497K 1 gcgfsp.htm GT GREATER CHINA GROWTH 497K DTD 7-31-12 Summary Prospectus Template

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Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2012

as revised July 31, 2012

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund


Class/Ticker     A/EVCGX     B/EMCGX     C/ECCGX     I/EICGX

This Summary Prospectus is designed to provide investors with key fund information in a clear and concise format. Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, which contain more information about the Fund and its risks. The Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated January 1, 2012, as supplemented, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus. For free paper or electronic copies of the Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and other information about the Fund, go to http://funddocuments.eatonvance.com, email a request to contact@eatonvance.com, call 1-800-262-1122, or ask any financial advisor, bank, or broker-dealer who offers shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, page number references refer to the current Prospectus for this Fund.

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term 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.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $50,000 in Eaton Vance Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 19 of the Fund's Prospectus and page 22 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class I

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering price)

5.75%

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None

5.00%

1.00%

None


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

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class I

Management Fees

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.30%

1.00%

1.00%

n/a

Other Expenses

0.42%

0.42%

0.42%

0.42%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.97%

2.67%

2.67%

1.67%

Expense Reimbursement(1)

(0.02)%

(0.02)%

(0.02)%

(0.02)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement

1.95%

2.65%

2.65%

1.65%

(1)

The investment adviser and sub-adviser have agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.95% for Class A shares, 2.65% for Class B and Class C shares, and 1.65% for Class I shares. This expense reimbursement will continue through April 28, 2013. Any amendments to or a termination of this reimbursement would require approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, taxes or litigation expenses. Amounts reimbursed may be recouped by the investment adviser and sub-adviser during the Fund’s current fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than the contractual expense cap during such 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 redeem 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 operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Expenses with Redemption

Expenses without Redemption

 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

$

762

$

1,156

$

1,575

$

2,737

$

762

$

1,156

$

1,575

$

2,737

Class B shares

$

768

$

1,227

$

1,613

$

2,832

$

268

$

827

$

1,413

$

2,832

Class C shares

$

368

$

827

$

1,413

$

3,001

$

268

$

827

$

1,413

$

3,001

Class I shares

$

168

$

525

$

905

$

1,975

$

168

$

525

$

905

$

1,975

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the 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. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 78% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of companies located in the China region (the “80% Policy”).  The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies which, in the opinion of the investment adviser, will benefit from the economic development and growth of the People’s Republic of China. Under normal circumstances, the Fund primarily invests in companies in the China region, which includes Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.  A company will be considered to be located in the China region if it is domiciled in the China region or has at least 50% of its assets in, or derives 50% or more of its revenues or profits from, the China region.  The Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities in any one country in the China region. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets outside the China region.  The Fund invests in companies with a broad range of market capitalizations, including smaller companies.  More than 25% of the Fund’s total assets may be denominated in a single currency.  At times, the Fund may attempt to hedge foreign currency fluctuations by entering into forward currency exchange contracts.  The Fund also may invest in stock and index futures as a substitute for purchasing securities and to gain exposure to sectors of the market.  The Fund limits investment in such index or stock futures to not more than 20% of its total assets.  The Fund may invest in private placements.

The investment adviser invests primarily in common stocks of China region companies expected to grow in value over time, regardless of short-term market fluctuations.  In selecting securities for the Fund, the investment adviser considers companies that it believes have all or most of the following characteristics: sound and well-established management; producers of goods or services for which a clear, continuing and long-term demand can be identified within the context of national, regional and global development; a history of earnings growth; financial strength; a consistent or progressive dividend policy; and undervalued securities.  Stocks typically will be sold when they have achieved their perceived value or when a country’s stock market is expected to be depressed for an extended period.

Principal Risks

Equity Investing Risk. The Fund’s shares may be sensitive to stock market volatility and the stocks in which the Fund invests may be more volatile than the stock market as a whole.  The value of equity investments and related instruments may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations, as well as issuer or sector specific events.  Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines, the value of Fund shares will also likely decline and although stock values can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Foreign and Emerging Market Investment Risk.Because the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in foreign instruments, the value of Fund shares can be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates and political, economic and market developments abroad.  In emerging or less developed countries, these risks can be more significant.  Investment markets in emerging market countries are typically substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in



Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

2

Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2012 as revised July 31, 2012


developed countries.  As a result, Fund share values may be more volatile than if it invested only in developed markets.  Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and economies.  Emerging market investments often are subject to speculative trading, which typically contributes to volatility.  Trading in foreign and emerging markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country. The value of investments denominated in foreign currencies can be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Depositary receipts are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities including political, economic and market risks.

