N-1A 1 b85790a1nv1a.htm SSGA ACTIVE ETF TRUST nv1a
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011
Securities Act File No. 333-
Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-22542
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 þ
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____ ( )
Post-Effective Amendment No. ____ ( )
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 þ
Amendment No. ____ ( )
SSgA Active ETF Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant’s Telephone Number: (866) 787-2257
Ryan M. Louvar, Esq.
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street/CPH0326
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
W. John McGuire, Esq.
Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
o   immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)
 
o   on _________________ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)
 
o   60 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)
 
o   on _________________ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)
 
o   75 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)
 
o   on _________________ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)
 
þ   As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
 

 


 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

SSgA Active ETF Trust
Prospectus
[          ], 2011
SSgA Real Assets ETF ([     ])
SSgA Income Opportunities ETF ([     ])
SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF ([     ])
SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF ([     ])
SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF ([     ])
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF ([     ])

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Shares in the Funds are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are shares deposits or obligations of any bank. Such shares in the Funds involve investment risks, including the loss of principal.
Precise in a world that isn’t. TM

 


 

Table of Contents
Precise in a world that isn’t. TM

2


 

FUND SUMMARIES
SSgA Real Assets ETF
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The SSgA Real Assets ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to achieve real return consisting of capital appreciation and current income.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table and the example below do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of the Fund’s shares.
annual fund operating expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
         
MANAGEMENT FEES
    [     ] %
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
  None  
OTHER EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    [     ] %
 
*   The Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above and the Example information below reflect the expenses of both the feeder and master funds.
 
**   “Other Expenses” and “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
example:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
     
YEAR 1   YEAR 3
 
$[     ]   $[     ]

3


 

portfolio turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the SSgA Real Assets Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), a separate series of the SSgA Master Trust with an identical investment objective as the Fund.
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), invests the assets of the Portfolio among exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that provide exposure to four primary asset classes: (i) inflation protected securities issued by the United States government, its agencies and/or instrumentalities, as well as inflation protected securities issued by foreign governments, agencies, and/or instrumentalities; (ii) domestic and international real estate securities; (iii) commodities; and (iv) publicly-traded companies in natural resources and/or commodities businesses. The Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in companies primarily involved in the energy and real estate industries. The Fund’s allocation among those asset classes will be in proportions consistent with the Adviser’s evaluation of the expected returns and risks of each asset class as well as the allocation that, in the Adviser’s view, will best meet the Portfolio’s investment objective. The allocations to each asset class will change over time as the Adviser’s expectations of each asset class shift. The Portfolio’s indirect holdings by virtue of investing in ETPs representing those asset classes will consist of a diversified mix of domestic and international equity securities, government and corporate bonds, commodities and REITs.
ETPs may include exchange traded funds that seek to track the performance of a market index (“Underlying ETFs”) (including Underlying ETFs managed by the Adviser); exchange traded commodity trusts; and exchange traded notes.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund, and you could lose money on an investment in the Fund.
exchange traded products risk: The Fund is subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities represented by the ETPs in which the Portfolio invests. In addition, the shares of the ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (i.e., their market value may differ from the shares’ net asset value) for a number of reasons. For example, supply and demand for shares of an Underlying ETF or market disruptions may cause the market price of the Underlying ETF to deviate from the value of the Underlying ETF’s investments, which may be exacerbated in less liquid markets; and the value of an exchange traded note (“ETN”) may also differ from the valuation of its reference market due to changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund is subject to the following risks indirectly through its investments in ETPs:
equity investing risk: The value of equity securities may increase or decrease as a result of market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices.
debt securities investing risk: The value of the debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, inability of issuers to repay principal and interest or illiquidity in the debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. This may result in a reduction in income from debt securities income.
foreign investment risk: Foreign investments involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States pose distinct risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. Further, such entities and/or their securities may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. Securities traded on foreign markets may be less liquid (harder to sell) than securities traded domestically. In

4


 

addition, the value of local currency could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
emerging markets risk: Investment in emerging markets involves greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation, greater risk of market shut down, and more governmental limitations on foreign investment policy than those typically found in a developed market. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with investments in issuers domiciled in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the United States and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a “failed settlement,” which could result in. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Commodities Risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Commodities are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredictable economic, political and environmental events. Factors that may significantly affect the prices of commodities include, but are not limited to: global supply and demand; domestic and international interest rates and investors’ expectations of interest rates; inflation rates and investors’ expectations of inflation rates; the investment and trading activities of commodity futures contracts; political, economic, or financial events, both globally and regionally. Investments in commodities entail the risk that the Fund may not qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and its income may become subject to federal income taxes, reducing returns to shareholders.
agriculture sector risk: Economic forces, including forces affecting agricultural markets, as well as government policies and regulations affecting the agricultural sector and related industries, could adversely related investments. Agricultural and livestock production and trade flows are significantly affected by government policies and regulations. Governmental policies affecting the agricultural sector, such as taxes, tariffs, duties, subsidies and import and export restrictions on agricultural commodities, commodity products and livestock, can influence industry profitability, the planting/raising of certain crops/livestock versus other uses of resources, the location and size of crop and livestock production, whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded and the volume and types of imports and exports. In addition, the companies in the agriculture sector must comply with a broad range of environmental laws and regulations. Additional or more stringent environmental laws and regulations may be enacted in the future and such changes could have a material adverse effect on the business of such companies. In addition, agricultural and livestock businesses may be significantly affected by adverse weather, pollution and/or disease which could limit or halt production.
energy sector risk: Energy companies develop and produce crude oil and natural gas and provide drilling and other energy resources production and distribution related services. Stock prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for energy products in general. The price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Correspondingly, securities of companies in the energy field are subject to swift price and supply fluctuations caused by events relating to international politics, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Weak demand for the companies’ products or services or for energy products and services in general, as well as negative developments in these other areas, would adversely impact performance of energy sector companies. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims.
metals and mining sector risk: The metals and mining sector can be significantly affected by events relating to international political and economic developments, energy conservation, resource availability, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices, and tax and other government regulations. Investments in metals and mining industry companies may be speculative and may be subject to greater price volatility than investments in other types of companies. Risks of metals and mining investments include: changes in international monetary policies or economic and political conditions that can affect the supply of precious metals and consequently the value of metals and mining company investments; the United States or foreign governments may pass laws or regulations limiting metals investments for strategic or other policy reasons; and increased environmental or labor costs may depress the value of metals and mining investments.

5


 

real estate sector risk: Investments in real estate securities are subject to the risks of decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of real estate securities. Certain real estate securities have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities. Real estate securities are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. Real estate securities are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. In addition, Real Estate Investment Trusts are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and maintaining exemption from the registration requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Management Risk: The Portfolio is actively managed, and therefore the Portfolio is subject to the risk that the investments selected by the Adviser may cause the Portfolio to underperform relative to its benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations and therefore does not have any performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to its benchmark Index.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
investment adviser
SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio.
portfolio managers
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Portfolio are Robert Guiliano and Christopher J. Goolgasian.
Robert Guiliano is a Vice President of SSgA FM and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 1997 and his responsibilities include portfolio management of real asset, tactical, and strategic asset allocation strategies as well as product development, research, and assisting clients with the development of strategic investment policy.
Christopher J. Goolgasian, CPA, CFA, CAIA, is a Vice President of SSgA FM and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2010 and is responsible for developing and implementing tactical and strategic multi-asset class solutions for institutional clients.
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Fund will issue (or redeem) shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Index.
Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
TAX INFORMATION

6


 

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.

7


 

SSgA Income Opportunities ETF
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The SSgA Income Opportunities ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide total return by focusing on investments in income and yield-generating assets.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table and the example below do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of the Fund’s shares.
annual fund operating expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
         
MANAGEMENT FEES
    [     ] %
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
  None  
OTHER EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    [     ] %
 
*   The Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above and the Example information below reflect the expenses of both the feeder and master funds.
 
**   “Other Expenses” and “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
example:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
     
YEAR 1   YEAR 3
 
$[     ]   $[     ]

8


 

portfolio turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the SSgA Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), a separate series of the SSgA Master Trust with an identical investment objective as the Fund.
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), invests the assets of the Portfolio among exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that provide exposure to four primary asset classes: (i) equity, domestic and international securities; (ii) debt securities; (iii) hybrid equity/debt (such as preferred stock and convertible bonds); and (iv) real estate securities. The Fund’s allocation among those asset classes will be in proportions consistent with the Adviser’s evaluation of the expected returns and risks of each asset class as well as the allocation that, in the Adviser’s view, will best meet the Portfolio’s investment objective. The allocations to each asset class will change over time as the Adviser’s expectations of each asset class shift. The Portfolio’s indirect holdings by virtue of investing in ETPs representing these asset classes will consist of a diversified mix of domestic and international equity securities, government and corporate bonds, hybrid securities such as preferred stock and convertible bonds, commodities, and REITs.
ETPs may include exchange traded funds that seek to track the performance of a market index (“Underlying ETFs”) (including Underlying ETFs managed by the Adviser); exchange traded commodity trusts; and exchange traded notes.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund, and you could lose money on an investment in the Fund.
exchange traded products risk: The Fund is subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities represented by the ETPs in which the Portfolio invests. In addition, the shares of the ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (i.e., their market value may differ from the shares’ net asset value) for a number of reasons. For example, supply and demand for shares of an Underlying ETF or market disruptions may cause the market price of the Underlying ETF to deviate from the value of the Underlying ETF’s investments, which may be exacerbated in less liquid markets; and the value of an exchange traded note (“ETN”) may also differ from the valuation of its reference market due to changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund is subject to the following risks indirectly through its investments in ETPs:
equity investing risk: The value of equity securities may increase or decrease as a result of market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices.
Debt Securities investing risk: The value of the debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, inability of issuers to repay principal and interest or illiquidity in the debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. This may result in a reduction in income from debt securities income.
foreign investment risk: Foreign investments involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States pose distinct risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. Further, such entities and/or their securities may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. Securities traded on foreign markets may be less liquid (harder to sell) than securities traded domestically. In addition, the value of a local currency could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.

9


 

commodities risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Commodities are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredictable economic, political and environmental events. Factors that may significantly affect the prices of commodities include, but are not limited to: global supply and demand; domestic and international interest rates and investors’ expectations of interest rates; inflation rates and investors’ expectations of inflation rates; the investment and trading activities of commodity futures contracts; political, economic, or financial events, both globally and regionally. Investments in commodities entail the risk that the Fund may not qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and its income may become subject to federal income taxes, reducing returns to shareholders.
high yield securities risk: Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as “junk bonds,” include bonds that are rated Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Inc., or Standard & Poor’s, Inc., respectively, and may involve greater risks than securities in higher rating categories. Such bonds are regarded as speculative in nature, involve greater risk of default by the issuing entity and may be subject to greater market fluctuations than higher rated debt securities. They are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by those companies with questionable credit strength. The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities without taking discount, which could be significant. High yield securities also present greater credit risk because such securities may be issued in connection with corporate restructuring by highly leveraged issuers or in debt securities not current in the payment of interest or principal or in default.
convertible securities risk: Convertible securities tend to be subordinate to other debt securities issued by the same issuer so such securities may not receive full repayment in the event of an issuer default. Also, issuers of convertible securities are often not as strong financially as issuers with higher credit ratings. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates.
preferred securities risk: Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. In addition, preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Unlike debt securities, dividend payments on a preferred security typically must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors. An issuer’s board of directors is generally not under any obligation to pay a dividend (even if such dividends have accrued), and may suspend payment of dividends on preferred securities at any time. In the event an issuer of preferred securities experiences economic difficulties, the issuer’s preferred securities may lose substantial value due to the reduced likelihood that the issuer’s board of directors will declare a dividend and the fact that the preferred security may be subordinated to other securities of the same issuer. There is a chance that the issuer of any of the Fund’s holdings will default (fail to make scheduled dividend payments on the preferred security or scheduled interest payments on other obligations of the issuer not held by the Fund).
real estate sector risk: Investments in real estate securities are subject to the risks of decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of real estate securities. Certain real estate securities have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities. Real estate securities are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. Real estate securities are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. In addition, Real Estate Investment Trusts are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and maintaining exemption from the registration requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Management Risk: The Portfolio is actively managed, and therefore the Portfolio is subject to the risk that the investments selected by the Adviser may cause the Portfolio to underperform relative to its benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations and therefore does not have any performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to its benchmark Index.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
investment adviser

10


 

SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio.
portfolio managers
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Portfolio are Daniel C. Peirce and Christopher J. Goolgasian.
Daniel C. Peirce, Ph.D., is a Vice President of SSgA FM and a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in [YEAR] and seeks to combine the best of qualitative, quantitative, and technical disciplines to manage balanced portfolios effectively. Dan also serves as a global market strategist, working frequently with the economics team, the emerging markets team, and other constituencies within SSgA.
Christopher J. Goolgasian, CPA, CFA, CAIA, is a Vice President of SSgA FM and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2010 and is responsible for developing and implementing tactical and strategic multi-asset class solutions for institutional clients.
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Fund will issue (or redeem) shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Index.
Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.

11


 

SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide current income, capital preservation and the avoidance of excessive portfolio volatility.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table and the example below do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of the Fund’s shares.
annual fund operating expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
         
MANAGEMENT FEES
    [     ] %
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
  None  
OTHER EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    [     ] %
LESS FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES LESS FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS***
    [     ] %
 
*   The Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above and the Example information below reflect the expenses of both the feeder and master funds.
 
**   “Other Expenses” and “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
 
***   [     ]
example:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
     
YEAR 1   YEAR 3
 
$[     ]   $[     ]

12


 

portfolio turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the SSgA Target Risk Conservative Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), a separate series of the SSgA Master Trust with an identical investment objective as the Fund.
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), invests the assets of the Portfolio among exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that provide exposure to domestic and international debt and equity securities with a larger allocation to debt securities than to other asset classes. The allocations to each asset class will change over time as the Adviser’s expectations of each asset class shift. The Portfolio’s indirect holdings consist of a diversified mix of domestic and international equity securities, government and corporate bonds, commodities and REITs.
ETPs may include exchange traded funds that seek to track the performance of a market index (“Underlying ETFs”) (including Underlying ETFs managed by the Adviser); exchange traded commodity trusts; and exchange traded notes.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund, and you could lose money on an investment in the Fund.
exchange traded products risk: The Fund is subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities represented by the ETPs in which the Portfolio invests. In addition, the shares of the ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (i.e., their market value may differ from the shares’ net asset value) for a number of reasons. For example, supply and demand for shares of an Underlying ETF or market disruptions may cause the market price of the Underlying ETF to deviate from the value of the Underlying ETF’s investments, which may be exacerbated in less liquid markets; and the value of an exchange traded note (“ETN”) may also differ from the valuation of its reference market due to changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund is subject to the following risks indirectly through its investments in ETPs:
equity investing risk: The value of equity securities may increase or decrease as a result of market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices.
debt securities investing risk: The value of the debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, inability of issuers to repay principal and interest or illiquidity in the debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. This may result in a reduction in income from debt securities income.
foreign investment risk: Foreign investments involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States pose distinct risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. Further, such entities and/or their securities may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. Securities traded on foreign markets may be less liquid (harder to sell) than securities traded domestically. In addition, the value of local currency could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
emerging markets risk: Investment in emerging markets involves greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation, greater risk of market shut down, and more governmental limitations on foreign

13


 

investment policy than those typically found in a developed market. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with investments in issuers domiciled in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the United States and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a “failed settlement,” which could result in. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Commodities Risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Commodities are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredictable economic, political and environmental events. Factors that may significantly affect the prices of commodities include, but are not limited to: global supply and demand; domestic and international interest rates and investors’ expectations of interest rates; inflation rates and investors’ expectations of inflation rates; the investment and trading activities of commodity futures contracts; political, economic, or financial events, both globally and regionally. Investments in commodities entail the risk that the Fund may not qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and its income may become subject to federal income taxes, reducing returns to shareholders.
high yield securities risk: The underlying ETFs may invest in securities rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as “junk bonds,” include bonds that are rated Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Inc., or Standard & Poor’s, Inc., respectively, and may involve greater risks than securities in higher rating categories. Such bonds are regarded as speculative in nature, involve greater risk of default by the issuing entity and may be subject to greater market fluctuations than higher rated debt securities. They are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by those companies with questionable credit strength. The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating an underlying ETF’s net asset value. When an underlying ETF invests in “junk bonds,” it may also be subject to greater credit risk because it may invest in debt securities issued in connection with corporate restructuring by highly leveraged issuers or in debt securities not current in the payment of interest or principal or in default.
real estate sector risk Investments in real estate securities are subject to the risks of decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of real estate securities. Certain real estate securities have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities. Real estate securities are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. Real estate securities are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. In addition, Real Estate Investment Trusts are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and maintaining exemption from the registration requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Management Risk: The Portfolio is actively managed, and therefore the Portfolio is subject to the risk that the investments selected by the Adviser may cause the Portfolio to underperform relative to its benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations and therefore does not have any performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad based securities index and its benchmark Index.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
investment adviser
SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio.

14


 

portfolio managers
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Portfolio are Ola Folarin and Lisa Khatri.
Ola Folarin, CFA, is a Principal of SSgA FM and a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2007 and his responsibilities include managing strategic and tactical asset allocation portfolios. He also works on the team’s exposure management efforts.
Lisa Khatri, CFA, is a Principal of SSgA FM and a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. She joined the Adviser in 2010 and is responsible for developing and implementing tactical and strategic multi-asset class solutions for institutional clients.
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Fund will issue (or redeem) shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Index.
Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.

15


 

SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide current income and capital preservation, with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table and the example below do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of the Fund’s shares.
annual fund operating expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
         
MANAGEMENT FEES
    [     ] %
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
  None  
OTHER EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    [     ] %
LESS FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES LESS FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS***
    [     ] %
 
*   The Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above and the Example information below reflect the expenses of both the feeder and master funds.
 
**   “Other Expenses” and “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
 
***   [     ]
example:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
     
YEAR 1   YEAR 3
 
$[     ]   $[     ]

16


 

portfolio turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the SSgA Target Risk Moderate Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), a separate series of the SSgA Master Trust with an identical investment objective as the Fund.
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), invests the assets of the Portfolio among exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that provide balanced exposure to domestic and international debt and equity securities The allocations to each asset class will change over time as the Adviser’s expectations of each asset class shift. The Portfolio’s indirect holdings consist of a diversified mix of domestic and international equity securities, government and corporate bonds, commodities and REITs.
ETPs may include other exchange traded funds that seek to track the performance of a market index (“Underlying ETFs”) (including Underlying ETFs managed by the Adviser); exchange traded commodity trusts; and exchange traded notes.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund, and you could lose money on an investment in the Fund.
exchange traded products risk: The Fund is subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities represented by the ETPs in which the Portfolio invests. In addition, the shares of the ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (i.e., their market value may differ from the shares’ net asset value) for a number of reasons. For example, supply and demand for shares of an Underlying ETF or market disruptions may cause the market price of the Underlying ETF to deviate from the value of the Underlying ETF’s investments, which may be exacerbated in less liquid markets; and the value of an exchange traded note (“ETN”) may also differ from the valuation of its reference market due to changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund is subject to the following risks indirectly through its investments in ETPs:
equity investing risk: The value of equity securities may increase or decrease as a result of market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices.
Debt Securities investing risk: The value of the debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, inability of issuers to repay principal and interest or illiquidity in the debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. This may result in a reduction in income from debt securities income.
foreign investment risk: Foreign investments involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States pose distinct risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. Further, such entities and/or their securities may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. Securities traded on foreign markets may be less liquid (harder to sell) than securities traded domestically. In addition, the value of a local currency could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
emerging markets risk: Investment in emerging markets involves greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation, greater risk of market shut down, and more governmental limitations on foreign investment policy than those typically found in a developed market. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including

17


 

governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with investments in issuers domiciled in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the United States and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a “failed settlement,” which could result in losses. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Commodities Risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Commodities are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredictable economic, political and environmental events. Factors that may significantly affect the prices of commodities include, but are not limited to: global supply and demand; domestic and international interest rates and investors’ expectations of interest rates; inflation rates and investors’ expectations of inflation rates; the investment and trading activities of commodity futures contracts; political, economic, or financial events, both globally and regionally. Investments in commodities entail the risk that the Fund may not qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and its income may become subject to federal income taxes, reducing returns to shareholders.
high yield securities risk: Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as “junk bonds,” include bonds that are rated Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Inc., or Standard & Poor’s, Inc., respectively, and may involve greater risks than securities in higher rating categories. Such bonds are regarded as speculative in nature, involve greater risk of default by the issuing entity and may be subject to greater market fluctuations than higher rated debt securities. They are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by those companies with questionable credit strength. The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities without taking discount, which could be significant. High yield securities also present greater credit risk because such securities may be issued in connection with corporate restructuring by highly leveraged issuers or in debt securities not current in the payment of interest or principal or in default.
real estate sector risk Adverse economic, business or political developments affecting real estate could have a major effect on the value of the Underlying ETFs’ investments. Investments in real estate securities are subject to the risks of decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of real estate securities. Certain real estate securities have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities. Real estate securities are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. Real estate securities are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. In addition, Real Estate Investment Trusts are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and maintaining exemption from the registration requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Management Risk: The Portfolio is actively managed, and therefore the Portfolio is subject to the risk that the investments selected by the Adviser may cause the Portfolio to underperform relative to its benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations and therefore does not have any performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad based securities index and its benchmark Index.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
investment adviser
SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio.
portfolio managers

18


 

The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Portfolio are Ola Folarin and Eduardo A. Borges.
Ola Folarin, CFA, is a Principal of SSgA FM and a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2007 and his responsibilities include managing strategic and tactical asset allocation portfolios. He also works on the team’s exposure management efforts.
Eduardo A. Borges is a Vice President of SSgA FM and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2000 and his responsibilities include managing active and passive portfolios for domestic and international strategies.
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Fund will issue (or redeem) shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Index.
Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.

19


 

SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide capital appreciation, with a secondary emphasis on current income and capital preservation.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table and the example below do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of the Fund’s shares.
annual fund operating expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
         
MANAGEMENT FEES
    [     ] %
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
  None  
OTHER EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    [     ] %
LESS FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES LESS FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS***
    [     ] %
 
*   The Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above and the Example information below reflect the expenses of both the feeder and master funds.
 
