each proxy vote that reflects the Proxy Services application of the GSAM
Guidelines to the particular proxy issues. While it is the Investment Advisers policy generally
to follow the Guidelines and recommendations, the Investment Advisers portfolio management teams
(Portfolio Management Teams) may on certain proxy votes seek approval to diverge from the
Guidelines or a recommendation by following an override process. Such decisions are subject to a
review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any
conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams
are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct
and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations.
The Proxy Service assists in the implementation and administration of the proxy voting
function. The Proxy Service assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by
providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services. In addition, the Proxy Service
produces Recommendations as previously discussed and provides assistance in the development and
maintenance of the GSAM Guidelines.
GSAM conducts periodic due diligence meetings with the Proxy Service which include, but are
not limited to, a review of the Proxy Services general organizational structure, new developments
with respect to research and technology, work flow improvements and internal due diligence with
respect to conflicts of interest. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to
replace or supplement the Proxy Service with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser
currently receives from the Proxy Service.
The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest
from influencing its proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Advisers use
of the Guidelines and recommendations and the override process, and the establishment of
information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc.
Fixed Income and Private Investments. Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities
and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Funds managers based on
their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.
Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the
most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on or through the Funds website at
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com and on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Authorized
Institutions and other financial intermediaries (Intermediaries) from time to time to promote the
sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds. These payments (Additional Payments)
are made out of the Investment Advisers, Distributors and/or their affiliates own assets (which
may come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the Funds), are not an additional charge to the
Funds or their shareholders, and do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of a
Funds shares or the amount a Fund receives as proceeds from such purchases. Although paid by the
Investment Advisor, Distributor, and/or their affiliates, the Additional Payments are in addition
to the distribution and service fees paid by the Funds to the Intermediaries as described in the
Funds Prospectus and this SAI, and are also in addition to the sales commissions payable to
Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectus. For purposes of this Payments to Intermediaries section, Funds shall mean, collectively, the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Funds.
The Additional Payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things:
marketing shares of the Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on
preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the
Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries registered representatives or salespersons, including
at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; finders or
referral fees for directing investors to the Funds; marketing support fees for providing
assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares (which may include promotions in communications
with the Intermediaries customers, registered representatives
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and salespersons); and/or other
specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds. In addition,
the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments (including
through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) for subaccounting, administrative and/or
shareholder processing services that are in addition to the transfer agent, shareholder
administration, servicing and processing fees paid by the Funds. These Additional Payments may
exceed amounts earned on these assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their
affiliates for the performance of these or similar services. The Additional Payments may be a fixed
dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may
be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary
involved; or may be calculated on another basis. The Additional Payments are negotiated with each
Intermediary based on a range of factors, including but not limited to the Intermediarys ability
to attract and retain assets (including particular classes of Fund shares), target markets,
customer relationships, quality of service and industry reputation. Although the individual
components may be higher or lower and the total amount of Additional Payments made to any
Intermediary in any given year will vary, the amount of these Additional Payments (excluding
payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements), on average, is normally not
expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through an Intermediary.
These Additional Payments may be significant to certain Intermediaries, and may be an
important factor in an Intermediarys willingness to support the sale of the Funds through its
distribution system.
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be motivated to make Additional
Payments since they promote the sale of Fund shares to clients of Intermediaries and the retention
of those investments by those clients. To the extent Intermediaries sell more shares of the Funds
or retain shares of the Funds in their clients accounts, the Investment Adviser and Distributor
benefit from the incremental management and other fees paid by the Funds with respect to those
assets.
In addition, certain Intermediaries may have access to certain research and investment
services from the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates. Such research and
investment services (Additional Services) may include research reports, economic analysis,
portfolio analysis tools, business planning services, certain marketing and investor education
materials and strategic asset allocation modeling. The Intermediary may not pay for these products
or services. The cost of the Additional Services and the particular services provided may vary
from Intermediary to Intermediary.
The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates or
the Additional Services received by an Intermediary may vary with respect to the type of fund
(e.g., equity, fund, fixed income fund, specialty fund, asset allocation portfolio or money market
fund) sold by the Intermediary. In addition, the Additional Payment arrangements may include
breakpoints in compensation which provide that the percentage rate of compensation varies as the
dollar value of the amount sold or invested through an Intermediary increases.
The presence of these Additional Payments or Additional Services, the varying fee structure
and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons
may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to
highlight, feature or recommend funds, including the Funds, or other investments based, at least in
part, on the level of compensation paid. Additionally, if one mutual fund sponsor makes greater
distribution payments than another, an Intermediary may have an incentive to recommend one fund
complex over another. Similarly, if an Intermediary receives more distribution assistance for one
share class versus another, that Intermediary may have an incentive to recommend that share class.
Because Intermediaries may be paid varying amounts per class for sub-transfer agency and related
recordkeeping services, the service requirements of which also may vary by class, this may create
an additional incentive for financial firms and their financial advisors to favor one fund complex
over another, or one fund class over another. You should consider whether such incentives exist
when evaluating any recommendations from an Intermediary to purchase or sell Shares of the Funds
and when considering which share class is most appropriate for you.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates
made Additional Payments out of their own assets to approximately 157 Intermediaries, totaling
approximately $97.4 million (excluding payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking
agreements and certain other types of payments described below), with respect to all of the funds
of the Trust (including the Funds included in this Statement of Additional Information), all of the
funds in an affiliated investment company, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, and the Goldman
Sachs Credit Strategies Fund, an affiliated closed-end investment company. During the year ended
December 31, 2011, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates had contractual
arrangements to make Additional Payments to the Intermediaries listed below (or their affiliates or
successors), among others. This list will change over time, and any additions, modifications or
deletions thereto that have occurred since December 31, 2011 are not reflected. Additional
Intermediaries may receive payments in 2012 and in future years. Certain arrangements are still
being negotiated, and there is a possibility that payments will be made retroactively to
Intermediaries not listed below.
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ADP Broker Dealer, Inc.
American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.
Allstate Life Insurance Co.
Amalga Trust Company
Amalgamated Bank of Chicago
American National Trust and Investment Management Company (d/b/a Old National Trust Company)
American United Life Insurance Co.
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Ascensus, Inc.
Associated Trust NA & Associated Investment Services Inc.
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
Banc of America Securities, LLC
BancorpSouth
Bank Hapoalim B.M.
Bank of New York
Bank of Oklahoma
Bankers Trust
Barclays Capital Inc.
BB&T Capital Markets
BMO Nesbitt Burns (Harris)
BOSC, Inc.
Branch Banking & Trust Company
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co
C.M. Life Insurance Company
Financial Network Investment Corporation
Multi Financial Securities Corporation
PrimeVest Financial Services
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Inc. and CME Shareholder Servicing, LLC.
Citibank N.A.
Citibank N.A. Agency and Trust Department
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
Citigroup Private Bank at Citibank N.A.
Citizens Bank Wealth Management N.A.
Comerica Bank
Comerica Securities
Commerce Bank N.A.
Companion Life Insurance Company
Compass Bank
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company
Daily Access Corporation
Dain Rauscher Inc.
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
DeWaay Financial Network LLC
Diversified Investment Advisors
Dubuque Bank & Trust
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
Farmers New World Life Insurance Co.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and National Financial Services LLC
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc
Fifth Third Bank
First National Bank of Omaha
First Trust Corporation
Fulton Bank N.A.
Fulton Financial Advisors, National Association
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GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company
Genworth Financial Trust Company
Great West Life & Annuity Insurance Company
Greatbanc Trustco
Guardian Insurance and Annuity Company, Inc
GWFS Equities, Inc.
Harris Trust & Savings Bank
Hartford Life Insurance Co.
Hartford Securities Distribution Company Inc.
Hewitt Associates LLC
Horace Mann Life Insurance Company
HSBC Bank USA
Hunt Dupree & Rhine
ING Institutional Plan Services, LLC / ING Investment Advisors, LLC
ING Life Insurance & Annuity Company / ING Financial Advisers,
LLC / ING Institutional Plan Services, LLC
Invesmart, Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Jefferson Pilot Financial Insurance Company
JP Morgan Retirement Plan Services, LLC
JPMorgan Securities, Inc.
Kemper Investors Life Insurance Company
Key Bank Capital Markets
LaSalle Bank N.A.
Law Debenture Trust Company of New York
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
Lincoln Financial Advisors
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York
Lincoln Retirement Services Company, LLC
M&I Brokerage Services, Inc.
M&T Securities, Inc.
Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Mellon Bank N.A.
Mellon HR Solutions
Mercer HR Services, LLC
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Mid-Atlantic Capital Corporation
Midland National Life Insurance Company
Minnesota Life Insurance Company
Morgan Keegan and Company, Inc.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
MSCS Financial Services
National Security Life and Annuity Company
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
Newport Retirement Services, Inc
Northern Trust Securities Inc.
NYLife Distributors, Inc.
Ohio National Life Insurance Company
Pershing, LLC
PNC Bank, N.A.
PNC Bank, National Organization
PNC Capital Markets
Principal Life Insurance Company
Princor Financial Services
Protective Life Insurance Company
PruCo Life Insurance Company & PruCo Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Prudential Financial, Inc
Prudential Life Insurance Company
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Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services
Regions Bank
Reliance Trust Company
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Scott & Stringfellow Inc.