Risks of Investing in Asia.  Economies of countries in the Asian and China regions differ from the U.S. economy in various ways, such as rate of growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. As export-driven economies, the economies of countries in the Asian and China regions are affected by developments in the economies of their principal trading partners.  Monsoons and natural disasters also can affect the value of investments.  China’s governmental actions and the actions of other governments located in the region can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in the Asian and China regions, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of investments. Although the Chinese Government has recently begun to institute legal and economic reform policies, there can be no assurances that it will continue to pursue such policies or, if it does, that such policies will succeed.

Small Company Equity Risk.The stocks of small and emerging companies are generally subject to greater price fluctuations, limited liquidity, higher transaction costs and higher investment risk.  Small and emerging companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, may be dependent on a limited management group, and may lack substantial capital reserves or an established performance record.  There may be generally less publicly available information about such companies than for larger, more established companies. Stocks of these companies frequently have lower trading volumes making them more volatile and potentially more difficult to value.

Geographic Concentration Risk.  Because the Fund will concentrate its investments in equity securities of companies located in the region defined in Principal Investment Strategies above, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region and may fluctuate more than that of a less concentrated fund.

Derivatives Risk.  The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the asset, index, rate or instrument underlying a derivative, due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints.  Derivatives may create economic leverage in the Fund, which magnifies the Fund’s exposure to the underlying investment. Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund.  When derivatives are used to gain or limit exposure to a particular market or market segment, their performance may not correlate as expected to the performance of such market thereby causing the Fund to fail to achieve its original purpose for using such derivatives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events.  Derivative instruments may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying instrument.  If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty.  The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Issuer Diversification Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than funds that are “diversified.”  Non-diversified funds face the risk of focusing investments in a small number of issuers, making them more susceptible to risks affecting such issuers than a more diversified fund might be.

Risks Associated with Active Management.  The Fund is an actively managed portfolio and its success depends upon the investment skills and analytical abilities of the investment adviser to develop and effectively implement strategies to achieve the Fund’s investment objective.  Subjective decisions made by the investment adviser may cause the Fund to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities on which it may otherwise have capitalized.

General Fund Investing Risks.  The Fund is not a complete investment program and you may lose money by investing in the Fund.  All investments carry a certain amount of risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective.  Annual Fund Operating Expenses expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets may change as Fund assets increase and decrease, and the Annual Fund Operating Expenses may differ in the future.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective.  Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or person.



Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

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Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2012 as revised July 31, 2012


Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index.  The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge.  If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower.  Past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results.  The Fund’s performance reflects the effects of expense reductions.  Absent these reductions, performance would have been lower.  Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.  

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During the ten years ended December 31, 2010, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 30.52% for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and the lowest quarterly return  was –26.58% for the quarter ended September 30, 2001.  The year-to-date total return through the end of the most recent calendar quarter (December 31, 2010 to September 30, 2011) was –27.11%.

Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2010

One Year

Five  Years

Ten Years

Class A Return Before Taxes

2.14%

13.78%

10.19%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

-0.10%

12.64%

9.64%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Class A Shares

3.14%

11.98%

9.07%

Class B Return Before Taxes

2.90%

14.29%

10.19%

Class C Return Before Taxes

6.73%

14.53%

10.17%

Class I Return Before Taxes

8.79%

15.27%

10.90%

MSCI Golden Dragon Index (reflects net dividends, which reflect the deduction of withholding taxes)

13.24%

12.75%

9.25%

These returns reflect the maximum sales charge for Class A (5.75%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class B and Class C.  The Class I performance shown above for the period prior to October 1, 2009 (commencement of operations) is the performance of Class A shares at net asset value without adjustment for any differences in the expenses of the two classes.  If adjusted for other expenses, returns would be different.  For the period from September 30, 1996 to December 31, 2000, the MSCI Golden Dragon Index data was calculated using gross dividends, without consideration for taxes.  Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.  (Source for the MSCI Golden Dragon Index returns: Lipper Inc. and MSCI, respectively).  MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose.  MSCI provides no warranties, has not approved this data and has no liability hereunder.

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.  Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown.  After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities.  After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares.  Return After Taxes on Distributions may be the same as Return Before Taxes for a period because no taxable distributions were made during that period.  Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.

Management

Investment Adviser.  Boston Management and Research (“BMR”).

Investment Sub-Adviser.  Lloyd George Management (Hong Kong) Limited (“LGM-HK”).

Portfolio Manager.  The Fund is managed by Pamela Chan, Director of LGM-HK, who has managed the Fund and Greater China Growth Portfolio (the Portfolio the Fund invested in prior to July 31, 2012) since 2002.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. Class B shares are only available for purchase upon exchange from another Eaton Vance fund or through reinvestment of distributions.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or directly from the Fund either by writing to Eaton Vance Funds, P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000 for Class A, Class B and Class C, and $250,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.



Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

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Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2012 as revised July 31, 2012



Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are exempt from taxation.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (collectively, “financial intermediaries”), the Fund, its principal underwriter and its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

4238-7/12CGSP

© 2012 Eaton Vance Management




Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

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Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2012 as revised July 31, 2012