**   “Other Expenses” and “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
 
***   [     ]
example:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
     
YEAR 1   YEAR 3
 
$[     ]   $[     ]

20


 

portfolio turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the SSgA Target Risk Aggressive Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), a separate series of the SSgA Master Trust with an identical investment objective as the Fund.
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), invests the assets of the Portfolio among exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that provide exposure to domestic and international debt and equity securities with a larger allocation to equity securities relative to the other asset classes. The allocations to each asset class will change over time as the Adviser’s expectations of each asset class shift. The Portfolio’s indirect holdings consist of a diversified mix of domestic and international equity securities, government and corporate bonds, commodities and REITs.
ETPs may include exchange traded funds that seek to track the performance of a market index (“Underlying ETFs”) (including Underlying ETFs managed by the Adviser); exchange traded commodity trusts; and exchange traded notes.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund, and you could lose money on an investment in the Fund.
exchange traded products risk: The Fund is subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities represented by the ETPs in which the Portfolio invests. In addition, the shares of the ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (i.e., their market value may differ from the shares’ net asset value) for a number of reasons. For example, supply and demand for shares of an Underlying ETF or market disruptions may cause the market price of the Underlying ETF to deviate from the value of the Underlying ETF’s investments, which may be exacerbated in less liquid markets; and the value of an exchange traded note (“ETN”) may also differ from the valuation of its reference market due to changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund is subject to the following risks indirectly through its investments in ETPs:
equity investing risk: The value of equity securities may increase or decrease as a result of market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices.
Debt Securities investing risk: The value of the debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, inability of issuers to repay principal and interest or illiquidity in the debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. This may result in a reduction in income from debt securities income.
foreign investment risk: Foreign investments involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States pose distinct risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. Further, such entities and/or their securities may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. Securities traded on foreign markets may be less liquid (harder to sell) than securities traded domestically. In addition, the value of a local currency could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
emerging markets risk: Investment in emerging markets involves greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation, greater risk of market shut down, and more governmental limitations on foreign

21


 

investment policy than those typically found in a developed market. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with investments in issuers domiciled in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the United States and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a “failed settlement,” which could result in losses. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Commodities Risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Commodities are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredictable economic, political and environmental events. Factors that may significantly affect the prices of commodities include, but are not limited to: global supply and demand; domestic and international interest rates and investors’ expectations of interest rates; inflation rates and investors’ expectations of inflation rates; the investment and trading activities of commodity futures contracts; political, economic, or financial events, both globally and regionally. Investments in commodities entail the risk that the Fund may not qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and its income may become subject to federal income taxes, reducing returns to shareholders.
high yield securities risk: Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as “junk bonds,” include bonds that are rated Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Inc., or Standard & Poor’s, Inc., respectively, and may involve greater risks than securities in higher rating categories. Such bonds are regarded as speculative in nature, involve greater risk of default by the issuing entity and may be subject to greater market fluctuations than higher rated debt securities. They are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by those companies with questionable credit strength. The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities without taking discount, which could be significant. High yield securities also present greater credit risk because such securities may be issued in connection with corporate restructuring by highly leveraged issuers or in debt securities not current in the payment of interest or principal or in default.
real estate sector risk: Investments in real estate securities are subject to the risks of decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of real estate securities. Certain real estate securities have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities. Real estate securities are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. Real estate securities are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. In addition, Real Estate Investment Trusts are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and maintaining exemption from the registration requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Management Risk: The Portfolio is actively managed, and therefore the Portfolio is subject to the risk that the investments selected by the Adviser may cause the Portfolio to underperform relative to its benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations and therefore does not have any performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad based securities index and its benchmark Index.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
investment adviser
SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio.
portfolio managers

22


 

The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Portfolio are Ola Folarin and Timothy Furbush.
Ola Folarin, CFA, is a Principal of SSgA FM and a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2007 and his responsibilities include managing strategic and tactical asset allocation portfolios. He also works on the team’s exposure management efforts.
Timothy Furbush, CFA, is a Principal of SSgA FM and a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Asset Class Solutions (MACS) group. He joined the Adviser in 2007 and is responsible for developing and implementing customized investment approaches for clients, including strategic and tactical global balanced funds as well as equitization and overlay strategies. In addition, Tim serves as a backup Portfolio Manager on State Street’s Global Currency team.
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Fund will issue (or redeem) shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Index.
Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.

23


 

SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF (the “Fund”) is to provide current income consistent with the preservation of capital.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table and the example below do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of the Fund’s shares.
annual fund operating expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
         
MANAGEMENT FEES
    [     ] %
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
  None  
OTHER EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES**
    [     ] %
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    [     ] %
 
*   The Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above and the Example information below reflect the expenses of both the Fund and the Portfolio (defined below).
 
**   “Other Expenses” and “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
example:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
     
YEAR 1   YEAR 3
 
$[     ]   $[     ]

24


 

portfolio turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), a separate series of the SSgA Master Trust with an identical investment objective as the Fund.
In pursuing its investment objective, the Portfolio seeks to outperform the S&P/LSTA U.S. Leveraged Loan 100 Index (the “Index”) by normally investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in Senior Loans. The Sub-Adviser considers “Senior Loans” to be first lien senior secured floating rate bank loans. A Senior Loan is an advance or commitment of funds made by one or more banks or similar financial institutions, including the Portfolio, to one or more corporations, partnerships or other business entities and typically pays interest at a floating or adjusting rate that is determined periodically at a designated premium above a base lending rate, most commonly the London-Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). A Senior Loan is considered senior to all other unsecured claims against the borrower, senior to or pari passu with all other secured claims, meaning that in the event of a bankruptcy the Senior Loan, together with other first lien claims, are entitled to be the first to be repaid out of proceeds of the assets securing the loans, before other existing claims or interests receive repayment. However, in bankruptcy proceedings, there may be other claims, such as taxes or additional advances, that take precedence.
The Portfolio invests in Senior Loans that are made predominantly to businesses operating in North America, but may also invest in Senior Loans made to businesses operating outside of North America. See “Non-U.S. Securities Risk” below. The Portfolio may invest in Senior Loans directly, either from the borrower as part of a primary issuance or in the secondary market through assignments of portions of Senior Loans from third parties, or participations in Senior Loans, which are contractual relationships with an existing lender in a loan facility whereby the Portfolio purchases the right to receive principal and interest payments on a loan but the existing lender remains the record holder of the loan. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio expects to maintain an average interest rate duration of less than 90 days.
In selecting securities for the Portfolio, the Portfolio’s sub-adviser, GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) seeks to construct a portfolio of loans that it believes is less volatile than the general loan market. In addition, when making investments, the Sub-Adviser seeks to maintain appropriate liquidity and price transparency for the Portfolio. On an on-going basis, the Sub-Adviser adds or removes those individual loans that it believes will cause the Portfolio to outperform or underperform, respectively, the Index.
When identifying prospective investment opportunities in Senior Loans, the Sub-Adviser currently intends to invest primarily in Senior Loans that are below investment grade quality and will rely on fundamental credit analysis in an effort to attempt to minimize the loss of the Portfolio’s capital. The Sub-Adviser expects to invest in Senior Loans or other debt of companies possessing the following attributes, which it believes will help generate higher risk adjusted total returns:
Leading, defensible market positions. The Sub-Adviser intends to invest in companies that it believes have developed strong positions within their respective markets and exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows and profitability to service their obligations in a range of economic environments. The Sub-Adviser will seek companies that it believes possess advantages in scale, scope, customer loyalty, product pricing, or product quality versus their competitors, thereby minimizing business risk and protecting profitability.
Investing in stable companies with positive cash flow. The Sub-Adviser intends to invest primarily in established, stable companies which have demonstrated a record of profitability and cash flows over several economic cycles. The Sub-Adviser believes such companies are well-positioned to maintain consistent cash flow to service and repay their obligations and maintain growth in their businesses or market share. The Sub-Adviser does not intend to invest in primarily start-up companies, companies in turnaround situations or companies with speculative business plans.
Proven management teams. The Sub-Adviser intends to focus on investments in which the target company has an experienced management team with an established track record of success. The Sub-Adviser will typically require companies to have in place proper incentives to align management’s goals with the Portfolio’s goals.
Private equity sponsorship. Often the Sub-Adviser will seek to participate in transactions sponsored by what it believes to be high-quality private equity firms. The Sub-Adviser believes that a private equity sponsor’s willingness to invest significant sums of equity capital into a company is an implicit endorsement of the quality of the investment. Further, private equity

25


 

sponsors of companies with significant investments at risk have the ability and a strong incentive to contribute additional capital in difficult economic times should operational issues arise.
Diversification, Concentration and Reliance on Other Lenders. The Sub-Adviser will seek to invest broadly among companies and industries, thereby potentially reducing the risk of a downturn in any one company or industry having a disproportionate impact on the value of the Portfolio’s portfolio. However, as a result of its investment in participations in loans and the fact that originating banks may be deemed issuers of loans, the Portfolio may be deemed to concentrate its investments in the financial services industries. Loans, and the collateral securing them, are typically monitored by agents for the lenders, which may be the originating bank or banks. The Fund may be reliant on the creditworthiness of the agent bank and other intermediate participants in a Senior Loan, in addition to the borrower, since rights that may exist under the loan against the borrower if the borrower defaults are typically asserted by or through the agent bank or intermediate participant. Agents are typically large commercial banks, although for Senior Loans that are not broadly syndicated they can also include thrift institutions, insurance companies or finance companies (or their affiliates). Such companies may be especially susceptible to the effects of changes in interest rates resulting from changes in U.S. or foreign fiscal or monetary policies, governmental regulations affecting capital raising activities or other economic or market fluctuations.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund, and you could lose money on an investment in the Fund.
Senior loan risk: Investments in Senior Loans are subject to credit risk and general investment risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the borrower of a Senior Loan will be unable and/or unwilling to make timely interest payments and/or repay the principal on its obligation. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and consequently a reduction in the value of the Fund’s investments and a potential decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund. Senior loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a Senior Loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. In addition, the Portfolio’s access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Some Senior Loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the Senior Loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to lenders, including the Fund, such as invalidation of Senior Loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. There is no organized exchange on which Senior Loans are traded and reliable market quotations may not be readily available. Therefore, elements of judgment may play a greater role in valuation of Senior Loans.
high yield securities risk: The securities (including bank loans) in which the Portfolio primarily invests will typically be rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities, include securities that are rated Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Inc., or Standard & Poor’s, Inc., respectively, and may involve greater risks than securities in higher rating categories. Such securities are regarded as speculative in nature, involve greater risk of default by the issuing entity and may be subject to greater market fluctuations than higher rated debt securities. They are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by those companies with questionable credit strength. The retail secondary market for these “junk” or “high yield” securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Portfolio’s net asset value. Because of the substantial risks associated with investments in lower grade securities, investors could lose money on their investment in common shares of the Fund, both in the short-term and the long-term.
Liquidity Risk: There is no organized exchange on which loans are traded and reliable market quotations may not be readily available. A majority of the Portfolio’s assets are likely to be invested in loans that are less liquid than securities traded on national exchanges. Loans with reduced liquidity involve greater risk than securities with more liquid markets. Available market quotations for such loans may vary over time, and if the credit quality of a loan unexpectedly declines, secondary trading of that loan may decline for a period of time. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a loan can be more difficult and buying and selling a loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed. In the event that the Portfolio voluntarily or involuntarily liquidates portfolio assets during periods of infrequent trading, it may not receive full value for those assets. Therefore, elements of judgment may play a greater role in valuation of loans. To the extent that a secondary market exists for certain loans, the market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations and therefore does not have any performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to the Index.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

26


 

investment adviser
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA FM” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio. GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC serves as sub-adviser to the Portfolio and the Fund, subject to supervision by the Adviser and the Board of Trustees.
portfolio managers
The professionals at the Sub-Adviser primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio and, as a result, the Fund are Daniel McMullen and Lee Shaiman.
Daniel T. McMullen is a Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser and has served as portfolio manager for the Fund since its inception.
Lee M. Shaiman is a Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser and has served as portfolio manager for the Fund since its inception.
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Fund will issue (or redeem) shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of [50,000] shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are primarily conducted in exchange for cash valued at the closing NAV of the Fund.
Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.

27


 

ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES
general. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) may change a Fund’s investment objective, investment strategy, benchmark index and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated. The Board also serves as the trustees for the SSgA Master Trust, and may change the Portfolio’s investment objective, investment strategy, benchmark index and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated.
master-feeder investment structure. The Funds are intended to be managed in a “master-feeder” structure, under which each Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a corresponding “master fund,” which is a separate mutual fund that has an identical investment objective. As a result, each Fund (i.e., a “feeder fund”) has an indirect interest in all of the securities owned by the master fund. Because of this indirect interest, each Fund’s investment returns should be the same as those of the corresponding master fund, adjusted for the expenses of the feeder fund. In extraordinary instances, each Fund reserves the right to make direct investments in securities.
The Adviser (or Sub-Adviser, where applicable) manages the investments of each Portfolio. Under the master-feeder arrangement, investment advisory fees charged at the master-fund level are deducted from the advisory fees charged at the feeder-fund level. This arrangement avoids a “layering” of fees, e.g., a Fund’s total annual operating expenses would be no higher as a result of investing in a master-feeder arrangement than they would be if the Fund pursued its investment objectives directly. In addition, each Fund may discontinue investing through the master-feeder arrangement and pursue its investment objectives directly if the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines that doing so would be in the best interests of shareholders.
certain other investments. Each Fund may (either directly or through its investments in its corresponding Portfolio) invest in the following types of investments: money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements, money market funds (including money market funds managed by the Adviser); convertible securities; variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities; loan focused closed-end funds; and collateralized loan obligation (CLO) debt securities.
temporary defensive positions. In certain situations or market conditions, a Fund may (either directly or through the corresponding Portfolio) temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies provided that the alternative is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and is in the best interest of the Fund. For example, a Fund may hold a higher than normal proportion of its assets in cash in times of extreme market stress.
borrowing money. Each Fund may (either directly or through its investments in its corresponding Portfolio) borrow money from a bank as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund, but only for temporary or emergency purposes.
ADDITIONAL RISK INFORMATION
The following section provides additional information regarding certain of the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks of Investing In the Fund” in the Fund Summary along with additional risk information. Because the Funds are expected to invest substantially all of their assets in a corresponding Portfolio, the description of risks below relate to the direct investments made by the Portfolio; however, to the extent a Fund makes direct investments, these risks apply to those investments as well.
principal risks
RISKS APPLICABLE TO ALL FUNDS
market risk. An investment in a Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. The values of securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. Different types of securities tend to go through cycles of out-performance and under-performance in comparison to the general securities markets. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally.
interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the securities in held by a Portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. Debt securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making

28


 

them more volatile than debt securities with shorter durations.
liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. If the Portfolio invests in assets that are or become illiquid, it may reduce the returns of the Fund because the Portfolio may be unable to sell these illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Additionally, the market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. In such cases, the Portfolio, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and/or the difficulty in purchasing and selling such investments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain market or sector and the Fund may not achieve a high degree of correlation with its Index.
foreign investment risk. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities.
foreign securities.
Foreign securities also include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) which are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. ADRs are issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the liquidity of the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Foreign securities also include Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), which are similar to ADRs, but are shares of foreign-based corporations generally issued by international banks in one or more markets around the world. ADRs and GDRs trade on developed market exchanges, such as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Investment in ADRs and GDRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market and GDRs, many of which are issued by companies in emerging markets, may be more volatile.
depositary receipts may be “sponsored” or “unsponsored.” Sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer, whereas unsponsored depositary receipts may be established by a depositary without participation by the underlying issuer. Holders of an unsponsored depositary receipt generally bear all the costs associated with establishing the unsponsored depositary receipt. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
depositary receipts may be unregistered and unlisted. ADRs and GDRs may be restricted securities that can be offered and sold only to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). The Adviser will determine the liquidity of such investments pursuant to guidelines established by the Board. If a particular investment in such ADRs or GDRs is deemed illiquid, that investment will be included within an underlying ETF’s limitation on investment in illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between an underlying ETF’s decision to sell these types of ADRs or GDRs and the point at which the underlying ETF is permitted or able to sell such security, the underlying ETF might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell.
foreign securities involve special risks and costs. Investment in foreign securities may involve higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments may also experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies and involve additional risks associated with the level of currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity, more market volatility and political instability. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities, such as restrictions on the ability of issuers of Non-U.S. Securities to make payments of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Additionally, foreign issuers may be subject to less stringent regulation, and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements.
currency risk. Investments in securities of foreign issuers are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Portfolio’s investments. These currency movements may occur separately from, and in response to, events that do not otherwise affect the

29


 

value of the security in the issuer’s home country. The value of a Portfolio’s holdings may be influenced by currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by a Portfolio.
political and economic risk. Foreign securities are subject to foreign political and economic risk not associated with U.S. investments, meaning that political events (civil unrest, national elections, changes in political conditions and foreign relations, imposition of exchange controls and repatriation restrictions), social and economic events (labor strikes, rising inflation) and natural disasters could cause Foreign securities to experience gains or losses. In addition, the Fund may be unable to enforce its ownership rights or pursue legal remedies in countries where it invests.
foreign market and trading risk. The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight. Foreign markets also may have clearance and settlement procedures that make it difficult to buy and sell securities. These factors could result in a loss by causing the underlying ETF to be unable to dispose of an investment or to miss an attractive investment opportunity, or by causing underlying ETF assets to be uninvested for some period of time.
RISKS SPECIFIC TO THE SSGA REAL ASSETS ETF; SSGA INCOME OPPORTUNITIES ETF; SSGA CONSERVATIVE ALLOCATION ETF; SSGA MODERATE ALLOCATION ETF; AND SSGA AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION ETF (THE “ASSET ALLOCATION ETFS”)
investments in etfs —As a shareholder of another investment company, each Portfolio relies on that investment company to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its objective, the value of a Portfolio’s investment could decline, which could adversely affect the master fund’s performance. By investing in another investment company, Portfolio shareholders indirectly bear the Portfolio’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses that Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. Each Portfolio may invest in ETFs that are not registered or regulated under the 1940 Act. These instruments typically hold commodities, such as gold or oil, currency or other property that is itself not a security. Federal securities laws impose limitations on the Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies.
Because ETFs are listed on national stock exchanges and are traded like stocks listed on an exchange, their shares potentially may trade at a discount or premium. Investments in ETFs are also subject to brokerage and other trading costs, which could result in greater expenses to a Portfolio. In addition, because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market and such value may deviate from the net asset value of the ETF, the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Portfolio’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect Fund performance.
investments in etns ETNs generally are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a sponsor, such as an investment bank. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced market. Because ETNs are debt securities, they are subject to credit risk. If the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, a Portfolio may not receive the return it was promised and could lose its entire investment. It is expected that an issuer’s credit rating will be investment grade at the time of investment, however, the credit rating may be revised or withdrawn at any time and there is no assurance that a credit rating will remain in effect for any given time period. If a rating agency lowers the issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN may decline and a lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. When a Portfolio invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses associated with investment in such securities. Such fees reduce the amount of return on investment at maturity or upon redemption. There may be restrictions on a Portfolio’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN, which are meant to be held until maturity. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs, and principal is not protected. As is the case with ETFs, an investor could lose some of or the entire amount invested in ETNs. A Portfolio’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.
investments in exchange traded commodity trusts. An exchange traded commodity trust is a pooled trust that invests in physical commodities and issues shares that are traded on a securities exchange that may trade at a discount or premium to the value of the holdings of the trusts. Investments in exchange traded commodity trusts are also subject to brokerage and other trading costs, which could result in greater expenses to a Portfolio. Exchange traded commodity trusts are not investment companies registered under the 1940 Act and is not subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936 (the “CEA”). As a result, in connection with any such investments, a Portfolio will not have the protections associated with ownership of shares in an investment company

30


 

registered under the 1940 Act or the protections afforded by the CEA. As with direct investment in commodities, investments in exchange traded commodity trusts entail the risk that the Portfolio may not qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and its income may become subject to federal income taxes, reducing returns to shareholders.
RISKS SPECIFIC TO THE SSGA BLACKSTONE / GSO SENIOR LOAN ETF
credit risk. Issuers may not be able to repay the principal or interest on securities (including loans), which may result in the Fund losing money. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on securities. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of issuers may also adversely affect the value of the assets of the Fund.
non-senior loans and other Debt securities risk. Secured loans that are not first lien, loans that are unsecured and debt securities are subject to many of the same risks that affect Senior Loans; however they are often unsecured and/or lower in the issuer’s capital structure than Senior Loans, and thus may be exposed to greater risk of default and lower recoveries in the event of a default. This risk can be further heightened in the case of below investment grade instruments. Additionally, most fixed-income securities are fixed-rate and thus are generally more susceptible than floating rate loans to price volatility related to changes in prevailing interest rates.
Prepayment Risk. During periods of declining interest rates or narrowing credit spreads, borrowers or issuers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled. For fixed rate securities, such payments often occur during periods of declining interest rates, forcing the Portfolio to reinvest in lower yielding securities, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and distributions to shareholders. This is known as prepayment or “call” risk. Below investment grade instruments frequently have call features that allow the issuer to redeem the security at dates prior to its stated maturity at a specified price (typically greater than par) only if certain prescribed conditions are met (“call protection”). An issuer may redeem a below investment grade instrument if, for example, the issuer can refinance the debt at a lower cost due to declining interest rates or an improvement in the credit standing of the issuer. Loans typically do not have call protection. For premium bonds (bonds acquired at prices that exceed their par or principal value), prepayment risk may be enhanced.
Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Sub-Adviser will be subject to certain conflicts of interest in its management of the Fund. In the ordinary course of their business activities, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates may engage in activities where the interests of certain divisions of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates or the interests of their clients may conflict with the interests of the Fund or the shareholders of the Fund. As part of its regular business, the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates provide a broad range of investment management, advisory, and other services. Because of such relationships, there may be certain investments that the Sub-Adviser will decline or be unable to make. In addition, employees of such affiliates may possess information relating to such issuers that is not known to the individuals at the Sub-Adviser. Those employees of the Sub-Adviser’s affiliates will not be obligated to share any such information with the Sub-Adviser and may be prohibited by law or contract from doing so. The Sub-Adviser or certain of its affiliates may come into possession of material non-public information with respect to an issuer. Should this occur, the Sub-Adviser would be restricted from buying or selling securities or loans of the issuer on behalf of the Fund until such time as the information became public or was no longer deemed material, so as to preclude the Fund from participating in an investment. Affiliates of the Sub-Adviser may represent creditors or debtors in proceedings under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code or prior to such filings. This involvement, for which GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates may be compensated, may limit or preclude the flexibility that the Fund may otherwise have to participate in restructurings and may force the Fund to sell securities issued by current or potential restructuring or reorganization clients of GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates.
Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates Risk. The 1940 Act limits the Fund’s ability to enter into certain transactions with certain of its affiliates, including affiliates of the Sub-Adviser. As a result of these restrictions, the Fund may be prohibited from buying or selling any security directly from or to any portfolio company of a registered investment company or private equity fund managed by any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, including The Blackstone Group L.P. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of the Sub-Adviser’s affiliates. These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Portfolio.
Lender Liability Risk. A number of U.S. judicial decisions have upheld judgments of borrowers against lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed “lender liability.” Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing, or a similar duty owed to the borrower or has assumed an excessive degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a

31


 

fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund and/or the Portfolio may be subject to allegations of lender liability.
In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lender or bondholder (a) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower; (b) engages in other inequitable conduct to the detriment of such other creditors; (c) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, such other creditors or (d) uses its influence as a stockholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called “equitable subordination.”
Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may hold equity or other interests in obligors of the Fund, the Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.
additional risks
trading issues. Although the shares of the Funds (“Shares”) are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”) and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that the Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.
fluctuation of net asset value. The net asset value of the Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in a Fund’s net asset value and supply and demand of Shares on the Exchange. It cannot be predicted whether Shares will trade below, at or above their net asset value. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of an Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. The market prices of Shares may deviate significantly from the net asset value of the Shares during periods of market volatility. However, given that Shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their net asset value), the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the net asset value of Shares should not be sustained. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to a Fund’s net asset value, disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from such Fund’s net asset value. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the net asset value of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses.
costs of buying or selling shares. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if a Fund’s Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if a Fund’s Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
money market fund investments. Although money market funds generally seek to preserve the value of their shares at $1.00 per share, it is possible that a Fund could lose money by investing in a money market fund. Investments in money market funds have traditionally not been and currently are not federally insured.
continuous offering. The method by which Creation Units are purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by each Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), may occur.