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company
Signature Bank
Standard Insurance Company
State Street Global Markets, LLC and State Street Bank and Trust Company
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (US)
Sungard Institutional Brokerage, Inc.
SunTrust Bank
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
SVB Securities
Synovus Securities
T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc
The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc & GPC Securities, Inc
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
The Travelers Insurance Company
Transamerica Life Insurance Company and Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company
Treasury Curve
Trustmark National Bank
UBATCO & Co.
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
UMB Bank
Union Bank
United of Omaha Life Insurance Company
US Bank
US Bank National Association
Valic Retirement Services
Vanguard Group
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC.
Wachovia Securities, LLC.
Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
Wells Fargo Bank and Its Affiliates
Wells Fargo Bank National Association
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Wells Fargo Corporate Trust Services
Wells Fargo Investment, LLC.
Wilmington Trust Company
Zions First National Bank
Your Authorized Institution or other Intermediary may charge you additional fees or
commissions other than those disclosed in the Prospectus. Shareholders should contact their
Authorized Institution or other Intermediary for more information about the Additional Payments or
Additional Services they receive and any potential conflicts of interest, as well as for
information regarding any fees and/or commissions it charges. For additional questions, please
contact Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-621-2550.
Not included on the list above are other subsidiaries of Goldman Sachs who may receive revenue
from the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates through intra-company compensation
arrangements and for financial, distribution, administrative and operational services.
Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent
permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements
to promote the sale of Fund shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests
and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the
travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and
guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable FINRA
regulations. Other
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compensation may also be offered from time to time to the extent not prohibited
by applicable federal or state laws or FINRA regulations. This compensation is not included in,
and is made in addition to, the Additional Payments described above.
OTHER INFORMATION
Selective Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Investment Adviser have adopted a policy on
selective disclosure of portfolio holdings in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that
disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interest of Fund shareholders
and to address the conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders and its service providers.
The policy provides that neither a Fund nor its Investment Adviser, Distributor or any agent, or
any employee thereof (Fund Representative) will disclose a Funds portfolio holdings information
to any person other than in accordance with the policy. For purposes of the policy, portfolio
holdings information means the Funds actual portfolio holdings, as well as nonpublic information
about its trading strategies or pending transactions. Under the policy, neither a Fund nor any
Fund Representative may solicit or accept any compensation or other consideration in connection
with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. A Fund Representative may provide portfolio
holdings information to third parties if such information has been included in the Funds public
filings with the SEC or is disclosed on the Funds publicly accessible website. Information posted
on the Funds website may be separately provided to any person commencing the day after it is first
published on the Funds website.
Portfolio holdings information that is not filed with the SEC or posted on the publicly
available website may be provided to third parties only if the third party recipients are required
to keep all portfolio holdings information confidential and are prohibited from trading on the
information they receive. Disclosure to such third parties must be approved in advance by the
Investment Advisers legal or compliance department. Disclosure to providers of auditing, custody,
proxy voting and other similar services for the Funds, as well as rating and ranking organizations,
will generally be permitted; however, information may be disclosed to other third parties
(including, without limitation, individuals, institutional investors, and intermediaries that sell
shares of the Fund,) only upon approval by the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, who must first
determine that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so. In general, each recipient
of non-public portfolio holdings information must sign a confidentiality and non-trading agreement,
although this requirement will not apply when the recipient is otherwise subject to a duty of
confidentiality. In accordance with the policy, the identity of those recipients who receive
non-public portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis is as follows: the Investment
Adviser and its affiliates, the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, the Funds
custodian, the Funds legal counselDechert LLP, the Funds financial printerR. R. Donnelly, and the Funds
proxy voting serviceISS. KPMG LLP, an investor in the Funds, also receives certain non-public
holdings information on an ongoing basis in order to facilitate compliance with the auditor
independence requirements to which it is subject. In addition, certain fixed income funds of the
Trust provide non-public portfolio holdings information to Standard & Poors Rating Services to
allow such Funds to be rated by it and certain equity funds provide non-public portfolio holdings
information to FactSet, a provider of global financial and economic information. These entities
are obligated to keep such information confidential. Third party providers of custodial or
accounting services to the Funds may release non-public portfolio holdings information of the Funds
only with the permission of Fund Representatives. From time to time portfolio holdings information
may be provided to broker-dealers solely in connection with a fund of the Trust seeking portfolio
securities trading suggestions. In providing this information reasonable precautions, including
limitations on the scope of the portfolio holdings information disclosed, are taken to avoid any
potential misuse of the disclosed information. All marketing materials prepared by the Trusts
principal underwriter are reviewed by Goldman Sachs Compliance department for consistency with the
Trusts portfolio holdings disclosure policy.
The Funds currently intend to publish on the Trusts website
(http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar
quarter subject to a fifteen calendar day lag between the date of the information and the date on
which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Funds intend to publish on their website
month-end top ten holdings subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the
information and the date on which the information is disclosed. A Fund may publish on the website
complete portfolio holdings information more frequently if it has a legitimate business purpose for
doing so.
Under the policy, Fund Representatives will initially supply the Board of the Trustees with a
list of third parties who receive portfolio holdings information pursuant to any ongoing
arrangement. In addition, the Board is to receive information, on a quarterly basis, regarding any
other disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information that were permitted during the
preceding quarter. In addition, the Board of Trustees is to approve at its meetings a list of Fund
Representatives who are authorized to disclose portfolio holdings information under the policy. As
of April 27, 2012, only certain officers of the Trust
B-75
as well as certain senior members of the
compliance and legal groups of the Investment Adviser have been approved by the Board of Trustees
to authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
Miscellaneous
The Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund may pay redemptions, in part or in whole, by a
distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from the Fund. Unlike other funds of the
Trust, the Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund has not elected, pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under
the Act, to pay in cash all requests for redemptions up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
The U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund, Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund
and International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund will redeem shares solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one
shareholder. Each of U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund, Structured International Tax-Managed
Equity Fund and International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund, however, reserves the right, in its
sole discretion, to pay redemptions by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) if
(i) the redemption exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the
time of redemption; or (ii) with respect to lesser redemption amounts, the redeeming shareholder
requests in writing a distribution in-kind of securities instead of cash. The securities
distributed in kind would be valued for this purpose using the same method employed in calculating
each Funds net asset value per share. See NET ASSET VALUE. If a shareholder receives redemption
proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of
the securities received in the redemption.
The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by each Fund may be
suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is
closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is
restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result
of which it is not reasonably practicable for such Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or
fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order
permit for the protection of shareholders of such Fund. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone
the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)
As stated in the Prospectus, the Trust may authorize Authorized Institutions and other
institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to
accept on the Trusts behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of
their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such
orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their
services. Certain Authorized Institutions or other institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency
agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.
In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing
the Funds shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholders ownership.
Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent.
Fund shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Funds are reflected in account
statements from the Transfer Agent.
The Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all the information included in the Registration
Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the
Prospectus. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectus
and this SAI pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement
including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in the Prospectus or in this SAI as to the contents of any contract or
other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made
to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which the Prospectus and this SAI form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects
by such reference.
Line of Credit
As of December 31, 2011, the Funds participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured
revolving line of credit facility together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment
companies having management or investment advisory agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant
to the terms of this facility, the Funds and other borrowers may increase the credit amount by an
additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used for
temporary
B-76
emergency purposes or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet
redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The
facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Funds based on the amount of the commitment that has
not been utilized. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Funds did not have any
borrowings under the facility.
Large Trade Notifications
The Transfer Agent may from time to time receive notice that an Authorized Institution or
other financial intermediary has received an order for a large trade in a Funds shares. The Funds
may determine to enter into portfolio transactions in anticipation of that order, even though the
order will not be processed until the following business day. This practice provides for a closer
correlation between the time shareholders place trade orders and the time a Fund enters into
portfolio transactions based on those orders, and permits the Fund to be more fully invested in
investment securities, in the case of purchase orders, and to more orderly liquidate their
investment positions, in the case of redemption orders. On the other hand, the Authorized
Institution or other financial intermediary may not ultimately process the order. In this case,
a Fund may be required to borrow assets to settle the portfolio transactions entered into in
anticipation of that order, and would therefore incur borrowing costs. The Funds may also suffer
investment losses on those portfolio transactions. Conversely, the Funds would benefit from any
earnings and investment gains resulting from such portfolio transactions.
Corporate Actions
From time to time, the issuer of a security held in a Funds portfolio may initiate a
corporate action relating to that security. Corporate actions relating to equity securities may
include, among others, an offer to purchase new shares, or to tender existing shares, of that
security at a certain price. Corporate actions relating to debt securities may include, among
others, an offer for early redemption of the debt security, or an offer to convert the debt
security into stock. Certain corporate actions are voluntary, meaning that a Fund may only
participate in the corporate action if it elects to do so in a timely fashion. Participation in
certain corporate actions may enhance the value of a Funds investment portfolio.
In cases where a Fund or its Investment Adviser receives sufficient advance notice of a
voluntary corporate action, the Investment Adviser will exercise its discretion, in good faith, to
determine whether the Fund will participate in that corporate action. If a Fund or its Investment
Adviser does not receive sufficient advance notice of a voluntary corporate action, the Fund may
not be able to timely elect to participate in that corporate action. Participation or lack of
participation in a voluntary corporate action may result in a negative impact on the value of the
Funds investment portfolio.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares Only)
Distribution and Service Plans. As described in the Prospectus, the Trust has
adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares of each Fund offering those share classes, Distribution and Service
Plans (each a Plan). See Shareholder GuideDistribution and Service Fees in the Prospectus.