32


 

Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the principal underwriter, breaks them down into individual Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus or summary prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available with respect to such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act.
MANAGEMENT
adviser. SSgA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the investment adviser to each Fund and corresponding Portfolio, and, subject to the supervision of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of the Funds. The Adviser provides an investment management program for each Fund and manages the investment of the Funds’ assets. The Adviser and other affiliates of State Street Corporation make up State Street Global Advisors (“SSgA”), the investment management arm of State Street Corporation. As of December 31, 2010, the Adviser managed approximately $[XX] billion in assets and SSgA managed approximately $[XX] trillion in assets. The Adviser’s principal business address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
For the services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement, each Fund expects to pay the Adviser the annual fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets as set forth below:
         
SSgA Real Assets ETF
  [X.XX]%
SSgA Income Opportunities ETF
  [X.XX]%
SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF
  [X.XX]%
SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF
  [X.XX]%
SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF
  [X.XX]%
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
  [X.XX]%
From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee, although it does not currently intend to do so. The Adviser pays all expenses of each Fund other than the management fee, distribution fee pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution and Service Plan, if any, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustee’s counsel fees), litigation expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
investment sub-adviser. GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC serves as the investment sub-adviser to the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Bank Loan and the corresponding Portfolio, and is responsible for providing the investment program for the Fund and the Portfolio. The Sub-Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSO Capital Partners LP (collectively with its affiliates, “GSO”). GSO is the credit platform of The Blackstone Group L.P. (collectively with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). Blackstone is a leading manager of private capital and provider of financial advisory services. It is one of the largest independent managers of private capital in the world, with assets under management of approximately $[____] billion as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, GSO’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $[___] billion across multiple strategies within the leveraged finance marketplace, including Senior Loans, high yield bonds, distressed and mezzanine debt. The Sub-Adviser’s principal business address is 280 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
In accordance with the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC, the Adviser pays GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC XX% of the advisory fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser (after deducting payments to the fund service providers and fund expenses). The Fund is not responsible for the fees paid to GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC.

33


 

A discussion regarding the Board’s consideration of the Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended [____].
portfolio managers.
ASSET ALLOCATION ETFS
The Adviser manages the Funds and the Portfolios using a team of investment professionals. The team approach is used to create an environment that encourages the flow of investment ideas. The portfolio managers within each team work together in a cohesive manner to develop and enhance techniques that drive the investment process for the respective investment strategy. This approach requires portfolio managers to share a variety of responsibilities including investment strategy and analysis while retaining responsibility for the implementation of the strategy within any particular portfolio. The approach also enables the team to draw upon the resources of other groups. The Adviser’s portfolio management teams are overseen by the SSgA Investment Committee.
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds and the Portfolios are:
[BIO INFORMATION: PM BUSINESS EXPERIENCE FOR PAST 5 YEARS]
SSGA BLACKSTONE / GSO SENIOR LOAN ETF
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Portfolio are:
Daniel T. McMullen is a Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser and serves as a portfolio manager for the Fund. Before joining Blackstone in 2002, Mr. McMullen worked at CIBC World Markets, most recently as a Director and Senior Investment Analyst for the structured investment vehicles managed by Trimaran Advisors, L.L.C., and has over 17 years of experience in leveraged finance. Mr. McMullen has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and received a B.A. from the University of Rochester where he graduated cum laude.
Lee M. Shaiman is a Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser and serves as a portfolio manager for the Fund. Mr. Shaiman joined GSO from Royal Bank of Canada in July 2005 where he was a Managing Partner and Head of Portfolio Management and Credit Research in the Debt Investments group. He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of New Jersey. Mr. Shaiman has over 28 years of experience in leveraged finance, including structuring and placement of senior bank loans and bridge financing, private placements, high yield bonds and equity co-investments. Mr. Shaiman received a Masters of Science in Accounting and Taxation from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Economics, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Rutgers College.
Additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Funds is available in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
administrator, custodian and transfer agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street Bank”), part of State Street Corporation, is the Administrator for the Funds, the Custodian for each Fund’s assets and serves as Transfer Agent to the Funds.
lending agent. State Street Bank is the securities lending agent for the Trust. For its services, the lending agent would typically receive a portion of the net investment income, if any, earned on the collateral for the securities loaned.
distributor. State Street Global Markets, LLC (the “Distributor”), part of State Street Corporation, is the distributor of the Funds’ Shares. The Distributor will not distribute Shares in less than Creation Units, and it does not maintain a secondary market in the Shares. The Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers or other qualified financial institutions for the sale of Creation Units of Shares.

34


 

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Shares are listed for secondary trading on the Exchange and individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold in the secondary market through a broker-dealer. The secondary markets are closed on weekends and also are generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Exchange may close early on the business day before certain holidays and on the day after Thanksgiving Day. Exchange holiday schedules are subject to change without notice. If you buy or sell Shares in the secondary market, you will pay the secondary market price for Shares. In addition, you may incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
The trading prices of a Fund’s Shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than the Fund’s net asset value, which is calculated at the end of each business day. The Shares will trade on the Exchange at prices that may be above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount), to varying degrees, the daily net asset value of the Shares. The trading prices of a Fund’s Shares may deviate significantly from its net asset value during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that Shares can be issued and redeemed daily in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts and premiums to net asset value should not be sustained for very long. Information showing the number of days the market price of a Fund’s Shares was greater than the Fund’s net asset value and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s net asset value (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Funds’ website at [ ].
The Exchange will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to the Funds. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of the Funds’ net asset value per Share using market data converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Premiums and discounts between the IOPV and the market price may occur. This should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the net asset value per Share of the Funds, which is calculated only once a day. Neither the Funds, nor the Adviser or any of their affiliates are involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of such IOPVs and make no warranty as to their accuracy.
The Funds do not impose any restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions; however, the Funds reserve the right to reject or limit purchases at any time as described in the SAI. When considering that no restriction or policy was necessary, the Board evaluated the risks posed by market timing activities, such as whether frequent purchases and redemptions would interfere with the efficient implementation of a Fund’s investment strategy, or whether they would cause a Fund to experience increased transaction costs. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, Fund Shares are issued and redeemed only in large quantities of Shares known as Creation Units available only from a Fund directly, and that most trading in a Fund occurs on the Exchange at prevailing market prices and does not involve the Fund directly. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by a Fund’s shareholders or (b) any attempts to market time a Fund by shareholders would result in negative impact to a Fund or its shareholders.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN. Each Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which payments of up to [____]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets may be made for the sale and distribution of its Shares. No payments pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plan will be made through at least [____]. Additionally, the implementation of any such payments would have to be approved by the Board prior to implementation. Because these fees would be paid out of each Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, if payments are made in the future, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
INVESTMENTS BY REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of the Funds. These restrictions are discussed in the Funds’ SAI.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN. Each Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which payments of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets may be made for the sale and distribution of its Shares. Because these fees are paid out of each Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
DISTRIBUTIONS
dividends and capital gains. As a Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of a Fund’s income and net realized gains on its investments. Each Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

35


 

Each Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks, interest from debt securities and, if participating, securities lending income. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” Each Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”
Income dividend distributions, if any, are generally distributed by the Asset Allocation ETFs to shareholders quarterly and by the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF to shareholders monthly, but may vary significantly from period to period.
Net capital gains for all Funds are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).
Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period. As a result, some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital. You will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution which represents a return of capital.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available. Dividends which are reinvested will nevertheless be taxable to the same extent as if such dividends had not been reinvested.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI.
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION
As with any investment, you should consider how your Fund investment will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in a Fund.
Unless your investment in the Funds is through a tax-exempt entity or tax deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
-   Each Fund makes distributions;
 
-   You sell Shares listed on the Exchange; and
 
-   You create or redeem Creation Units.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund. The dividends and short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the Funds will be taxed as either ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Dividends that are designated as qualified dividend income are eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (a lower percentage for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that a Fund receives qualified dividend income and subject to certain limitations. Long-term capital gains distributions will result from gains on the sale or exchange of capital assets held by a Fund for more than one year. Any long-term capital gains distributions you receive from a Fund are taxable as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have owned your shares. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. Beginning in 2013, for U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filling jointly), a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will apply on “Net Investment Income,” including interest, dividends and capital gains.
Dividends will be qualified dividend income to you if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by a Fund which, in general, includes dividend income from taxable U.S. corporations, provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations and has not hedged its position in the stock in certain ways. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held without being hedged by the Fund for

36


 

fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning at the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend or in the case of certain preferred stock 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date.
If you lend your Fund Shares pursuant to securities lending arrangements you may lose the ability to treat Fund dividends (paid while the shares are held by the borrower) as qualified dividend income. Consult your financial intermediary or tax advisor.
Distributions paid in January, but declared by a Fund in October, November or December of the previous year may be taxable to you in the previous year. The Funds will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year.
Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Shares, and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s net asset value per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES. Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which may entitle a Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax for a Fund in advance since the amount of the assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of the total assets of a Fund at the close of its taxable year consist of foreign stocks or securities, a Fund may “pass through” to you certain foreign income taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by a Fund. This means that you will be considered to have received as an additional dividend your share of such foreign taxes, but you may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating your taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating your federal income tax.
NON-U.S. INVESTORS. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, each Fund’s ordinary income dividends will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. However, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, designate all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” that if received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided that certain other requirements are met. For tax years beginning before January 1, 2012, the Funds may also, under certain circumstances, designate all or a portion of a dividend as a “short-term capital gain dividend” which if received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless the foreign person is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year.
In addition, distributions of a Fund attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of “U.S. real property interests,” as defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations (including gains on the sale or exchange of shares in certain U.S. real property holding corporations, which may include certain REITs, and certain REIT capital gain dividends) will generally cause the foreign stockholder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected to a trade or business within the United States, generally subject to tax at the same rates applicable to U.S. stockholders. Also, such gain may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a foreign stockholder that is a corporation. Such distributions may be subject to U.S. withholding tax and may give rise to an obligation on the part of the foreign stockholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return.
TAXES ON EXCHANGE-LISTED SHARE SALES. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such Shares.
TAXES ON CREATIONS AND REDEMPTIONS OF CREATION UNITS. A person who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. For 2013, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% tax rate will be imposed on dividends and proceeds of sales paid to foreign shareholders if certain disclosure requirements are not satisfied.

37


 

Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.
If you create or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Shares you purchased or sold and at what price.
CERTAIN TAX EXEMPT INVESTORS. A Fund investing in certain limited real estate investments and other publicly traded partnerships may be required to pass- through certain “excess inclusion income” and other income as “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”). Tax-exempt investors sensitive to UBTI are strongly encouraged to consult their tax advisors prior to investment in the Funds regarding this issue and recent IRS pronouncements regarding the treatment of such income in the hands of such investors.
Certain investments held by the Funds may be classified as passive foreign investment companies or “PFICs” under the Code. Accordingly, investors should carefully consider the tax consequences of the impact that the PFIC investments may have on the Funds and consult their own tax advisors before making an investment. Additional information pertaining to the potential tax consequence to the Funds, and to the shareholders, from the Funds’ potential investments in PFICs can be found in the SAI.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. A Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold at applicable withholding rates and remit to the United States Treasury the amount withheld on amounts payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Funds under all applicable tax laws.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on March 30, 2011. If shareholders of any Fund are required to vote on any matters, shareholders are entitled to one vote for each Share they own. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable law. See the SAI for more information concerning the Trust’s form of organization.
From time to time, a Fund may advertise yield and total return figures. Yield is a historical measure of dividend income, and total return is a measure of past dividend income (assuming that it has been reinvested) plus capital appreciation. Neither yield nor total return should be used to predict the future performance of a Fund.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as counsel to the Trust, including the Funds. [ ] serves as the independent registered public accounting firm and will audit the Funds’ financial statements annually.
PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION
The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have information regarding how often the Shares of each Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the net asset value of the Fund during the past calendar year. When available, such information will be provided at [ ].
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have financial information.

38


 

WHERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUND
This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Funds’ Shares. An SAI is on file with the SEC and provides more information about the Funds. The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (i.e., it is legally part of this Prospectus). These materials may be obtained without charge, upon request, by writing to the Distributor, State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, by visiting the Fund’s website at [ ] or by calling the following number:
INVESTOR INFORMATION: [  ]
The Registration Statement, including this Prospectus, the SAI, and the exhibits as well as any shareholder reports may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room (100 F Street NE, Washington D.C. 20549) or on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. You may get copies of this and other information after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Shareholder inquiries may be directed to the Fund in writing to State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 or by calling the Investor Information number listed above.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer of the Funds’ Shares, and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust or the Funds. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale of Shares shall under any circumstance imply that the information contained herein is correct as of any date after the date of this Prospectus.
Dealers effecting transactions in the Fund’s Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.
     The Trust’s Investment Company Act Number is 811-22542.

 


 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS SAI IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS SAI IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SSgA ACTIVE ETF TRUST (THE “TRUST”)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dated [_________], 2011
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. With respect to each of the Trust’s series portfolios listed below, this SAI should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses dated [_________], 2011, as may be revised from time to time.
     
FUND   TICKER
SSgA Real Assets ETF
  ([      ])
SSgA Income Opportunities ETF
  ([      ])
SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF
  ([      ])
SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF
  ([      ])
SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF
  ([      ])
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
  ([      ])
The SSgA Real Assets ETF, SSgA Income Opportunities ETF, SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF, SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF, SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF and SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF (the “Funds”) are each an exchange-traded fund which is a series of the Trust, and are discussed in this SAI. SSgA Funds Management, Inc. is the investment adviser (“Adviser”) for the Funds. State Street Global Markets, LLC is the principal underwriter (referred to herein as “Distributor” or “Principal Underwriter”) for the Funds’ shares.
The Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not have financial information to report for the Trust’s [__________ __, 201_] fiscal year end.
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange for each ETF: NYSE Arca, Inc.
Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectuses, unless otherwise noted. Copies of the Prospectuses may be obtained without charge by writing to State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, by visiting the Trust’s website at www.[      ].com or by calling 1-866-787-2257.

1


 


 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), consisting of multiple investment series (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on ________ __, 2011. The offering of each Fund’s shares (“Shares”) is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). SSgA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the investment adviser for each Fund (the “Adviser”) and certain funds are sub-advised by a sub-adviser as further described herein (each, a “Sub-Adviser”). To the extent that a reference in this SAI refers to the “Adviser”, such reference should be read to refer to the Sub-Adviser where the context requires.
Each Fund pursues its respective investment objective indirectly by investing through what is referred to as a “master-feeder” structure. Under the master-feeder arrangement, each Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a corresponding “master fund,” which is a separate mutual fund with an identical investment objective. Except as otherwise designated, each Fund reserves the right to invest in the types of instruments as its corresponding master fund. However, each Fund has no present intention to pursue its respective investment strategy other than by investing substantially all of its assets in its corresponding master fund.
Each Fund offers and issues Shares at their net asset value (sometimes referred to herein as “NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”). Each Fund generally offers and issues Shares either in exchange for (i) a basket of securities (“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”) or (ii) a cash payment equal in value to the Deposit Securities (“Deposit Cash”) together with the Cash Component. The primary consideration accepted by a Fund (i.e., Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash) is set forth under “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units” later in this SAI. The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security and reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash (subject to applicable legal requirements). The Shares have been approved for listing and secondary trading on a national securities exchange (the “Exchange”). The Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices may differ from the Shares’ net asset values. The Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally in exchange either for (i) portfolio securities and a specified cash payment or (ii) cash (subject to applicable legal requirements). A Creation Unit of each Fund consists of [50,000] Shares.
Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to a specified percentage of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities as set forth in the Participant Agreement (as defined below). See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. In addition to the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee, an additional transaction fee of up to three times the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee and/or an additional variable charge may apply.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each Fund may directly, or indirectly through an underlying investment vehicle, invest in any of the instruments or engage in any of the investment practices described below if such investment or activity is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted by the Fund’s stated investment policies.
DIVERSIFICATION
Each Fund is classified as a “diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act.
CONCENTRATION
The Funds, other than the SSgA Real Assets ETF and the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF will not concentrate their investments in any particular industry or sector. The SSgA Real Assets ETF will concentrate its investments (i.e. invest more than 25% of its assets) in companies primarily involved in the energy and real estate industries. The SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF will not invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry; however it may be deemed to concentrate its investment in any of the industries or group of industries in the financial services sector (consisting of financial institutions, including commercial banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies and finance companies and their respective holding companies) to the extent that the banks originating or acting as agents for the lenders, or granting or acting as intermediary in participation interests, in loans held by the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF are deemed to be issuers of such loans.
PREFERRED SECURITIES
Each Fund may invest in preferred securities. Preferred securities pay fixed or adjustable rate dividends to investors, and have “preference” over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a company’s assets. This means that a company

3


 

must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. In order to be payable, distributions on preferred securities must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Income payments on typical preferred securities currently outstanding are cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accrue even if not declared by the board of directors or otherwise made payable. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on the preferred securities in which a Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.
The market value of preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting companies in the utilities and financial services sectors, which are prominent issuers of preferred securities, and by actual and anticipated changes in tax laws.
Because the claim on an issuer’s earnings represented by preferred securities may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer may redeem the securities. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, a Fund’s holdings of higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced and a Fund would be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.
BONDS
Each Fund may invest in bonds. A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a company, governmental unit or, in some cases, a non-U.S. entity. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bond’s face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date.
An issuer may have the right to redeem or “call” a bond before maturity, in which case the investor may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a “coupon” rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed rate bond’s yield (income as a percent of the bond’s current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. Fixed rate bonds generally are also subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the value of the bond or income from the bond will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. This could mean that, as inflation increases, the “real” value of the assets of a Fund holding fixed rate bonds can decline, as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. Other types of bonds bear income at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of “floating-rate” or “variable-rate” bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed rate bonds. A Fund may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporation’s earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuer’s general creditworthiness) or secured (also backed by specified collateral).

4


 

In addition, each Fund may invest in corporate bonds. The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest on the bond and changes in the market value of the bond. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by such a security.
SENIOR LOANS
The SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF invests primarily in Senior Loans. Senior Loans consist generally of obligations of companies and other entities (collectively, “borrowers”) incurred for the purpose of reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a borrower; acquiring another company; taking over control of a company (leveraged buyout); temporary refinancing; or financing internal growth or other general business purposes. Senior Loans are often obligations of borrowers who have incurred a significant percentage of debt compared to equity issued and thus are highly leveraged.
Senior Loans may be acquired by direct investment as a lender at the inception of the loan or by assignment of a portion of a loan previously made to a different lender or by purchase of a participation interest. If the Fund makes a direct investment in a Senior Loan as one of the lenders, it generally acquires the loan at or below par. This means the Fund receives a return at or above the full interest rate for the loan. If the Fund acquires its interest in Senior Loans in the secondary market or acquires a participation interest, the loans may be purchased or sold above, at, or below par, which can result in a yield that is below, equal to, or above the stated interest rate of the loan. At times, the Fund may be able to invest in Senior Loans only through assignments or participations.
When the Fund is a purchaser of an assignment, it succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender. These rights include the ability to vote along with the other lenders on such matters as enforcing the terms of the loan agreement (e.g., declaring defaults, initiating collection action, etc.). Taking such actions typically requires at least a vote of the lenders holding a majority of the investment in the loan and may require a vote by lenders holding two-thirds or more of the investment in the loan. Because the Fund usually does not hold a majority of the investment in any loan, it will not be able by itself to control decisions that require a vote by the lenders.
A participation interest represents a fractional interest in a loan held by the lender selling the Fund the participation interest. In the case of participations, the Fund will not have any direct contractual relationship with the borrower, the Fund’s rights to consent to modifications of the loan are limited and it is dependent upon the participating lender to enforce the Fund’s rights upon a default. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest, and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower.
The Fund may be subject to the credit of both the agent and the lender from whom the Fund acquires a participation interest. These credit risks may include delay in receiving payments of principal and interest paid by the borrower to the agent or, in the case of a participation, offsets by the lender’s regulator against payments received from the borrower. In the event of the borrower’s bankruptcy, the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan may be subject to defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent.
Historically, the amount of public information available about a specific Senior Loan has been less extensive than if the loan were registered or exchange-traded.
The loans in which the Fund will invest will, in most instances, be Senior Loans, which are secured and senior to other indebtedness of the borrower. Each Senior Loan will generally be secured by collateral such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, real estate, intangible assets such as trademarks, copyrights and patents, and securities of subsidiaries or affiliates. The value of the collateral generally will be determined by reference to financial statements of the borrower, by an independent appraisal, by obtaining the market value of such collateral, in the case of cash or securities if readily ascertainable, or by other customary valuation techniques considered appropriate by the Adviser. The value of collateral may decline after the Fund’s investment, and collateral may be difficult to sell in the event of default. Consequently, the Fund may not receive all the payments to which it is entitled. By virtue of their senior position and collateral, Senior Loans typically provide lenders with the first right to cash flows or proceeds from the sale of a borrower’s collateral if the borrower becomes insolvent (subject to the limitations of bankruptcy law, which may provide higher priority to certain claims such as employee salaries, employee pensions, and taxes). This means Senior Loans are generally repaid before unsecured bank loans, corporate bonds, subordinated debt, trade creditors, and preferred or common stockholders. To the extent that the Fund invests in unsecured loans, if the borrower defaults on such loan, there is no specific collateral on which the

5


 

lender can foreclose. If the borrower defaults on a subordinated loan, the collateral may not be sufficient to cover both the senior and subordinated loans.
Senior Loans will usually require, in addition to scheduled payments of interest and principal, the prepayment of the Senior Loan from free cash flow, as further described below. The degree to which borrowers prepay Senior Loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among loan investors, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Recent market conditions, including falling default rates among others, have led to increased prepayment frequency and loan renegotiations. These renegotiations are often on terms more favorable to borrowers. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. However, the Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee assessed against the prepaying borrower.
Senior Loans typically pay interest at least quarterly at rates which equal a fixed percentage spread over a base rate such as the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). For example, if LIBOR were 0.3% and the borrower was paying a fixed spread of 2.50%, the total interest rate paid by the borrower would be 2.80%. Additionally, many Senior Loans also have a minimum base rate, or floor, which will be used if the actual base rate is below this minimum base rate. This measure is designed to ensure lenders receive a minimum interest rate in periods of low interest rates. By illustration, if LIBOR were 0.3% and the borrower was paying a fixed spread of 2.50%, the total interest rate paid by the borrower would be 2.80%. However, if the same Senior Loan had a LIBOR floor of 1.50%, then 1.50% would be used as the base rate notwithstanding that LIBOR was currently at 0.3%, thereby making the interest rate paid the borrower 4.00% (1.50% LIBOR floor base rate plus 2.50% fixed spread). During periods when LIBOR is greater than the LIBOR floor, the LIBOR floor would have no impact on the interest rate paid by the borrower. Not all Senior Loans have LIBOR floors and this feature is a relatively recent invention which may not persist in future issuances of Senior Loans.
Although a base rate such as LIBOR can change every day, loan agreements for Senior Loans typically allow the borrower the ability to choose how often the base rate for its loan will reset. A single loan may have multiple reset periods at the same time, with each reset period applicable to a designated portion of the loan. Such reset periods can range from one day to one year, with most borrowers choosing monthly or quarterly reset periods. During periods of rising interest rates, borrowers will tend to choose longer reset periods, and during periods of declining interest rates, borrowers will tend to choose shorter reset periods. The fixed spread over the base rate on a Senior Loan typically does not change.
Senior Loans generally are arranged through private negotiations between a borrower and several financial institutions represented by an agent who is usually one of the originating lenders. In larger transactions, it is common to have several agents; however, generally only one such agent has primary responsibility for ongoing administration of a Senior Loan. Agents are typically paid fees by the borrower for their services.
The agent is primarily responsible for negotiating the loan agreement which establishes the terms and conditions of the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. The agent also is responsible for monitoring collateral and for exercising remedies available to the lenders such as foreclosure upon collateral.
Loan agreements may provide for the termination of the agent’s agency status in the event that it fails to act as required under the relevant loan agreement, becomes insolvent, enters Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership or, if not FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy. Should such an agent, lender or assignor with respect to an assignment interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower become insolvent or enter FDIC receivership or bankruptcy, any interest in the Senior Loan of such person and any loan payment held by such person for the benefit of the Fund should not be included in such person’s or entity’s bankruptcy estate. If, however, any such amount were included in such person’s or entity’s bankruptcy estate, the Fund would incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment or could suffer a loss of principal or interest. In this event, the Fund could experience a decrease in the NAV.
Most borrowers pay their debts from cash flow generated by their businesses. If a borrower’s cash flow is insufficient to pay its debts, it may attempt to restructure its debts rather than sell collateral. Borrowers may try to restructure their debts by filing for protection under the federal bankruptcy laws or negotiating a work-out. If a borrower becomes involved in a bankruptcy proceeding, access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws. Such action by a court could be based, for example, on a “fraudulent conveyance” claim to the effect that the borrower did not receive fair consideration for granting the security interest in the loan collateral to the Fund. If a court decides that access to collateral is limited or void, the Fund may not recover the full amount of principal and interest that is due.