The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and finance
distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Funds and enable the Funds to
offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares when
investing in the Funds. In addition, distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to
assist the Funds in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds
operations and investments.
The Plans for Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares of each applicable Fund were most recently
approved by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of
the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans on June 16, 2011.
The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not
exceed 0.25%, 0.75%, and 0.75% and 0.50% per annum of a Funds average daily net assets
attributable to Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares, respectively, of such Fund.
Under the Plans for Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a
separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of
each Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class B or Class C Shares. With respect to
Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation
B-77
for distribution
services paid under the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as
such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on service fees imposed by
FINRA.
Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without
regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs
expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees
received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans (and, as applicable, CDSC) on Class A, Class B, and Class
C Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for
payments to Authorized Institution in respect of sales of Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares. To
the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as
compensation for its services and expenses of distributing the Funds Class A, Class B, and Class C
Shares.
Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of each Funds Class A, Class B, and Class C
Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust
will review at least quarterly a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by
Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and
expenditures were made.
The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2012 and from year to year thereafter, provided
that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust,
including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of
distribution compensation described therein without approval of a majority of the outstanding
Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares of the affected Fund and affected share class but may be
amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution
compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust
in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to any Fund without payment
of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a
majority of the Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares, respectively, of the affected Fund and
affected share class. If a Plan was terminated by the Trustees of the Trust and no successor plan
was adopted, the Fund would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs under the Plan and Goldman
Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed expenditures. So long as a
Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be
committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees of the Trust
have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit
the Funds and their Class A, Class B, and Class C shareholders.
The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, by each of the following Funds pursuant to the Class A Plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
112,857 |
|
|
$ |
234,097 |
|
|
$ |
305,825 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
496.417 |
|
|
|
269,148 |
|
|
|
69,134 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
208, 248 |
|
|
|
217,109 |
|
|
|
233,962 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
155,173 |
|
|
|
165,180 |
|
|
|
168,537 |
|
The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 by each applicable Fund pursuant to the Class B Plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
$ |
12,678 |
|
|
$ |
17,296 |
|
|
$ |
34,382 |
|
B-78
The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 by each applicable Fund pursuant to the Class C
Plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
135,559 |
|
|
$ |
95,168 |
|
|
$ |
82,965 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund* |
|
|
14,594 |
|
|
|
10,879 |
|
|
|
3,905 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
87,811 |
|
|
|
97,141 |
|
|
|
116,153 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund* |
|
|
228 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
International Dividend and Premium and Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Funds
commenced investment operations on January 31, 2008. |
|
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, Goldman Sachs incurred the following
expenses in connection with distribution under the Class A Plan of each applicable Fund:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Printing and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mailing of |
|
|
Preparation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses of the |
|
|
Allocable Overhead, |
|
|
Prospectus to Other |
|
|
Distribution of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation to |
|
|
Distributor & Its |
|
|
Telephone and |
|
|
than Current |
|
|
Sales Literature |
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Dealers1 |
|
|
Sales Personnel |
|
|
Travel Expenses |
|
|
Shareholders |
|
|
and Advertising |
|
|
Totals |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium |
|
$ |
595,316 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
595,316 |
|
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
184 |
|
|
|
258,548 |
|
|
|
330,277 |
|
|
|
33,070 |
|
|
|
55,255 |
|
|
|
677,333 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
205,631 |
|
|
|
99,237 |
|
|
|
92,740 |
|
|
|
9,286 |
|
|
|
15,516 |
|
|
|
422,410 |
|
Structured
International Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
126,648 |
|
|
|
127,884 |
|
|
|
105,682 |
|
|
|
10,582 |
|
|
|
17,681 |
|
|
|
388,476 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class A Shares are considered deferred
assets which are amortized over a period of 18 months; amounts presented above reflect
amortization expense recorded during the period presented. |
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, Goldman Sachs incurred the following
expenses in connection with distribution under the Class B Plan of each applicable Fund with Class
B Shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Printing and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mailing of |
|
|
Preparation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses of the |
|
|
Allocable Overhead, |
|
|
Prospectus to Other |
|
|
Distribution of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation to |
|
|
Distributor & Its |
|
|
Telephone and |
|
|
than Current |
|
|
Sales Literature |
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Dealers1 |
|
|
Sales Personnel |
|
|
Travel Expenses |
|
|
Shareholders |
|
|
and Advertising |
|
|
Totals |
|
Structured
Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
2,422 |
|
|
$ |
2,057 |
|
|
$ |
206 |
|
|
$ |
344 |
|
|
$ |
5,029 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Advance commissions paid to dealers of 4% on Class B shares are considered
deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 6 years; amounts presented above reflect
amortization expense recorded during the period presented. |
B-79
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, Goldman Sachs incurred the following
expenses in connection with distribution under the Class C Plan of each applicable Fund with Class
C Shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Printing and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mailing of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prospectus |
|
|
Preparation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses of the |
|
|
Allocable Overhead, |
|
|
to Other |
|
|
Distribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation to |
|
|
Distributor & Its |
|
|
Telephone |
|
|
than Current |
|
|
of Sales Literature |
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Dealers1 |
|
|
Sales Personnel |
|
|
and Travel Expenses |
|
|
Shareholders |
|
|
and Advertising |
|
|
Totals |
|
U.S. Equity
Dividend and
Premium Fund |
|
$ |
545 |
|
|
$ |
26,921 |
|
|
$ |
23,246 |
|
|
$ |
2,328 |
|
|
$ |
3,889 |
|
|
$ |
56,929 |
|
International
Equity Dividend and
Premium Fund |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,860 |
|
|
|
1,615 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
270 |
|
|
|
3,908 |
|
Structured
Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
Structured
International
Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class C shares are considered deferred
assets which are amortized over a period of 1 year; amounts presented above reflect
amortization expense recorded during the period presented. |
B-80
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS,
EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)
The following information supplements the information in the Prospectus under the captions
Shareholder Guide and Dividends. Please see the Prospectus for more complete information.
Maximum Sales Charges
Class A Shares of each Fund are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5.5%. Using the net asset
value per share as of December 31, 2011, the maximum offering price of each Funds Class A Shares
would be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset |
|
|
Maximum |
|
|
Offering Price |
|
|
|
Value |
|
|
Sales Charge |
|
|
to Public |
|
U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
$ |
9.39 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
9.94 |
|
International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund |
|
|
6.60 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
6.98 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
10.52 |
|
Structured International Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
|
6.65 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
7.04 |
|
The actual sales charge that is paid by an investor on the purchase of Class A Shares may
differ slightly from the sales charge listed above or in a Funds Prospectus due to rounding in the
calculations. For example, the sales load disclosed above and in the Funds Prospectus is only
shown to one decimal place (i.e., 5.5%). The actual sales charge that is paid by an investor will
be rounded to two decimal places. As a result of such rounding in the calculations, the actual
sales load paid by an investor may be somewhat greater (e.g., 5.53%) or somewhat lesser (e.g.,
5.48%) than that listed above or in the Prospectus. Contact your financial advisor for further
information.
Other Purchase Information/Sales Charge Waivers
Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to state
sponsored 529 college savings plans. The sales charge waivers on the Funds shares are due to the
nature of the investors involved and/or the reduced sales effort that is needed to obtain such
investments.
At the discretion of the Trusts officers and in addition to the NAV purchases permitted in a
Funds Prospectus, Class A Shares of the Funds may also be sold at NAV without payment of any sales
charge for shares purchased through certain Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension,
tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit (including health savings
accounts) or SIMPLE plans that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or
church employers) or employee organizations investing in the Funds.
If shares of a Fund are held in an account with an Authorized Institution, all
recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial
owners account will be performed by the Authorized Institution, and not by the Fund and its
Transfer Agent. Because the Funds will have no record of the beneficial owners transactions, a
beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Institution to purchase, redeem or exchange shares,
to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the
account. The transfer of shares in a street name account to an account with another dealer or to
an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner
to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized
Institution.
Shareholders of the Funds of the AXA Enterprise Funds Trust, AXA Enterprise Multimanager Funds
Trust and The Enterprise Group of Funds, Inc. (AXA Funds) who (i) receive shares of a Fund of the
Trust in connection with the reorganization of the AXA Funds into the certain Funds of the Trust
and (2) fall into one of the following classes of individual or institutions that qualified to
purchase Class A Shares of the AXA Funds without a front-end sales charge will be eligible to
purchase Class A of the Funds of the Trust without a front-end sales charge: (a) any government
entity that is prohibited from paying a sales charge or commission to purchase mutual fund shares;
(b) representatives and employees, or their immediate family members, of broker-dealers and other
intermediaries that previously had entered into selling or service arrangements with the Enterprise
Fund Distributors, Inc. with respect to the AXA Funds; (c) financial institutions and other
financial institutions trust departments with respect to funds over which they exercise exclusive
discretionary investment authority and which are held in fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or
similar capacity; (d) investors who were direct referrals by the
B-81
Enterprise Capital Management,
Inc. or AXA Equitable Life Insurance Companys employees; (e) clients of fee-based/fee-only
financial advisor; (f) certain employee benefit plans qualified under Sections 401, 403 and 408 of
the Code and Simple IRAs, or participants of such plans that invest $100,000 or more ($500,000 or
more, in the case of Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), IRA rollovers, Coverdell
Education Savings Accounts or Roth IRAs); and (g) certain investment only retirement platforms for
which Goldman Sachs Funds are available and certain AXA Enterprise sponsored or AXA Enterprise
partnered retirement platforms, or participants on plans on such platforms.