6


 

A borrower must comply with certain restrictive covenants contained in the loan agreement. In addition to requiring the scheduled payment of principal and interest, these covenants may include restrictions on the payment of dividends and other distributions to the borrower’s shareholders, provisions requiring compliance with specific financial ratios, and limits on total indebtedness. The agreement may also require the prepayment of the loans from excess cash flow. A breach of a covenant that is not waived by the agent (or lenders directly) is normally an event of default, which provides the agent and lenders the right to call for repayment of the outstanding loan. The typical practice of an agent or a loan investor in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower to monitor the borrower’s compliance with covenants may involve a risk of fraud by the borrower.
In the process of buying, selling and holding Senior Loans, the Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When the Fund buys or sells a Senior Loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, the Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a Senior Loan. In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon prepayment of a Senior Loan. Other fees received by the Fund may include covenant waiver fees, covenant modification fees or other consent or amendment fees.
Notwithstanding its intention in certain situations to not receive material, non-public information with respect to its management of investments in Senior Loans, the Adviser may from time to time come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held in the Fund’s portfolio. Possession of such information may in some instances occur despite the Adviser’s efforts to avoid such possession, but in other instances the Adviser may choose to receive such information (for example, in connection with participation in a creditors’ committee with respect to a financially distressed issuer). The Adviser’s ability to trade in these Senior Loans for the account of the Fund could potentially be limited by its possession of such information. Such limitations on the Adviser’s ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by, for example, preventing the Fund from selling a Senior Loan that is experiencing a material decline in value. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.
The loan market, as represented by the S&P/LSTA (Loan Syndications and Trading Association) Leveraged Loan Index, experienced significant growth in terms of number and aggregate volume of loans outstanding since the inception of the index in 1997. In 1997, the total amount of loans in the market aggregated less than $10 billion. By April of 2000, it had grown to over $100 billion, and by July of 2007 the market had grown to over $500 billion. The size of the market peaked in November of 2008 at $594 billion. During this period, the demand for loans and the number of investors participating in the loan market also increased significantly.
Since 2008, the aggregate size of the market has contracted, characterized by limited new loan issuance and payoffs of outstanding loans. From the peak in 2008 through July 2010, the overall size of the loan market contracted by approximately 15%. The number of market participants also decreased during that period. Although the number of new loans being issued in the market in 2010 is increasing, there can be no assurance that the size of the loan market, and the number of participants, will return to earlier levels.
An increase in demand for Senior Loans may benefit the Fund by providing increased liquidity for such loans and higher sales prices, but it may also adversely affect the rate of interest payable on such loans acquired by the Fund and the rights provided to the Fund under the terms of the applicable loan agreement, and may increase the price of loans that the Fund wishes to purchase in the secondary market. A decrease in the demand for Senior Loans may adversely affect the price of loans in the Fund’s portfolio, which could cause the Fund’s net asset value to decline.
The Fund may acquire interests in Senior Loans which are designed to provide temporary or “bridge” financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. The Fund may also invest in Senior Loans of borrowers that have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower’s use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness. Bridge loans may have less liquidity than other Senior Loans that were issued to fund corporate purposes on a longer term basis.
Although not anticipated in the normal course, the Fund may occasionally acquire warrants and other equity securities as part of a unit combining a Senior Loan and equity securities of a borrower or its affiliates. The acquisition of such equity securities will only be incidental to the Fund’s purchase of a Senior Loan. The Fund may also acquire equity securities or credit securities (including non-dollar denominated equity or credit securities) issued in exchange for a Senior Loan or issued in connection with the debt restructuring or reorganization of a Borrower, or if such acquisition, in the judgment of the Adviser may enhance the value of a Senior Loan or would otherwise be consistent with the Fund’s investment policies. Such warrants and equity securities will typically have limited value and there is no assurance that such securities will ever obtain value.

7


 

OTHER LOANS
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF may invest in secured loans that are not first lien and loans that are unsecured. These loans have the same characteristics as Senior Loans except that such loans are not first in priority of repayment and/or are not secured by collateral. Accordingly, the risks associated with these loans are higher than the risks for loans with first priority over the collateral. Because these loans are lower in priority and/or unsecured, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the secured obligations of the borrower. In the event of default on such a loan, the first priority lien holder has first claim to the underlying collateral of the loan. It is possible that no value would remain for the holders of secured loans that are not first lien and loans that are unsecured and therefore result in a loss of investment to the Fund.
Secured loans that are not first lien and loans that are unsecured generally have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in these loans, which would create greater credit risk exposure for the holders of such loans. Secured loans that are not first lien and loans that are unsecured share the same risks as other below investment grade instruments.
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS (“CLOs”)
The SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF may invest in CLOs. A CLO is a financing company (generally called a Special Purpose Vehicle or “SPV”), created to reapportion the risk and return characteristics of a pool of assets. While the assets underlying CLOs are typically Senior Loans, the assets may also include (i) unsecured loans, (ii) other debt securities that are rated below investment grade, (iii) debt tranches of other CLOs and (iv) equity securities incidental to investments in Senior Loans. When investing in CLOs, the Fund will not invest in equity tranches, which are the lowest tranche. However, the Fund may invest in lower debt tranches of CLOs, which typically experience a lower recovery, greater risk of loss or deferral or non-payment of interest than more senior debt tranches of the CLO. In addition, the Fund intends to invest in CLOs consisting primarily of individual Senior Loans of borrowers and not repackaged CLO obligations from other high risk pools. The underlying Senior Loans purchased by CLOs are generally performing at the time of purchase but may become non-performing, distressed or defaulted. CLOs with underlying assets of non-performing, distressed or defaulted loans are not contemplated to comprise a significant portion of the Fund’s investments in CLOs. The key feature of the CLO structure is the prioritization of the cash flows from a pool of debt securities among the several classes of the CLO. The SPV is a company founded solely for the purpose of securitizing payment claims arising out of this diversified asset pool. On this basis, marketable securities are issued by the SPV which, due to the diversification of the underlying risk, generally represent a lower level of risk than the original assets. The redemption of the securities issued by the SPV typically takes place at maturity out of the cash flow generated by the collected claims.
Holders of CLOs bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk.
The Fund may have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold the assets to be securitized. While certain CLOs enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in CLOs generally pay their share of the CLO’s administrative and other expenses. Although it is difficult to predict whether the prices of indices and securities underlying a CLO will rise or fall, these prices (and, therefore, the prices of CLOs) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect issuers of securities and capital markets generally. If the issuer of a CLO uses shorter term financing to purchase longer term securities, the issuer may be forced to sell its securities at below market prices if it experiences difficulty in obtaining short-term financing, which may adversely affect the value of the CLOs owned by the Fund.
Certain CLOs may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market. CLOs are typically privately offered and sold. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities. In addition to the general risks associated with debt securities discussed herein, CLOs carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the investments in CLOs are subordinate to other classes or tranches thereof; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.
HIGH YIELD SECURITIES

8


 

Each Fund may invest in high yield debt securities. Investment in high yield securities generally provides greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and credit risk. These high yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of debt securities that are high yield may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities. In addition, high yield securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial.
Investing in high yield debt securities involves risks that are greater than the risks of investing in higher quality debt securities. These risks include: (i) changes in credit status, including weaker overall credit conditions of issuers and risks of default; (ii) industry, market and economic risk; and (iii) greater price variability and credit risks of certain high yield securities such as zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities. While these risks provide the opportunity for maximizing return over time, they may result in greater volatility of the value of the Fund than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
Furthermore, the value of high yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic, company or industry conditions than is the case for higher quality securities. The market values of certain of these lower-rated and unrated debt securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates, and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. Adverse market, credit or economic conditions could make it difficult at certain times to sell certain high yield securities held by the Fund.
The secondary market on which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the price at which a Fund could sell a high yield security, and could adversely affect the daily net asset value per share of a Fund. When secondary markets for high yield securities are less liquid than the market for higher grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because there is less reliable, objective data available. However, an Index seeks to include primarily high yield securities that the Index provider believes have greater liquidity than the broader high yield securities market as a whole.
The use of credit ratings as a principal method of selecting high yield securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield securities. Also, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was last rated.
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Each Fund (except the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF) may invest in sovereign debt. Sovereign debt obligations are issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. Governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and pay interest when due, and may require renegotiation or reschedule of debt payments. In addition, prospects for repayment of principal and payment of interest may depend on political as well as economic factors. Although some sovereign debt, such as Brady Bonds, is collateralized by U.S. Government securities, repayment of principal and payment of interest is not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government obligations. U.S. Government obligations are a type of bond. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
One type of U.S. Government obligation, U.S. Treasury obligations, are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.
Other U.S. Government obligations are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government including, but not limited to, Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”), Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land

9


 

Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac). Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, GNMA pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by FNMA, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will always do so, since the U.S. Government is not so obligated by law.
On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality (the “Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement” or “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, the U.S. Treasury pledged to provide up to $200 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. This was intended to ensure that the instrumentalities maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations, preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was amending the Agreement to allow the $200 billion cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in net worth over the next three years. As a result of this Agreement, the investments of holders, including applicable Funds, of mortgage-backed securities and other obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are protected to the extent of such commitment.
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND OBLIGATIONS
Each Fund may invest in Variable Rate Demand Obligations (VRDO). VRDOs are short-term tax exempt fixed income instruments whose yield is reset on a periodic basis. VRDO securities tend to be issued with long maturities of up to 30 or 40 years; however, they are considered short-term instruments because they include a put feature which coincides with the periodic yield reset. For example, a VRDO whose yield resets weekly will have a put feature that is exercisable upon seven days notice. VRDOs are put back to a bank or other entity that serves as a liquidity provider, who then tries to resell the VRDOs or, if unable to resell, holds them in its own inventory. VRDOs are generally supported by either a Letter of Credit or a Stand-by Bond Purchase Agreement to provide credit enhancement.
INFLATION-PROTECTED OBLIGATIONS
The Funds may invest in inflation-protected public obligations, commonly known as “TIPS,” of the U.S. Treasury, as well as TIPS of major governments and emerging market countries, excluding the United States. TIPS are a type of security issued by a government that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation — a sustained increase in prices that erodes the purchasing power of money. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises or falls, both the principal value and the interest payments will increase or decrease. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The Funds (except the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF) may conduct foreign currency transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a specific date or range of dates in the future and can have substantial price volatility. Forward contracts are generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and complete the contemplated currency exchange. At the discretion of the

10


 

Adviser, the Funds may enter into forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes to help reduce the risks and volatility caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, or to gain exposure to certain currencies in an effort to track the composition of the applicable Index. When used for hedging purposes, they tend to limit any potential gain that may be realized if the value of the Fund’s foreign holdings increases because of currency fluctuations.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers in an amount not to exceed one third (33 1/3%) of the value of its total assets. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the securities loaned. A Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities, however a Fund cannot vote proxies for securities on loan. Distributions received on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments (i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. A Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, a Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of the lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, which may include those managed by the Adviser.
A Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to one or more securities lending agents approved by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) who administer the lending program for the Funds in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. In such capacity, the lending agent causes the delivery of loaned securities from a Fund to borrowers, arranges for the return of loaned securities to the Fund at the termination of a loan, requests deposit of collateral, monitors the daily value of the loaned securities and collateral, requests that borrowers add to the collateral when required by the loan agreements, and provides recordkeeping and accounting services necessary for the operation of the program. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), an affiliate of the Trust, has been approved by the Board to serve as securities lending agent for each Fund and the Trust has entered into an agreement with State Street for such services. Among other matters, the Trust has agreed to indemnify State Street for certain liabilities. State Street has received an order of exemption from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under Sections 17(a) and 12(d)(1) under the 1940 Act to serve as the lending agent for affiliated investment companies such as the Trust and to invest the cash collateral received from loan transactions to be invested in an affiliated cash collateral fund.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees a Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. Although State Street has agreed to provide the Funds with indemnification in the event of a borrower default, the Funds are still exposed to the risk of losses in the event a borrower does not return a Fund’s securities as agreed. For example, delays in recovery of lent securities may cause a Fund to lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price.
LEVERAGING
While the Funds do not anticipate doing so, each Fund may borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of the value of their respective total assets. However, a Fund may not borrow money in an amount greater than 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Borrowing for investment purposes is one form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of each Fund’s assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV of a Fund will increase more when such Fund’s portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Fund’s portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds.

11


 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g., a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next Business Day — as defined below). A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by a Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.
In these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by a Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Custodian until repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15% of a Fund’s net assets will be invested in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, a Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by a Fund not within the control of the Fund and, therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally the effect of such transactions is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases a Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if a Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and a Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of a Fund’s assets. A Fund’s exposure to reverse repurchase agreements will be covered by securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings. Although there is no limit on the percentage of fund assets that can be used in connection with repurchase agreements, the Funds do not expect to engage, under normal circumstances, in reverse repurchase agreements with respect to more than 33 1/3% of their respective total assets.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
Each Fund may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term, promissory notes issued by banks, corporations and other entities to finance short-term credit needs. These securities generally are discounted but sometimes may be interest bearing.
OTHER SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS
In addition to repurchase agreements, each Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, (including money market funds advised by the Adviser), repurchase agreements, cash and cash equivalents, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds (including those advised by the Adviser); (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s or “A-1” by S&P, or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7

12


 

under the 1940 Act; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Adviser, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by a Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market funds. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including money market funds and closed-end funds, subject to applicable limitations under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1), a Fund may invest in the securities of another investment company (the “acquired company”) provided that the Fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, does not own in the aggregate: (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company; (ii) securities issued by the acquired company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; (iii) securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies (other than Treasury stock of the Fund) having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iv) in the case of investment in a closed-end fund, more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company. A Fund may also invest in the securities of other investment companies if such securities are the only investment securities held by the Fund, such as through a master-feeder arrangement. Each Fund currently pursues its respective investment objective through such an arrangement. To the extent allowed by law, regulation, each Fund’s investment restrictions and the Trust’s exemptive relief, a Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment companies that are money market funds, including those advised by the Adviser or otherwise affiliated with the Adviser, in excess of the limits discussed above.
To the extent a Fund invests in and, thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund to the Fund’s own investment adviser and the other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with the Fund’s own operations.
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
Each Fund may invest in other exchange-traded funds (including ETFs managed by the Adviser). ETFs may be structured as investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, typically as open-end funds or unit investment trusts. These ETFs are generally based on specific domestic and foreign market securities indices. An “index-based ETF” seeks to provide investment results that match the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. An “enhanced ETF” seeks to provide investment results that match a positive or negative multiple of the performance of an underlying index. In seeking to provide such results, an ETF, in particular, an enhanced ETF, may engage in short sales of securities included in the underlying index and may invest in derivatives instruments, such as equity index swaps, futures contracts, and options on securities, futures contracts, and stock indices. Alternatively, ETFs may be structured as grantor trusts or other forms of pooled investment vehicles that are not registered or regulated under the 1940 Act. These ETFs typically hold commodities, precious metals, currency or other non-securities investments. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, such as advisory and custody fees. When a Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, including the brokerage costs associated with the purchase and sale of shares of the ETF, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s expenses. In addition, it may be more costly to own an ETF than to directly own the securities or other investments held by the ETF because of ETF expenses. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities or other investments held by the ETF, although lack of liquidity in the market for the shares of an ETF could result in the ETF’s value being more volatile than the underlying securities or other investments.
EXCHANGE-TRADED NOTES
Each Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes. ETNs are debt obligations of investment banks which are traded on exchanges and the returns of which are linked to the performance of market indexes. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a weekly basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. ETNs may be riskier than ordinary debt securities and may have no principal protection. A Fund’s investment in an ETN may be influenced by many unpredictable factors, including highly volatile commodities prices, changes in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates, and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. Investing in

13


 

ETNs is not equivalent to investing directly in index components or the relevant index itself. Because ETNs are debt securities, they possess credit risk; if the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, the investor may not receive the return it was promised.
U.S. REGISTERED SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Funds may purchase publicly traded common stocks and preferred securities of foreign corporations, as well as U.S. registered, dollar-denominated bonds of foreign corporations, governments, agencies and supra-national entities.
Investing in U.S. registered, dollar-denominated, securities issued by non-U.S. issuers involves some risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, and potential restrictions of the flow of international capital. Foreign companies may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions.
Investments in common stock of foreign corporations may also be in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) (collectively “Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust company, which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a foreign issuer. For other Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. Depositary Receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities market, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. The Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (“REITs”)
The Funds may invest in REITs. REITs pool investor’s funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate loans or interests. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed to shareholders if it complies with several requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gains) for each taxable year. REITs can generally be classified as Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs, which invest the majority of their assets directly in real property, derive their income primarily from rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs, which invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages, derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. The Fund will not invest in real estate directly, but only in securities issued by real estate companies. However, the Fund may be subject to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate (in addition to securities markets risks) because of its policy of concentration in the securities of companies in the real estate industry. These include declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, dependency on management skill, heavy cash flow dependency, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, overbuilding, extended vacancies of properties, increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, losses due to costs resulting from the clean-up of environmental problems, liability to third parties for damages resulting from environmental problems, casualty or condemnation losses, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants and changes in interest rates. Investments in REITs may subject Fund shareholders to duplicate management and administrative fees.
In addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Equity and Mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment available to REITs under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting investments.

14


 

RATINGS
An investment-grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment-grade by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, or another credit rating agency designated as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization by the SEC, or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser.
Subsequent to purchase by a Fund, a rated security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below an investment grade rating. Bonds rated lower than Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by S&P are below investment grade quality and are obligations of issuers that are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Such securities (“lower rated securities”) are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are subject to a substantial degree of credit risk. Lower rated securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial. Bonds rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality bonds because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated bonds is even narrower. See “HIGH YIELD SECURITIES” above for more information relating to the risks associated with investing in lower rated securities.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in the Prospectuses. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectuses.
GENERAL
Investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.
An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.
Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
The principal trading market for some of the securities in an Index may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.
TAX RISKS

15


 

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares of a Fund will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectuses and this SAI is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares of a Fund.
Unless your investment in Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when a Fund makes distributions or you sell Fund Shares.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING
The method by which Creation Units of Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Shares of a Fund are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that a Fund’s prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to each Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, a Fund may not:
1.   Purchase securities of an issuer that would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy the diversification requirement for a diversified management company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time;
 
2.   Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the Rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time, except that the SSgA Real Assets ETF will concentrate its investments in companies principally engaged in the energy and real estate industries and the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF may be deemed to concentrate its investment in any of the industries or group of industries in the financial services sector to the extent that the banks originating or acting as agents for the lenders, or granting or acting as intermediary in participation interests, in loans held by the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF are deemed to be issuers of such loans;1
 
3.   Make loans to another person except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds;
 
1   The SEC Staff considers concentration to involve more than 25% of a fund’s assets to be invested in an industry or group of industries.

16


 

4.   Issue senior securities or borrow money except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds;
 
5.   Invest directly in real estate unless the real estate is acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not preclude a Fund from investing in companies that deal in real estate or in instruments that are backed or secured by real estate;
 
6.   Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities; or
 
7.   Invest in commodities except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds.
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, each Fund observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board without a shareholder vote. A Fund will not:
1.   Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, provided that the Trust may vote the investment securities owned by the Fund in accordance with its views;
 
2.   Hold illiquid assets in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment;
 
3.   With respect to the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF, invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in senior loans or in investments substantially similar to or related to senior loans. Prior to any change this 80% investment policy, the Fund will provide shareholders with 60 days written notice.
If a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money and illiquid securities will be observed continuously.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in a Fund is contained in the Prospectuses under “PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION” and “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectuses.
The Shares of each Fund are approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ to some degree from their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Fund will continue to be met.
The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of a Fund from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the value of its underlying Index or portfolio of securities on which the Fund is based is no longer calculated or available; (3) the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”) of the Fund is no longer calculated or available; or (4) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. In addition, the Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust or a Fund.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the Share price of a Fund in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
As in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

17


 

The base and trading currencies of the Funds is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which a Fund’s net asset value per Share is calculated and the trading currency is the currency in which Shares of a Fund are listed and traded on the Exchange.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectuses entitled “MANAGEMENT.”
Board Responsibilities. The management and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Funds described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has approved contracts, as described in this SAI, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.
Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, Distributor and Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, have oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Funds. The Funds and their service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., a Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of a Fund’s portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the Funds’ service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.
The Trustees’ role in risk oversight begins before the inception of a Fund, at which time the Fund’s Adviser and, if applicable, Sub-Adviser present the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund, as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Adviser provide the Board with an overview of, among other things, their investment philosophies, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructures. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of the Adviser and other service providers, such as the Fund’s independent accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which a Fund may be exposed.
The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, respectively, the Board meets with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about each Fund’s investments.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser and any Sub-Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.
The Board receives reports from the Funds’ service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. Regular reports are made to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of each Fund’s financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Funds and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund’s internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management’s implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements.