Shareholders of the Signal Funds of The Coventry Group (Signal Funds) who (1) receive shares
of a Fund in connection with the reorganization of the Signal Funds into certain Funds of the Trust
and (2) who are directors or officers of Signal Capital Management, or affiliates or bona fide
full-time employees of Signal Capital Management who have acted as such for not less than 90 days
(including members of their immediate families and their retirement plans) that qualified to
purchase Class A Shares of the Signal Funds without a front-end sales charge will be eligible to
purchase Class A Shares of the Funds of the Trust without a front-end sales charge.
Former shareholders of other funds that were part of another fund family who received Goldman
Sachs Fund shares in connection with a reorganization into the Goldman Sachs Funds prior to 2006
are in certain circumstances eligible to purchase Class A Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds without
a front-end sales charge if they had qualified for such purchases under the guidelines for NAV
purchase of the prior fund family.
Right of Accumulation (Class A)
A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase
price of the new investment plus the shareholders current holdings of existing Class A, Class B
or Class C Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of a Fund and Class A, Class B and/or
Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund total the requisite amount for receiving a discount.
For example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases
additional Class A Shares of any Goldman Sachs Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales
charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.75% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of
$100,000 but less than $250,000). Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his
spouse, his parents and his children, and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a
single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining
whether a purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable
sales charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Funds and
any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or
GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares and other assets
held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC,
respectively. In addition, Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Funds and Class A, Class
B and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers
or employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing
on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar
organizations (collectively, eligible persons) may be combined for the purpose of determining
whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable
sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the
business organizations, groups or firms agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Funds
shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the relevant Fund at the time of purchase that
the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In addition, in connection with SIMPLE
IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a per plan basis if (i) your employee
has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman Sachs; and (ii) your account, alone or in
combination with the accounts of other plan participants also invested in Class A, Class B and/or
Class C Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds, totals the requisite aggregate amount as described in
the Prospectus.
Statement of Intention (Class A)
If a shareholder anticipates purchasing at least $50,000 of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or
in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the
shareholder may purchase shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of
Intention (the Statement). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the
same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at
the same time. The shareholder or his Authorized Institution must inform Goldman Sachs that the
Statement is in effect each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full
amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A
Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an accumulation credit toward the
completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares purchased
within ninety (90) days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the Transfer
Agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number
B-82
of shares which can be redeemed to make up any
difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the
amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any
appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.
The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are
set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.
Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions
Shareholders may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of
a Fund or they may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the
same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds, or Service
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund (the Prime Obligations Fund), if
they hold Class A Shares of a Fund.
A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs
Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies
and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to
cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such
dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to
purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of
other Goldman Sachs Funds is available only in states where such
reinvestment may legally be made.
Automatic Exchange Program
A Fund shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of
a Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund provided
the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Fund shareholder should obtain
and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its
investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic
exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.
Class C Exchanges
As stated in the Prospectus, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75%
distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Institution after the shares have been held for
one year. When an Authorized Institution enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs
and stops receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the
Authorized Institutions customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged
for Class A Shares (which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Fund at their relative net
asset value without a sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized
Institution.
Exchanges from Collective Investment Trusts to Goldman Sachs Funds
The Investment Adviser manages a number of collective investment trusts that hold assets of
401(k) plans and other retirement plans (each, a Collective Investment Trust). An investor in a
Collective Investment Trust (or an Intermediary acting on behalf of the investor) may elect to
exchange some or all of the interests it holds in a Collective Investment Trust for shares of one
or more of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Generally speaking, Rule 22c-1 of the Act requires a
purchase order for shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund to be priced based on the current NAV of the
Goldman Sachs Fund that is next calculated after receipt of the purchase order. A Goldman Sachs
Fund will treat a purchase order component of an exchange from an investor in a Collective
Investment Trust as being received in good order at the time it is communicated to an Intermediary
or the Transfer Agent, if the amount of shares to be purchased is expressed as a percentage of the
value of the investors interest in a designated Collective Investment Trust that it is
contemporaneously redeeming (e.g., if the investor communicates a desire to exchange 100% of its
interest in a Collective Investment Trust for shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund). The investors
purchase price and the number of Goldman Sachs Fund shares it will acquire will therefore be
calculated as of the pricing of the Collective Investment Trust on the day of the purchase order.
Such an order will be deemed to be irrevocable as of the time the Goldman Sachs Funds NAV is next
calculated after receipt of the purchase order. An investor should obtain and read the prospectus
relating to any Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies
and applicable fees and expenses before electing an exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund. For
federal income tax purposes, an exchange of interests in a Collective Investment Trust for shares
of a Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to tax, and you should consult your tax adviser concerning
the tax consequences of an exchange.
B-83
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
A systematic withdrawal plan (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan) is available to shareholders
of a Fund whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for
monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.
Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan
are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the applicable Fund at net asset value.
The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional
shares to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan
may be terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per
withdrawal, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should
not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed
new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholders original
investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a
withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares would
be disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the
imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to
Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under a systematic withdrawal plan may be waived. See
Shareholder Guide in the Prospectus. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of
shares, and any gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes.
A shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of
participating in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.
SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(Service Shares Only)
The Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund has adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder
administration plan (the Plans) with respect to the Service Shares which authorize the Fund to
compensate Authorized Institutions for providing certain personal and account maintenance services
and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners
of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plans, the Fund enters into agreements with Authorized
Institutions which purchase Service Shares of the Fund on behalf of its customers (Service
Agreements). Under such Service Agreements the Authorized Institutions may perform some or all of
the following services:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Personal and account maintenance services, including: (i) providing facilities
to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors
about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the Fund;
(ii) acting as liaison between the Authorized Institutions customers and the Trust,
including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting
errors and resolving problems; (iii) providing such statistical and other information
as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with
applicable federal or state law; (iv) responding to investor requests for prospectuses;
(v) displaying and making prospectuses available on the Authorized Institutions
premises; and (vi) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting
dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the Authorized
Institution. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Shareholder administration services, including: (i) acting or arranging for
another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially
owned by the Authorized Institutions customers; (ii) establishing and maintaining, or
assisting in establishing and maintaining, individual accounts and records with respect to
the Service Shares owned by each customer; (iii) processing, or assisting in processing,
confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service
Shares; (iv) receiving and transmitting, or assisting in receiving and transmitting, funds
representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Service Shares; (v) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; and (vi) performing other
related services which do not constitute any activity which is primarily intended to
result in the sale of shares within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or
personal and account maintenance services within the meaning of FINRAs Conduct
Rules. |
B-84
As compensation for such services, the Fund will pay each Authorized Institution a personal
and account maintenance service fee and a shareholder administration service fee in an amount up to
0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the
Service Shares of the Fund attributable to or held in the name of such Authorized Institution.
The amount of the service and shareholder administration fees paid by the Fund to Authorized
Institutions pursuant to the Plans was as follows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011,
2010 and 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
Fiscal year ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 |
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund |
|
$ |
224 |
|
|
$ |
230 |
|
|
$ |
214 |
|
The Fund has adopted the Service Plan but not the Shareholder Administration Plan pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that service fees paid to the Authorized
Institutions pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was
adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company or
series thereof may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its shares. In particular,
such an investment company or series thereof cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any
activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the company unless
it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The
Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the Service Plan and described above are
not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of Service Shares. However, should
such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be
duly authorized by the Plan. The Shareholder Administration Plan has not been adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974) may apply to an Authorized Institutions receipt of compensation paid by the Fund in
connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Service Shares of the Fund. Authorized
Institutions, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve
Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money
managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities
commissions, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Service
Shares of a Fund. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial
institutions purchasing Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as
dealers.
The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the related
Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve the Plans and related Service Agreements at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements on June 17, 2011.
The Plans and related Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2012 and will
continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote
of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Service Plan may not be amended (but the
Shareholder Administration Plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for
the services described therein without approval of the Service Shareholders of the Fund and
all material amendments of each Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described
above. The Plans may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees as described above or
by a vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding Service Shares. The Service Agreements may be
terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Trustees as
described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the Fund on not
more than sixty (60) days written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The
Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect,
the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to
the discretion of the
non-interested Trustees. The Board of Trustees have determined that, in its judgment, there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Fund and the holders of Service Shares of the
Fund.
B-85
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses
in connection with distribution under the Service Plan of the following Fund with Service Shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Printing and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mailing of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prospectus |
|
|
Preparation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses of the |
|
|
Allocable Overhead, |
|
|
to Other |
|
|
Distribution |
|
|
|
Compensation to |
|
|
Distributor & Its |
|
|
Telephone and |
|
|
than Current |
|
|
of Sales Literature |
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Dealers |
|
|
Sales Personnel |
|
|
Travel Expenses |
|
|
Shareholders |
|
|
and Advertising |
|
|
Totals |
|
Structured
Tax-Managed Equity
Fund |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
B-86
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Short-Term Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poors short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original
maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard
& Poors for short-term issues:
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 having significant speculative
characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions
within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1 A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial
commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-2 A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial
commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3 A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments
over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
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 payment default. The D rating category is
used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace
period has not expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during
such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the
taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
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 (Moodys) short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of
issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term
programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original
maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
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.