18


 

From their review of these reports and discussions with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the Fund, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect a Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve a Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the Funds’ investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Fund’s Adviser, Sub-Adviser and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Funds’ and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.
Trustees and Officers. There are six members of the Board of Trustees, five of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). Frank Nesvet, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairman of the Board. The Board has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Board made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees constitute a super-majority (greater than 75%) of the Board, the fact that the chairperson of each Committee of the Board is an Independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from fund management.
The Board of Trustees has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, Trustee Committee and Pricing and Investment Committee. The Audit Committee and Trustee Committee are each chaired by an Independent Trustee and composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Pricing and Investment Committee is composed of Officers of the Trust, investment management personnel of the Adviser and senior operations and administrative personnel of State Street.
Set forth below are the names, year of birth, position with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations during the last five years and other directorships held of each of the persons currently serving as a Trustee or Officer of the Trust.
TRUSTEES
                     
                NUMBER OF    
                PORTFOLIOS    
        TERM OF   PRINCIPAL   IN FUND    
        OFFICE AND   OCCUPATION(S)   COMPLEX   OTHER
NAME, ADDRESS   POSITION(S)   LENGTH OF   DURING PAST   OVERSEEN   DIRECTORSHIPS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH   WITH FUNDS   TIME SERVED   5 YEARS   BY TRUSTEE   HELD BY TRUSTEE
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
FRANK NESVET
c/o SSgA Active ETF Trust
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2900
1943
  Independent
Trustee,
Chairman
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Chief Executive Officer, Libra Group, Inc. (1998-present) (a financial services consulting company).   [__]   SPDR Index Shares Funds (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee).
 
DAVID M. KELLY
c/o SSgA Active ETF Trust
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2900
1938
  Independent
Trustee
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Retired.   [__]   Penson Worldwide Inc. (Director); CHX Holdings, Inc. and Chicago Stock Exchange (Director); SPDR Index Shares Funds (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee).

19


 

                     
                NUMBER OF    
                PORTFOLIOS    
        TERM OF   PRINCIPAL   IN FUND    
        OFFICE AND   OCCUPATION(S)   COMPLEX   OTHER
NAME, ADDRESS   POSITION(S)   LENGTH OF   DURING PAST   OVERSEEN   DIRECTORSHIPS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH   WITH FUNDS   TIME SERVED   5 YEARS   BY TRUSTEE   HELD BY TRUSTEE
BONNY EUGENIA BOATMAN
c/o SSgA Active ETF Trust
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2900
1950
  Independent Trustee   Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Retired (2005 -present); Managing Director, Columbia Management Group, Bank of America (1984-2005).   [__]   SPDR Index Shares Funds (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee).
 
                   
DWIGHT D. CHURCHILL
c/o SSgA Active ETF Trust
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2900
1953
  Independent Trustee   Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Self-employed consultant since 2010; Head of Fixed Income and other Senior Management roles, Fidelity Investments (1993-2009).   [__]   SPDR Index Shares Funds (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (Director).
 
                   
CARL G. VERBONCOEUR
c/o SSgA Active ETF Trust
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2900
1952
  Independent Trustee   Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Retired (July 2009-present); Chief Executive Officer, Rydex Investments (2003-2009).   [__]   SPDR Index Shares Funds (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee).
                     
                NUMBER OF    
                PORTFOLIOS    
        TERM OF   PRINCIPAL   IN FUND    
        OFFICE AND   OCCUPATION(S)   COMPLEX   OTHER
NAME, ADDRESS   POSITION(S)   LENGTH OF   DURING PAST   OVERSEEN   DIRECTORSHIPS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH   WITH FUNDS   TIME SERVED   5 YEARS   BY TRUSTEE   HELD BY TRUSTEE
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
JAMES E. ROSS*
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
State Street Financial
Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
1965
  Interested
Trustee,
President
  Term: Unlimited
Served as President and
Trustee: since
[                     2011]
  President, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (2005-present); Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (2006-present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2000-2006).   [__]   SPDR Index Shares Funds (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); Select Sector SPDR Trust (Trustee); State Street Master Funds (Trustee); and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (Trustee).
 
*   Mr. Ross is an Interested Trustee because of his employment with the Adviser and ownership interest in an affiliate of the Adviser.

20


 

OFFICERS
             
        TERM OF   PRINCIPAL
        OFFICE AND   OCCUPATION(S)
NAME, ADDRESS   POSITION(S)   LENGTH OF   DURING PAST
AND YEAR OF BIRTH   WITH FUNDS   TIME SERVED   5 YEARS
ELLEN M. NEEDHAM
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
1967
  Vice
President
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Chief Operating Officer, SSgA Funds Management, Inc, (2010- present); Principal, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (1992-2010)*; Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (1992- present).*
 
           
MICHAEL P. RILEY
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
1969
  Vice
President
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Vice President, State Street Global Advisors (2008-present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2005-2008); Assistant Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2000-2004).
 
           
ANTHONY ROCHTE
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
1968
  Vice
President
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (2006-present).; National Sales Manager, Barclays Global Investors (2000-2006).

21


 

             
        TERM OF   PRINCIPAL
        OFFICE AND   OCCUPATION(S)
NAME, ADDRESS   POSITION(S)   LENGTH OF   DURING PAST
AND YEAR OF BIRTH   WITH FUNDS   TIME SERVED   5 YEARS
CHAD C. HALLETT
State Street Mutual Fund Service Co.
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
1969
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Vice President, State Street Mutual Fund Service Co. (2010-present); Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2001-2010).*
 
           
RYAN M. LOUVAR
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Four Copley Place, CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
1972
  Secretary   Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2005- present).*
 
           
MARK E. TUTTLE
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Four Copley Place, CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
1970
  Assistant
Secretary
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Vice President and Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2007-present)*; Assistant Counsel, BISYS Group, Inc. (2005-2007)* (a financial services company).
 
           
MATTHEW FLAHERTY
State Street Mutual Fund Service Co.
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
1971
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Assistant Vice President, State Street Mutual Fund Service Co. (2010-present); Assistant Vice President, Street Bank and Trust Company (1994-2010).*
 
           
LAURA F. DELL
State Street Mutual Fund Service Co.
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
1964
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  Vice President, State Street Mutual Fund Service Co. (2010-present); Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2002-2010).*
 
           
JACKI ANGELL
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
[     ]
  Chief
Compliance
Officer
  Term: Unlimited
Served: since
[                     2011]
  [     ]
 
*   Served in various capacities during noted time period.

22


 

Individual Trustee Qualifications
The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Funds provided to him or her by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of his or her duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of each Fund’s shareholders. The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Nesvet should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained serving as the Chief Executive Officer of a financial services consulting company, serving on the boards of other investment companies, and serving as chief financial officer of a major financial services company; his knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2000.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Kelly should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, his previous and current directorship experience, [and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2000].
The Board has concluded that Ms. Boatman should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained serving as Managing Director of the primary investment division of one of the nation’s leading financial institutions, her knowledge of the financial services industry [and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010].
The Board has concluded that Mr. Churchill should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the Head of the Fixed Income Division of one of the nation’s leading mutual fund companies and provider of financial services, his knowledge of the financial services industry [and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010].
The Board has concluded that Mr. Verboncoeur should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the Chief Executive Officer of a large financial services and investment management company, his knowledge of the financial services industry and his experience serving on the boards of other investment companies, [including SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010].
The Board has concluded that Mr. Ross should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained in his various roles with the Adviser, his knowledge of the financial services industry, [and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2005 (Mr. Ross did not serve as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds or SPDR Series Trust from December 2009 until April 2010) ].
In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Funds. Moreover, references to the qualifications, attributes and skills of individual Trustees are made pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not be deemed to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

23


 

REMUNERATION OF THE TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
No officer, director or employee of the Adviser, its parent or subsidiaries receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust other than the Chief Compliance Officer, who serves at the pleasure of the Independent Trustees. The Trust, SSgA Master Trust, SPDR Series Trust (“SST Trust”) and SPDR Index Shares Funds (“SIS Trust”) pay, in the aggregate, each Independent Trustee an annual fee of [$ ] plus [$ ] per in-person meeting attended. An Independent Trustee will receive [$ ] for each telephonic or video conference meeting attended. The Chair of the Board receives an additional annual fee of [$ ] and the Chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of [$ ]. The Trust also reimburses each Independent Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending such meetings and in connection with attending industry seminars and meetings. Trustee fees are allocated between the Trust, SSgA Master Trust, SST Trust and SIS Trust and each of their respective series in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the relative net assets of the series.

24


 

The table below sets forth the anticipated compensation that the Independent Trustees received during the Trust’s fiscal year ending [_____________](1).
                             
        PENSION OR           TOTAL
        RETIREMENT           COMPENSATION
        BENEFITS   ESTIMATED   FROM THE
        ACCRUED   ANNUAL   TRUST AND
    AGGREGATE   AS PART   BENEFITS   FUND COMPLEX
NAME OF   COMPENSATION   OF TRUST   UPON   PAID TO
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE   FROM THE TRUST   EXPENSES   RETIREMENT   TRUSTEES(2)
Frank Nesvet
      
Helen F. Peters
   
Bonny Boatman
   
Dwight Churchill
   
David M. Kelly
   
Carl Verboncoeur
   
 
(1)   During the fiscal year ended [________], the SST Trust and SIS Trust paid, in the aggregate, each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $90,000 plus $5,000 per in-person meeting attended. An Independent Trustee received $1,250 for each telephonic or video conference meeting attended. The Chair of the Board received an additional annual fee of $25,000 and the Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional annual fee of $10,000.
 
(2)   The Fund Complex includes the Trust, SIS Trust and SST Trust.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee consisting of all Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. Mr. Kelly serves as Chair. The Audit Committee meets with the Trust’s independent auditors to review and approve the scope and results of their professional services; to review the procedures for evaluating the adequacy of the Trust’s accounting controls; to consider the range of audit fees; and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee meets periodically, as necessary.
Trustee Committee. The Board has established a Trustee Committee consisting of all Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. Mr. Nesvet serves as Chair. The responsibilities of the Trustee Committee are to: 1) nominate Independent Trustees; 2) review on a periodic basis the governance structures and procedures of the Funds; 3) review proposed resolutions and conflicts of interest that may arise in the business of the Funds and may have an impact on the investors of the Funds; 4) review matters that are referred to the Committee by the Chief Legal Officer or other counsel to the Trust; and 5) provide general oversight of the Funds on behalf of the investors of the Funds. The Trustee Committee meets periodically, as necessary.
Pricing and Investment Committee. The Board also has established a Pricing and Investment Committee that is composed of Officers of the Trust, investment management personnel of the Adviser and senior operations and administrative personnel of State Street. The Pricing and Investment Committee is responsible for the valuation and revaluation of any portfolio investments for which market quotations or prices are not readily available. The Pricing and Investment Committee meets only when necessary. The Board meets periodically, as necessary, to review and ratify fair value pricing determinations of the Pricing and Investment Committee. The Pricing and Investment Committee reports to the Board on a quarterly basis.
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES
As of the date of this SAI, neither the Independent Trustees nor their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in the Funds, Trust, Adviser, Sub-Advisers, Principle Underwriter or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or Principle Underwriter.

25


 

CODES OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Adviser (which includes applicable reporting personnel of the Distributor) and the Sub-Adviser each have adopted a code of ethics as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Funds (which may also be held by persons subject to the codes of ethics).
There can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each code of ethics, filed as exhibits to this registration statement, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by each Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. As such, the Board has delegated the responsibility to vote such proxies to the Adviser for all Funds, other than the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF which is sub-advised by GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC. The Adviser’s and GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC’s proxy voting policies are attached at the end of this SAI. Information regarding how a Fund voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge by calling 1-866-787-2257; (2) on the Funds’ website at www.SPDRs.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS POLICY
The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. The Funds’ portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day a Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of a Fund. The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust, except: (i) to a party for a legitimate business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the Funds or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory purpose, upon waiver or exception.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. acts as investment adviser to the Trust and, subject to the supervision of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of each Fund. As of [_______ __, 2011], the Adviser managed approximately $[ ] billion. The Adviser’s principal address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The Adviser, a Massachusetts corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company. State Street Global Advisors (“SSgA”), consisting of the Adviser and other investment advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation, is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation.
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to each Fund, continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund is terminable without penalty, on 60 days notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 90 days notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of each Fund, manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. The Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of each Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal

26


 

securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from (a) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties; (b) the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties; or (c) a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements regarding the Funds will be available in the Trust’s [Annual] Report to Shareholders dated [________ __, 2011].
For the services provided to the Funds under the Investment Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser monthly fees based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets as set forth in each Fund’s Prospectus, less any fee paid to the Adviser for services to any investment company the shares of which are the only investment security held by a Fund. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee. The Adviser pays all expenses of each Fund other than the management fee, distribution fees pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plan, if any, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustee’s counsel fees), acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
The Funds had not commenced operations as of [_______ __, 2011] and therefore did not pay fees to the Adviser for the past three fiscal years.
(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank)

27


 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER — SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Funds and the Adviser, the Adviser is authorized to engage one or more sub-advisers for the performance of any of the services contemplated to be rendered by the Adviser. The Adviser has retained GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC, as sub-adviser, to be responsible for the day to day management of the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF’s investments, subject to supervision of the Adviser and the Board while the Adviser will provide administrative, compliance and general management services to the Fund. GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSO Capital Partners LP (collectively with its affiliates, “GSO”). GSO is the credit platform of The Blackstone Group L.P. (collectively with its affiliates, “Blackstone”). Blackstone is a leading manager of private capital and provider of financial advisory services. It is one of the largest independent managers of private capital in the world, with assets under management of approximately $[____] billion as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, GSO’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $[___] billion across multiple strategies within the leveraged finance marketplace, including Senior Loans, high yield bonds, distressed and mezzanine debt. GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC’s principal business address is 280 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s [Annual] Report to Shareholders dated [________ __, 2011].
In accordance with the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC, the Adviser will pay GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC an annual investment sub-advisory fee equal to [ ]% of average daily net assets of the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The Adviser manages the Funds, and GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC manages the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF, using a team of investment professionals. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of each Fund are:
     
Fund   Portfolio Managers
SSgA Real Assets ETF
  Robert Guiliano and Christopher J. Goolgasian
SSgA Income Opportunities ETF
  Daniel C. Peirce and Christopher J. Goolgasian
SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF
  Ola Folarin and Eduardo A. Borges
SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF
  Ola Folarin and Eduardo A. Borges
SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF
  Ola Folarin and Timothy Furbush
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
  Daniel T. McMullen and Lee M. Shaiman
All ETFs except SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each of the key professionals involved in the day-to-day portfolio management for each Fund and assets under management in those accounts. The total number of accounts and assets have been allocated to each respective manager. Therefore, some accounts and assets have been counted twice.
Other Accounts Managed as of [_________ __, 2011]
                                                         
    Registered           Pooled                           Total
    Investment   Assets   Investment   Assets           Assets   Assets
Portfolio   Company   Managed   Vehicle   Managed   Other   Managed   Managed
Manager   Accounts   (billions)*   Accounts   (billions)*   Accounts   (billions)*   (billions) *
Robert Guiliano
  [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]
Christopher J. Goolgasian
  [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]
Daniel C. Peirce
  [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]
Ola Folarin
  [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]
Eduardo A. Borges
  [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]
Timothy Furbush
  [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]   [XX]
 
[*   There are no performance fees associated with these portfolios.]

28


 

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore the portfolio managers did not beneficially own any Fund Shares.
A portfolio manager that has responsibility for managing more than one account may be subject to potential conflicts of interest because he or she is responsible for other accounts in addition to the Funds. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of: (a) the portfolio manager’s execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline, and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to provide a fair and equitable allocation among the portfolio managers’ accounts with the same strategy.
Portfolio managers may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies, other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers’ responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio managers’ accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio managers may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the Funds. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager. For example, an account may sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while a Fund maintained its position in that security.
A potential conflict may arise when the portfolio managers are responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees — the difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-based fee. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participate in transactions with other accounts. His or her investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline, and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to provide a fair and equitable allocation.
The compensation of the Adviser’s investment professionals is based on a number of factors. The first factor considered is external market. Through a compensation survey process, the Adviser seeks to understand what its competitors are paying people to perform similar roles. This data is then used to determine a competitive baseline in the areas of base pay, bonus, and long term incentive (i.e. equity). The second factor taken into consideration is the size of the pool available for this compensation. The Adviser is a part of State Street Corporation, and therefore works within its corporate environment on determining the overall level of its incentive compensation pool. Once determined, this pool is then allocated to the various locations and departments of the Adviser and its affiliates. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to these locations and departments is influenced by the competitive market data, as well as the overall performance of the group, and in the case of investment teams, the investment performance of their strategies. The pool is then allocated on a discretionary basis to individual employees based on their individual performance. There is no fixed formula for determining these amounts, nor is anyone’s compensation directly tied to the investment performance or asset value of a product or strategy. The same process is followed in determining incentive equity allocations.
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each of the key professionals involved in the day-to-day portfolio management for the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF and assets under management in those accounts as of [__________ __, 2011]. The Portfolio Managers, who are also members of the Fund’s Investment Committee, are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The other members of the Fund’s Investment Committee have oversight responsibilities for the investments made by the Fund.

29


 

                                                         
    Registered           Pooled                           Total
    Investment   Assets   Investment   Assets           Assets   Assets
    Company   Managed   Vehicle   Managed   Other   Managed   Managed
  Accounts   (billions)   Accounts   (billions)   Accounts   (billions)   (billions)
Portfolio Manager and Member of the Investment Committee
                                                     
Daniel T. McMullen
    [ ]     $ [ ]                             $       $ [ ]  
Lee M. Shaiman
          $ [ ]             $                       $ [ ]  
                             
Member of the Investment Committee                            
The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore the portfolio managers did not beneficially own any Fund Shares.
Compensation. The Sub-Adviser’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary and a discretionary bonus.
     Base Compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation and employee benefits based on their individual seniority and/or their position with the firm.
     Discretionary Compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation. Discretionary compensation is based on individual seniority, contributions to the Sub-Adviser and performance of the client assets that the portfolio manager has primary responsibility for. These compensation guidelines are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Sub-Adviser and its clients.
Material Conflicts of Interest. The Sub-Adviser will be subject to certain conflicts of interest in its management of the Fund. These conflicts will arise primarily from the involvement of the Sub-Adviser, GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates in other activities that may conflict with those of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser, GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities. In the ordinary course of their business activities, the Sub-Adviser, GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates may engage in activities where the interests of certain divisions of the Sub-Adviser, GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates or the interests of their clients may conflict with the interests of the Fund or the shareholders of the Fund. Other present and future activities of the Sub-Adviser, GSO, Blackstone and their affiliates may give rise to additional conflicts of interest which may have a negative impact on the Fund.
In addressing these conflicts and regulatory, legal and contractual requirements across its various businesses, GSO and its affiliates have implemented certain policies and procedures (e.g., information walls). For example, GSO and its affiliates may come into possession of material non-public information with respect to companies in which the Fund may be considering making an investment or companies that are GSO’s and its affiliates’ advisory clients. As a consequence, that information, which could be of benefit to the Fund, could also restrict the Fund’s activities and the investment opportunity may otherwise be unavailable to the Fund. Additionally, the terms of confidentiality or other agreements with or related to companies in which any fund managed by GSO has or has considered making an investment or which is otherwise an advisory client of GSO and its affiliates may restrict or otherwise limit the ability of the Fund to make investments in such companies.
The portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the Sub-Adviser and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate these conflicts of interest. Some examples of material conflicts of interest include:
     Broad and Wide-Ranging Activities. The portfolio managers, the Sub-Adviser, Blackstone and their affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities. In the ordinary course of their business activities, the portfolio managers, the Sub-Adviser, Blackstone and their affiliates may engage in activities where the interests of certain divisions of the Sub-Adviser, Blackstone and its affiliates or the interests of their clients may conflict with the interests of the shareholders of the Fund.
     Allocation of Investment Opportunities. Certain inherent conflicts of interest arise from the fact that the portfolio managers, the Sub-Adviser, Blackstone and their affiliates provide investment management services both to the Fund and other clients, including, other funds, as well as, client accounts, proprietary accounts and any other investment vehicles that the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates may establish from time to time managed by the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates in which the Fund will not have an interest (such other clients, funds and accounts, collectively the “Other Sub-Adviser Accounts”). In addition, Blackstone and its affiliates provide

30


 

investment management services to other clients, including other funds, and any other investment vehicles that Blackstone or any of its affiliates may establish from time to time (the “Other Blackstone Funds”), client accounts, and proprietary accounts in which the Fund will not have an interest (such other clients, funds and accounts, collectively the “Other Blackstone Accounts” and together with the Other Sub-Adviser Accounts, the “Other Accounts”). The respective investment programs of the Fund and the Other Accounts may or may not be substantially similar. The portfolio managers, the Sub-Adviser, Blackstone and their affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to Other Accounts which may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought for, the Fund, even though their investment objectives may be the same or similar to those of the Fund.
     While the Sub-Adviser will seek to manage potential conflicts of interest in good faith, the portfolio strategies employed by the portfolio managers, the Sub-Adviser and Blackstone in managing its respective Other Accounts could conflict with the transactions and strategies employed by the portfolio managers in managing the Fund and may affect the prices and availability of the securities and instruments in which the Fund invests. Conversely, participation in specific investment opportunities may be appropriate, at times, for both the Fund and Other Accounts. It is the policy of the Sub-Adviser to generally share appropriate investment opportunities (and sale opportunities) with the Other Accounts. In general and except as provided below, this means that such opportunities will be allocated pro rata among the Fund and the Other Accounts based on available capacity for such investment in each fund, taking into account available cash and the relative capital of the respective funds. Nevertheless, investment and/or opportunities may be allocated other than on a pro rata basis, if the Sub-Adviser deems in good faith that a different allocation among the Fund and the Other Accounts is appropriate, taking into account, among other considerations (a) risk-return profile of the proposed investment; (b) the Fund’s or the Other Accounts’ objectives, whether such objectives are considered solely in light of the specific investment under consideration or in the context of the portfolio’s overall holdings; (c) the potential for the proposed investment to create an imbalance in the Fund’s and the Other Accounts’ portfolios; (d) liquidity requirements of the Fund and Other Accounts; (e) tax consequences; (f) regulatory restrictions; (g) the need to re-size risk in the Fund’s or Other Accounts’ portfolios; (h) redemption/withdrawal requests from Other Accounts and anticipated future contributions into the Fund and Other Accounts; and (i) proximity of an Other Account to the end of its specified term/commitment period.
     Orders may be combined for all such accounts, and if any order is not filled at the same price, they may be allocated on an average price basis. Similarly, if an order on behalf of more than one account cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, securities may be allocated among the different accounts on a basis which the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates consider equitable. From time to time, the Fund and the Other Sub-Adviser Accounts may make investments at different levels of an issuer’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of an issuer’s securities. Such investments may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities that may be held by such entities. While these conflicts cannot be eliminated, the Sub-Adviser, when practicable, will cause the Fund and the Other Sub-Adviser Accounts to hold investments in the same levels of an issuer’s capital structure in the same proportion at each level; provided, however, that neither the Fund nor any Other Sub-Adviser Account will be required to hold an investment if holding such investment would result in a violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Fund or the Other Sub-Adviser Account, as applicable, or constitute a breach of, or default or debt repayment event with respect to, any credit facility or other debt instrument or obligation.
     Allocation of Personnel. Although the professional staff of the Sub-Adviser will devote as much time to the management of the Fund as the Sub-Adviser deems appropriate to perform its duties in accordance with the investment advisory agreement and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards, the professional staff of the Sub-Adviser may have conflicts in allocating its time and services among the Fund and the Sub-Adviser’s other investment vehicles and accounts. The Sub-Adviser and its affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Sub-Adviser and its professional staff. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the members of the Sub-Adviser and their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund but will be allocated between the business of the Fund and the management of the monies of other clients of the Sub-Adviser.
     Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, the portfolio managers may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies. For example, a portfolio manager may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the Fund holds long, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.

31


 

     Investment Banking, Advisory and Other Relationships. As part of its regular business, Blackstone provides a broad range of investment banking, advisory, and other services. In the regular course of its investment banking and advisory businesses, Blackstone represents potential purchasers, sellers and other involved parties, including corporations, financial buyers, management, shareholders and institutions, with respect to transactions that could give rise to investments that are suitable for the Fund. In such a case, a Blackstone client would typically require Blackstone to act exclusively on its behalf, thereby precluding the Fund from participating in such transactions. Blackstone will be under no obligation to decline any such engagements in order to make an investment opportunity available to the Fund. In connection with its investment banking, advisory and other businesses, Blackstone may come into possession of information that limits its ability to engage in potential transactions. The Fund’s activities may be constrained as a result of the inability of Blackstone personnel to use such information and because of such relationships, there may be certain investments that the Sub-Adviser will decline or be unable to make on behalf of the Fund. For example, employees of Blackstone may be prohibited by law or contract from sharing information with members of the Fund’s investment team. Additionally, there may be circumstances in which one or more of certain individuals associated with Blackstone will be precluded from providing services related to the Fund’s activities because of certain confidential information available to those individuals or to other parts of Blackstone. In addition, employees of Blackstone or its affiliates may possess information relating to such issuers that is not known to the individuals at the Sub-Adviser responsible for making investment decisions and performing the other obligations under the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Sub-Adviser. Those employees of Blackstone or its affiliates will not be obligated to share any such information with the Sub-Adviser and may be prohibited by law or contract from doing so. In certain sell-side and fundraising assignments, the seller may permit the Fund to act as a participant in such transaction, which would raise certain conflicts of interest inherent in such a situation (including as to the negotiation of the purchase price). Blackstone has long-term relationships with a significant number of corporations and their senior management. In determining whether to invest in a particular transaction on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser and portfolio managers will consider those relationships, which may result in certain transactions that the Sub-Adviser and portfolio managers will not undertake on behalf of the Fund in view of such relationships.
     Service Providers. The Fund’s service providers (including lenders, brokers, attorneys, and investment banking firms) may be sources of investment opportunities and counterparties therein. To the extent the Sub-Adviser is involved in selecting service providers for the Fund, this may influence the Sub-Adviser in deciding whether to select such a service provider. Notwithstanding the foregoing, investment transactions for the Fund that require the use of a service provider, will generally be allocated to service providers on the basis of best execution (and possibly to a lesser extent in consideration of such service provider’s provision of certain investment-related services that the Sub-Adviser believes to be of benefit to the Fund or other GSO accounts).
     Variation in Financial and Other Benefits. A conflict of interest arises where the financial or other benefits available to portfolio managers differ among the accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies that he or she manages. If the amount or structure of the management fee and/or a portfolio manager’s compensation differs among accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies over others. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager may, for example, have an incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor such accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies. Also, the desire of a portfolio manager or the Sub-Adviser to increase assets under management could influence the portfolio manager to keep a fund open for new investors without regard to potential benefits of closing the fund to new investors. Additionally, the portfolio manager might be motivated to favor accounts, clients, entities, funds and/or investment companies in which he or she has an ownership interest or in which the investment manager and/or its affiliates have ownership interests. Conversely, if a portfolio manager does not personally hold an investment in the fund, the portfolio manager’s conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund may be more acute.
     Material, Non-Public Information. The Sub-Adviser or certain of its affiliates may come into possession of material non-public information with respect to an issuer. Should this occur, the Sub-Adviser would be restricted from buying or selling securities or loans of the issuer on behalf of the Fund until such time as the information became public or was no longer deemed material to preclude the Fund from participating in an investment. Disclosure of such information to the personnel responsible for the affairs of the Fund will be on a need-to-know basis only, and the Fund may not be free to act upon any such information. Therefore, the Fund may not have access to material non-public information in the possession of the Sub-Adviser which might be relevant to an investment decision to be made by the Fund, and the Fund may initiate a transaction or sell an investment which, if such information had been known to it, may not have been undertaken. Due to these restrictions, the Fund may not be able to initiate a transaction that it otherwise might have initiated and may not be able to sell an investment that it otherwise might have sold.

32


 

     Possible Future Activities. The Sub-Adviser and its affiliates may expand the range of services that it provides over time. Except as provided herein, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates will not be restricted in the scope of its business or in the performance of any such services (whether now offered or undertaken in the future) even if such activities could give rise to conflicts of interest, and whether or not such conflicts are described herein. The Sub-Adviser and its affiliates have, and will continue to develop, relationships with a significant number of companies, financial sponsors and their senior managers, including relationships with clients who may hold or may have held investments similar to those intended to be made by the Fund. These clients may themselves represent appropriate investment opportunities for the Fund or may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities.
     Other Affiliate Transactions. The Fund may acquire a Senior Loan, other loan or debt security from a borrower or issuer in which a separate equity or junior debt investment has been made by other GSO or Blackstone affiliates. When making such investments, the Fund and other GSO or Blackstone affiliates may have conflicting interests. For example, conflicts could arise where the Fund becomes a lender to a company when an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser owns equity securities of such a company. In this circumstance, for example, if such company goes into bankruptcy, becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to meet its payment obligations or comply with its debt covenants, conflicts of interest could arise between the holders of different types of securities as to what actions the company should take. There can be no assurance that the return on the Fund’s investment will be equivalent to or better than the returns obtained by the other affiliates.
     Further conflicts could arise once the Fund and other affiliates have made their respective investments. For example, if a company goes into bankruptcy or reorganization, becomes insolvent or otherwise experiences financial distress or is unable to meet its payment obligations or comply with covenants relating to securities held by the Fund or by the other affiliates, such other affiliates may have an interest that conflicts with the interests of the Fund. If additional financing is necessary as a result of financial or other difficulties, it may not be in the best interests of the Fund to provide such additional financing. If the other affiliates were to lose their respective investments as a result of such difficulties, the ability of the Sub-Adviser to recommend actions in the best interests of the Fund might be impaired.
     In addition, the 1940 Act limits the Fund’s ability to enter into certain transactions with certain of our affiliates. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security directly from or to any portfolio company of a private equity fund managed by Blackstone, GSO or one or more of their affiliates. However, the Fund may under certain circumstances purchase any such portfolio company’s loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Sub-Adviser between its interests in the Fund and the portfolio company, in that the ability of the Sub-Adviser to recommend actions in the best interest of the Fund might be impaired. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times). These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
     Representing Creditors and Debtors. Blackstone and their affiliates may represent creditors or debtors in proceedings under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code or prior to such filings. From time to time, Blackstone and their affiliates may serve as advisor to creditor or equity committees. This involvement, for which Blackstone and their affiliates may be compensated, may limit or preclude the flexibility that the Fund may otherwise have to participate in restructurings. For example, in situations in which a borrower or issuer of loans or fixed-income instruments held by the Fund is a client or a potential client of the restructuring and reorganization advisory practice, the Sub-Adviser may dispose of such securities or take such other actions reasonably necessary to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act in order to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest with the restructuring and reorganization advisory practice. Further, there may also be instances in which the work of Blackstone’s restructuring and reorganization advisory practice prevents the Sub-Adviser from purchasing securities on behalf of the Fund.
     The Sub-Adviser and the portfolio managers may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both a Fund and the other accounts listed above.
     Restrictions Arising under the Securities Laws. The activities of Blackstone and GSO (including, without limitation, the holding of securities positions or having one of its employees on the board of directors of a company) could result in securities law restrictions on transactions in securities held by the Fund, affect the prices of such securities or the ability of such entities to purchase, retain or dispose of such investments, or otherwise create conflicts of interest, any of which could have an adverse impact on the performance of the Fund and thus the return to the shareholders.
     Additional Potential Conflicts. The officers, directors, members, managers, and employees of the Sub-Adviser may trade in securities for their own accounts, subject to restrictions and reporting requirements as may be required by law or otherwise determined from time to time by the Sub-Adviser.

33


 

THE ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
State Street, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as Administrator for the Trust pursuant to an administration agreement (“Administration Agreement”). Under the Administration Agreement, State Street is responsible for certain administrative services associated with day-to-day operations of the Funds.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Trust has agreed to a limitation on damages and to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws; provided, however, such indemnity of the Administrator shall not apply in the case of the Administrator’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties. Under the Custodian Agreement and Transfer Agency Agreement, as described below, the Trust has also provided indemnities to State Street for certain liabilities.
State Street also serves as Custodian for each Fund pursuant to a custodian agreement (“Custodian Agreement”). As Custodian, State Street holds each Fund’s assets, calculates the net asset value of the Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. State Street and the Trust will comply with the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.
State Street also serves as Transfer Agent of each Fund pursuant to a transfer agency agreement (“Transfer Agency Agreement”).
Compensation. As compensation for its services under the Administration Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, and Transfer Agency Agreement, State Street shall receive a fee for its services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trusts, as follows: [ ]. The greater of the minimum fee or the asset based fee will be charged. In addition, State Street shall receive global safekeeping and transaction fees, which are calculated on a per-country basis, in-kind creation (purchase) and redemption transaction fees (as described below) and revenue on certain cash balances. State Street may be reimbursed by a Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will pay certain operating expenses of the Trust, including the fees due to State Street under each of the Administration Agreement, the Custodian Agreement and the Transfer Agency Agreement.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
State Street Global Markets, LLC is the principal underwriter and Distributor of Shares. Its principal address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Investor information can be obtained by calling 1-866-787-2257. The Distributor has entered into a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”) with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Shares of each Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually thereafter. Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectuses and below under “PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS.” Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectuses to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust. The Distributor may assist Authorized Participants (as defined below) in assembling shares to purchase Creation Units or upon redemption, for which it may receive commissions or other fees from such Authorized Participants. The Distributor also receives compensation from State Street Bank for providing on-line creation and redemption functionality to Authorized Participants through its Fund Connect application.
The Adviser or Distributor, or an affiliate of the Adviser or Distributor, may directly or indirectly make cash payments to certain broker-dealers for participating in activities that are designed to make registered representatives and other professionals more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Funds, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems. Payments to a broker-dealer or intermediary may create potential conflicts of interest between the broker-dealer or intermediary and its clients. These amounts, which may be significant, are paid by the Adviser and/or Distributor from their own resources and not from the assets of the Funds.
Each Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Plan (a “Plan”) pursuant to which payments of up to 0.25% may be made. Under its terms, the Plan remains in effect from year to year, provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of the Board, including a majority of the “Independent Trustees” (Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds (as defined in the

34


 

1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreement related to the Plan). The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services provided by the Distributor without approval by the shareholders of the relevant Fund to which the Plan applies, and all material amendments of the Plan also require Board approval (as described above). The Plan may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund (as such vote is defined in the 1940 Act). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor will provide the Board with periodic reports of any amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
Subject to an aggregate limitation of 0.25% of a Fund’s average net assets per annum, the fees paid by the Fund under the Plan will be compensation for distribution, investor services or marketing services for the Fund. To the extent the Plan fees aggregate less than 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of a Fund, the Fund may also reimburse the Distributor and other persons for their respective costs incurred in printing prospectuses and producing advertising or marketing material prepared at the request of the Fund. The aggregate payments under the Plan will not exceed, on an annualized basis, 0.25% of average daily net assets of a Fund.
The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to a Fund: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on at least 60 days written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Pursuant to agreements entered into with such persons, the Distributor will make payments under the Plan to certain broker-dealers or other persons (“Investor Services Organizations”) that enter into agreements with the Distributor in the form approved by the Board to provide distribution assistance and shareholder support, account maintenance and educational and promotional services (which may include compensation and sales incentives to the registered brokers or other sales personnel of the broker-dealer or other financial entity that is a party to an investor services agreement) (“Investor Services Agreements”). No such Investor Services Agreements will be entered into during the first twelve months of operation. Each Investor Services Agreement will be a “related agreement” under the Plan. No Investor Services Agreement will provide for annual fees of more than 0.25% of a Fund’s average daily net assets per annum attributable to Shares subject to such agreement.
The continuation of the Distribution Agreement, any Investor Services Agreements and any other related agreements is subject to annual approval of the Board, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, as described above.
Each of the Investor Services Agreements will provide that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the relevant Fund, on at least 60 days’ written notice to the other party. Each of the Distribution Agreement and the Investor Services Agreements is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Each Investor Services Agreement is also terminable by the applicable Investor Service Organization upon 60 days’ notice to the other party thereto.
The allocation among the Funds of fees and expenses payable under the Distribution Agreement and the Investor Services Agreements will be made pro rata in accordance with the daily net assets of the respective Funds.
The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit aggregations of Fund Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in the “Book Entry Only System” section below), DTC Participants (as defined below) and/or Investor Services Organizations.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor, and may indemnify Soliciting Dealers and Authorized Participants (as described below) entering into agreements with the Distributor, for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement or other agreement, as applicable.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities for each Fund is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable without

35


 

necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Trust believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and preclude a Fund and the Adviser from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Fund’s Shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
In selecting a broker/dealer for each specific transaction, the Adviser chooses the broker/dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution. The Adviser considers the full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction that may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, underwriting and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending upon the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker/dealers. The Adviser will also use electronic crossing networks (“ECNs”) when appropriate.
The Adviser does not currently use the Funds’ assets for, or participate in, third party soft dollar arrangements, although the Adviser may receive proprietary research from various full service brokers, the cost of which is bundled with the cost of the broker’s execution services. The Adviser does not “pay up” for the value of any such proprietary research. The Adviser may aggregate trades with clients of SSgA, whose commission dollars may be used to generate soft dollar credits for SSgA. Although the Adviser’s clients’ commissions are not used for third party soft dollars, the Adviser’s and SSgA’s clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by SSgA.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Trust and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Trust is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Trust. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
The Funds will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation.
The Funds had not commenced operations as of [________ __, 2011] and therefore did not pay any brokerage commissions during the past fiscal year.
Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealer.” Each Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which it may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trust’s portfolio transactions; (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust; or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Trust’s shares. The Funds are new and had not engaged in transactions prior to the date of this SAI.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses or transaction costs. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions and transaction costs is evaluated by the Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions and transaction costs paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.
BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectuses entitled “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”

36


 

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Shares. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstance provided below, certificates will not be issued for Shares.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of each Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant and/or third party service a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial owners that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the date of this SAI.
An Authorized Participant (as defined below) may hold of record more than 25% of the outstanding Shares of a Fund. From time to time, Authorized Participants may be a beneficial and/or legal owner of a Fund, may be affiliated with an index provider, may be

37


 

deemed to have control of the applicable Fund and/or may be able to affect the outcome of matters presented for a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. Authorized Participants may execute an irrevocable proxy granting the Distributor or another affiliate of State Street (the “Agent”) power to vote or abstain from voting such Authorized Participant’s beneficially or legally owned Shares of a Fund. In such cases, the Agent shall mirror vote (or abstain from voting) such Shares in the same proportion as all other beneficial owners of the Fund.
The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, own less than 1% of the Trust’s voting securities as of the date of this SAI.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Each Fund issues and redeems its Shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit,” either principally in-kind for securities included in the relevant Index or in cash for the value of such securities. The principal consideration for creations and redemptions for each Fund is set forth in the table below:
         
FUND   CREATION*   REDEMPTION*
SSgA Real Assets ETF
  In-Kind   In-Kind
SSgA Income Opportunities ETF
  In-Kind   In-Kind
SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF
  In-Kind   In-Kind
SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF
  In-Kind   In-Kind
SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF
  In-Kind   In-Kind
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
  Cash   Cash
Each Fund issues and redeem Shares only in Creation Units at the net asset value next determined after receipt of an order on a continuous basis every day except weekends and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value of a Fund is determined once each business day, normally as of the Closing Time. Creation Unit sizes are [50,000] Shares per Creation Unit. The Creation Unit size for a Fund may change. Authorized Participants (as defined below) will be notified of such change. The consideration for creations and redemptions may change at any time without notice.
PURCHASE (CREATION). The Trust issues and sells Shares of each Fund only: (i) in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Principal Underwriter, without a sales load (but subject to transaction fees), at their NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day (as defined below), in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). A “Business Day” with respect to a Fund is, generally, any day on which the NYSE is open for business.
FUND DEPOSIT. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of a Fund generally consists of either (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) per each Creation Unit and the Cash Component (defined below), computed as described below or (ii) the cash value of the Deposit Securities (“Deposit Cash”) and the “Cash Component,” computed as described below. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for cash, a Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.
Together, the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of any Fund. The “Cash Component” is an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, if applicable, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).
The Custodian, through NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund. Such Fund Deposit is subject to any applicable adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases

38


 

of Creation Units of a Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for a Fund Deposit for each Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments, interest payments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of a Fund’s Index.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security, including, without limitation, situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery, (ii) may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities or the Federal Reserve System for U.S. Treasury securities; (iii) may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, or (v) in certain other situations (collectively, “non-standard orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to: (i) permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash; and (ii) include or remove Deposit Securities from the basket in anticipation of index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the subject Index being tracked by the relevant Fund or resulting from certain corporate actions.
PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CREATION UNITS. To be eligible to place orders with the Principal Underwriter to purchase a Creation Unit of a Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party”, i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM”), and have the ability to clear through the Federal Reserve System. In addition, each Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Principal Underwriter and the Transfer Agent, and that has been accepted by the Trust, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement, on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation transaction fee (described below) and any other applicable fees, taxes and additional variable charge.
All orders to purchase Shares directly from a Fund, including non-standard orders, must be placed for one or more Creation Units and in the manner and by the time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or the applicable order form. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement Date.”
An Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order (e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required). Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to purchase Shares directly from a Fund in Creation Units have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.
On days when the Exchange or the bond markets close earlier than normal, a Fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or markets on which a Fund’s investments are primarily traded is closed, such Fund will also generally not accept orders on such day(s). Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order form. Those placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order to the Principal Underwriter by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash and U.S. government securities), through DTC (for corporate securities and municipal securities), through a subcustody agent for (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign Deposit Securities, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of the Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself

39


 

or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Securities. Foreign Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, to the account of a Fund or its agents by no later than the Settlement Date. The “Settlement Date” for a Fund is generally the third Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash represented by the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date. If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received in a timely manner by the Settlement Date, the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to the applicable cut-off time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (as set forth on the applicable order form), with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (as set forth on the applicable order form) on the Settlement Date, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. A creation request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed.
ISSUANCE OF A CREATION UNIT. Except as provided herein, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Principal Underwriter and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.
In instances where the Trust accepts Deposit Securities for the purchase of a Creation Unit, the Creation Unit may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the net asset value of the Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) an additional amount of cash equal to a percentage of the market value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a separate non-interest bearing collateral account. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage, as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for all costs, expenses, dividends, income and taxes associated with missing Deposit Securities, including the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Principal Underwriter plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee as set forth below under “Creation Transaction Fees” will be charged in all cases and an additional variable charge may also be applied. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS OF CREATION UNITS. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted to it by the Principal Underwriter in respect of a Fund at its discretion, including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, delivered by the Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and/or the Adviser make it for all practical purposes not feasible to process orders for Creation Units. Examples of such circumstances include acts of

40


 

God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Principal Underwriter, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Principal Underwriter shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation Units.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
CREATION TRANSACTION FEE. A purchase (i.e., creation) transaction fee is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase of Creation Units, and investors will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee for creations on a given day regardless of the number of Creation Units created on that day. A Fund may adjust the creation transaction fee from time to time. An additional transaction charge or variable charge (discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders, cash purchases, or partial cash purchases. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.
REDEMPTION. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF A FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM SHARES IN AMOUNTS LESS THAN CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With respect to each Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time) on each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of each Fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities.
Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit are paid either in-kind or in cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of a Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Fund Securities — as announced by the Custodian on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee and any applicable additional variable charge as set forth below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the net asset value of the Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust’s discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more Fund Securities.
REDEMPTION TRANSACTION FEE. A redemption transaction fee is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units, and investors will be required to pay a fixed redemption transaction fee for redemptions on a given day regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed on that day. A Fund may adjust the redemption transaction fee from time to time. An additional charge or a variable charge (discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders, cash redemptions, or partial cash redemptions. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.
PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS. Orders to redeem Creation Units must be submitted in proper form to the Transfer Agent prior to the time as set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. A redemption request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the investor’s Shares through DTC’s facilities by the times and pursuant to the other

41


 

terms and conditions set forth in the Participant Agreement, the redemption request shall be rejected. To be eligible to place redemption orders for Creation Units of the Funds, an entity must be a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement and have the ability to transact through the Federal Reserve System. A redemption request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming beneficial owner by the Settlement Date. With respect to in-kind redemptions of a Fund, the calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value”, computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Principal Underwriter by a DTC Participant by the specified time on the Order Placement Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Custodian on such Order Placement Date. If the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered after the Settlement Date, the Fund will not release the underlying securities for delivery unless collateral is posted in such percentage amount of missing Shares as set forth in the Participant Agreement (marked to market daily).
An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) the Shares to be redeemed have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification with respect to a redemption request from a Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form and may be rejected by the Trust.
The Authorized Participant must transmit the request for redemption, in the form required by the Trust, to the Transfer Agent in accordance with procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order form. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed an Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, requests to redeem Creation Units may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant who has executed an Participant Agreement. Investors making a redemption request should be aware that such request must be in the form specified by such Authorized Participant. Investors making a request to redeem Creation Units should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the request by an Authorized Participant and transfer of the Shares to the Trust’s Transfer Agent; such investors should allow for the additional time that may be required to effect redemptions through their banks, brokers or other financial intermediaries if such intermediaries are not Authorized Participants.
With respect to in-kind redemptions of a Fund, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, a redeeming shareholder or Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such shareholder must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded (or such other arrangements as allowed by the Trust or its agents), to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within three Business Days of the trade date. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three business days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. The section below entitled “Local Market Holiday Schedules” identifies the instances where more than seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, in respect of the Fund, the Trust will make delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in the Local Market Holidays section to be the maximum number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds. If neither the redeeming Shareholder nor the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such redeeming Shareholder has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Fund Securities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such shares in cash, and the redeeming Shareholders will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.
If it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next

42


 

determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in net asset value.
Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and each Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” (“QIB”) as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive Fund Securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status in order to receive Fund Securities.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to a Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the NAV of the Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
REQUIRED EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as described in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form, certain Funds may require orders to be placed up to one or more business days prior to the trade date, as described in the Participant Agreement or the applicable order form, in order to receive the trade date’s net asset value. Orders to purchase Shares of such Funds that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) that the equity markets in the relevant foreign market are closed will not be accepted. Authorized Participants may be notified that the cut-off time for an order may be earlier on a particular business day, as described in the Participant Agreement and the applicable order form.
Creation and Redemption Transaction Fees:
         
        MAXIMUM
    TRANSACTION   TRANSACTION
FUND   FEE*, **   FEE*, **
SSgA Real Assets ETF
  $[    ]   $[    ]
SSgA Income Opportunities ETF
  $[    ]   $[    ]
SSgA Conservative Allocation ETF
  $[    ]   $[    ]
SSgA Moderate Allocation ETF
  $[    ]   $[    ]
SSgA Aggressive Allocation ETF
  $[    ]   $[    ]
SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF
  $[    ]   $[    ]
 
*   From time to time, any Fund may waive all or a portion of its applicable transaction fee(s). An additional charge of up to three (3) times the standard transaction fee may be charged to the extent a transaction is outside of the clearing process.
 