1-A
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.
Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (Fitch) short-term ratings scale applies to foreign
currency and local currency ratings. A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months
for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry
standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that
are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on
the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes
the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:
F1 Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the
strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any
exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as
in the case of the higher ratings.
F3 Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity
for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could
result in a reduction to non investment grade.
B Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.
C Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation
indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained,
favorable business and economic environment.
D Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial
obligations.
NR This designation indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issuer or
issue.
WD This designation indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer
maintained by Fitch.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (DBRS) for
commercial paper and short-term debt:
R-1 (high) Short-term debt rated R-1 (high) is of the highest credit quality, and
indicates an entity possessing unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due.
Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt
levels, and profitability that is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an R-1
(high) rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track
records, sustainable positive future results, and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given
the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for an R-1 (high), few entities are strong
enough to achieve this rating.
R-1 (middle) Short-term debt rated R-1 (middle) is of superior credit quality and, in
most cases, ratings in this category differ from R-1 (high) credits by only a small degree. Given
the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for the R-1 (high) category, entities rated
R-1 (middle) are also considered strong credits, and typically exemplify above average strength
in key areas of consideration for the timely repayment of short-term liabilities.
R-1 (low) Short-term debt rated R-1 (low) is of satisfactory credit quality. The
overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios are not normally as
favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any
qualifying negative factors that exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of
sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.
R-2 (high) Short-term debt rated R-2 (high) is considered to be at the upper end of
adequate credit quality. The ability to repay obligations as they mature remains acceptable,
although the overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt, and profitability ratios is not
as strong as credits rated in the R-1 (low) category. Relative to the latter category, other
shortcomings often include areas such as stability, financial flexibility, and the relative size
and market position of the entity within its industry.
R-2 (middle) Short-term debt rated R-2 (middle) is considered to be of adequate credit
quality. Relative to the R-2 (high) category, entities rated R-2 (middle) typically have some
combination of higher volatility, weaker debt or liquidity positions, lower future cash flow
capabilities, or are negatively impacted by a weaker industry. Ratings in this category would be
more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
R-2 (low) Short-term debt rated R-2 (low) is considered to be at the lower end of
adequate credit quality, typically having some combination of challenges that are not acceptable
for an R-2 (middle) credit. However, R-2 (low) ratings still
2-A
display a level of credit strength that allows for a higher rating than the R-3
category, with this distinction often reflecting the issuers liquidity profile.
R-3 Short-term debt rated R-3 is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit
quality, one step up from being speculative. While not yet defined as speculative, the R-3
category signifies that although repayment is still expected, the certainty of repayment could be
impacted by a variety of possible adverse developments, many of which would be outside the issuers
control. Entities in this area often have limited access to capital markets and may also have
limitations in securing alternative sources of liquidity, particularly during periods of weak
economic conditions.
R-4 Short-term debt rated R-4 is speculative. R-4 credits tend to have weak liquidity
and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative
nature, companies with R-4 ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources
of liquidity. Earnings and cash flow would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall
profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and
strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.
R-5 Short-term debt rated R-5 is highly speculative. There is a reasonably high level
of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to repay the obligations on a continuing basis in
the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity. In some cases, short
term debt rated R-5 may have challenges that if not corrected, could lead to default.
D A security rated D implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment or the
issuer has made it clear that it will be missing such a payment in the near future. In some cases,
DBRS may not assign a D rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace
periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the D rating will
continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the
rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
Long-Term Credit Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poors for long-term issues:
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.
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.
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.
C A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to
nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or
obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have
not experienced a payment default. Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated
debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance
with the instruments terms.
3-A
D An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.
The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar
action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
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.
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.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moodys for long-term debt:
Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal 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 considered 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 have speculative elements 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 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 class of bonds 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.
The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:
AAA Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the
lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity
for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by
foreseeable events.
AA Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. AA ratings denote
expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial
commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A Securities considered to be of high credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of
low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic
conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Securities considered to be of good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there
is currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is
considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to
impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
BB Securities considered to be speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a
possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over
time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments
to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
B Securities considered to be highly speculative. For issuers and performing obligations,
B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety
remains. Financial commitments are currently being met;
4-A
however, capacity for continued payment is
contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. For
individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for
extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR1 (outstanding).
CCC For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for
meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic
conditions. For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with
potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted
by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of RR2
(superior), or RR3 (good) or RR4 (average).
CC For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable. For
individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with a Recovery Rating of
RR4 (average) or RR5 (below average).
C For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent. For individual
obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to
poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR6 (poor).
RD Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace
period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of
obligations.
D Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial
obligations.
Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major
rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA category or to categories below CCC.
NR Denotes that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
WD Indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.
The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:
AAA Long-term debt rated AAA is of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally
strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered
stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for
future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present that would detract from
the performance of the entity. The strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and
the entity has established a credible track record of superior performance. Given the extremely
high standard that DBRS has set for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.
AA Long-term debt rated AA is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest
and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated AAA only to
a small degree. Given the extremely restrictive definition DBRS has for the AAA category,
entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits, typically exemplifying above-average
strength in key areas of consideration and unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.
A Long-term debt rated A is of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and
principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than that of AA rated
entities. While A is a respectable rating, entities in this category are considered to be more
susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher-rated
securities.
BBB Long-term debt rated BBB is of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and
principal is considered acceptable, but the entity is fairly susceptible to adverse changes in
financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adverse conditions present which reduce
the strength of the entity and its rated securities.
BB Long-term debt rated BB is defined to be speculative and non-investment grade, where
the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods
of economic recession. Entities in the BB range typically have limited access to capital markets
and additional liquidity support. In many cases, deficiencies in critical mass, diversification,
and competitive strength are additional negative considerations.
B Long-term debt rated B is considered highly speculative and there is a reasonably
high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a
continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.
CCC, CC and C Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly
speculative and is in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements
present is more severe than long-term debt rated B. Long-term debt rated below B often have
features which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference
between these three categories, with CC and C normally used for lower ranking debt of companies
for which the senior debt is rated in the CCC to B range.
5-A
D A security rated D implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment of
interest or principal or that the issuer has made it clear that it will miss such a payment in the
near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a D rating under a bankruptcy announcement
scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once
assigned, the D rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears,
and until such time as the rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
(high, low) Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories high and low. The
absence of either a high or low designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the
category. The AAA and D categories do not utilize high, middle, and low as differential
grades.
Municipal Note Ratings
A Standard & Poors U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market
access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.
Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following
criteria will be used in making that assessment:
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Amortization schedule the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the
more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
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Source of payment the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing,
the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
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Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and
interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a
plus (+) designation.
SP-2 The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay
principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the
term of the notes.
SP-3 The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal
and interest.
Moodys uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered
investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are
divided into three levels MIG-1 through MIG-3. In addition, those short-term obligations
that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at
the maturity of the obligation. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moodys for these
short-term obligations:
MIG-1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to
the market for refinancing.
MIG-2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample,
although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG-3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow
protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this
category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned;
a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents
Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments.
The second element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability
to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature), using a variation of the MIG rating
scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated
NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG-1.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issues specific structural or credit features.
VMIG-1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
6-A
VMIG-2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the
strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections
that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG-3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is
afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural
and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in
this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade
short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the
timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term
credit ratings.
About Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poors issue credit rating is a current opinion of 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 issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or
hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for
a particular investor.
Moodys credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not as statements
of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.
Fitchs 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. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of
the likelihood of receiving their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Fitchs 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.
DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of
qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its
underlying obligations.
7-A
APPENDIX B
GSAM PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the material GSAM Proxy Voting Guidelines (the Guidelines), which
form the substantive basis of GSAMs Policy on Proxy Voting for Client Accounts (Policy). As
described in the main body of the Policy, one or more GSAM portfolio management teams may diverge
from the Guidelines and a related Recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with
any individual investment decision in accordance with the override process described in the Policy.
US proxy items
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Operational Items |
page 1-B |
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2. |
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Board of Directors |
page 2-B |
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3. |
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Executive and Director Compensation |
page 4-B |
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4. |
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Proxy Contests |
page 7-B |
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5. |
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Shareholder Rights and Defenses |
page 8-B |
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6. |
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Mergers and Corporate Restructurings |
page 9-B |
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7. |
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State of Incorporation |
page 9-B |
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8. |
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Capital Structure |
page 9-B |
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9. |
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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues |
page10-B |
International proxy items
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Operational Items |
page 11-B |
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2. |
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Board of Directors |
page 12-B |
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3. |
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Compensation |
page 14-B |
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4. |
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Board Structure |
page 15-B |
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5. |
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Capital Structure |
page 15-B |
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6. |
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Other |
page 17-B |
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7. |
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Environmental, Climate Change and Social Issues |
page 17-B |
The following section is a summary of the Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the
Policy with respect to U.S. public equity investments.
1. Operational Items
Auditor Ratification
Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply within the last year:
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An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is
therefore not independent; |
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There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion
which is neither accurate nor indicative of the companys financial position; |
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Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern,
such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; or material weaknesses identified in Section
404 disclosures; or |
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Fees for non-audit services are excessive. |
Non-audit fees are excessive if:
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Non-audit fees exceed audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation
fees. |
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their auditors
from engaging in non-audit services taking into account issues that are consistent with SEC rules
adopted to fulfill the mandate of Sarbanes Oxley
1-B
such as an audit firm providing services that would impair its independence or the overall scope
and disclosure of fees for all services done by the audit firm.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation, taking into account:
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The tenure of the audit firm; |
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The length of rotation specified in the proposal; |
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Any significant audit-related issues at the company; |
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The number of Audit Committee meetings held each year; |
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The number of financial experts serving on the committee; |
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Whether the company has a periodic renewal process where the auditor is evaluated
for both audit quality and competitive price; and |
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Whether the auditors are being changed without explanation. |
2. Board of Directors
Classification of Directors
Where applicable, the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Listing Standards definition is to be used
to classify directors as insiders or affiliated outsiders. General definitions are as follows:
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Employee of the company or one of its affiliates |
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Among the five most highly paid individuals (excluding interim CEO) |
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Listed as an officer as defined under Section 16 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 |
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Current interim CEO |
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Beneficial owner of more than 50 percent of the companys voting power (this
may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a
defined group) |
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Affiliated Outside Director |
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Board attestation that an outside director is not independent |
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Former CEO or other executive of the company within the last 3 years |
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Former CEO or other executive of an acquired company within the past three
years |
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Independent Outside Director |
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No material connection to the company other than a board seat |
Additionally, GSAM will consider compensation committee interlocking directors to be affiliated
(defined as CEOs who sit on each others compensation committees).
Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Vote on director nominees should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors who:
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Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a disclosed
valid excuse for each of the last two years; |
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Sit on more than six public company boards; |
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Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies
besides their ownwithhold only at their outside boards. |
Other items considered for an AGAINST vote include specific concerns about the individual or the
company, such as criminal
wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities, sanctions from government or authority,
violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to improper business practice.
2-B
In limited circumstances, we may vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from all nominees of the board of
directors (except from new nominees who should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and except as
discussed below) if:
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The companys poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature for two or
more years. Vote against/withhold every year until this feature is removed; however,
vote against the poison pill if there is one on the ballot with this feature rather
than the director; |
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The board adopts or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval, does not
commit to putting it to shareholder vote within 12 months of adoption (or in the case
of an newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a shareholder vote
within 12 months following the IPO), or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a
vote, and has not yet received a withhold/against recommendation for this issue; |
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The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders
tendered their shares; |
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If in an extreme situation the board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled
with sustained poor performance relative to peers. |
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the
Classification of Directors above) when:
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The inside or affiliated outside director serves on the audit, compensation, or
nominating (vote against affiliated directors only for nominating) committees; |
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The company lacks an audit compensation, or nominating (vote against affiliated
directors only for nominating) committee so that the full board functions as that
committee and insiders are participating in voting on matters that independent
committees should be voting on; |
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The full board is less than majority independent (in this case withhold from
affiliated outside directors); At controlled companies, GSAM will vote against the
election of affiliated outsiders and nominees affiliated with the parent and will not
vote against the executives of the issuer. |
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from members of the appropriate committee for the following reasons (or
independent Chairman or lead director in cases of a classified board and members of appropriate
committee are not up for reelection). Extreme cases may warrant a vote against the entire board.
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At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent
withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the
underlying issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote (members of the
Nominating or Governance Committees); |
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The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the
majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years (a management proposal
with other than a FOR recommendation by management will not be considered as sufficient
action taken); an adopted proposal that is substantially similar to the original
shareholder proposal will be deemed sufficient; (members of the committee of the board
that is responsible for the issue under consideration). |
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if:
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The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive; |
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The company receives an adverse opinion on the companys financial statements from
its auditor; or |
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There is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate
indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or
its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm. |
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting
practices, which rise to a level of serious concern are identified, such as: fraud; misapplication
of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures.
Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the companys
efforts at remediation or corrective actions in determining whether negative vote recommendations
are warranted against the members of the Audit Committee who are responsible for the poor
accounting practices, or the entire board.
See section 3 on executive and director compensation for reasons to withhold from members of the
Compensation Committee.
Shareholder proposal regarding Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
3-B
GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans
position be filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following
criteria:
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Designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with
clearly delineated and comprehensive duties; |
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Two-thirds independent board; |
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All independent key committees; or |
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Established, disclosed governance guidelines. |
Majority Vote Shareholder Proposals
GSAM will vote FOR proposals requesting that the board adopt majority voting in the election of
directors provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated.
GSAM also looks for companies to adopt a post-election policy outlining how the company will
address the situation of a holdover director.
Cumulative Vote Shareholder Proposals
GSAM will generally support shareholder proposals to restore or provide cumulative voting unless:
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The company has adopted majority vote standard with a carve-out for plurality voting
in situations where there are more nominees than seats, and a director resignation
policy to address failed elections. |
3. Executive and Director Compensation
Pay Practices
Good pay practices should align managements interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is required; proof that companies follow the criteria
should be evident. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven
talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: abnormally large bonus payouts without
justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure, egregious employment contracts, excessive
severance and/or change in control provisions, repricing or replacing of underwater stock
options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, and excessive perquisites.
If the company maintains problematic or poor pay practices, generally vote first:
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AGAINST Management Say on Pay (MSOP) Proposals or; |
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AGAINST an equity-based incentive plan proposal if excessive non-performance-based
equity awards are the major contributor to a pay-for-performance misalignment, then; |
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If no MSOP or equity-based incentive plan proposal item is on the ballot,
AGAINST/WITHHOLD on compensation committee members (or, in rare cases where the full
board is deemed responsible, all directors including the CEO) in egregious situations. |
Equity Compensation Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Reasons to vote AGAINST the equity plan
could include any of the following factors:
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The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices; |
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The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options/stock appreciation rights
(SARs) without prior shareholder approval OR does not expressly prohibit the repricing
without shareholder approval; |
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The CEO is a participant in the proposed equity-based compensation plan and there is
a disconnect between CEO pay and the companys performance where over 50 percent of the
year-over-year increase is attributed to equity awards; |
4-B
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The companys three year burn rate and Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) calculations
both materially exceed industry group metrics; or |
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There is a long-term disconnect between CEO pay and the companys total shareholder
return in conjunction with the qualitative overlay as outlined in the policy guidelines
OR the company has a poor record of compensation practices, which is highlighted either
in analysis of the compensation plan or the evaluation of the election of directors. |
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay, MSOP) Management Proposals
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals for an advisory vote on executive compensation. For U.S.
companies, consider the following factors in the context of each companys specific circumstances
and the boards disclosed rationale for its practices. In general two or more of the following in
conjunction with a long-term pay-for-performance disconnect will warrant an AGAINST vote. If there
is not a long-term pay for performance disconnect GSAM will look for multiple problematic factors
to be present to warrant a vote against.
Relative Considerations:
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Assessment of performance metrics relative to business strategy, as discussed and
explained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section of a companys
proxy; |
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Evaluation of peer groups used to set target pay or award opportunities; |
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Alignment of long-term company performance and executive pay trends over time; |
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Assessment of disparity between total pay of the CEO and other Named Executive
Officers (NEOs). |
Design Considerations:
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Balance of fixed versus performance-driven pay; |
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Assessment of excessive practices with respect to perks, severance packages,
supplemental executive pension plans, and burn rates. |
Communication Considerations:
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Evaluation of information and board rationale provided in CD&A about how
compensation is determined (e.g., why certain elements and pay targets are used, and
specific incentive plan goals, especially retrospective goals);
Assessment of boards responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation
issues (e.g., in responding to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive
pay topics). |
Other considerations include:
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Abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper
disclosure: |
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Includes performance metrics that are changed, canceled, or replaced during
the performance period without adequate explanation of the action and the link
to performance |
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Egregious employment contracts: |
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Contracts containing multi-year guarantees for salary increases,
non-performance based bonuses, and equity compensation. |
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Excessive severance and/or change in control provisions: |
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Change in control cash payments exceeding 3 times base salary plus
target/average/last paid bonus; |
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New or materially amended arrangements that provide for change-in-control
payments without loss of job or substantial diminution of job duties
(single-triggered), |
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Excessive payments upon an executives termination in connection with
performance failure; |
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Liberal change in control definition in individual contracts or equity plans
which could result in payments to executives without an actual change in control
occurring |
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Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/stock appreciation rights without
prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts, option exchanges, and certain
voluntary surrender of underwater options where shares surrendered may subsequently be
re-granted). |
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Perquisites for former and/or retired executives, such as lifetime benefits,
car allowances, personal use of corporate aircraft, or other inappropriate
arrangements |
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Extraordinary relocation benefits (including home buyouts) |
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Excessive amounts of perquisites compensation |
The following reasons could warrant a vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation
Committee:
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Company has failed to address issues that led to an against vote in an MSOP; |
5-B
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The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder
vote; |
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The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment they made to
shareholders; or |
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The company has backdated options. |
Golden Parachutes
In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a companys separate advisory vote on
compensation MSOP), GSAM will incorporate the evaluation and could vote against the MSOP if we find
problematic aspects to the Golden Parachutes. In general, the presence of two or more of the
following factors could warrant a vote against:
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Recently adopted or materially amended agreements that include excise tax gross-up
provisions (since prior annual meeting); |
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Recently adopted or materially amended agreements that include modified single
triggers (since prior annual meeting); |
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Single trigger payments that will happen immediately upon a change in control,
including cash payment and such items as the acceleration of performance-based equity
despite the failure to achieve performance measures; |
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Single-trigger vesting of equity based on a definition of change in control that
requires only shareholder approval of the transaction (rather than consummation); |
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Potentially excessive severance payments; |
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Recent amendments or other changes that may make packages so attractive as to
influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; |
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In the case of a substantial gross-up from pre-existing/grandfathered contract: the
element that triggered the gross-up (i.e., option mega-grants at low point in stock
price, unusual or outsized payments in cash or equity made or negotiated prior to the
merger); or |
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The companys assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder
approval of the golden parachute advisory vote. |
Other Compensation Proposals and Policies
Employee Stock Purchase Plans Non-Qualified Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR nonqualified employee
stock purchase plans with all the following features:
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Broad-based participation (i.e., all employees of the company with the exclusion of
individuals with 5 percent or more of beneficial ownership of the company); |
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Limits on employee contribution, which may be a fixed dollar amount or expressed as
a percent of base salary; |
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Company matching contribution up to 25 percent of employees contribution, which is
effectively a discount of 20 percent from market value; and |
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No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company
matching contribution. |
Vote AGAINST nonqualified employee stock purchase plans when any of the plan features do not meet
the above criteria. If the company matching contribution exceeds 25 percent of employees
contribution, evaluate the cost of the plan against its allowable cap.
Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options, taking into
consideration:
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Historic trading patternsthe stock price should not be so volatile that the
options are likely to be back in-the-money over the near term; |
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Rationale for the re-pricingwas the stock price decline beyond managements
control? |
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Is this a value-for-value exchange? |
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Are surrendered stock options added back to the plan reserve? |
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Option vestingdoes the new option vest immediately or is there a black-out period? |
6-B
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Term of the optionthe term should remain the same as that of the replaced option; |
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Exercise priceshould be set at fair market or a premium to market; |
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Participantsexecutive officers and directors should be excluded. |
Vote FOR shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.
Other Shareholder Proposals on Compensation
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Frequency on Pay)
Vote for annual frequency if no management recommendation; otherwise, support two or three year
frequency if a company has an independent compensation committee and no long-term pay for
performance disconnect identified.
Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits
Generally vote FOR proposals calling on companies to adopt a policy of obtaining shareholder
approval for any future agreements and corporate policies that could oblige the company to make
payments or awards following the death of a senior executive in the form of unearned salary or
bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites
and other payments or awards made in lieu of compensation. This would not apply to any benefit
programs or equity plan proposals for which the broad-based employee population is eligible.
Stock retention holding period
Vote FOR Shareholder proposals asking for a policy requiring that senior executives retain a
significant percentage of shares acquired through equity compensation programs if the policy allows
retention for two years or less following the termination of their employment (through retirement
or otherwise) and a holding threshold percentage of 50% or less.
Other factors to consider include:
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Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership
requirements in place. |
Elimination of accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking a policy eliminating the accelerated vesting of
time-based equity awards in the event of a change in control.
Tax Gross-Up Proposals
Generally vote FOR proposals asking companies to adopt a policy of not providing tax gross-up
payments to executives, except where gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or
arrangement applicable to management employees of the company, such as a relocation or expatriate
tax equalization policy.
4. Proxy Contests
Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following
factors:
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Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry; |
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Managements track record; |
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Background to the proxy contest; |
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Qualifications of director nominees (both slates); |
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Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management; |
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Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); |
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Stock ownership positions. |
7-B
Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When voting in
conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote FOR the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy
solicitation expenses associated with the election.
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred
in connection with nominating one or more candidates in a contested election where the following
apply:
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The election of fewer than 50% of the directors to be elected is contested in the
election; |
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One or more of the dissidents candidates is elected; |
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Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and |
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The election occurred, and the expenses were incurred, after the adoption of this
bylaw. |
5. Shareholders Rights & Defenses
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by
written consent, unless:
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The company already gives shareholders the right to call special meetings at a
threshold of 25% or lower; and |
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The company has a history of strong governance practices. |
Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings
Generally vote FOR management proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special
meetings.
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special
meetings at a threshold of 25% or lower if the company currently does not give shareholders the
right to call special meetings. However, if a company already gives shareholders the right to call
special meetings at a threshold of at least 25%, do not support shareholder proposals to further
reduce the threshold.
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on advance notice proposals, giving support to proposals that allow shareholders
to submit proposals/nominations reasonably close to the meeting date and within the broadest window
possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory and shareholder
review.
Poison Pills
Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder
vote or redeem it UNLESS the company has: (1) A shareholder-approved poison pill in place; or (2)
the company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying that
the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either:
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Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or |
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The board, in exercising its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in
the best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the
delay that would result from seeking stockholder approval (i.e., the fiduciary out
provision). A poison pill adopted under this fiduciary out will be put to a
shareholder ratification vote within 12 months of adoption or expire. If the pill is
not approved by a majority of the votes cast on this issue, the plan will immediately
terminate. |
Vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for poison pills to be put to a vote within a time period of
less than one year after adoption.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of
the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:
8-B
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No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over; |
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A term of no more than three years; |
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No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a
future board to redeem the pill; |
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Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to
redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 25 percent or less of
the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding
the pill. |
In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In
examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the companys existing governance
structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic
governance concerns.
For management proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of preserving a companys
net operating losses (NOL pills), the following factors should be considered:
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the trigger (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5%); |
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the value of the NOLs; |
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the term; |
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shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, causing expiration of the pill
upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs); and |
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other factors that may be applicable. |
6. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following based on publicly
available information:
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Valuation; |
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Market reaction; |
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Strategic rationale; |
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Managements track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions; |
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Presence of conflicts of interest; and |
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Governance profile of the combined company. |
7. State of Incorporation
Reincorporation Proposals
Evaluate management or shareholder proposals to change a companys state of incorporation on a
CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns
including the following:
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Reasons for reincorporation; |
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Comparison of companys governance practices and provisions prior to and following
the reincorporation; and |
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Comparison of corporation laws of original state and destination state. |
Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance
changes.
8. Capital Structure
Common Stock Authorization
Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are
determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. We consider company-specific factors that include, at a
minimum, the following:
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Past Board performance; |
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The companys use of authorized shares during the last three years; |
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One- and three-year total shareholder return; |
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The boards governance structure and practices; |
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The current request; |
9-B
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Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific reasons for the proposed increase; |
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The dilutive impact of the request as determined through an allowable increase,
which examines the companys need for shares and total shareholder returns; and |
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Risks to shareholders of not approving the request. |
9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues
Overall Approach
When evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, the following factors should be
considered:
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Whether adoption of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value; |
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Whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a
meaningful percentage of the companys business as measured by sales, assets, and
earnings; |
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The degree to which the companys stated position on the issues raised in the
proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or
selective purchasing; |
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Whether the issues presented are more appropriately/effectively dealt with through
governmental or company-specific action; |
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Whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request
embodied in the proposal; |
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Whether the companys analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders are
persuasive; |
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What other companies have done in response to the issue addressed in the proposal; |
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Whether the proposal itself is well framed and the cost of preparing the report is
reasonable; |
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Whether implementation of the proposals request would achieve the proposals
objectives; |
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Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board; |
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Whether the requested information is available to shareholders either from the
company or from a publicly available source; and |
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Whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential
information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage. |
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
A company should have a clear, public Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement outlining
various factors that are not discriminated against. Generally vote FOR proposals seeking to amend a
companys EEO statement or diversity policies to additionally prohibit discrimination based on
sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Lobbying Expenditures/Initiatives
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting information on a companys lobbying initiatives,
considering:
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Significant controversies, fines, or litigation surrounding a companys public
policy activities; |
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The companys current level of disclosure on lobbying strategy; and |
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The impact that the policy issue may have on the companys business operations. |
Political Contributions and Trade Association Spending
Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the
workplace so long as:
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There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the
companys political contributions or trade association spending; and |
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The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to
company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and
prohibits coercion. |
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to improve the disclosure of a companys political contributions and
trade association spending, considering:
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Recent significant controversy or litigation related to the companys political
contributions or governmental affairs; |
10-B
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The public availability of a company policy on political contributions and trade
association spending including information on the types of organizations supported, the
business rationale for supporting these organizations, and the oversight and compliance
procedures related to such expenditures of corporate assets; and |
GSAM will not necessarily vote for the proposal merely to encourage further disclosure of trade
association spending.
Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions. Businesses are
affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level and barring political contributions
can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.