**   In addition to the transaction fees listed above, the Funds may charge an additional variable fee for creations and redemptions in cash to offset brokerage and impact expenses associated with the cash transaction. The variable transaction fee will be calculated based on historical transaction cost data and the Adviser’s view of current market conditions; however, the actual variable fee charged for a given transaction may be lower or higher than the trading expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to that transaction.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the sections in the applicable Prospectus entitled “PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION” and “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”

43


 

Net asset value per Share for each Fund of the Trust is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including the management fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining net asset value. The net asset value of a Fund is calculated by the Custodian and determined at the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open, provided that fixed-income assets (and, accordingly, a Fund’s net asset value) may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any day that the SIFMA (or applicable exchange or market on which a Fund’s investments are traded) announces an early closing time. Creation/redemption order cut-off times may also be earlier on such days.
In calculating a Fund’s net asset value per Share, the Fund’s investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund’s published net asset value per share. The Adviser may use various pricing services, or discontinue the use of any pricing service, as approved by the Board from time to time. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.
In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market value, the Trust’s procedures require the Pricing and Investment Committee to determine a security’s fair value if a market price is not readily available. In determining such value the Pricing and Investment Committee may consider, among other things, (i) price comparisons among multiple sources, (ii) a review of corporate actions and news events, and (iii) a review of relevant financial indicators (e.g., movement in interest rates, market indices, and prices from the Funds’ index providers). In these cases, the Fund’s net asset value may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Fund’s net asset value and the prices used by the Fund’s benchmark Index. This may result in a difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of the applicable Fund’s benchmark Index. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in each Prospectus entitled “DISTRIBUTIONS.”
GENERAL POLICIES
Dividends from net investment income, if any, are generally declared and paid quarterly by each Fund (and monthly for the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF), but may vary from quarter to quarter (or month to month). Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for a Fund to improve index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust.
The Trust makes additional distributions to the extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of a Fund as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

44


 

Broker dealers, at their own discretion, may offer a dividend reinvestment service under which Shares are purchased in the secondary market at current market prices. Investors should consult their broker dealer for further information regarding any dividend reinvestment service offered by such broker dealer.
TAXES
The following is only a summary of certain additional federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not described in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectuses is not intended to be a substitute for careful tax planning.
The following general discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is based on the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this Statement of Additional Information. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
The following information also supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectuses entitled “ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION.”
The Funds intend to qualify for and to elect treatment as a separate RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, each Fund should not be subject to federal income tax on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it timely distributes such income and capital gains to its shareholders. In order to be taxable as a RIC, a Fund must distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its net investment income (generally net investment income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and at least 90% of its net tax exempt interest income, for each tax year, if any, to its shareholders (“Distribution Requirement”) and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund’s gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from an interest in qualified publicly traded partnerships; (ii) at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the market value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (iii) at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or the securities of two or more issuers engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses if the Fund owns at least 20% of the voting power of such issuers, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. A Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein and in the Prospectuses. Losses in one Fund do not offset gains in another and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying RIC status are determined at the Fund level rather than at the Trust level.
If a Fund fails to satisfy the qualifying income in any taxable year, such Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. If these relief provisions are not available to a Fund for any year in which it fails to qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and its distributions (including capital gains distributions) generally will be taxable as ordinary income dividends to its shareholders, subject to the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders and lower tax rates on qualified dividend income for individual shareholders. In addition, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of a Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Although each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its capital gains for each taxable year, a Fund will be subject to federal income tax to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. If a Fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution generally will not be taxable but will reduce the shareholder’s cost basis and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

45


 

Each Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.
References made herein with respect to investments by a Fund also are intended where appropriate to describe certain tax consequences to an Underlying ETF in which such Fund may invest.
Dividends and interest received by Funds holding foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If a Fund meets certain requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its respective taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the Internal Revenue Service that may enable shareholders, in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid such Fund, subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to this election, the Fund will treat those taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders. Each such shareholder will be required to include a proportionate share of those taxes in gross income as income received from a foreign source and must treat the amount so included as if the shareholder had paid the foreign tax directly. The shareholder may then either deduct the taxes deemed paid by him or her in computing his or her taxable income or, alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating any foreign tax credit the shareholder may be entitled to use against such shareholder’s federal income tax. If the Fund makes this election, the Fund will report annually to its shareholders the respective amounts per share of the Fund’s income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions.
A Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts will be subject to special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Funds (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in their portfolios (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The Funds intend to monitor their transactions, intend to make the appropriate tax elections, and intend to make the appropriate entries in their books and records when they acquire any foreign currency or forward foreign currency contract in order to mitigate the effect of these rules so as to prevent disqualification of a Fund as a RIC and minimize the imposition of income and excise taxes.
If a Fund owns shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to as “passive foreign investment companies” or “PFIC,” the Fund will be subject to one of the following special tax regimes: (i) the Fund is liable for U.S. federal income tax, and an additional interest charge, on a portion of any “excess distribution” from such foreign entity or any gain from the disposition of such shares, even if the entire distribution or gain is paid out by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders; (ii) if the Fund were able and elected to treat a PFIC as a “qualifying electing fund” or “QEF,” the Fund would be required each year to include in income, and distribute to shareholders in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above, the Fund’s pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the passive foreign investment company, whether or not such earnings or gains are distributed to the Fund; or (iii) the Fund may be entitled to mark-to-market annually shares of the PFIC, and in such event would be required to distribute to shareholders any such mark-to-market gains in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above.
Each Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund and/or defer the Fund’s ability to recognize losses. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by a Fund.
Each Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. A Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% requirement. Each Fund distributes to shareholders at least annually any net capital gains which have been recognized for federal income tax purposes, including unrealized gains at the end of the Funds’ fiscal year on futures or options transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions of capital gains realized on each Fund’s other investments and shareholders are advised on the nature of the distributions.

46


 

As a result of entering into swap contracts, a Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. Each Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments, if positive, will generally constitute taxable ordinary income and, if negative, will reduce net tax-exempt income, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if a Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). The tax treatment of many types of credit default swaps is uncertain and may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by the Fund.
Investments by a Fund in zero coupon or other discount securities will result in income to the Fund equal to a portion of the excess face value of the securities over their issue price (the “original issue discount” or “OID”) each year that the securities are held, even though the Fund receives no cash interest payments. In other circumstances, whether pursuant to the terms of a security or as a result of other factors outside the control of the Fund, the Fund may recognize income without receiving a commensurate amount of cash. Such income is included in determining the amount of income that a Fund must distribute to maintain its status as a RIC and to avoid the payment of federal income tax, including the nondeductible 4% excise tax. Because such income may not be matched by a corresponding cash distribution to the Fund, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of other securities to be able to make distributions to its shareholders.
Any market discount recognized on a bond is taxable as ordinary income. A market discount bond is a bond acquired in the secondary market at a price below redemption value or adjusted issue price if issued with original issue discount. Absent an election by a Fund to include the market discount in income as it accrues, gain on the Fund’s disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount.
Special rules apply if a Fund holds inflation-indexed bonds (TIPs). Generally, all stated interest on such bonds is taken into income by a Fund under its regular method of accounting for interest income. The amount of positive inflation adjustment, which results in an increase in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, is treated as OID. The OID is included in the Fund’s gross income ratably during the period ending with the maturity of the bond, under the general OID inclusion rules. The amount of a Fund’s OID in a taxable year with respect to a bond will increase a Fund’s taxable income for such year without a corresponding receipt of cash, until the bond matures. As a result, the Fund may need to use other sources of cash to satisfy its distributions for such year. The amount of negative inflation adjustments, which results in a decrease in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, reduces the amount of interest (including stated interest, OID, and market discount, if any) otherwise includable in the Fund’s income with respect to the bond for the taxable year.
The Funds intend to distribute annually to their shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income, all of its net tax-exempt income and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). The Funds will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends received deduction, if any. A portion of the dividends received from a Fund may be treated as qualified dividend income (eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (lower rates apply to individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income includes, in general, subject to certain holding period requirements and other requirements, dividend income from certain U.S. and foreign corporations. Eligible foreign corporations include those incorporated in possessions of the United States, those incorporated in certain countries with comprehensive tax treaties with the United States and those whose stock is tradable on an established securities market in the United States. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that (i) the shareholder has not held the shares of the Fund on which the dividend was paid for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the shares of the Fund become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (and the Fund also satisfies those holding period requirements with respect to the securities it holds that paid the dividends distributed to the shareholder), (ii) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, or (iii) the shareholder elects to treat such dividend as investment income under section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. A Fund may derive capital gains and losses in connection with the sale or other disposition of its portfolio securities. Distributions from net short-term capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions from net long-term gains will be taxable to you at long-term capital gains rates, regardless of how long you have held your Shares in a Fund. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT or another RIC may be treated as qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are attributable to qualified dividend income received by such REIT or RIC. It is expected that dividends received by a Fund from a REIT and distributed to a shareholder generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.

47


 

In general, a sale of Shares results in capital gain or loss, and for individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length of time the Shares were held. A redemption of a shareholder’s Fund Shares is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes. Fund Shares held for a period of one year or less at the time of such sale or redemption will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term capital gains or losses and those held for more than one year will generally result in long-term capital gains or losses. Under current law, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains available to non-corporate shareholders generally is 15%. As noted above, without future legislation, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains would return to 20% in 2011.
Recent legislation effective beginning in 2013 provides that U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly) will be subject to a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on their “net investment income,” including interest, dividends, and capital gains (including capital gains realized on the sale or exchange of shares of a Fund).
Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes depending on a shareholder’s circumstances.
Dividends paid by a Fund to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gain (other than “qualified short-term capital gain dividends” and “interest-related dividends” described below) or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in the United States. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the applicability of the United States withholding tax and the proper withholding form(s) to be submitted to a Fund. A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an appropriate IRS Form W-8 may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate. In addition, beginning in 2013, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% tax rate will be imposed on dividends and proceeds of sales paid to foreign shareholders if certain disclosure requirements are not satisfied.
A Fund may, under certain circumstances, designate all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” that if received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided that certain other requirements are met. A Fund may also, under certain circumstances, designate all or a portion of a dividend as a “qualified short-term capital gain dividend” which if received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless the foreign person is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year. In the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts. The provisions relating to dividends to foreign persons would apply to dividends with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning before January 1, 2012.
The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”) makes non-U.S. persons subject to U.S. tax on disposition of a U.S. real property interest as if he or she were a U.S. person. Such gain is sometimes referred to as “FIRPTA gain”. The Internal Revenue Code provides a look-through rule for distributions of “FIRPTA gain” by a RIC if all of the following requirements are met: (i) the RIC is classified as a “qualified investment entity” (a “qualified investment entity” includes a RIC if, in general, more than 50% of the RIC’s assets consists of interests in REITs and U.S. real property holding corporations); and (ii) you are a non-U.S. shareholder that owns more than 5% of a class of Fund Shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. If these conditions are met, Fund distributions to you are treated as gain from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”), causing the distribution to be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 35%, and requiring that you file a nonresident U.S. income tax return. Also, such gain may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation. Even if a non-U.S. shareholder does not own more than 5% of a class of the Fund’s shares, Fund distributions to you that are attributable to gain from the sale or disposition of a USRPI will be taxable as ordinary dividends subject to withholding at a 30% or lower treaty rate.
A Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold at applicable withholding rates and remit to the United States Treasury the amount withheld on amounts payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) who is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k)s, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Under current law, a Fund generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by their tax-exempt shareholders. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue of their investment in a Fund where, for example, (i) the Fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or (ii) Shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within

48


 

the meaning of section 514(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisors. There are no restrictions preventing a Fund from holding investments in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs, and a Fund may do so. The Internal Revenue Service has issued recent guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding these issues.
An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
A Fund has the right to reject an order to for Creation Units if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the respective Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. A Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Under promulgated Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Fund’s Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. In addition, pursuant to recently enacted legislation, significant penalties may be imposed for the failure to comply with the reporting requirements. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.
CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
Each Fund issues Shares of beneficial interest, no par value per Share. The Board may designate additional funds.
Each Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of the corresponding Fund. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the relevant Fund, and in the net distributable assets of such Fund on liquidation.
Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all Funds vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted

49


 

on affects only a particular Fund it will be voted on only by that Fund and if a matter affects a particular Fund differently from other Funds, that Fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Massachusetts law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust (regardless of the Fund) have noncumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees. Under Massachusetts law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust, requires that Trust obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust’s property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and the nature of each Fund’s assets and operations, the risk to shareholders of personal liability is believed to be remote.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, State Street Global Markets, LLC at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, serves as counsel to the Trust. [_________], [ADDRESS], serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust. [      ] performs annual audits of the Funds’ financial statements and provides other audit, tax and related services.
LOCAL MARKET HOLIDAY SCHEDULES
The Trust generally intends to effect deliveries of portfolio securities on a basis of “T” plus three business days (i.e., days on which the NYSE is open) in the relevant foreign market of a Fund. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind redemptions within three business days of receipt of a redemption request is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the request to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are local market holidays on the relevant business days. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the local market that are not holidays observed in the United States, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening local holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within three business days.
The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with local market holiday schedules, may require a delivery process longer than the standard settlement period. In certain circumstances during the calendar year, the settlement period may be greater than seven calendar days. Such periods are listed in the table below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed in the table below. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.
         
        TRADE DATE(S) W/ SETTLEMENT OF GREATER THAN 7
MARKET   MAX SETL CYCLE   CALENDAR DAYS (MAX DAYS IN PARENTHESIS)
Australia
  7 days    
Austria
  7 days    
Belgium
  7 days    
Brazil
  7 days    
Canada
  7 days    
Chile
  5 days    
China
  12 days   1/28/11 (12); 1/31/11 (10); 2/1/1 (10); 2/2/11 (9); 2/3/11 (8); 9/28/11 (12); 9/29/11 (12); 9/30/11 (12); 10/3/11 (9); 10/4/11 (8)
Czech Republic
  7 days    
Denmark
  7 days    
Egypt
  10 days   11/10/10 (8); 11/11/10 (10); 11/14/10 (8); 11/4/11 (10); 11/14/11 (9); 11/15/10 (8)
Euroclear
  6 days    
Finland
  7 days    
France
  7 days    
Germany
  7 days    
Greece
  7 days    
Hong Kong
  10 days   1/28/11 (10); 1/31/11 (8); 2/1/1 (8)
Hungary
  7 days    
India
  5 days    
Indonesia
  7 days    
Ireland
  7 days    
Israel
  10 days   9/23/11 (10); 9/26/11 (7); 9/27/11 (8);
Italy
  7 days    
Japan
  10 days   4/28/11 (8); 4/29/11 (10); 5/2/11 (8)
Jordan
  7 days    
Korea
  6 days    
Malaysia
  9 days   8/26/11 (9); 8/29/11 (8)
Mexico
  7 days    
Morocco
  7 days    
Netherlands
  7 days    
New Zealand
  7 days    
Norway
  8 days   3/29/11 (8); 3/30/11 (8); 3/31/11(8)
Pakistan
  7 days    
Peru
  7 days    
Philippines
  7 days    
Poland
  7 days    
Portugal
  7 days    
Russia
  8 days   1/3/11 (8)
Singapore
  7 days    
South Africa
  7 days    
South Korea
  10 days   1/28/11 (10); 1/31/11 (8); 2/1/1 (8)
Spain
  7 days    
Sweden
  7 days    
Switzerland
  7 days    
Taiwan
  10 days   1/28/11 (10); 1/31/11 (8); 2/1/1 (8)
Thailand
  10 days   4/8/11 (10); 4/11/11 (8); 4/12/11 (8)
Turkey
  11 days   8/25/11 (11); 8/26/11 (11); 8/29/11 (8); 11/3/11 (8); 11/14/11 (9)
United Kingdom
  7 days    

50


 

PROXY VOTING POLICY
JANUARY 2011
  STATE STREET GLOBAL ADVISORS®
Introduction
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“FM”) seeks to vote proxies for which we have discretionary authority in the best interests of our clients. This means that we make proxy voting decisions in the manner we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client accounts. Absent unusual circumstances or specific client instructions, we vote proxies on a particular matter in the same way for all clients, regardless of their investment style or strategies. FM takes the view that voting in a manner consistent with maximizing the monetary value of our clients’ holdings will benefit our direct clients (e.g. investment funds) and, indirectly, the ultimate owners and beneficiaries of those clients (e.g. fund shareholders).
Oversight of the proxy voting process is the responsibility of the SSgA Investment Committee. The SSgA Investment Committee reviews and approves amendments to this FM Proxy Voting Policy and delegates authority to vote in accordance with this policy to the FM Proxy Review Committee, a subcommittee of the SSgA Investment Committee, which is supported by the FM Corporate Governance Team. FM retains the final authority and responsibility for voting. In addition to voting proxies, SSgA:
     1) describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients in Part II of its Form ADV;
     2) provides the client with this written proxy policy, upon request;
     3) discloses to its clients how they may obtain information on how FM voted the client’s proxies;
     4) matches proxies received with holdings as of record date;
     5) reconciles holdings as of record date and rectifies any discrepancies;
     6) generally applies its proxy voting policy consistently and keeps records of votes for each client;
     7) documents the reason(s) for voting for all non-routine items; and
     8) keeps records of such proxy voting available for inspection by the client or governmental agencies.
Process
The FM Corporate Governance Team is comprised of corporate governance professionals and governance analysts. The responsibilities of the FM Corporate Governance Team include corporate governance research and analysis across domestic and global investment strategies, with oversight of all governance and proxy voting processing on FM discretionary portfolios. In addition, the FM Corporate Governance Team assumes responsibility for voting decisions on certain case-by-case items, informal commencement of engagement activities for the purposes of advocating FM positions on various governance issues, and the research and analysis of all governance related issues impacting shareholder value. As stated above, oversight of the proxy voting process is the responsibility of the SSgA Investment Committee.
In order to facilitate our proxy voting process, FM retains Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), a firm with expertise in the proxy voting and corporate governance fields. ISS assists in the proxy voting process, including acting as our voting agent (i.e. actually processing the proxies), advising us as to current and emerging governance issues that we may wish to address, interpreting this policy and applying it to individual proxy items, and providing analytical information concerning specific issuers and proxy items as well as governance trends and developments. This Policy does not address all issues as to which we may receive proxies nor does it seek to describe in detail all factors that we may consider relevant to any particular proposal. To assist ISS in interpreting and applying this Policy, we meet with ISS at least annually, provide written guidance on certain topics generally on an annual basis and communicate more regularly as necessary to discuss how specific issues should be addressed. This guidance permits ISS to apply this Policy without consulting us as to each proxy but in a manner that is consistent with our investment view and not its own governance opinions. If an issue raised by a proxy is not addressed by this Policy or our prior guidance to ISS, ISS refers the proxy to us for direction on voting. On issues that we do not believe affect the monetary value of our portfolio holdings or are considered by us to be routine matters as to which we have not provided specific guidance, we have agreed with ISS for ISS to act as our voting agent in voting such proxies in accordance with its own recommendations which, to the extent possible, take into account this Policy and FM’s general positions on similar matters. The FM Corporate Governance Team is responsible, working with ISS, for submitting proxies in a timely

A-1


 

manner and in accordance with our policy. The FM Corporate Governance Team works with ISS to establish and update detailed procedures to implement this policy.
From time to time, proxy votes will be solicited, which fall into one of the following categories:
  (i)   proxies that involve special circumstances and require additional research and discussion (e.g. a material merger or acquisition, or a material governance issue with the potential to become a significant precedent in corporate governance); or
 
  (ii)   proxies that are not directly addressed by our policies and which are reasonably anticipated to have an impact on the current or potential value of a security or which we do not consider to be routine.
The FM Corporate Governance Team identifies these proxies using a number of methods, including but not limited to, in house governance research, notifications from ISS and other third party research providers, concerns of clients or issuers, review by FM Corporate Governance Team analysts, and questions from consultants. The role of third parties in identifying special circumstances does not mean that we will depart from our guidelines; these third parties are all treated as information sources. If they raise issues that we determine to be material before voting a particular proxy or departing from our prior guidance to ISS, we will weigh the issue along with other relevant factors before making an informed decision. In all cases, we vote proxies as to which we have voting discretion in a manner that we determine to be in the best interest of our clients. As stated above, if the proposal has a quantifiable effect on shareholder value, we seek to maximize the value of a portfolio’s holdings. With respect to matters that are not quantifiable, we exercise greater judgment but still seek to maximize long-term value by promoting sound governance policies.
In instances of significant circumstances or issues not directly addressed by our policies or guidance to ISS, the issue is referred to the FM Global Proxy Review Committee (“FM PRC”) for a determination of the proxy vote. In making the determination whether to refer a proxy vote to the FM PRC, the FM Corporate Governance Team will examine whether there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of our client and those of FM or its affiliates (as explained in greater detail below under “Potential Conflicts”). If the Manager of FM’s Corporate Governance Team determines that there is a material conflict, the process detailed below under “Potential Conflicts” is followed. If there is no material conflict, we examine the proposals that involve special circumstances or are not addressed by our policy or guidance in detail in seeking to determine what vote would be in the best interests of our clients (i.e., to maximize the economic value of our clients’ securities). The FM PRC may determine that a proxy involves the consideration of particularly significant issues and present the proxy item to the SSgA Investment Committee for a final decision on voting the proxy. The SSgA Investment Committee will use the same rationale for determining the appropriate vote.
FM reviews proxies of non-US issuers consistent with these guidelines; however, FM also endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting non-US proxies. This may lead to contrasting votes to the extent that local market practices around items requiring shareholder approval differ from market to market. For example, in certain non-US markets, items are put to vote that have little or no effect on shareholder value, but are routinely voted on in those jurisdictions; in the absence of material effect on our clients, we will follow local market practice. FM votes in all markets where it is feasible; however, FM may refrain from voting meetings where voting will have a material impact on our ability to trade the security or where issuer-specific special documentation is required. FM is unable to vote proxies when certain custodians, used by our clients, do not offer proxy voting in a jurisdiction or when they charge a meeting specific fee in excess of the typical custody service agreement.