Labor and Human Rights Standards
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting a report on company or company supplier labor and/or human
rights standards and policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to implement company or company supplier labor and/or human rights
standards and policies, considering:
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The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed; |
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Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally
recognized standards; |
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Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how; |
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Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally
recognized human rights initiatives; |
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Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of
workplace labor/human rights abuse; |
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Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human
rights at the company or its suppliers; |
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The scope of the request; and |
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Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices. |
Sustainability and climate change reporting
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company to report on its policies, initiatives, and
oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, or how the
company may be impacted by climate change. The following factors will be considered:
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The companys current level of publicly-available disclosure including if the
company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such
as an Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive Code of Corporate
Conduct; and/or a Diversity Report or other similar report; |
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If the company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program
based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a
specified time frame; |
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If the companys current level of disclosure is comparable to that of its industry
peers; and |
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If there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated
with the companys environmental performance. |
The following section is a broad summary of the Guidelines, which form the basis of the Policy with
respect to non-U.S. public equity investments. Applying these guidelines is subject to certain
regional and country-specific exceptions and modifications and is not inclusive of all
considerations in each market.
1. Operational Items
Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports
Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:
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There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or |
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The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items
that should be publicly disclosed. |
11-B
Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees
Vote FOR the reelection of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees,
unless:
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There are serious concerns about the accounts presented, audit procedures used
or audit opinion rendered; |
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The auditors are being changed without explanation; non-audit-related fees are
substantial or are in excess of standard annual audit-related fees; or the appointment
of external auditors if they have previously served the company in an executive
capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company. |
Appointment of Statutory Auditors
Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless:
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There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit
procedures used; |
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Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or |
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The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can
otherwise be considered affiliated with the company. |
Allocation of Income
Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless:
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The dividend payout ratio has been consistently low without adequate
explanation; or |
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The payout is excessive given the companys financial position. |
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative
Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.
Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the
cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Amendments to Articles of Association
Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Change in Company Fiscal Term
Vote FOR resolutions to change a companys fiscal term unless a companys motivation for the change
is to postpone its AGM.
Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership
Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 percent unless
specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.
Amend Quorum Requirements
Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Transact Other Business
Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item.
2. Board of Directors
Director Elections
Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless:
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Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner; or |
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There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements; or |
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There have been questionable transactions or conflicts of interest; or |
12-B
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There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or |
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The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards. or |
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There are reservations about: |
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Director terms |
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Bundling of proposals to elect directors |
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Board independence |
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Disclosure of named nominees |
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Combined Chairman/CEO |
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Election of former CEO as Chairman of the Board |
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Overboarded directors |
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Composition of committees |
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Director independence |
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Specific concerns about the individual or company, such as criminal wrongdoing or
breach of fiduciary responsibilities; or |
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Unless there are other considerations which may include sanctions from government or
authority, violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to improper
business practice, failure to replace management, or egregious actions related to
service on other boards. |
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis in contested elections of directors, e.g., the election of shareholder
nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, determining which directors are best suited to
add value for shareholders.
Vote FOR employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation
committee and are required by law to be on those committees.
Vote AGAINST employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation
committee, if they are not required to be on those committees.
Classification of directors
Executive Director
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Employee or executive of the company; |
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Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus,
and/or other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company. |
Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)
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Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED; |
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Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant
shareholder of the company; |
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Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder
of the company; |
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Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10% of the companys stock, either
in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is
distributed among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., family members who
beneficially own less than 10% individually, but collectively own more than 10%),
unless market best practice dictates a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and
in other special market-specific circumstances); |
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Government representative; |
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Currently provides (or a relative provides) professional services to the company, to
an affiliate of the company, or to an individual officer of the company or of one of
its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year; |
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Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which
company maintains
transactional/commercial relationship (unless company discloses information to apply
a materiality test); |
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Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive
directors or the chairman of the company; |
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Relative of a current employee of the company or its affiliates; |
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Relative of a former executive of the company or its affiliates; |
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A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the General Meeting
(such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder); |
13-B
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Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee; |
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Former executive (5 year cooling off period); |
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Years of service is generally not a determining factor unless it is recommended best
practice in a market and/or in extreme circumstances, in which case it may be
considered; |
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Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under
local corporate governance best practice guidance. |
Independent NED
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No material connection, either directly or indirectly, to the company other
than a board seat. |
Employee Representative
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Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as
employee representative but considered a non-independent NED). |
Discharge of Directors
Generally vote FOR the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or
supervisory board, unless there is reliable information about significant and compelling
controversies that the board is not fulfilling its fiduciary duties warranted by:
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A lack of oversight or actions by board members which invoke shareholder distrust
related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company interest
rather than in shareholder interest; or |
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Any legal issues (e.g., civil/criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for
breach of trust in the past or related to currently alleged actions yet to be confirmed
(and not only the fiscal year in question), such as price fixing, insider trading,
bribery, fraud, and other illegal actions; or |
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Other egregious governance issues where shareholders may bring legal action against
the company or its directors; or |
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Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where a vote against other agenda items are deemed
inappropriate. |
3. Compensation
Good pay practices should align managements interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is required; proof that companies follow the criteria
should be evident. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven
talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: abnormally large bonus payouts without
justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure, egregious employment contracts, excessive
severance and/or change in control provisions, repricing or replacing of underwater stock
options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, and excessive perquisites.
Director Compensation
Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive
relative to other companies in the country or industry.
Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based
components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a
single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.
Compensation Plans
Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
14-B
Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions
Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a
CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors.
4. Board Structure
Vote FOR proposals to fix board size.
Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of
the company or the board.
Chairman CEO combined role (for applicable markets)
GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans
position be filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following
criteria:
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2/3 independent board, or majority in countries where employee representation is
common practice; |
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A designated, or a rotating, lead director, elected by and from the independent
board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties; |
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Fully independent key committees; and/or |
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Established, publicly disclosed, governance guidelines and director
biographies/profiles. |
5. Capital Structure
Share Issuance Requests
General Issuances:
Vote FOR issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued
capital.
Vote FOR issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued
capital.
Increases in Authorized Capital
Vote FOR non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current
authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new
authorization outstanding.
Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:
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The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger)
does not meet guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or |
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The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new
authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances. |
Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.
Reduction of Capital
Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are
unfavorable to
shareholders.
Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis.
Capital Structures
Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure.
Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the
creation of new or additional supervoting shares.
15-B
Preferred Stock
Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to
50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the
rights of existing shareholders.
Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of
common
shares that could be issued upon conversion meets guidelines on equity issuance requests.
Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting
rights to the common shares.
Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the
authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.
Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Debt Issuance Requests
Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive
rights.
Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of
common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets guidelines on equity issuance requests.
Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring
would
adversely affect the rights of shareholders.
Pledging of Assets for Debt
Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Increase in Borrowing Powers
Vote proposals to approve increases in a companys borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Share Repurchase Plans
GSAM will generally recommend FOR share repurchase programs if the terms comply with the following
criteria:
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A repurchase limit of up to 10 percent of outstanding issued share capital; |
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A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a companys issued share capital in treasury
(on the shelf); and |
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Duration of no more than 5 years, or such lower threshold as may be set by
applicable law, regulation, or code of governance best practice. |
In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, the proposal will be
evaluated based on the companys historical practice. In such cases, the authority must comply with
the following criteria:
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A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a companys issued share capital in treasury
(on the shelf); and |
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Duration of no more than 5 years. |
In addition, vote AGAINST any proposal where:
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There is clear evidence of abuse; |
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There is no safeguard against selective buybacks; |
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Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market
practice. |
Reissuance of Repurchased Shares
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of
abuse of this authority in the past.
16-B
Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value
Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.
6. Other
Reorganizations/Restructurings
Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following based on publicly
available information:
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Valuation; |
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Market reaction; |
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Strategic rationale; |
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Managements track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions; |
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Presence of conflicts of interest; and |
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Governance profile of the combined company. |
Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers
Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Antitakeover Mechanisms
Generally vote AGAINST all antitakeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that
they give
shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.
Reincorporation Proposals
Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Expansion of Business Activities
Vote FOR resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into
inappropriately risky areas.
Related-Party Transactions
Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
7. Environmental, climate change and social issues
Vote FOR proposals that would improve the companys corporate governance or business profile at a
reasonable cost.
Labor and Human Rights Standards
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting a report on company or company supplier labor and/or human
rights standards and policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to implement company or company supplier labor and/or human rights
standards and policies, considering:
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The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed; |
17-B
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Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally
recognized standards; |
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Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how; |
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Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally
recognized human rights initiatives; |
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Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of
workplace labor/human rights abuse; |
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Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human
rights at the company or its suppliers; |
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The scope of the request; and |
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Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices. |
Sustainability and climate change reporting
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company to report on its policies, initiatives, and
oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, or how the
company may be impacted by climate change. The following factors will be considered:
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The companys current level of publicly-available disclosure including if the
company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such
as an Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive Code of Corporate
Conduct; and/or a Diversity Report or other similar report; |
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If the company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program
based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a
specified time frame; |
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If the companys current level of disclosure is comparable to that of its industry
peers; and |
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If there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated
with the companys environmental performance. |
18-B
APPENDIX C
STATEMENT OF INTENTION
(applicable only to Class A Shares)
If a shareholder anticipates purchasing within a 13-month period Class A Shares of the Fund
alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund in the amount of $50,000
or more, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though
the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention
in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional
shares, as well as any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will not apply toward the
completion of the Statement of Intention.
To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must
inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased.
Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price
applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The
investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investors purchases within
13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the
investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.
Escrow Agreement
Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount
specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of
shares registered in the investors name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on
escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so
specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be
notified and the escrowed shares will be released.
If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman
Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually
attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such
difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by
the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to
realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the
Transfer Agent.
1-C