A-2


 

Proxy Voting Guidelines
For most issues and in most circumstances, we abide by the following general guidelines. However, it is important to remember that these are simply guidelines. As discussed above, in certain circumstances, we may determine that it would be in the best interests of our clients to deviate from these guidelines.
I. Generally, FM votes for the following ballot items:
Board of Directors
  Elections of directors in an uncontested election who (i) we determine to be adequately independent of management and (ii) do not simultaneously serve on an unreasonable (as determined by FM) number of other boards (other than those affiliated with the issuer). Factors that we consider in evaluating independence include whether the nominee is an employee of or related to an employee of the issuer or its auditor, whether the nominee provides professional services to the issuer, whether the nominee has attended an appropriate number of scheduled board meetings (as determined by FM), or whether the nominee receives non-board related compensation from the issuer
 
  Directors’ compensation, provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other issuers in the market or industry. In making such a determination, we review whether the compensation is overly dilutive to existing shareholders
 
  Proposals to limit directors’ liability and/or expand indemnification of directors, provided that a director shall only be eligible for indemnification and liability protection if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office
 
  Discharge of board members’ duties*, in the absence of pending litigation, governmental investigation, charges of fraud or other indications of significant concern
 
  The establishment of annual elections of the board of directors unless the board is comprised of a supermajority of independent directors (e.g., 80% or more), including wholly independent board committees, and the company does not have a shareholder rights plan (poison pill)
 
  Mandates requiring a majority of independent directors on the board of directors
 
  Mandates that audit, compensation and nominating committee members should all be independent directors
 
  Mandates giving the audit committee the sole responsibility for the selection and dismissal of the auditing firm and any subsequent result of audits are reported to the audit committee
 
  Elimination of cumulative voting
 
  Establishment of confidential voting
 
  Proposals seeking to establish or decrease an existing required ownership threshold that offer shareholders the right to call special meetings to as low as 10% of shares outstanding.
 
  Proposals seeking to fix the board size or designate a range for the board size
 
  Proposals to restore shareholders’ ability to remove directors with or without cause
 
  Proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies
 
  Shareholder proposals seeking disclosure regarding the company, board, or compensation committee’s use of compensation consultants, such as company name, business relationship(s) and fees paid

A-3


 

Auditors
  Approval of auditors, unless the fees paid to auditors are excessive; auditors’ fees will be deemed excessive if the non-audit fees for the prior year constituted 50% or more of the total fees paid to the auditors
 
  Auditors’ compensation, provided the issuer has properly disclosed audit and non-audit fees relative to market practice and that non-audit fees for the prior year constituted no more than 50% of the total fees paid to the auditors
 
  Discharge of auditors2
 
  Approval of financial statements, auditor reports and allocation of income
 
  Requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders
 
  Disclosure of auditor and consulting relationships when the same or related entities are conducting both activities
 
  Establishment of a selection committee responsible for the final approval of significant management consultant contract awards where existing firms are already acting in an auditing function
Capitalization
  Dividend payouts that are greater than or equal to country and industry standards; we generally support a dividend that constitutes 30% or more of net income
 
  Authorization of share repurchase programs, unless the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase
 
  Capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights
 
  Changes in capitalization authorization for stock splits, stock dividends, and other specified needs that are no more than 50% of the existing authorization for U.S. companies and no more than 100% of existing authorization for non-U.S. companies.
 
  Elimination of pre-emptive rights for share issuance of less than a certain percentage (country specific: ranging from 5% to 20%) of the outstanding shares, unless even such small amount could have a material dilutive effect on existing shareholders (e.g. in illiquid markets)
Anti-Takeover Measures
  Elimination of shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”)
 
  Amendment to a shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders’ ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no “dead hand,” “slow hand,” “no hand” or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced)
 
  Adoption or renewal of a non-US issuer’s shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”) if the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no “dead hand,” “slow hand,” “no hand” or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced
 
  Reduction or elimination of super-majority vote requirements, unless management of the issuer was concurrently seeking to or had previously made such reduction or elimination
 
  Mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”)
 
2   Common for non-US issuers; request from the issuer to discharge from liability the directors or auditors with respect to actions taken by them during the previous year.

A-4


 

  Repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions
Executive Compensation/Equity Compensation
  Stock purchase plans with an exercise price of not less that 85% of fair market value
 
  Stock option plans which are incentive based and not excessively dilutive. In order to assess the dilutive effect, we divide the number of shares required to fully fund the proposed plan, the number of authorized but unissued shares, and the issued but unexercised shares by fully diluted share count. We review that number in light of certain factors, including the industry of the issuer
 
  Other stock-based plans that are not excessively dilutive, using the same process set forth in the preceding bullet
 
  Management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period
 
  Management proposals to adopt executive pay advisory votes on an annual basis
 
  Expansions to reporting of financial or compensation-related information, within reason
 
  Proposals requiring the disclosure of executive retirement benefits if the issuer does not have an independent compensation committee
 
  Remuneration policies that are judged to be in-line with local market practices
Routine Business Items
  General updating of or corrective amendments to charter and by-laws not otherwise specifically addressed herein, unless such amendments would reasonably be expected to diminish shareholder rights (e.g. extension of directors’ term limits, amending shareholder vote requirement to amend the charter documents, insufficient information provided as to the reason behind the amendment)
 
  Change in corporation name
 
  Mandates that amendments to bylaws or charters have shareholder approval
 
  Management proposals to change the date, time, and/or location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable
Other
  Adoption of anti-greenmail provisions
 
  Repeals or prohibitions of greenmail provisions
 
  Opting-out of business combination provision
 
  Reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election when voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate
 
  Management proposals to implement a reverse stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced
 
  Management proposals to implement a reverse stock split to avoid delisting
 
  Proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent
 
  Proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management
 
  Liquidation of the company if the company will file for bankruptcy if the proposal is not approved
 
  Shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote
 
  Shareholder proposals requiring the separation of the chairman/CEO position taking into account company performance

A-5


 

II. Generally, FM votes against the following items:
Board of Directors
  Establishment of classified boards of directors, unless 80% of the board is independent and the company does not have shareholder rights plan (poison pill)
 
  Proposals requesting re-election of insiders or affiliated directors who serve on audit, compensation, or nominating committees
 
  Limits to tenure of directors
 
  Requirements that candidates for directorships own large amounts of stock before being eligible to be elected
 
  Restoration of cumulative voting in the election of directors
 
  Removal of a director, unless we determine the director (i) is not adequately independent of management or (ii) simultaneously serves on an unreasonable (as determined by FM) number of other boards (other than those affiliated with the issuer). Factors that we consider in evaluating independence include whether the director is an employee of or related to an employee of the issuer or its auditor, whether the director provides professional services to the issuer, or whether the director receives non-board related compensation from the issuer
 
  The elimination of shareholders’ right to call special meetings or attempts to raise the ownership threshold beyond reasonable levels (as determined by FM)
 
  Proposals that relate to the “transaction of other business as properly comes before the meeting”, which extend “blank check” powers to those acting as proxy
 
  Approval of directors who have failed to act on a shareholder proposal that has been approved by a majority of outstanding shares
 
  Directors at companies where prior non-cash compensation was improperly backdated or spring-loaded
 
  Proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies
 
  Proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval
 
  Shareholder proposals requiring two candidates per board seat
 
  Proposals asking the board to adopt any form of majority voting for election of directors, unless the majority standard indicated is based on a majority of shares outstanding
Capitalization
  Capitalization changes that add “blank check” classes of stock (i.e. classes of stock with undefined voting rights) or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders
 
  Capitalization changes that exceed 100% of the issuer’s current authorized capital unless management provides an appropriate rationale for such change
Anti-Takeover Measures
  Anti-takeover and related provisions that serve to prevent the majority of shareholders from exercising their rights or effectively deter appropriate tender offers and other offers
 
  Shareholder rights plans that do not include a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced
 
  Adoption or renewal of a US issuer’s shareholder rights plan (“poison pill”)
 
  Adjournment of meeting to solicit additional votes in connection with a merger or transaction

A-6


 

Executive Compensation/Equity Compensation
  Excessive compensation (i.e. compensation plans that are deemed by FM to be overly dilutive)
 
  Retirement bonuses for non-executive directors and auditors
 
  Proposals requiring the disclosure of executive retirement benefits if the issuer has an independent compensation committee
 
  Management proposals on executive compensation where there is a weak relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period
Routine Business Items
  Proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal
 
  Amendments to bylaws that would require supermajority shareholder votes to pass or repeal certain provisions
 
  Reincorporation to a location that we believe has more negative attributes than its current location of incorporation.
 
  Shareholder proposals to change the date, time, and/or location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable
 
  Proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item
 
  Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws
 
  Proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent
Other
  Proposals asking companies to adopt full tenure holding periods for their executives
Mergers and Acquisitions
FM evaluates Mergers and Acquisitions on a case-by-case basis. Consistent with our proxy policy, we support management in seeking to achieve their objectives for shareholders. However, in all cases, FM uses its discretion in order to maximize shareholder value. FM generally votes as follows:
  Against offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock, especially in some non-US markets
 
  Against offers when we believe that reasonable prospects exist for an enhanced bid or other bidders
 
  Against offers where, at the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price
 
  For proposals to restructure or liquidate closed end investment funds in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value
 
  For offers made at a premium where no other higher bidder exists
Special Note Regarding Social and Environmental Proposals
Proposals relating to social and environmental issues, typically initiated by shareholders, generally request that the company disclose or amend certain business practices. Often, proposals may address concerns with which FM philosophically agrees, but absent a compelling economic impact on shareholder value, FM will typically abstain from voting on these proposals.

A-7


 

Protecting Shareholder Value
FM has designed our proxy voting policy and procedures with the intent that our clients receive the best possible returns on their investments.
FM regularly engages with companies to discuss a variety of corporate governance issues, with the goal of obtaining insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. Through our discussions with boards and management, we seek to strengthen the quality of corporate governance, as a means to protect and enhance shareholder value. We meet directly with corporation representatives and participate in conference calls and third-party inquiries in order to ensure our processes are as fully informed as possible. During our discussions, we focus on the attributes and practices that we believe enhance our clients’ returns, and we use each piece of information we receive—whether from clients, consultants, the media, issuers, ISS, or other sources—as one part of our analysis in seeking to carry out our duties as a fiduciary and act in the best interest of our clients. We are not unduly influenced by the identity of any particular source, but use all the information to form our opinion as to the best outcome for our clients.
Through our membership in the Council of Institutional Investors as well as our contact with corporate pension plans, public funds, and unions, we are able to communicate extensively with other shareholders regarding events and issues relevant to individual corporations, general industry, and current shareholder concerns.
In addition to tracking lists provided by third party advisory firms, the Governance Team screens for underperforming issuers that may trigger a deeper review of company governance profiles and practices. The Governance Team, along with the Proxy Review Committee when necessary, will monitor and perform case-by-case analyses of companies identified through these screens.
As an active shareholder, FM’s role is to support corporate policies that serve the best interests of our clients. Though we do not seek involvement in the day-to-day operations of an organization, we recognize the need for conscientious oversight of and input into management decisions that may affect a company’s value. We believe that FM should support proposals that encourage economically advantageous corporate practices and governance, while leaving direct oversight of company management and strategy to boards of directors. To that end, our monitoring of corporate management and industry events is substantially more detailed than that of the typical shareholder. We have demonstrated our willingness to vote against management-sponsored initiatives and to support shareholder proposals when appropriate. To date, while we have not filed proposals or initiated letter-writing or other campaigns, we have used our active participation in the corporate governance process—especially the proxy voting process—to communicate our and our clients’ legitimate shareholder concerns. Should an issue arise in conjunction with a specific corporation that cannot be satisfactorily resolved through these means, we shall consider other approaches.
Potential Conflicts
As discussed above under Process, from time to time, FM will review a proxy which may present a potential conflict of interest. As a fiduciary to its clients, FM takes these potential conflicts very seriously While FM’s only goal in addressing any such potential conflict is to ensure that proxy votes are cast in the clients’ best interests and are not affected by FM’s potential conflict, there are a number of courses FM may take. Although various relationships could be deemed to give rise to a conflict of interest, we have determined that two categories of relationships present a sufficiently serious concern to warrant an alternative process: customers of FM or its affiliates which are among the top 100 clients of State Street Corporation or its affiliates based upon revenue; and the 10 largest broker-dealers used by SSgA, based upon revenue (a “Material Relationship”).
When the matter falls clearly within the polices set forth above or the guidance previously provided by FM to ISS and the proxy is to be voted in accordance with that guidance, we do not believe that such decision represents a conflict of interest and no special procedures are warranted.

A-8


 

In circumstances where either (i) the matter does not fall clearly within the policies set forth above or the guidance previously provided to ISS, or (ii) FM determines that voting in accordance with such policies or guidance is not in the best interests of its clients, the Head of Corporate Governance will compare the name of the issuer against a list of the top 100 revenue generating clients of State Street Corporation and its affiliates and a list of the top 10 broker-dealer relationships to determine if a Material Relationship exists. (These lists are updated quarterly.) If the issuer’s name appears on either list and the pre-determined policy is not being followed, FM will employ the services of a third party, wholly independent of FM, its affiliates and those parties involved in the proxy issue, to determine the appropriate vote. However, in certain circumstances the FM Proxy Review Committee may determine that the use of a third party fiduciary is not necessary or appropriate, either because the matter involved does not involve a material issue or because the issue in question affects the underlying value of the portfolio position and it is appropriate for FM, notwithstanding the potential conflict of interest, to vote the security in a manner that it determines will maximize the value to its client. In such situations, the FM Proxy Committee, or if a broader discussion is warranted, the SSgA Investment Committee, shall make a decision as to the voting of the proxy. The basis for the voting decision, including the basis for the determination that the decision is in the best interests of FM’s clients, shall be formalized in writing as a part of the minutes to the Investment Committee.
Recordkeeping
In accordance with applicable law, FM shall retain the following documents for not less than five years from the end of the year in which the proxies were voted, the first two years in FM’s office:
1) FM’s Proxy Voting Policy and any additional procedures created pursuant to such Policy;
2) a copy of each proxy statement FM receives regarding securities held by its clients (note: this requirement may be satisfied by a third party who has agreed in writing to do so or by obtaining a copy of the proxy statement from the EDGAR database);
3) a record of each vote cast by FM (note: this requirement may be satisfied by a third party who has agreed in writing to do so);
4) a copy of any document created by FM that was material in making its voting decision or that memorializes the basis for such decision; and
5) a copy of each written request from a client, and response to the client, for information on how FM voted the client’s proxies.
More Information
Any client who wishes to receive information on how its proxies were voted should contact its FM relationship manager.
Copyright 2011 SSgA FM. All rights reserved.
PEM-0033

A-9


 

GSO / BLACKSTONE DEBT FUNDS MANAGEMENT LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Introduction
     As an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) has a duty to monitor corporate events and to vote proxies, as well as a duty to cast votes in the best interest of clients and not subrogate client interests to its own interests. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act places specific requirements on registered investment advisers with proxy voting authority.
Proxy Policies
     Due to the nature of the SSgA Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan ETF’s (the “Fund”) investment strategy, equity securities will generally not be a large portion of the investments of the Fund. Nevertheless, the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that the Sub-Adviser votes proxies in the best interest of the Fund and addresses how it will resolve any conflict of interest that may arise when voting proxies and, in so doing, to maximize the value of the investments made by the Fund, taking into consideration the Fund’s investment horizons and other relevant factors. It will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted for a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by its clients. Although the Sub-Adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on its clients’ portfolio securities, it may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.
     Decisions on how to vote a proxy generally are made by the Sub-Adviser. The investment committee and the members of the investment team covering the applicable security often have the most intimate knowledge of both a company’s operations and the potential impact of a proxy vote’s outcome. Decisions are based on a number of factors which may vary depending on a proxy’s subject matter, but are guided by the general policies described in the proxy policy. In addition, the Sub-Adviser may determine not to vote a proxy after consideration of the vote’s expected benefit to clients and the cost of voting the proxy. To ensure that its vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, the Adviser will require the members of the investment committee to disclose any personal conflicts of interest they may have with respect to overseeing a Fund’s investment in a particular company.
Proxy Voting Records
     You may obtain information, without charge, regarding how we voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC, 280 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

A-10


 

PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
     
(a)
  Registrant’s Declaration of Trust is filed herewith.
 
   
(b)
  Registrant’s By-Laws are filed herewith.
 
   
(c)
  Not applicable.
 
   
(d)(i)
  Form of Advisory Agreement between the Trust and SSgA Funds Management, Inc., is filed herewith.
 
   
(d)(ii)
  Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and GSO/Blackstone Debt Funds Management, LLC (“GSO/Blackstone”), is filed herewith.
 
   
(e)(i)
  Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and State Street Global Markets, LLC, is filed herewith.
 
   
(e)(ii)
  Form of Authorized Participant Agreement, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(f)
  Not applicable.
 
   
(g)
  Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(h)(i)
  Administration Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(h)(ii)
  Transfer Agency and Services Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(i)
  Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(j)
  Consent of independent registered public accountants, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(k)
  Not applicable.
 
   
(l)
  Subscription Agreement, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(m)
  Distribution and Service Plan to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(n)
  Not applicable.
 
   
(o)
  Not applicable.
 
   
(p)(i)
  Registrant’s Code of Ethics is filed herewith.
 
   
(p)(ii)
  Code of Ethics of SSgA Funds Management, Inc., to be filed by amendment.

 


 

     
(p)(iii)
  Code of Ethics of GSO/Blackstone, to be filed by amendment.
 
   
(q)
  Powers of Attorney for Ms. Boatman and Messrs. Churchill, Verboncoeur, Kelly, Nesvet, Ross and Hallett, are filed herewith.
 
   
(r)
  Secretary’s Certificate is filed herewith.
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Registrant
The Board of Trustees of the Trust is the same as the boards of the SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds which also have SSgA Funds Management, Inc. as their investment adviser. In addition, the officers of the Trust are substantially identical to the officers of the SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds. Nonetheless, the Trust takes the position that it is not under common control with other trusts because the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official position with the respective trusts.
Item 30. Indemnification
Pursuant to Section V.3 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, the Trust will indemnify any person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him/her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he/she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his/her being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him/her in the settlement thereof, if he/she acted in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions in question did not render him/her liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duties or by reason of reckless disregard of his/her obligations and duties to the Registrant. The Registrant may also advance money for litigation expenses provided that Trustees, officers, employees and/or agents give their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct is later determined to permit indemnification.
Pursuant to Section V.2 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant. Pursuant to paragraph 9 of the Registrant’s Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions of Rule 484 under the Act, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question

 


 

whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release 11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in effect.
The Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of Registrant, or who is or was serving at the request of Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him/her and incurred by him/her or arising out of his/her position. However, in no event will Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him/her.
Item 31. Business And Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of each investment adviser is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA FM” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for each series of the Trust. SSgA FM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company. SSgA FM and other advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation make up State Street Global Advisors (“SSgA”), the investment arm of State Street Corporation. The principal address of the Adviser is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. SSgA FM is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
         
    Capacity    
Name   With Adviser   Business Name and Address of Other Position
Thomas P. Kelly
  Treasurer   Managing Director and Comptroller, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
 
       
Phillip S. Gillespie
  Director and Chief Legal Officer   Executive Vice President and General Counsel, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
 
       
Shawn Johnson
  Director   Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
 
       
James E. Ross
  President & Director   Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
 
       
Cuan F.H. Coulter
  Chief Compliance
Officer
  Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State

 


 

         
    Capacity    
Name   With Adviser   Business Name and Address of Other Position
 
      Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
 
       
Ellen Needham
  Chief Operating
Officer
  Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
GSO/Blackstone serves as the investment sub-adviser for a series of the Trust. [GSO/Blackstone information to be provided by amendment]
See “Management” in the applicable Prospectus and “Management of the Trust” in the applicable Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the business of SSgA FM and GSO/Blackstone.
Item 32 Principal Underwriters
(a)   State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as the Trust’s principal underwriter and also serves as the principal underwriter for the following investment companies: SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSgA Funds.
(b)   The following is a list of the executive officers, directors and partners of State Street Global Markets, LLC (none of the persons set forth below holds a position or office with the Trust):
     
Nicolas J. Bonn
  Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Director
Ross McLelland
  President and Director
Vincent Manzi
  Chief Compliance Officer
William Helfrich
  Treasurer and FINOP
Howard Fairweather
  Director
Stefan Gavell
  Director
Aditya Mohan
  Director
Anthony Rochte
  Director
Mark Snyder
  Director
R. Bryan Woodard
  Director
(c)   Not applicable.
Item 33. Location Of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and/or State Street Bank and Trust Company, each with offices located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.

 


 

Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.

 


 

SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 1st day of April, 2011.
         
  SPDR® SERIES TRUST
 
 
  By:   /s/ James E. Ross*    
    James E. Ross   
    President   
 
SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
         
SIGNATURES   TITLE   DATE
 
       
/s/ Chad C. Hallett
 
Chad C. Hallett
  Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer    April 1, 2011
 
       
/s/ Bonny E. Boatman*
 
Bonny E. Boatman
  Trustee    April 1, 2011
 
       
/s/ Dwight D. Churchill*
 
Dwight D. Churchill
  Trustee    April 1, 2011
 
       
/s/ David M. Kelly*
 
David M. Kelly
  Trustee    April 1, 2011
 
       
/s/ Frank Nesvet*
 
Frank Nesvet
  Trustee    April 1, 2011
 
       
/s/ Carl G. Verboncoeur*
 
Carl G. Verboncoeur
  Trustee    April 1, 2011
 
       
/s/ James E. Ross*
 
James E. Ross
  Trustee, President and Principal Executive Officer   April 1, 2011
         
*By:
  /s/ Ryan M. Louvar    
    Ryan M. Louvar    
 
  As Attorney-in-Fact    
 
  Pursuant to Power of Attorney    


 

EXHIBIT LIST
Item 28
     
(a)
  Registrant’s Declaration of Trust
 
   
(b)
  Registrant’s By-Laws
 
   
(d)(i)
  Form of Advisory Agreement between the Trust and SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
 
   
(d)(ii)
  Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and GSO/Blackstone Debt Funds Management, LLC
 
   
(e)(i)
  Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and State Street Global Markets, LLC
 
   
(p)(i)
  Registrant’s Code of Ethics
 
   
(q)
  Powers of Attorney for Ms. Boatman and Messrs. Churchill, Verboncoeur, Kelly, Nesvet, Ross and Hallett
 
   
(r)
  Secretary’s Certificate